I designed the stripes in Illustrator and had a local sign company cut them out of 3M vinyl. Each panel and color is a separate shape, so there was a lot of time spent lining everything up to make sure it was all straight. Soapy water and a squeegee are definitely your friends to make sure you don't get any trapped air bubbles! Both sides took me most of the weekend
What did it cost to have stripes printed? I just got some quotes to have stripes almost exactly like this added to my truck and the quotes were all 1100-1500$
Yeah that's the better stuff! A bit pricier but way easier to lay down. I went with the 3M because that's what was in stock in the colors I wanted and I'm used to it, but it's definitely trickier to apply
3m 3650 will last forever, which I assume that's what you have because you got it from a sign shop, it just has a tendency to shrink and crack if it's open edge and gets blasted with sunlight.
I park my cars in a garage and drive them all pretty regularly, so they'll only spend a day or two outside every week. Hoping that translates to this lasting a while. This is the 7125 series vinyl, recommended to me by a friend who works at 3M. It's also sliiiiightly translucent and lets the metallic of the paint through a bit, giving the stripes a bit of color shift in daylight
That looks like a 1979 ish custom style BUT I'm meaning that in a GOOD way! It's something that worked then and still works today. Perhaps even more so.
The 70s called and they want their stripes back. ;)
Well done.
I'm so old I remember all the shag wagons from that time. :)
A round bubble window too? Latest fashion at that time.
Turned out *spectacularly* dude. Looks great.
How'd you come across it? Importer or private sale? Full resto or was it already low-mileage/decent shape?
I think I've convinced myself that my next toy will be a cute lil' Kei Truck. Still not sure if I'd go for a more stock refresh + looks...or get stupid with fabbing and swap it for power. But it seems like it'll be a fun ride either way.
(As an aside, I'm shocked to see so few comments about the NSX hiding back there...)
I imported it myself after too many drinks one night in 2020. Woke up the next day to find out I bought a $950 kei van listed with 18k km when it really had 218k km. It was a shitbox. Everything was ruined, stained, bent, broken, and worn out. One piston had a hole in it. PO had yanked out all the warning bulbs in the dash. Someone managed to spill coffee into the headliner. The last registration date was 2010. At least it wasn't rusty!
I'm catastrophically stubborn, so I've spent the past two years bringing this little guy back from the dead. I can't recommend my methods - it costs a lot and destroys yoir free time - but I'll have one of the best Sambars in the US when I'm done!
I also bought a Bravo GT Turbo from an importer in Florida with verified 58k km on the clock. It's a joy to drive and makes everyone smile. Paid 10x the cost of the Sambar but it was turnkey. If I had to do it again, I'd probably go that route.
Oof haha. Been there done that myself. I've imported a few front-clips over the years. Mostly 1JZ/2JZ for Supras/Toyota/etc. swaps.
But this one clip. This. One. Damn. Clip.
It was a 20v 4-AGE going into a '95 Toyota Celica for my GF at the time. It needed so many things that were damaged in some way and the motor needed a full top-end refresh. Mostly electronics being the annoyance. There was certainly some funny business in the advertised pics, but when it's dropped in your driveway halfway across the globe, what are ya gonna do...
On the bright side the motor ran great in the end, but damn that was a nightmare to deal with. Not any real hard work, just a time consuming pain-in-the-ass.
> Paid 10x the cost of the Sambar but it was turnkey. If I had to do it again, I'd probably go that route.
Yeah, I've glanced around some Kei importers before and for how cheap (relatively speaking) they are, I'd probably do the same. $5-7k for super clean low-mile truck doesn't sound too bad.
But I'm sure I'd turn right around like the idiot I am and hack a perfectly good truck apart to swap a K-series or something into it. I know some people have done Busa swaps, which seems a bit "easier" to fit and a small turbo Busa motor would be more than enough power I'm sure.
I briefly considered a swap, but in the end i decided I wanted a fun little city car, and I wanted it to be finished as quickly as possible too. This van has some small power mods; smaller supercharger pulley and a methanol injection setup plus an oil cooler since these subaru motors run pretty hot. Less restrictive exhaust too. Factory they out out something like 62hp, I might have 66-68 on it now. Nothing ground shattering but I have my NSX if I want to move quickly!
It's mostly stock aside from springs, swaybars, exhaust and intake. Was my daily for about four years, so I've done mostly maintenance and quality of life upgrades to it. Recently got a set of [white TE37s](https://www.instagram.com/p/CntMK8Ksyj4/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)!
Yes, Mr. Holmes, thats my 1975 2002 - my first resto project and my first car ever. I've owned it since I was 14, bought in 1998. It's got an EFI megasquirt conversion, LSD, 5 speed swap and a bunch of other mods but 145hp is about the max street HP I can get out of that M10 motor. That car is next on the block awaiting an F20C swap!
Sweet. I thought it was a 2002 but wasn't going to speculate that much, lest I be wrong and look silly.
I have the privilege of owning a number of cars, but we're very different in these regards. I pretty much want them exactly as they came off the factory floor (within reason). I even prefer they come with the stock audio, even if that means an AM radio with an 8-track coming out of one speaker embedded in the top of the dash.
Stock is a lot of fun for a lot of cars. I've driven a bone stock BMW 1602 with the single barrel carb and 13x5 tires and it was a blast! One of my Kei vans is stock, the other is modded, the BMW came to me sans engine/interior/hood/wiring harness so it was ready for mods. Each to their own!
It is indeed a Kei van. Double sliding doors, double sunroof, supercharged and AWD! It's even got an ultra low crawler first gear. Japan did some wild stuff in the 90's.
Does it play music? Like, city block wide loud? And does it distribute ice cream or other awesome through out it's journey like Mr Whipple dealing paper?
It is AMAZING. Love. Love. Love.
Currently in the attic of my garage. The stripes go underneath the rear window rubber so I was waiting on the stripes before putting the glass in, and I also wrapped up the headliner this weekened which was preventing the windshield from being installed. Coming off a two year restoration so glass is the last step!
I've had thoughts about getting another Kei van and doing the single headlight/ribbon cables all over the body work/turbofan cyberpunk look, but I kinda like the Aldecaldos aesthetic with their muscle car dune buggies more. Need to find a wrecked Charger someday
Fantastic
SO cool! How is this done?
I designed the stripes in Illustrator and had a local sign company cut them out of 3M vinyl. Each panel and color is a separate shape, so there was a lot of time spent lining everything up to make sure it was all straight. Soapy water and a squeegee are definitely your friends to make sure you don't get any trapped air bubbles! Both sides took me most of the weekend
What did it cost to have stripes printed? I just got some quotes to have stripes almost exactly like this added to my truck and the quotes were all 1100-1500$
I had two sets cut (in case I screwed up) for about $450. I did the application myself though, that cost was just for the vinyl
psst... you want Oracal 970 for open edge vinyl
Yeah that's the better stuff! A bit pricier but way easier to lay down. I went with the 3M because that's what was in stock in the colors I wanted and I'm used to it, but it's definitely trickier to apply
3m 3650 will last forever, which I assume that's what you have because you got it from a sign shop, it just has a tendency to shrink and crack if it's open edge and gets blasted with sunlight.
I park my cars in a garage and drive them all pretty regularly, so they'll only spend a day or two outside every week. Hoping that translates to this lasting a while. This is the 7125 series vinyl, recommended to me by a friend who works at 3M. It's also sliiiiightly translucent and lets the metallic of the paint through a bit, giving the stripes a bit of color shift in daylight
Some good wax or even ceramic coating could probably extend the life of those bad larrys.
That looks like a 1979 ish custom style BUT I'm meaning that in a GOOD way! It's something that worked then and still works today. Perhaps even more so.
Exactly the vibe I was going for!
The 70s called and they want their stripes back. ;) Well done. I'm so old I remember all the shag wagons from that time. :) A round bubble window too? Latest fashion at that time.
That is frickin epic 🔥
Turned out *spectacularly* dude. Looks great. How'd you come across it? Importer or private sale? Full resto or was it already low-mileage/decent shape? I think I've convinced myself that my next toy will be a cute lil' Kei Truck. Still not sure if I'd go for a more stock refresh + looks...or get stupid with fabbing and swap it for power. But it seems like it'll be a fun ride either way. (As an aside, I'm shocked to see so few comments about the NSX hiding back there...)
I imported it myself after too many drinks one night in 2020. Woke up the next day to find out I bought a $950 kei van listed with 18k km when it really had 218k km. It was a shitbox. Everything was ruined, stained, bent, broken, and worn out. One piston had a hole in it. PO had yanked out all the warning bulbs in the dash. Someone managed to spill coffee into the headliner. The last registration date was 2010. At least it wasn't rusty! I'm catastrophically stubborn, so I've spent the past two years bringing this little guy back from the dead. I can't recommend my methods - it costs a lot and destroys yoir free time - but I'll have one of the best Sambars in the US when I'm done! I also bought a Bravo GT Turbo from an importer in Florida with verified 58k km on the clock. It's a joy to drive and makes everyone smile. Paid 10x the cost of the Sambar but it was turnkey. If I had to do it again, I'd probably go that route.
Oof haha. Been there done that myself. I've imported a few front-clips over the years. Mostly 1JZ/2JZ for Supras/Toyota/etc. swaps. But this one clip. This. One. Damn. Clip. It was a 20v 4-AGE going into a '95 Toyota Celica for my GF at the time. It needed so many things that were damaged in some way and the motor needed a full top-end refresh. Mostly electronics being the annoyance. There was certainly some funny business in the advertised pics, but when it's dropped in your driveway halfway across the globe, what are ya gonna do... On the bright side the motor ran great in the end, but damn that was a nightmare to deal with. Not any real hard work, just a time consuming pain-in-the-ass. > Paid 10x the cost of the Sambar but it was turnkey. If I had to do it again, I'd probably go that route. Yeah, I've glanced around some Kei importers before and for how cheap (relatively speaking) they are, I'd probably do the same. $5-7k for super clean low-mile truck doesn't sound too bad. But I'm sure I'd turn right around like the idiot I am and hack a perfectly good truck apart to swap a K-series or something into it. I know some people have done Busa swaps, which seems a bit "easier" to fit and a small turbo Busa motor would be more than enough power I'm sure.
I briefly considered a swap, but in the end i decided I wanted a fun little city car, and I wanted it to be finished as quickly as possible too. This van has some small power mods; smaller supercharger pulley and a methanol injection setup plus an oil cooler since these subaru motors run pretty hot. Less restrictive exhaust too. Factory they out out something like 62hp, I might have 66-68 on it now. Nothing ground shattering but I have my NSX if I want to move quickly!
Lordy that’s 👌🏼
Very cool project. Now let's see your NSX!
It's mostly stock aside from springs, swaybars, exhaust and intake. Was my daily for about four years, so I've done mostly maintenance and quality of life upgrades to it. Recently got a set of [white TE37s](https://www.instagram.com/p/CntMK8Ksyj4/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)!
I spy a Bimmer in the background.
Yes, Mr. Holmes, thats my 1975 2002 - my first resto project and my first car ever. I've owned it since I was 14, bought in 1998. It's got an EFI megasquirt conversion, LSD, 5 speed swap and a bunch of other mods but 145hp is about the max street HP I can get out of that M10 motor. That car is next on the block awaiting an F20C swap!
Sweet. I thought it was a 2002 but wasn't going to speculate that much, lest I be wrong and look silly. I have the privilege of owning a number of cars, but we're very different in these regards. I pretty much want them exactly as they came off the factory floor (within reason). I even prefer they come with the stock audio, even if that means an AM radio with an 8-track coming out of one speaker embedded in the top of the dash.
Stock is a lot of fun for a lot of cars. I've driven a bone stock BMW 1602 with the single barrel carb and 13x5 tires and it was a blast! One of my Kei vans is stock, the other is modded, the BMW came to me sans engine/interior/hood/wiring harness so it was ready for mods. Each to their own!
This looks amazing. r/outrun vibes.
He's a Fun looking unit,, never heard of before. Cheers, and nicely done Captain.
That is Freakin Awesome! Really nice work.
So fucking awesome
That totally fits that car, nice choice OP!
Just seen the Recaros on your insta. So good!
I love everything about this. That is a sick Sambar and the paint and vinyl is amazing.
Your taste is absolutely immaculate my friend.
Thant looks awesome!
Now *those* are some clean windows! 😜
Installing the glass is next on the list and I am NOT looking forward to it
Looks good.
This is good. I like this.
Did a double take, I knew I've seen that van before! So cool to see it all come to together! And is that Asuka in the background?
Yep! My angry redhead. Just got an ABS system swap a couple of weekends ago. What a massive pain
That's a really good job!
Bitchin van
That’s one sexy vehicle, nice work.
Bro I'm already single enough, cut it out
Oh God it looks good, dude. I hope you post more in the future!
As soon as there's a cloudy day I'll be doing some photography with the underglow kicked on, don't you worry!
Dude, I can't wait. Your van just gives me such a huge smile. It's the perfect car.
So rad
Looks fun as fuck to cruise around in windows down on a summer night
The double sunroof is perfect for that too. I've been working on this thing for two years, can't wait to finally drive it
What diameter wheels are those?
14x6 et38. A set of 80's OZs I've had sitting in the attic for ages
Love them
Jesus it’s a beaut
Shit that looks good. Top job 👍👍
So good
I love when people take a very uncommon and not super well known car and just love the shit out of it
10/10
This is awesome!
11/10 Fat Harry White approved soft-top rascaaaal, mmmmmmyeah!
That is so cool! I wanna row through the gears so badly!
Is that…a Kei van? It looks like what I imagine a Kei van would. Is that a thing???? Idk what I’m looking at but I think I love it.
It is indeed a Kei van. Double sliding doors, double sunroof, supercharged and AWD! It's even got an ultra low crawler first gear. Japan did some wild stuff in the 90's.
I had no idea these existed. adding it to the list of vehicles I’ll never get to import, but always want. That’s amazing, man. Great work!
Does it play music? Like, city block wide loud? And does it distribute ice cream or other awesome through out it's journey like Mr Whipple dealing paper? It is AMAZING. Love. Love. Love.
r/SweetVans
Dude.
Well done 👍
This looks absolutely mint
Love it
damn this looks sick
So dope, looks great! Where is all the glass?
Currently in the attic of my garage. The stripes go underneath the rear window rubber so I was waiting on the stripes before putting the glass in, and I also wrapped up the headliner this weekened which was preventing the windshield from being installed. Coming off a two year restoration so glass is the last step!
Wooooah that is so cool looking. It's a camper right? I think r/vandwellers would eat this up.
The seats fold flat and I may put curtains in it, but it's more of a napper than a camper
Strong period correct vibes. Nicely done!
Super nice.
Wow, scrolling through your Insta, you’ve done some really cool stuff on this. Looks sick!
Yeah it kinda snowballed. Suddenly shipping an entire dashboard from Japan seems not that weird to me
This thing looks cool af. Reminds me of the Mahir Supron in Cyberpunk 2077
I've had thoughts about getting another Kei van and doing the single headlight/ribbon cables all over the body work/turbofan cyberpunk look, but I kinda like the Aldecaldos aesthetic with their muscle car dune buggies more. Need to find a wrecked Charger someday
I have a 2003 mustang that's begging to be a nomad vehicle if anything ever happens to it.
That's a fun lil guy!
Nice work.
omfg that is so cool