1997 Toyota HiAce

ODOMETER IS 191,207 KILOMETERS; CONVERTED TO MILEAGE IN LISTING



HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Holy Grail JDM Drivetrain: Powered by the legendary 1KZ-TE 3.0L Turbo Diesel engine mated to a factory full-time 4WD system.

• Top Tier "Living Saloon EX" Luxury: The high-specification luxury trim featuring premium materials, extensive power amenities, and multi-zone climate controls.

• Low Verified Kilometers: Showing just 191,207 original kilometers (approx. 118,800 miles) which means it is barely broken in for a vintage Toyota diesel.

• Ultimate Modular Cabin: High-end plush velour interior with 3-row seating, featuring 180-degree rotating middle seats and a rear row that folds into a flat bed.

• Ready for Adventure: Equipped with factory power privacy curtains and a panoramic cab-forward driving view.

• 100% Street Legal: Fully cleared through US customs with a Clean North Carolina Title in hand.



BODY OVERVIEW: 

This 1997 Toyota HiAce is the absolute epitome of 1990s Japanese "cab-forward" design. As a premium Super Custom Living Saloon EX, it proudly wears its factory two-tone paint scheme complemented by model-specific decals. Structurally, the van is exceptionally solid, straight, and well-preserved, showcasing the world-renowned build quality that made Toyota the global leader in utility transport with a few minor dings from age and use. The high-roof profile provides incredible cabin headroom, delivering a commanding road presence and an unmatched panoramic view from the right-hand-drive captain’s seat. 



PAINT CONDITION OVERVIEW: 

The factory two-tone finish presents beautifully, retaining a deep gloss and respectable clarity. This is an incredibly honest, original-paint survivor. In strict transparency, three decades of highway travel have left minor, authentic road markers, including small rock chips on the front fascia and typical fading on the original factory vinyl stickers and side decals. Free of major eyesores, it presents as a highly clean, driver-level machine perfectly suited for actual overland exploration rather than being hidden away in a garage. 



INTERIOR CONDITION OVERVIEW: 

Step inside, and you are transported into a masterclass of Japanese luxury and modular design. The plush, premium velour upholstery is in spectacular original condition which was a material heavily favored over leather in 1990s Japan for its durability and silent cabin comfort. The interior layout is a camper's dream: the middle row rotates a full 180 degrees to create a face-to-face mobile living room, while the sliding third row folds completely flat to create a massive sleeping platform. The factory power privacy curtains operate via dashboard controls, though the passenger-side track occasionally snags slightly and requires light manual guidance. Dashboard Note: The obsolete factory Japanese cassette deck has been cleanly removed, leaving a tidy, un-hacked double-DIN opening perfectly prepped for a modern Apple CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen upgrade. 



MECHANICAL OVERVIEW: 

Housed safely beneath the front seats is the heart of this machine: Toyota’s legendary 1KZ-TE 3.0L Turbo Diesel V8 alternative. Known globally for its unkillable reliability and massive low-end torque, it easily out-paces naturally aspirated models in modern highway traffic while delivering a satisfying turbo whistle. Paired with a smooth-shifting automatic transmission and a robust full-time 4WD system, this HiAce handles steep mountain passes, beach driving, and rough trails with equal poise. It starts instantly, idles with a rhythmic diesel purr, and rides on a fresh set of tires with 2022 date codes. 



WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT THIS CAR:

• The Hilux/Land Cruiser Heart: You are buying a platform