A Daihatsu Midget has joined the JDM battalion in Lethbridge.

[Lethbridge_man]

In what lesser men would call a mission tinged with insanity, I drove my newly-purchased 1996 Daihatsu Midget II from Ben's secret JDM lair just outside of Vancouver to Lethbridge, a 1,300-kilometre journey through the hinterland of Canada's most westerly province.

It was undoubtedly the longest journey in this little overachiever of a truck's life, but it was a trooper throughout it all, passing with aplomb construction workers with mouths agape, RVs replete with embarrassed owners, and cyclists sweating bullets in the name of longevity.

My ears were buzzing for hours after arriving home - the AM radio produced nothing but static the entire time, much as it would have had it latched onto an actual AM station - from the engine noise emanating from under the comfortable-as-cardboard seat. There is no doubt that this is a runabout solely suited for urban fare! Long drives across the open prairie, as I am wont to do, are going to require some serious padding, both in the ears and under the tailbone...

Today after work I washed it from top to bottom, scrubbing all the remnants of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and several unknown species of Canadian insects off, and then took it out to meet its brethren:

Flying solo and enjoying its moment in the spotlight:



Remember in grade school when you had to line up according to height?



The Smart car joined in, looking positively North American-sized!



I seem to have developed a bit of thing for tiny means of transport! My coworkers are rolling their eyes a bit more lately, which can only be a good thing.

[Soren]

haha! this is yours? I should have guessed! RyanV and I checked it out at the batcave on Thursday night when we picked up the Cresta. I had actually thought of moving the key to a more difficult location! This is a cool vehicle, and it's much bigger than I'd expected to be honest. I was surprised to see it.
Good to see it's gone to a good home, of a sick, sick, sick individual!

[Lethbridge_man]

I'm glad you didn't move the key! There was no one there when I went to pick it up, so that would have been fun...

And I'll just have to assume that "sick" means something incredibly positive! Either that, or it is just telling it like it is - that we have a JDM sickness that is incurable!

[Soren]

yes. all of the above

I love all your little cars, and wish you lived closer to me. You're honestly living the dream, I wish I could keep all of mine..

[Lethbridge_man]

I may be living the dream, but my wife just thinks I'm a nutcase... She just shakes her head and then gets together with her other Korean ladyfriends and together they laugh at me.

But hey - at least she sides with me!



This was in Hope, where there is an amazing Indian restaurant. Can't remember the name, but man, was it good!

[RawRock]

Sick! I'm hanging in lethbridge for a while... Maybe I'll see one of your little JDM gremlins around?

[Soren]

wait.. Ross. If that's your wife??? it's only a 1 seater - did you drive out and then drive back together??

[dah_hunter]

Im glad i could help Ross get this little beast... and im not going to lie i had my doubts about its ability to make it back over the rockies.. however I kept a Positive attitude, and Ross took it away and it made hte trip..


Glad to see its been added to his Line-up of tiny cars..

[RyanV]

Originally Posted by Soren

wait.. Ross. If that's your wife??? it's only a 1 seater - did you drive out and then drive back together??

LOL! I was thinking the same thing!!!

As Shaun mentioned we had a quick glance at it on Thursday. Another neat little vehicle you've got there Ross

Nice comparison with the Dodge beside it. I guess that could probably fit in the box of the dodge.

[William]

Awesome pictures! That's a nice collection.