Vehicle Description
In the 1960s, Toyota's FJ40 Land Cruiser was enjoying tremendous
global success, and soon other Japanese manufacturers wanted to get
their piece of the rapidly expanding civilian 4x4 market. Nissan
quickly followed Toyota's lead with the six-cylinder Patrol, while
Mitsubishi had been building their own version of the Willys Jeep
since 1953. Suzuki was primarily known for their motorcycles and
scooters, but they had been making small cars since the 1950s. In
1968, Suzuki purchased Hope Motor Company which had produced about
15 examples of a 4x4 miniature Jeep, powered by Mitsubishi engines.
Suzuki adapted this design and ditched the Mistu engine in favor of
their own air-cooled 360 c.c. parallel twin two-stroke. Named the
Jimny LJ10 ("Light Jeep 10"), Suzuki's little truck was built to
conform to Japanese "Kei" car regulations which imposed strict
rules on overall length, displacement, and power output. The
2-stroke twin made just 25 horsepower, but Jimny's light weight of
just 1,300 pounds and tiny size made it surprisingly capable
off-road. It also had the distinction of being the only 4x4 car to
qualify for Japan's Kei car class. In 1972, the Jimny was updated
and renamed the LJ20. The styling was revised with vertical grille
slats and some other minor cosmetic details. The two-stroke twin
now featured water cooling and a small boost in power allowed for a
50 mph top speed. The Jimny (also called the Brute in some markets)
was never officially imported to the United States by Suzuki,
though a small number did find their way stateside via
Intercontinental Equipment Corp which began importing them around
1970. Sales were a trickle at first but gradually grew to about
3,000 by 1974 - which was enough to attract Suzuki's attention and
prompt an official US version of the LJ20's successor - the
Samurai. The little Suzuki's compact size and serious off-road
capability made it a popular choice with farmers and landowners.
However, as with any inexpensive utility vehicle, attrition rates
were very high, and only a handful have survived today. It is with
great pleasure that we offer this wonderful example of Suzuki's
plucky and delightful 4x4. This 1972 Suzuki Jimny LJ20 is a truly
outstanding example of the breed, a highly original and beautifully
presented truck, recently from the collection of a dedicated Suzuki
LJ enthusiast. It is believed this US-market specification LJ20 was
sold new North Dakota and the original owner used it only
sparingly. It was kept in storage in North Dakota and was
eventually left unclaimed in the warehouse, along with two other
hardtop LJs. The owner of the storage building was able to assume
ownership, and he used the two hardtop versions to plow sidewalks
and for other building maintenance tasks, keeping this convertible
(less practical in North Dakota winters!) in case he needed spares.
Amazingly, he rarely touched this truck except to keep it in
running order and for occasional use in local parades. The third
and most recent owner bought approximately 20 years ago and
performed a minimal service and some light cosmetic freshening to
bring it up to the current standard it currently wears. Some
paintwork was done to protect it from corrosion and lift the
appearance, but it otherwise remains very original and factory
correct. This LJ20 is a "zero options" example, with just a pair of
simple spring, loaded metal bars to perform the task of keeping
occupants in place. Aside from fitting a factory-style roll bar for
safety, the owner simply serviced and enjoyed the Suzi, even
driving it to work on occasion. It is currently in its correct
US-specification, with a rear mounted spare wheel carrier (omitted
on home-market trucks due to length restrictions), and the distinct
15-inch white-painted "wagon wheels" which were a fashionable truck
accessory in the 1970s. The paint is outstanding, in the original
shade of dark green. Since the Jimny was a pure utility vehicle,
chrome was eschewed in favor of painted bumpers and mirrors, and
the original plastic grille and other minor trim pieces are all in
excellent condition. The seats are trimmed in hard-wearing vinyl as
original, and the painted metal floors are protected with simple,
factory original rubber mats. Shift levers for the 4-speed gearbox
and 2-speed transfer case wear correct accordion-style rubber
boots, and even the instruction decal for the transfer case is
intact. Original gauges are simple but clear - monitoring just
speed, fuel, and engine temp while the odometer shows 11,309 miles.
The speedo reads to a somewhat optimistic 80mph, although,
according to the last owner, the Suzuki is good for a storming 53
miles per hour. The exceptional presentation continues under the
hood - with Suzuki's 359 c.c. "twin" appearing very well-detailed
and highly original, with factory labels and tags still in place
and much of the hardware still in its original cadmium plating.
Original wiring and plumbing all appear in excellent condition. We
absolutely love driving this little Suzuki. The twin emits a
signature two-stroke rasp as it revs freely, feeling far livelier
than its factory rating of 32 horsepower might suggest. The slick
shifting gearbox, feather-light unassisted steering, and
ultra-short wheelbase make driving the Jimny a joy. The engine
starts with ease, and the 2-speed transfer case works as it should.
An original tool kit and pouch are included, along with a reprint
service manual in English. Rarely do we encounter Japanese cars of
this era so exceptionally well presented and with so many original
features - particularly those from the tiny Kei-class. This
fantastic Suzuki has outsized character packed into a small package
and is sure to delight its next keeper for many years to come.
