Japanese trucks

David Larson says: Before the civil war, Syrian truckers who wanted to haul loads in the streets of the ancient cities used Kei trucks like this Honda TN-V.

Damascus, the old city near Bab Touma. by alan mckibbin

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David Larson says: An "Americanized" Isuzu Giga undergoing road tests in California.

Isuzu Giga by Robert Wityczak

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David Larson says: Pure chaos at an intersection in France with a Hino HE stuck right in the middle of it.

Hino HE + Volvo F88 Choisy-le-Roi (94 Val de Marne) 21-05-1988a by Alain Mugica

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David Larson says: Japanese trucks took off in New Zealand much earlier than the rest of the world, thanks to similar geography and physical proximity. This Nissan Diesel Sungreat exudes 60's style and is typical of the drawbar logging outfits popular in NZ.

H Baigent FG4177 Richmond 2012-01-29_154 by Dave

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David Larson says: Abandoned Nissan TW50 in New Zealand. My favorite Nissan model, the TW50 was powered by a V10 diesel.

Nissan UD TW50 Tipper Truck. by Branxholm

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David Larson says: A very 1970's Nissan in New Zealand. Most of the Japanese semi trucks in New Zealand are export models, but this truck would look just at home in Tokyo as it would in Te Awamutu.

Nissan Crane & Cartage Ltd by mullett-471

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David Larson says: When hotshotters first took off in the USA the trucks of choice were often UDs. Many Japanese trucks exported to the US for hotshot work in the 80's sported massive aero sleepers.

Nissan "UD" hot shot by Dick Copello

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David Larson says: The Mitsubishi Fuso NV was designed primarily for export to the middle east and the Soviet Union. They remained a common sight well into the early 2000's in those regions.

Mitsubishi NV Dump (Bahrain) by Dick Copello

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David Larson says: In Japan, older trucks have green speed indicator lights on the cab roof to signal to other traffic how fast the truck is traveling. The practice is obsolete now but speed indicator lights became a hallmark of Japanese trucks and they've been emulated on custom trucks the world over.

Mitsu Fuso by Dick Copello

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David Larson says: Japan's emissions laws require that a progressive vehicle tax surpass a vehicle's value within 15 years. For that reason, Japan exports many classic vehicles to other countries, with one of their biggest customers for this market being New Zealand. The Mitsubishi flat is an export model, but the Prado is JDM surplus.

1984 MITSUBISHI FUSO Truck. by Branxholm

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David Larson says: Lots of abandoned iron in Spain including Japanese and American cabovers.

Mitsubishi Fuso, Mercedes LAK, Ford Cargo & Tramagal GBA's by Freggs

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David Larson says: Most Japanese trucks built prior to the 1980's were imitations of classic American trucks. This Hino was clearly inspired by a Ford "Two Story Falcon".

Mount Cook Line Hino by timstoys1

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David Larson says: A stormy day in NZ finds this Nissan taking on a load of manufactured goods.

115 Transport Nelson 16 GT6589 Richmond April 1980 014-04-06_10 by Dave

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David Larson says: Nissan Sungreat with a missing engine.

Nissan FP1986 Oamaru 171013 IMG_7798 by Dave

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David Larson says: A Nissan TW50 with its Fruehauf bathtub unload at a New Zealand landfill in the 1980's.

Andy Whiting 16 HT4755 Nelson 0481 2013-04-25_10 by Dave

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David Larson says: One of New Zealand's primary exports is wool, and special cattle trucks like this Nissan TW50 help move the sheep to the shears. In NZ a truck like this will commonly pull a drawbar trailer.

Richmond & Hutt 7 GQ9640 Waimate 1182 2012-11-04_0 by Dave

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