One-Owner Survivor: 1986 Isuzu Space Cab Pickup 4X4
























If as an automotive enthusiast you've been paying attention to the recent auction trends, then you may have noticed that vintage Japanese vehicles are on the rise in terms of collectability. The rise has especially favored vintage Japanese trucks, especially ones that have optional four-wheel drive. A prime candidate and rarely-seen in any condition is this 1986 Isuzu Space-Cab pickup 4X4, which also has the desirable manual transmission. Find it here on eBay in Los Angeles, California, with reserve not met. 


















After being marketed for years as the Chevrolet LUV (Light Utility Vehicle) in the North American market and Chevrolet bringing its own midsize pickup to the market (the S10), Isuzu hit the ground running and rebadged the LUV as P'up (short for pickup). Available as a two-door pickup or extended-cab (Space Cab) pickup, the P'up was sold from 1981 to 1991. This P'up is a 1986 Space Cab model, and is a rare sight in any condition today. Resplendent in a tri-tone paint job (white, tan and black), the paint is faded and will need repainting, but the truck is fairly solid overall. I dig the raised roof and the huge side and rear window, but hopefully these will never break, as finding replacement ones will be like finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. I would get the truck repainted, fit the wheels with a set of Cooper Discoverer AT/3s, and daily this truck during the nice weather.

As with most Isuzu P'ups from this era, this truck is powered by the 2.3L gasoline four cylinder. Rated at 96 horsepower, the engine is not much on power compared to today's engines, but most collectors prefer the diesel engine. Backed by the five-speed manual transmission, mileage is listed at 189,703, but the motor looks surprising clean at this mileage. I would run the motor to its last legs until an engine swap is necessitated. 
























Arguably the nicest part of the truck currently is the interior, which presents very nicely. The light interior has held up nicely considering the amount of time it's been on the west coast, though the carpet could use a bit of cleaning. The five-speed and four-wheel drive floor shifters are pretty cool looking, but I would ditch the cheap aftermarket stereo for a replacement OEM-looking one; I would then update the radio with modern guts. Overall, this P'up Space Cab is very solid, and this would be perfect to work on during the winter. What are your thoughts on this solid, western original Isuzu P'up Space Cab? 
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

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