Even small cars can be tough. The Suzuki Carry is a microcar with origins in the Japanese "Kei Car" class. Typical of this class is that every centimeter was optimally utilized.
Terje's cars is a forum that discusses many great cars. The most expensive ones cost several million. But few cars are as popular as the Suzuki Carry, at least judging by reader response. We have previously mentioned the model in a post about the import of such cars from Japan. As surely as the sun rises every day, inquiries come in from readers wondering where they can buy a Suzuki Carry. Many believe that Terje's cars sell them. We don't do that.
Kei car
Before setting out on the market for a Suzuki Carry, you should be aware that these are by no means cars that live up to today's standards in terms of comfort and safety. The car in the pictures is a Suzuki Carry De Luxe van with windows. The external length is only 3,2 meters and the width 1,4 – but the height is almost 2 metres. Everything within the targets for "Kei cars" when the car was built in 1984. Later, in 1998, the requirements for length and width were increased to 3,40 and 1,48 meters respectively. Safety equipment such as bumpers is added. Cars within the Kei conditions offered tax and duty benefits in Japan – as well as exemption from parking permits in the big cities, which made them incredibly popular. Inventive car manufacturers have therefore endeavored to offer as many cars as possible within the requirements. There are "Kei Cars" with space for 7 people (in Japan), as well as countless vans, pickups, jeeps, camper vans, sedans and even sports cars.
Import to Norway
Several "Kei Car" models were exported to other markets. Since Kei terms did not exist outside of Japan, automakers could fit them with larger engines and more equipment. Cars such as the Suzuki Jimny, Honda N360 (N600) and Subaru Domingo are examples of cars that gained great popularity outside of Japan - but with larger engines than the 660 ccm that the Kei conditions required. The Suzuki Carry also became popular in many places in the world, including in southern Europe. Between 1984 and 1988 several of them were also sold in Norway as 2-seater vans. Here they got 800 ccm engines - enough to keep up with the traffic. The owner of the car in the pictures stated with a twinkle in his eye that it holds up well to reach 85 km/h - downhill.
For use and hobby
Even tall northerners can drive in a Kei Car. But seen from today's eyes, these are not cars that invite the longest trips. But they are well suited for driving in the local environment, for example to the grocery store (IKEA), fishing trips, golf, boating, or to work and school. Today we can add that they are cool hobby cars. If you park a Suzuki Carry next to a new Lamborghini, you should not ignore the fact that it is the Suzuki that gets the most attention. You will be surprised at how much car there actually is er in a car like this.
About the pictures
The car in the pictures was photographed while it was at Circle K in Skøyen, Oslo. Thank you Hege Friis for the pictures. The white Honda Acty pickup is photographed in Slemmestad. The white 1997 Suzuki Carry pickup has previously been photographed and sold through CarsFromJapan. The images of the green 1986 model and the 2014 model are images distributed via CarsWP.com.
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