Mini-trucks are not a late 1980s-early 1990s phenomenon. Mini-trucks have had their fans since they first started rolling on our side of the pond. Toyotas, Datsuns, Mazdas and the American-branded variations all became swiftly popular. Even today, you’ll find people that’ll go nuts over a Chevy LUV, or a Toyota Hilux, or a Mitsubishi Mighty Max if it’s in the right condition. My poison of choice? Bullet-side Datsuns, better known as the 620 line of pickups. We had several come and go around the shop when I was growing up, from near-perfect stock units to the slammed, 240Z-swapped and very, very fuschia-colored lowrider that hung around for a bit of time. I dig the little rigs, but this one…oooh, boy..
The late 1970s custom look is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of deal. Here, I’m really digging it. Maybe it’s due to the turbine mags with the knockoffs…I’m a sucker for that look. Or maybe it’s the stinkbug stance. Whatever the case, I’m digging this Datsun hardcore, even though I’m pretty sure I’d have to lose about six inches of height just to fit inside of it. Surely, there has to be a mini-trucker somewhere within the readership besides Charles Wickam, right?
Totally awesome! I’ve had a 350 swapped LUV, and a 302 swapped Currier. Now I’ve got what I’ve always wanted, a 360 powered Arrow. But the 620 Datsun has always been my fav for style.
I delivered paint to a shop in ’79-’81 that a guy was working on a luv truck. He was doing wide flares in metal. I never did see it finished. I wonder where it is?