Domingo - Terje's cars

car kei — Now you can buy a "Kei car" online and have it transported on one of the car boats that run between Japan and Drammen.

Japan is not a country from which we normally import used cars. Although there are car boats between Japan and Norway, organizing transport can present problems. But there is a website that connects Japanese car dealerships, transporters and Norwegian car buyers. If you find a fun car, you can order online and have it delivered by boat to Drammen.

Japanese automotive history is full of goodies

Although Japanese cars were popular here at home, it is rare to come across real goodies such as the Datsun 240Z, Honda 2000 and Mazda RX-3. But more people have opened their eyes to Japanese cars and are ordering them from American websites. But did you know you can order from Japan, too? A website guides you through the process from when you find your dream car until it arrives at the quay at Drammen.

The website works for me carfromjapan.com as a safe place to shop used cars online. You get good pictures of the car's condition and can easily enter into an online dialogue with the sales company - hopefully in English. I don't know if Japanese are more honest than other nationalities, but the process seems orderly to ensure all parties. But before you import a car from Japan, you should investigate the possibilities of getting it registered in Norway. In Japan, driving is on the left, so you need to get headlights for driving on the right. It is possible that the seller can help you with that. Furthermore, you should form an opinion about living with the steering wheel on the right hand side (RHD). If you search explicitly for left-hand drive cars, you will find European and American import cars with the steering wheel on the left. Left-hand drive cars may not be very popular on the used market in Japan. It opens up to make a good trade, but I don't see carfromjapan.com as a typical site to trade western cars.

RHD cars

Here at home, right-hand drive cars can be difficult to resell. They are also not ideal if you want a good "driving car" - provided you are not going to drive on closed tracks. If you buy the car for "fun" - for small trips at a leisurely pace, to enjoy the nostalgia and joy of having a special vehicle, a car from Japan may be right up your alley.

I envision two situations - those who want a reunion with the car they themselves - or someone in the family owned in the 60s, 70s or 80s - or a fun little Japanese that only Japanese people can make. I then think about Kei cars which has received advantages in its home country given that the car's engine size and external dimensions are kept under strict limits. In order to make optimal use of the limited dimensions, the cars are built as square as possible, which means that they can never win any beauty contests. But that's what makes them cool. Imagine a Kei-car as car number 2 or 3 - a small pick-up that is used in the local environment - down to the marina, to the golf course, to the hardware store and practical errands.

Japanese snacks

I have allowed myself to pick out a few tidbits from https://carfromjapan.com/. All the cars are models that are already represented in the Norwegian vehicle register, so there are good opportunities to get plates on them. Take the mini-pickup, for example Suzuki Carry, there are an incredible 287 pieces of it in Norway without ever having been brought in via Suzuki's normal import channels. Other similar models are Honda acty, Mitsubishi Minicabs og Daihatsu Hijet. I have also brought the micro utility vehicle Subaru Domingo which can also be found in the Norwegian vehicle register, as well as a couple of nostalgia cars.

The Norwegian prices are calculated according to the dollar exchange rate when the post was written. Go to the links and the sales site's pages for more information about the cars and the sales process.

Suzuki Carry Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1997
Sister model: Bedford Rascal
LHD front light kits are available.
Km: 47000
Type of car: Kei Car - automatic - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 30
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 47
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 11
Total: NOK 62

Honda Action Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1992 (facelift)
Sister model: Honda Street
Not sure if there are LHD headlights.
Km: 93000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 26
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 40
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 10
Total: NOK 52

Daihatsu Hijet Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1991-1994
Year of manufacture car: 1991
Sister model: Piaggio Porter, Innocenti Porter
The sister models are produced as LHD
Km: 23000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 9
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 23
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 5
Total: NOK 32

Subaru Domingo

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1993-1998
Year of manufacture car: 1998
Sister model: Subaru Sumo/Libero
Is also produced as LHD
Km: 32000
Type of car: Passenger car/MPV - automatic - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 113
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 140
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 140
Total: NOK 178

Cars with nostalgia value

If you buy a youngtimer or vintage car to experience the nostalgia, the fact that the car is right-hand drive is no showstopper. These are cars you use to drive on quiet Sunday trips or to meetings for like-minded people. The problem is that they are also popular in Japan. An old Laurel or Crown with low mileage are expensive pleasures.

Nissan Pulsar

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1986-1991
Year of manufacture car: 1986
Sister model: Nissan Sentra/Sunny
Engine: 1,6 Twincam 120 HP (Sunny GTI)
Available in LHD version
Km: 83000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 62
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 79
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 19
Total: NOK 101

Datsun Laurel 200L

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1972-1977
Year of manufacture car: 1972
Sister model: –
Engine: 2000 ccm
Available in LHD version
Km: 41000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual
Price only car: NOK 323
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 348
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 87
Total: NOK 438

About Kei Cars

From 1990, the engine size must not exceed 660 ccm and the engine power must not be less than 64 HP. External dimensions length x width x height in meters must be kept below 3,30 x 1,40 x 2,00 - from 1998: 3,40 x 1,48 x 2,00. Max length does not include the bumpers.

See

Link to Facebook group for Kei car owners in Norway

subaru domingo — Stands out in the crowd.

I've seen them at car meets - along with Porsches and Corvettes. Who do you think gets the most attention?

Stands out from the crowd

Well, there are more Porsches and Corvettes than Subaru Domingos. But there is something more, which brings to mind cult cars such as the public transport bus, the Fiat 238 van and the Matra Rancho recreational vehicle. These are models with distinctive design and functional features - which stand out in the crowd. I have tried to find out what it is, - what makes the Subaru Domingo such a car.

Domingo in a nutshell

Subaru Domingo has several names, including Sumo, Sambar and Libero. Too bad that the brand name Libero has already been taken in Norway. The small car offers a lot of freedom in terms of space and flexibility. In Japan, a variant was produced without the large front bumper and with smaller engines. They then came under the size limits for so-called "Kei cars", which are cars with special advantages in Japan. Among other things, proof that the cars have a parking space is not required. The Subarus are approved for "only" 6 people in Norway, - while in other markets there is probably room for 7. If the physical area is not large, feels it's roomy inside the car. I have seen pictures where all the seats are folded down, so that the whole car is converted into one big bed. There are special versions with extendable camping roofs and large sunroofs. Many have created their own furnishing solutions. The Subaru can fit in everywhere in the city, and with switchable 4-wheel drive, it can make its way in slightly rough terrain, too.

Behind the wheel

Today there are 132 cars on plates in Norway. I have been allowed to take a closer look at the Subaru Ruben Sandnes. He owns several interesting cars, including one Coupe Deville which we have previously mentioned on Terje's cars. Ruben says that the little van was previously owned by a family member. It is over 20 years old, but still runs like clockwork. The small 3-cylinder 1,2 liter engine kicks off surprisingly well. In quiet traffic, you can fine-tune 1-3-5 to get up to speed. Since the engine is located at the very back under the load compartment, the sound into the cabin is quite muffled. The steering does not have servo, but it is not missing either on the approximately 1000 kilo heavy vehicle.

Not mainstream

The interior space is impressive when you consider that the car is barely 3,5 meters long. The special location of the engine helps to make use of all the floor space. The interior in general looks quite ordinary for Japanese cars of its time. The bodywork, however, is quite special. It can be described with words such as charming, functional and ugly-pretty. Corresponding cars with a more contemporary, mainstream appearance quickly become outdated over the years. Some "ugly ducklings", on the other hand, become cooler in their older days. It happened with Citroën 2CV, Citroën HY van, Renault 4. Cheap, small and tall, - with several small and ingenious solutions.

Missing engine compartment

The lid for topping up coolant is on the rear wall inside the rear door. On the other side, you can fill up washer fluid for the rear window. Windscreen washer fluid is filled in front, somewhere. Brake fluid is topped up under a cover on the dashboard. You can therefore top up brake fluid while driving (!). These special maintenance points are due to the fact that the car has no traditional engine compartment. By pulling out the rear bumper like a drawer, you gain access to check the oil and inspect simple things in the engine compartment. The engine is located horizontally under the luggage compartment. Larger tasks require a metal plate to be unscrewed. I imagine that certain tasks can be demanding to carry out, although Japs cars in this era generally need little attention.

Buy and own

We are unsure whether Subaru Norway brought in Domingos to Norway. Maybe it could be special ordered? Most of the cars on Norwegian plates are imported used. Many have been admitted after only one year. Maybe someone offered surplus cars from a warehouse in Europe? In any case, there are currently no Domingos for sale on Norwegian and Swedish used car exchanges. In Europe, prices range from NOK 10 - 000, depending on condition. Domingo is undoubtedly a future classic. The prices of good examples will probably fall until the cars are 100 years old. Those that survive the period of use will then increase in price - demand will probably rise first in central Europe. Parts currently do not seem to be a problem when it comes to engine and chassis parts. There is a growing interest in Japanese classics.

Facts about Subaru Domingo

Weights and Measures

Length, width, height: 353 / 142 / 199 cm
Wheelbase: 189 cm
Net weight without driver: 1020 kg
Max trailer weight with brakes: 700 kg
– without brakes: 400 kg
Max roof load: 70 kg

Technical

1,2 (EF12) 3-cylinder in line - mounted horizontally - rear mounted - rear wheel drive with switchable four wheel drive
Horsepower: 54
5-speed manual
McPherson front suspension (independent suspension)
Longitudinal semi-independent rear suspension