Hi you like collections of cute, crazy, and otherwise cuckoo automobiles, right? Well here’s one that should strike your fancy right up! This is Japanese mini-vans. Not to be confused with the ugly white-van epidemic that’s been plaguing the UK for some time now, no! These little thangs are just super cute.

What sparked my interest in this sort of collection was designer Shane Lat’s portfolio/project http://thingsthatwelearn.com/ -in it, he’s got the start of a Japanese Minivan collection with encouragement to search for more!

Japanese Mini Vans
a small tribute to perfection

A tribute to the little vans and trucks most commonly found in Japan. Suited to their small, tight streets and spaces, these automobiles have a rich history and continue on in service today.

These class of cars are known by a variety of different names. If you’re interested in searching for yourself, try using these as a starting point.

Keywords: Kei Vans, Japanese Pick Ups, Micro Bus, Keitoras, Kei Car, K-Vans, Keitora, Keicars, Light Cars, Micro Cars, Kei Trucks.
Models: Cony Giant 360 AF3, Cony 360 Wide, Mazda Porter, Suzuki 4×4 Mini Truck, Suzuki Carry, Subaru Microbus, Daihatsu HiJet, Daihatsu HiJet Cargo, Mitsu, Honda Acty, Nissan Clipper, Suzuki Every, Piaggio Porter, Daewoo Damas

Further viewing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Kei_cars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microvan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_truck

http://www.flickr.com/groups/891126@N21/
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/cabover.html
http://www.pdxmini.com/history.htm

So we continue! Many thanks to Marky Mark, Chocogato, Up the Sock, Iwate Buddy, Jon Christall, Katie and Joe, Janta, perSona, Clyde 8, Lawrence Peregrine, NOCT-Nate, Kriss Face Bakery, sRAW John, dai oni, and last and mostly Shane Lat.

A World Famous Design Junkies automotive post.