The Suzuki Page
I'm afraid we rather like Suzuki Jeeps but currently only own an elderly LJ80!This little baby is, a LJ80Q with a fibreglass top.
It's completely original with dealer fitted extras such as 15" wheels, velour-cord seats & trim, rear seats, an ashtray and a cigarette lighter (they really knew how to splash out!). It has only had one previous owner who had just done 12,000 miles. A little restoration has had to take place, such as replacing the footwell floors and no doubt will be on-going in the months ahead.
The Suzuki thing all began with a LJ80 hardtop, which had had an engine/gearbox transplant from a 1970's Datsun Sunny 120Y.
The conversion had already been carried out when I bought it so I don't know too much about how it was done, except to say that there wasn't much room to spare! The Datsun gearbox reached right up to the Suzuki transfer box and an electric fan was fitted in front of the radiator.
SJ410This was eventually replaced with a SJ410 Sport with a factory fitted resin top which has a removable sunroof section (unashamed luxury!)
There was also a SJ413 Samurai hardtop which we owned for about a year, this was the model on which they widened the track and stiffened the suspension after the 'Falling-Over' scare and I can safely say that the ride was nearly as rough as the LJ80! However the 1.3 engine was great.
We then acquired a Vitara JLX SE Estate and that seemed like luxury in comparison. I could never understand why Joy wouldn't take it off-road though!