I don’t have such a strange hobby, more that the subject for that hobby is strange. There’s nothing weird about fixing up a 35 year old sports car or truck or something.
But I’ve been working on what I thought was a well-known model of 4x4, but now that it’s running it draws a crowd of onlookers when I take it somewhere, and many people, even adults, don’t know what a Suzuki Samurai is and have never seen one before.
I think you have to be part of the greater car community, at least, to know much about one, but probably a smaller niche of people looking for practical vehicles that are fun to know about the samurai.
I love the first gen RX7, and while far more well known (the FD anyhow), than the samurai, there is a LOT of confusion and misinformation out there about my car and the rotary engine in general. I feel your pain.
About 20 years ago I daily drove a 1979 Mazda Rx-7. It was pretty dependable with its carburetor equipped 12A rotary, and it was amazing fun in the corners. And it was such a pure sports car - two seats, four wheels, and an engine. No power steering, no automatic transmission, no traction control or ABS. I remember having to drive it while leaned over toward the passenger side so my head didn’t hit the ceiling.
I’ve had mine for about 15 years now. It’s a 1982 GSL with all the original factory options. Mines pretty heavily modified though. It made a huge 89rwhp on the dyno out of the carb’d 12a.
Just about everyone I know has trouble fitting in all the fun cars. I’m relatively small, so I fit great in my rx7 and Miata.
Honestly I’m kind of glad I got my Samurai, because I have a neighbor with a 1983 or 1984 Rx7 that looks great but never moves, and I was having to talk myself out of offering him money for it.
It’s getting very difficult to find parts for the FB. There are a lot less people who know how to work on them, or are willing to work on them too. They are a blast to drive, and every time I think I should sell mine, I go for a drive, and remember why I can’t.
[…] many people, even adults, don’t know what a Suzuki Samurai is and have never seen one before.
Where in the world is this!? I find it hard to believe that anyone anywhere, who cares enough about cars to take a look at yours, wouldn’t be familiar with such a classic and iconic car.
The one I have has been in my family for some time. I’ve witnessed it dragging full size 4x4 trucks out with all of its 65 horsepower multiple times. It handles deep water especially well.
I don’t have such a strange hobby, more that the subject for that hobby is strange. There’s nothing weird about fixing up a 35 year old sports car or truck or something.
But I’ve been working on what I thought was a well-known model of 4x4, but now that it’s running it draws a crowd of onlookers when I take it somewhere, and many people, even adults, don’t know what a Suzuki Samurai is and have never seen one before.
I think you have to be part of the greater car community, at least, to know much about one, but probably a smaller niche of people looking for practical vehicles that are fun to know about the samurai.
I love the first gen RX7, and while far more well known (the FD anyhow), than the samurai, there is a LOT of confusion and misinformation out there about my car and the rotary engine in general. I feel your pain.
About 20 years ago I daily drove a 1979 Mazda Rx-7. It was pretty dependable with its carburetor equipped 12A rotary, and it was amazing fun in the corners. And it was such a pure sports car - two seats, four wheels, and an engine. No power steering, no automatic transmission, no traction control or ABS. I remember having to drive it while leaned over toward the passenger side so my head didn’t hit the ceiling.
I’ve had mine for about 15 years now. It’s a 1982 GSL with all the original factory options. Mines pretty heavily modified though. It made a huge 89rwhp on the dyno out of the carb’d 12a.
Just about everyone I know has trouble fitting in all the fun cars. I’m relatively small, so I fit great in my rx7 and Miata.
Honestly I’m kind of glad I got my Samurai, because I have a neighbor with a 1983 or 1984 Rx7 that looks great but never moves, and I was having to talk myself out of offering him money for it.
It’s getting very difficult to find parts for the FB. There are a lot less people who know how to work on them, or are willing to work on them too. They are a blast to drive, and every time I think I should sell mine, I go for a drive, and remember why I can’t.
A few pics of mine…
Very nice! I had that same spoiler on my '79.
Let me see if I can figure out how to post a picture. It’s not a sexy as an Rx-7 but it’s just as fun, in a different way.! image
The samurai is an amazing little vehicle. They are pretty adorable too.
If you know, you know.
They’re fun and pocket sized, almost edc. My neighbour had one and we used to make fun trips with it. Love it
Where in the world is this!? I find it hard to believe that anyone anywhere, who cares enough about cars to take a look at yours, wouldn’t be familiar with such a classic and iconic car.
For what it’s worth, the people who see it and don’t know what it is have all been born after the mid 1990s.
And I have just about the only one left anymore.
Samurais (AKA Jimnys) are the shit
My dad drove one of those up the mountain and in the snow for like 20 years.
People with heavy-ass pickups would be stopped on the side of the road putting chains on, and he’d just glide on up the mountain.
The one I have has been in my family for some time. I’ve witnessed it dragging full size 4x4 trucks out with all of its 65 horsepower multiple times. It handles deep water especially well.
I’m super envious. I would love to have one of those as my extreme trail rig.