Auction Spotting: Souped-Up ’95 Mitsubishi Delica 4×4 Van Plus Teardrop
The vaunted Delica remains a rare bird. Check out this right-hand-drive specimen with ’90s-tastic side graphics and upholstery.
If ’90s culture is, like, totally your deal, we’ve got the van auction for you. Yup, you read that right: a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica L400 Space Gear Chamonix with ice blue patterned upholstery and totally radical side decals is up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
But as gorgeous and ridiculous as she may be, the imported van is also a beastly performer. Check out the burly 2.8L turbodiesel — the generation’s most powerful diesel engine — under the hood. A locking center differential adds 4×4 grr, and this particular Delica Chamonix gets a custom lift kit, snorkel, bumpers, and wheels.
The auction even includes a 10-foot, air-conditioned teardrop from Bushwacker. Read on, but before you do, go throw down a bid! The auction for this sweet camper van setup ends on August 26.
The Delica Legend: What Makes a Special Van Special
The Delica was always rare to behold in North America because Mitsubishi never sold it here. The platform varied a lot over the years, with a ton of available options and configurations.
Since the Delica never made it to North America’s new car markets, it only exists here thanks to the “25-year rule.” Under that regulation, models that never received federal recognition are eligible for import once they reach 25 years of age.
The vans started to trickle in over the last decade or two, adopted by vanlifers and adventure vehicle builders. It quickly achieved icon status thanks to its high stance, solid four-wheel drive, and unorthodox appeal. As well, most Delicas in the United States are imported from Japan — meaning they’re right-hand-drive.
Killer Looks: 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Chamonix
The ’95 Delica up for auction is, without question, a beaut. The features are nice, but the aesthetics are the real show.
You can’t say enough about the aggressive navy-and-silver Chamonix-branded graphics. The aftermarket bumpers are Rhino lined, the snorkel stands out proud from the roof, and the hood has a scoop.
As if there needed to be more, the lift kit from Ironman makes the van stand tall on its 17-inch black spoke wheels (matching spare included).
The interior stuns with ’90s verve. We challenge you to find the cornflower-to-periwinkle-to-royal Chamonix upholstery in any year after Bill Clinton got impeached. And from here, it looks damn good — few, if any, stains from years of what must have been wild adventure partying mar it.
You’ll even find it on the floor, below the pictured gray mats. The auction posting does, sadly, report staining on the carpet (thus, presumably, the mats). Still, the cabin is a nearly unspoiled blast from the past. It’s even got the original head unit and center stack with an inclinometer and inside/outside thermometer.
Performance Specs and Aftermarket Mods
Under the hood, the Delica’s got a 2.8L four-cylinder inline 4M4 engine with the distinctive intercooler and an aftermarket exhaust system. The EGR valve, which regulates exhaust recirculation to the engine, has been removed. The powerplant gives the van 140 horsepower and 232 lb. ft. of torque.
Two transfer cases were available for the 1995 Delica, and this one gets the more advanced “Super Select” case, which allows four drive modes. The 4WD high-range mode uses an open center differential, allowing it to operate more like AWD. The option has given the van a good reputation for dealing with slick surface conditions.
The Ironman lift kit comes with replacement torsion bars and aftermarket sway bars. The seller also notes recent alignment and brake work, including pads, rotors, and calipers. Some underbody corrosion is noted.
Ten-Foot Bushwacker Teardrop Camper Trailer
The last piece of ’90s vanlife paradise in the auction is the teardrop from Bushwacker. Like the van, it’s got a roof rack and air conditioning. Inside you’ll find cabinets, laminate wood walls, and a Jensen radio. Find a typical teardrop kitchenette in the back, with a two-burner propane stove and a sink.
Verdict and Bidding
If you’re not concerned about emissions (note the uninstalled EGR valve) or overloading bystanders with raditude, this gem of an auction item might be for you. It’s got aftermarket parts to kill, graphics that won’t quit, and an influencer-worthy overall effect.
Mileage? Less than 100K. Booyah! Cruise on over to Bring a Trailer to check it out.
According to my calculations, the auction officially ends at 2:22 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 26.
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