Interest in overlanding has skyrocketed in recent years, well before the Covid-19 pandemic. But once the lockdowns hit, nature-loving folks started clamoring to get outdoors while maintaining social distance. That caused a spike of interest in all kinds of recreational vehicles, from vintage mobile homes to modified Toyota Tacomas. For those in the know (and willing to drive from the right side), the Mitsubishi Delica is one of the hottest tickets in rolling campsites. This 1997 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear recently offered on eBay is a great example. It was modified with many add-ons that make it a capable offroader.
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A previous owner in Japan modified this ’97 Delica Space Gear with rugged off-road parts:
- A lift kit (possibly with Rancho shocks based on the sticker) for better ground clearance of obstacles
- BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires for better traction in nasty terrain
- A Terzo rear-access roof ladder
- An Elford skid plate for underbody protection
Terzo and Elford are respected names in the Japanese aftermarket. Those choices show that the builder sweated the details.
Learn more about the Mitsubishi Delica: An Unsung Off-Road Hero.
A Legacy of Off-Road Goodness
Mitsubishi has been building these types of vans since the 1960s. These vehicles were ported to America with minor modifications to capitalize on the minivan craze sweeping the nation in the 1980s. The Japanese automaker sold the Delica in the US during that time. When offered as a commercial vehicle, it was called the Mitsubishi Van, while the Mitsubishi Wagon was for family use.
In Japan, however, camping was the craze. So Mitsu equipped high-trim Delicas sold there with tons of luxury features to make the trek into the wilderness a pleasant one—rear seats that folded out into beds, clever storage compartments, and curtains on the windows for privacy.
So-called Crystal Lite roofs featured multiple panes of glass to observe the stars as you sleep. Modders even lifted 4WD versions to help owners venture further than a van typically goes.
The fourth-generation Delica debuted in 1994 and made the model even more user-friendly. The Delica Space Gear received a more aerodynamic, rounded design for better highway driving and mileage. In addition, Mitsubishi dropped the cargo version, allowing engineers to design the van for carrying passengers in comfort.
This Modded 1997 Delica Is Built To Handle Anything
The 1997 Delica Space Gear offered on eBay is a fourth-generation model. It has a 3.0-liter V-6, the same one you would find in Mitsubishi’s rugged body-on-frame Montero Sport. It also has those multiple roof windows for stargazing.
It’s not fast, but it’ll be quicker than diesel versions of this van—and more maneuverable than a typical RV or Mercedes Sprinter Van.
With just 68,600 miles on the odometer, this Delica van still has a lot of life. The added parts made the $22,500 asking price worth it, especially considering it was already shipped to the US. That might seem pricey for a 25-year-old minivan, until you fully consider its rugged capability. This 1997 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear provides a novel and nimble way to get off the beaten path.
