Increasing rarity? Well, they were made until 1998 so the supply won't run out until 2013. Wonder how sales went in later years and how many 12-14 year old Domingos (like franck's) are out there. The combi body kit makes things even tougher...
I've seen a Domingo owner in Britain doing up his van with a VW kit. It implied removing the tougher bumpers for a 'Sambar like' front and rear ends.... not sure I'd do that personnaly. As per end of production date, I've seen lately Liberos as late as November 1999: http://www.autoscout24.fr/ListGN.as...b=price&mmvco=1&mmvmk0=67&mmvmd0=16367&desc=1 Franck
I suspect that the Domingo's are increasing in popularity as they will be able to handle Canadian road conditions better than the Kei vans like my old one. If the combi kit means removing the bumpers, I don't think I'd go there, the Suzuki got bashed that bad because the the bumpers had been removed for the combi kit to be mounted up. I would have hated to have been in a higher speed accident!
I think you're right to avoid removing bumpers on the Domingo. The back bumper isn't coming off - it hides the exhaust piping. The front bumper isn't easy either, it houses the filling neck for the windshield wiper reservoir (through a plug on the bumper, honestly!), and I think the air conditioning condenser is tucked under there too.
Arrhh, I still like the look of the combi/JDM vans though ... I wonder if there's a way to do it with everything intact ....
the front shots on an angle almost make it look like the van is wearing a football helmet. that red on in the last link really makes it look so.
Yeah, the license plate handlebar-mustache holder does look funny. I saw one Domingo which had that area cut out for a spare spare tire - classic VW van style. Then there's these guys.
Maybe you could ask these gyes, if a body kit was available for the Domingo.... (appologies for the cheesy pictures......!): http://www.vintagevan.com/index.html http://www.freewebs.com/vwreplica/
There's some videos on youtube of the Mongolian rally..... Would have loved to do it! The Libero/Domingo seems to be up to the task!
There's a body kit listed here for the Domingo Frank, doesn't seem to have a lot of information, or perhaps it's because I can't read Japanese ? http://www.calstage.jp/
Using google translate sometimes helps but.... It's quite poor. I had a look at the Domingo body kit and only the rear bumper is different (to the Sambar kit) to accomodate the bigger engine exhaust system. Front nose looks exactly the same as the Sambar.... which means, the extra protection of the 'football helmet lip' is out! http://translate.google.com/transla...&eotf=1&u=http://www.calstage.jp/&sl=ja&tl=en This one is for sale....... nearly $11k geeeee! http://www.kurumaerabi.com/?page=syousai&no-bar=on&substsid-key=Ze2950&stock_id=238 The other kits (chevy and french Citroen H-van) would habe been compatible with the 'lip' but they're not available on Subarus (only Honda and Susuki, mazda, daihatsu....) Franck
Well, that's the Calstage kit alright, and the back bumper seems to be in place as you say. The front bumper, there's now way it's under there .... That's a nice looking conversion for sure though, the body parts alone look to be about $2500 or so and extra bits like lights and trim to go with it too!
Too much money I reckon... and sooooooo vulnerable. I like the idea of a custom interior though. After all, this is where you spend most of your time! Franck
Well, I'm thinking that I have a limited window of time to find a new van so I'll have to hope I find something soon. I still haven't heard back from ICBC as yet, but, they've rented me a car until they've given me a buyout value so they have some incentive to work fast.
Too true Frank, however, after I purchased the Suzuki, I went and sold my GMC van so I'm work vehicleless until I replace the Suzuki. The bugger is I need one for work, that's what made it so useful! On the plus side, I had a call from ICBC finally and they're trying to figure out what the thing is worth. The importers' consensus seems to be that you have to spend about $8000-8500 to buy one after compliance in BC, so that's a good ballpark to hope for! In the meanwhile, I'm going to daily this 1969 Datsun Station Wagon ...
Nice!! Can't your lovely wagon hold on enough time to find the right Micro-Van? Are you given a limited lapse of time to spend the insurancce lump some?
Thanks Frank, most days the 'goon could do, in fact, I'm doing the head gasket on another one this weekend to get it running again. I'm really interested only in the Domingo this time around I think, but, as they say "I'm on the list"!
Thanks Fupa, the next Datsun up is the Brown '71 wagon, I'll have it back on the road by Monday, that'll buy me some time for shopping !
I love Station wagon in general..... those Datsun looks rather nice! Are you on the list of all possible importers? Franck
Hi Frank, the Datsuns are my real hobby or disease as my wife puts it ! I'm on the list with a couple of people in the lower mainland so we shall see. The station wagon can't haul the deliveries I've got for today though, I really need the old van back! This is going to need to be a bit faster than I thought ....
Hmmmm I wonder where this one is in the state (sounds unlikely since no car younger that 25 years are allowed in, unless I'm mistaken). http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C168521
Thanks Raven, haven't killed on quite yet! Frank, that area code 503 seems to be for Oregon. Wonder how they got ahold of it?