Surprising Survivor: 1987 Nissan Van

This next car falls into the category of one of the cars that was built in large quantities, but is mostly forgotten...but in the case of the Vanette..the story is much more interesting.  The Nissan Vanette was exported to the US market from 1987 to 1990 badged simply the Van as a competitor to the Toyota Van and Mitsubishi Van. The only problem was that Nissan didn't spend much time on engineering and the 2.4 liter Z24i engine inline-4 that was shoved into the C22 for US market didn't quite fit. Cooling issues and engine fires led to a massive recall that had Nissan offering to buy back every single C22 Van sold in the US market and all repurchased vehicles were crushed to avoid future legal issues. Somehow this next vehicle avoid the steel grip of the crusher and now lives with the weirdos in Santa Cruz.  Find this 1987 Nissan Van offered for $4,500 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

¡Vantastico!: 1989 Nissan Ichi Van

By Matt -- We’ve all got those one or two friends who are game for a road trip with zero notice. Do they have current passports that haven’t been revoked? Generally scrupulous and unwilling to make side-smuggling deals for quick cash? Ok, good. Now is the time to guilt them into the 2,100 mile road trip to end your of a lifetime. Pack up your duffel bags full of metric tools and find the cheapest one-way tickets possible to Ciudad de México. A camping van awaits your belongings for the next week or so as you hopefully arrive back stateside safely with this 1989 Nissan Ichi Van, via Mercado Libre in Mexico City for $39,950 Mexican Pesos, or right around $2,200 US dollars via today’s exchange rate.

1k: Spared From The Crusher: 1987 Nissan Vanette Van

 The Nissan Vanette was exported to the US market from 1987 to 1990 badged simply the Van as a competitor to the Toyota Van and Mitsubishi Van.  It was an exciting time for Japanese automaker's vehicle naming divisions, with thousands of employes working around the clock....the problem was that they didn't spend much time on engineering and the 2.4 liter Z24i engine inline-4 that was shoved into the C22 for US market didn't quite fit. Cooling issues and engine fires led to a massive recall that had Nissan offering to buy back every single C22 Van sold in the US market and all repurchased vehicles were crushed to avoid future legal issues.  Somehow, this one escaped the crushers steely teeth, find this 1987 Nissan Vanette offered for $1,800 in Oakland, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.