The Suzuki Samurai is one of the coolest vintage 4x4s you can buy right now that won’t break the bank. In the world of “Samis,” you can get one with the convertible roof or the hard top, which is affectionately called the “tin top.” If you’re not a drop-top person, this holds immediate appeal; other benefits include additional structural rigidity and the obvious safety benefits should you roll over. The truck shown here not only benefits from the hard roof but also numerous improvements that will make it an awesome companion on road and trail. Find the Suzuki here on craigslist for $16,900.
Oftentimes, I talk about vehicles with insights as to their current and longer-term collectability. The Samurai is one of those vehicles that I don’t think is done rising in value. It may not ever be a $30,000 rig, but the current appreciation trend seems to have some room to run. For starters, they’re hard to find in any condition, but especially when they show up like this; for another, rust was always a problem, so tracking down a Samurai with no rot is another asset this example possesses. Finally, finding one that’s owned by someone who knows what they’re doing maintenance and improvement-wise is a coup for anyone who’s on the hunt.
And this seller seems to know how to build a solid Sami. For starters, the original engine has been replaced with a larger 1.6L mill from the later Sidekick. It’s been rebuilt and further improved with “…(a) Sidewinder CV carburetor, K and N Air Filter, Doug Thorley Header,” all of which are household names in the Samurai community. You can also see here it sports some pretty slick bucket seats and Corbeau harnesses, and the seller notes that the factory A/C still works. There’s even a roll cage and numerous other smart touches throughout, and the seller notes all electrical features function correctly.
In addition to the engine replacement, the seller lists off several off-road friendly improvements, such as an Air Locker Posi rear end, manual locking front hubs, an electric winch, upgraded cooling fans, extra gas and water containers, a swing-out tire carrier, and much more. I can see in the photos it also wears upgraded bumpers and 15-inch American Racing wheels. When it comes to vintage vehicles of any type, you’re buying the seller as much as you’re buying the vehicle, and in this instance, this Samurai seems like a home run. It’s all the money, but it may be one of the best sorted examples on the market right now. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.
Looks like a well built little Sammy.
Smart, sensible modifications on this tin top – I would love to have this in Colorado for some off-roading adventures. Nothing too crazy, I just want to explore some of the old mining districts in the “high country.”
In recent years, I’ve been thinking a used Samurai, with a set of studded Tryggs, is a better choice than a new side-by-side, for bumbling around in the back forty.
I had an opportunity to drive a Samurai back in the very early 90’s it was a blast. I had so much fun running that thing through the gears around town. It just felt like it would go anywhere. ( I didn’t take itnoff road, it wasnt mine lol). Totally agree with Stan and Todd J. Very sensibly updated. Nice one here.
Very cool rig! I owned a Suzuki when they were still a U.S. presence, and sometimes parts were quite a wait. XX years after they have pulled out of the market, how difficult are parts to source?
I remember a business called Calmini back in my 4wd days that supported these Suzukis well XMA0891
Was living in Greece in ’94 and needed a small runabout for getting around. On my way back from a trip to the US I stopped in London to go to the Auto jumble at Beaulieu. Came across a dealer who had a LHD Samurai for sale and struck a deal. 1 day London to Paris, 1 day Paris to Nice, 1 day Nice to Rome, 1 day Rome to Bari and on to the overnight ferry to Patra and on to Athens. Ran the Samurai foot to the floor the whole way-top speed about 80 mph. Drove it for a year all over Greece with never a hiccup and sold it to an English schoolteacher when I left. Of all the cars I’ve owned, the Samurai holds some of my most nostalgic memories. A decade later when my daughter and her new husband were living in LA and needed a vehicle I bought them a Geo Tracker which they drove for years. Then in 2003 my wife wanted a small vehicle for shopping and I got her the new body style now called the Chevrolet Tracker with auto trans. She used it daily until her passing and it was given to the grandson when he went to college. The thing that sticks in my mind about all these variations was that they were simple and reliable and you never had any concerns when driving.
A while ago I saw a modded one at the local drag strip open run night. It was a little squirrely but ultra quick especially off the line. It was the coolest vehicle that night.
Cool looking Suzuki. These and later Trackers are more than capable machines. Always going everywhere and doing every test the big 4x4s did. The stock engine is a bit slow so this should liven things up on the road. No doubt it will sell quickly.
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Owned am 86 soft top for 24 years. Didn’t put a lot of miles on it…just drove it around town. Thing wasn’t exactly a soft ride but it always started, could climb nearly straight up with in 4WD and got 25 miles to the gallon. Bit hard to ride in it faster than 50 mph but they were very fun. They never really tipped easily but worries of safety became a concern as more SUVs joined the road and I ultimately sold it for $5000 in 2010 for basically what I paid for it. Still had its original tires, original points and condenser. It sat a lot so I did run through a few soft tops. The guy that bought it swapped a Chevy 350 V8 into it…Never saw it again.
I had a 94 Suzuki Sidekick. Pretty capable 4×4 but it was to tall and underpowered. I had the 5 sp manual. I think this Samurai looks very capable. Very nice
I’ve got one of these, a blue one, with about 70,000 for real miles on it. Out in California, of course no rust. Completely all original, no fancy wheels or a lift. It is completely reliable and an extremely capable 4×4, and no wider than your outstretched arms. Thankfully I live in a rural, remote area with no fast highways. Fifty mph seems OK comfortable on pavement, but it doesn’t really want to go much faster. I will probably just keep it forever, but I wonder, what is this thing worth? We also have a Toyota FJ40, and I actually prefer the Suzuki for genuine back roads. Locking hubs, roll up windows, simple and little.
Listing has been taken down already.
nother listing just asa ‘mrkt tester’ i assume, de-listed already.
Quite a lambasting by the press (government?) back in the day: “too tippy”. All off rd are, let’s drive properly/with skill, no? Jimney, tracker (we just restomoded 1: turboed, LSD, 17X9.50X33 wheel, etc) & these are some fav.s here back east as to their capability/sz for off rd. Less for daily as too short a wheel base (80 inch). My bronco’s a foot longer ! Both difficult to square up on lift…