1996 Mitsubishi Delica

4 speed automatic

2.5L 4D56-T (Turbo Diesel)

38,593 verified miles

Selectable 4WD

8 seater

Custom Color Code H89 (Sandstone Gray Metallic)

The L300 Delica takes everything useful about a full size van and puts it on a proper 4WD platform, which is a big part of why these have developed such a following. There is room for eight inside, selectable four wheel drive with high and low range underneath, and Mitsubishis 2.5L turbo diesel sitting beneath the front seats. Add in the cab-over driving position and unmistakable boxy styling and you end up with something that is genuinely fun and useful in equal measure. This 1996 Active World is a particularly nice example, showing just 38,593 verified miles.

Power comes from Mitsubishis 2.5L 4D56-T turbo diesel paired with a 4 speed automatic transmission. With just 38,593 verified miles on the clock, examples like this simply dont come around very often. The 4D56-T fires to life with a turn of the key, settles into a steady idle, and pulls well under acceleration, with the automatic transmission shifting smoothly through the gears. Around town and on the highway, the Delica can be driven in 2WD for better fuel economy, while selectable 4WD gives you high and low range when the weather turns or the terrain gets tougher.

Inside, this Delica is every bit as interesting as the exterior. The original patterned cloth upholstery has held up exceptionally well, and the condition throughout the cabin backs up the remarkably low mileage. There is seating for eight across three rows, with plenty of room for passengers and a surprisingly useful amount of cargo space left behind the third row. Up front, the cab-over layout puts you right over the front wheels and gives the Delica a driving position unlike a conventional van, while a tilt steering wheel and power windows add some welcome everyday convenience. The dash-mounted inclinometer and auxiliary gauges are a neat nod to the Delicas 4WD capability. Heat and air conditioning extend throughout the cabin with a separate rear climate system and overhead vents, while pop-out rear windows provide some extra airflow when you want it. Large windows down both sides bring in plenty of light and give everyone a great view out.

The custom Sandstone Gray Metallic (H89) really suits the Delicas boxy body lines and gives it a great old-school overland look. It works especially well with the dark tinted rear glass and familiar L300 details, including the factory bull bar with fog lights, side steps and those unmistakable oversized mirrors. Up front, the corner mirror gives you a view down over the nose, while the rear backup mirror above the hatch helps judge what is directly behind you. White wheels wrapped in brand new all-terrain tires are a great match for the gray paint, and the body presents extremely well overall with only minor imperfections you would expect to find on a vehicle of this age.

With just 38,593 verified miles, this Active World is a genuine needle in a haystack find, and its custom look only adds to the appeal. The L300 is unlike just about anything else on U.S. roads, combining seating for eight, a turbo diesel and real 4WD capability in one very unique package. Whether you see it as your next overland van, the starting point for a camping conversion, or simply a one-of-a-kind daily driver, this Delica leaves plenty of options open.