Zim’s 1996 Mitsubishi Delica
What is your full name, what do you drive (year, make, model) and what do you do for a living?
My name is Zimri Levine and I drive a 1996 Mitsubishi Delica Dropside pick up truck, a 1993 Mitsubishi Delica Starwagon and a 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. I work for NBC Television as a stagehand building sets, propping and dressing sets and I live in the Upper East Side.
How did you start loving cars?
I always loved cars from an early age growing up in the 60’s and 70’s there were so many cool cars, both American and imported.
What drew you to the Mitsubishi Delica, and what made you choose a 3rd generation model over a newer one?
The first time I saw one in person, I was drawn to it. It was cool, boxy and unusual. I was in Saugerties ,NY and saw it parked on the street. I stopped and parked so I could really look at it. I was like “wow this is really cool and right hand drive!”. That night I was on my computer searching Pinterest and instagram to find out more info about Delicas and see more models. I saw an importer sticker on the vehicle’s window and looked up their webpage. I was smitten. I had to have one.
Photo: Ohad Kab
I drove down to Philadelphia 2 weeks later to look at 5 of them all from different years. The shape of the l300 had no comparison to any other vehicles I had ever seen. I looked at the later model L400 Spacegear ,but the Starwagon was what I wanted. I took out the one I now own for a test drive and that was it. Bought it.
3 years later I bought my current daily driver ,the Delica dropside pick up.
How do you think the Delica's unique design and features compare to other vintage cars of its time?
I really like the design and how it functions. It is slow, it will drive over almost any terrain, and it’s not a jeep! I like the simplicity of the engine and drivetrain. Like other vehicles of this era its easy to work on. The rear seats all fold flat in the van to make a bed or for hauling cargo ( a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood fits perfectly with the rear seats folded). The Delica Dropside has a bed similar to the Kei trucks, when you drop the sides it is a true flatbed and incredibly easy to load and unload from 3 sides of the vehicle.
No matter where I am - both the truck and the van always gets smiles and thumbs up from young to old, male and female. Compared to other vehicles of the same time - there is nothing like it that makes me smile more!
Photo: Ohad Kab
Have you taken your Delica on any memorable trips outside of NYC, and if so, where did you go? And what made it a special trip?
This past August I drove my truck along with another Delica to Moab, Monument Valley,The Rockies and I drove Black Bear Pass and Imogene Pass. 15 days camping and overlanding the whole trip. The previous year I took my Delica Van to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.
Photos: Zim Levine
When are you most proud of this car?
When it takes me to places I could never go in a car.
What modifications or customizations have you made to your Delica to make it truly unique?
The truck has a 2” lift running 31.65”Grabber ATX tires, I welded up a custom bed frame to mount the Smittybilt Roof Top Tent on it, I modified and shortened a steel roof basket to fit the profile of the cab roof, mounted 6” KC offroad lights and a pair of 6” Hella Rally lights. I will be adding more mods this summer for my next trip.
Photo: Ohad Kab
How has owning a vintage Delica impacted your life in ways you didn't expect?
I did not expect the attention I get everywhere I go.
How has owning a vintage Japanese car impacted your sense of connection to Japanese culture, heritage, or history?
I have actually been to Japan 8 times. I have always had an interest in Japanese culture. Every trip I went to Japan I travelled to different places and spotted many cool Japanese cars that I never saw in the US. I feel more connected to JDM culture, have made more friends and have connected to a whole different group of people in Japan that are deeply interested in offroading and overlanding in Japan. I learn more from them about JDM 4x4 culture when we trade overlanding stories. At some point I would love to overland in the wilds of Japan!
Photo: Zim Levine
Can you tell me about a particularly meaningful experience or adventure you've had with your car?
On my trip to Black Bear Pass with my Delica travel buddy, I lost my rear and emergency brakes on the climb up. My friend Art had experience with knowing how to spin the brake shoe adjusters without removing the wheel or hub and with a flashlight and a thin flat screw driver. He was able to max out the adjusters and get my brakes working again! I had no clue on how to do this and he saved this part of the trip from becoming possibly tragic or with my vehicle being stuck at 12,000 feet. We also underestimated the travel time to reach the peak and then descend the trails back to Ouray or Telluride, and in the dark did Adios Curve and the switchbacks of Black Bear Pass. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Best adventure so far in my Delica to date. What’s next?
Can you talk about the Delica community in NYC?
I have made several friends that are or were Delica owners, and it amazes me that we all have similar interests even though our lifestyles are completely different.We became friends because of the ownership of our Delica’s. It is our common bond, and if not for those vehicles maybe we would have never met or connected. We all share our experiences and gained knowledge to help each other. My past August trip to Utah and Colorado was with a complete stranger that I met on the Delica Forum. It was a chance meeting from a post I made about doing a 3 week overlanding trip on The Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club Forum. My Delica’s opened a social network for me locally that I never had.
How does owning and collecting vintage cars fit into your overall life philosophy or values?
I have never been able to drive boring cars. I always crave to have something more unique. I appreciate the simplicity of how older vintage cars are built, and being able to tinker and work on them myself. Most new cars are controlled by ecu’s and multiple sensors that are not DIY friendly. Like life I prefer less complicated, minimal surroundings. I do not like things to be over complicated. Vintage cars make me smile, and I appreciate the simplicity and quality of them. I like things to be user friendly and that teach me patience.
Photo: Ohad Kab
What advice would you give to someone interested in owning and maintaining a vintage Delica in NYC?
Learn how to do the basic maintenance as you can. Join the Delica forums for the US and Canada as there is so much knowledge from the Delica community. Great place for advice, parts sources, how to’s, and learning all about the Delica. The community is very welcoming and friendly.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of vintage cars?
I weld and do carpentry, I enjoy fixing things and creating new ones. Presently I am restoring my 1935 house in the Catskills when time allows.
What is your dream garage?
5 bays with a lift.
