5k: Super Extra: 1989 Toyota TownAce 4X4 TurboDiesel

The Toyota R20/30 generation TownAce van was built sold from 1982 to 1991 for various businesses and families around the globe.  It offered space ship styling, acceptable performance and fuel economy, with a bouncy high-up seating position that will remind you of first generation Type 2 Transporters.   Today we’ve got a rare example — a 4X4 Super Extra high roof turbo-diesel powered Japanese right-hand-drive special.  Good thing it’s 25 years old!  Find this 1989 Toyota TownAce 4X4 TurboDiesel bidding for $7,500 here on eBay, located in Salem, OR with 2 days to go.

The TownAce isn’t exactly what you would call a driver’s car…especially when propelled by an 80s era heavy fuel burner…but this thing brings a degree of machismo/cool/funk that is second only to a rastahcap covering your dreadlocks.  And I’m not talkin’ about some fake Rachel Dolezal perm, I’m thinkin’ about some real dreads like the Twins from that terrible Matrix sequel or Lil Wayne’s legendary locks.

This JDM immigrant is powered by  a 2.0 liter turbo diesel inline-4 that pushes out something in the neighborhood of 85 horsepower and 120 ft-lbs of torque.  You won’t exactly be rollin’ coal in your TownAce Super Extra, but fuel economy should be great.

A glance at the interior shows ample seating for 7 humans, and the desirable manual gearbox — this thing would be terribly slow with a slushbox. 

See another car that has zero chance of being legal in California for less? tips@dailyturismo.com