• A recently imported Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Town Ace Pickup

 • Clearly a lightly used example with a well-presented load bed and sides 

 • A low mileage example with UK V5 with all import tax and duties confirmed as cleared by HMRC 

The Japanese car and truck market is a maze of size and capacity regulations dictating the tax attracted by vehicles. The Town Ace line was designed to sit between the Mini Ace and Hiace lines, providing increased carrying capacity over the Mini Ace – 750 KG as opposed to 500 KG - but less tax than the bigger Hiace.

The Town Ace follows the very popular Japanese configuration of “cab-over-engine” meaning that the engine bay is accessed via a hatch between the two main front seats. The Town Ace, and its sibling the Lite Ace, was designed to have a very saloon car like driving position and road manners making it no harder to drive than Corolla. 

This Townace pickup was sourced in Japan, specifically because of its great condition, light use and low mileage.

The pickup was then imported to the UK by its current owner at the beginning of 2021 at which point it was registered with the DVLA and allocated a vacant registration number, E484MAS.

The pickup comes with its current V5 document and paper version of its current MOT dated 09/2021. No advisories were noted.

The pickup is also presented with confirmation from HMRC that all import taxes and duties have been appropriately paid giving the new owner full peace of mind over the rigour of the import process.

It is also worth noting that this particular vehicle will soon be 35 years old and will be TAX and MOT Exempt once it reaches 40 years old.

The interior or the Town Ace is designed to be car-like so is easy to access and roomy and light. The tombstone backed main seats are covered in a mix of vinyl and velour which appears to be in great, unmarked condition commensurate with the low mileage of this vehicle. An occasional “dickie” seat sits above the engine access hatch making it possible to accommodate a second passenger for shorter journeys.

There is a very useful rubber matted storage area behind the seats, easily accessed thanks to the folding seat backs. The door cards and dash are dressed in grey vinyl and the floor is covered by the original fitted rubber mats giving the Town Ace a very useful utilitarian finish, ideal for a working pickup.

The exterior appears to be in very good condition for a working vehicle approaching 35 years old. The bodywork presents in good condition with no major dents or dings being evident. Given the working nature of this pick-up naturally there is the odd scratch here and there. Pleasingly for a pickup the load bay and hinged sides seem free from dents and signs of heavy impacts.

It seems that only light loads have been carried by this pickup or loads have been effectively secured. There are some appealing original JDM touches remaining on the pickup such as the Japanese text on the side panels and various quality control and information plates remaining in place. A window sticker from the Japan Cargo Tally Corporation may give a clue to the original ownership of this Town Ace.

As you will see from our photographic package, the underside of the truck presents very well too with no noticeable areas of rust or signs of grounding.

This Town Ace is powered by an in-line four-cylinder petrol 5K-U 1486 cc power plant producing around 70PS and transferring drive through a four-speed manual gearbox with a column mounted shift. As you might expect from reliability masters Toyota, this low mileage pickup is reported to run very well with sufficient power but not at the expense of decent economy.

The current owner reports that all mechanical systems work as expected and an advisory free MOT suggests that this vehicle is as sound as it appears to be.

Cars and trucks in original Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) specification are becoming increasingly popular and sought after in the UK. The originality, including decals in Japanese text, of this little workhorse will really appeal to those in the know. The great mechanical condition of this truck and the very low mileage only adds to that appeal.

What’s more, here you have a truck with a great payload capacity, fully hinged sides for maximum practicality and car-like driving position and road manners. A vehicle equally at home at JDM focussed car shows and events or carrying a hefty load to the tip. Surely the perfect vehicle for every JDM fan.