Toyota HiAce Diesel Surf Wagon

Price: US $11,800.00 Item location: East Greenwich, Rhode Island, United States
Description:

1980 Toyota Hiace

Check out a video on the Barn Finds YouTube channel where I provide my thoughts on the van and you can see some rolling shots of the HiAce cruising around. I am open to offers, but you have to get in touch! I can't read minds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZaose848w&feature=youtu.be
This is a 1981 Toyota HiAce, otherwise known as an LH20 model. Incredibly hard to find in any country, let alone the USA where it was never sold. Found on a remote property in Georgia, it has been mechanically restored and runs extremely well. Dual sliding doors, tons of space inside, folding middle seat, and four-speed manual on the column with a torquey diesel engine under the front seats. PLEASE NOTE: ODOMETER IS IN KILOMETERS, WHICH WORKS OUT TO BE ABOUT 80K MILES.
Maintenance highlights include: rebuilt injection pump; full engine servicing, including timing belt, water pump, thermostat, valve cover gasket, tensioner, glow plugs, injectors, and more; full suspension rebuild (shocks, ball joints, tie rods, drag link, etc.) with modest lowering kit; new clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, rear main seal, rebuilt master and slave cylinder, resurfaced flywheel, and more; all fluids, including differential and transmission, flushed and replaced; new starter; radiator rebuilt and new fan clutch installed - runs nice and cool; and numerous other improvements. All original parts removed are included, along with many good spares. Original Toyota steel wheels sandblasted and painted, and two sets of OEM Toyota hubcaps included mounted on nearly-new tires.
It does have some rust in the body but the floors are solid. Here's the good news: I have literally every body panel you need to fix the isolated rust spots should you be seeking perfection. I had crates shipped home via ocean freighter from Australia with numerous spares, including two extra windshields should you ever need them!
Keep in mind, it is not perfect. You can drive anywhere, slowly, but creature comforts are non-existent. It has about 70 horsepower on a good day. The window weather seals and sliding door seals are dry and cracked, and the rubber mats inside pretty tired. I have loved using it as a runabout in town which is why I focused on making it reliable and safe - making it your personal home-away-from home is the next owner's responsibility.
Overall, that's one major feature to consider: I have done all the hard work of sourcing replacements parts from overseas, fabricating where needed, and so on - all of that heavy lifting is done for the next owner.This has been a labor of love to restore this van. It comes with all records under my ownership (serviced exclusively by a high-end vintage auto shop and my local Lexus dealer), along with an extensive history I have pieced together going back to the first owner, who acquired the van in Panama while in the Air Force. It has toured the entire western U.S. and is a wonderful piece of history. You won't find another one. Clean title in hand.
$500 deposit required within 24 hours of agreeing to purchase. No warranties implied or expressed. Pick-up is responsibility of buyer, but I will meet your shipper to assist with pick-up via transporter. I am open to offers but you must contact me to discuss via phone.