Since the 1998 model year, Toyota has sold a large American-style van with the engine in the front and cup holders throughout the interior. Before that, however, American Toyota buyers looking for a new van had to use an innovative mid-engined machine designed entirely for the Japanese domestic market: first the TownAce (here known as the van), then the Estima (known as the Previa here). The Previa was too small and too underpowered to compete with Detroit’s minivans, but those who bought them found they last decade after decade. Here’s one from a Denver-area shipyard that has approached the magic 400,000 mile mark.
I see a lot of Previa on my scrapyard trips, although my focus is on the rare All-Trac versions for this series. 376,000 miles is impressive, however, and so I deemed this pickup worthy of documentation. Sure, it’s not a 413,000 mile Tercel 4WD, but what is it?
It looks like this Previa was working as an electrician’s van during her last few days on the road, so it’s full of clamps, screws, conduit hardware, etc.
It’s an old front-wheel drive pickup truck with automatic transmission, but at least it still has a supercharger and mid-engine (a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four lying on its side under the front seats, with the fan and other accessories located far forward and powered by a long motor shaft).
I added this knitted cross to my collection of religious mirror holders displayed in my garage.
You will find one in every car. You will see.
For links to over 2,100 additional Junkyard finds, please visit Murilee Martin Lifestyle Brand â„¢ Junkyard Home.
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