MasterAce Space Cruiser: 1986 Toyota Van

In the late 1970s Toyota entered the light passenger van segment with a compact cab-over eraser shaped thing called the MasterAce. Actually, it was called the MasterAce in Japan and known as the Space Cruiser in Europe, the Tarango in Australia, but for the squares in North America it was only badged as the...wait for it...Toyota Van. Yup.  No fancy name, but all of the manual-gearbox, rear-drive, box-shaped goodness that comes wrapped in sweeeeeeeeeeeet 80s graphics. Find this 1986 Toyota Van offered for $5000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist. Tip from Safety Fast.

1k: Space Portholes: 1986 Toyota Van

 In the late 1970s Toyota decided to enter the light passenger van segment with a compact cab-over eraser shaped thing called the MasterAce. Actually, it was only called the MasterAce in Japan and it was called the Space Cruiser in Europe, the Tarango in Australia, but simply called Van in North America.  This is fine because in America it didn't get the same love, respect and aftermarket that it got in naive Japan...which it should because it is the next VW Bus from a collectability perspective.  When these things are hovering around $100k for a beater you will remember this day and slap yourself in the face for not listened to us.  Find this 1986 Toyota Van offered for $1900 near Seattle, WA here on craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: HipsterAce: 1986 Toyota Cargo Van

In the 1970s Toyota decided to enter the light passenger van segment, think of it as a precursor to the modern minivan.  The MasterAce was introduced in 1982 in Japan.  It was called the Space Cruiser in Europe, the Tarango in Australia, but the totally uninspired Van in North America.  Find this 1986 Toyota Cargo Van offered for $6,900 in Portland, OR via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

2k: T-65 WonderWagon: 1984 Toyota Van

In the late 1970s Toyota recognized the need to create a small/economical passenger van to compete with the Volkswagen Bus and in 1982 introduced the world to the MasterAce.  The name MasterAce was only used in Japan, but it was called the Space Cruiser (yeah, bitchin) in Europe, the Tarango (funky, but okay) in Australia, but before it could be released in North America, the Toyota's Department of Naming Names was accused of being too outlandish and the entire group committed ritualistic suicide. This left the North American naming to a janitor, who just called it the Toyota Van.  At least the marketing guys hadn't shish kabobed their livers (yet) and they called the higher level trim version the WonderWagon!  Regardless, find this 1984 Toyota Van for sale in Los Angeles, CA for $2100 via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.