With the popularity of reverse restomods increasing, Japanese tuner Mooku has stepped into the game offering a retro-themed conversion kit for the Suzuki Carry, making it look like a Mazda minitruck from the ’70s.
The source of inspiration was the second-gen Mazda Porter Cab, produced between 1977 and 1989. We guess that the tiny LCV should have been a common sight on Japanese roads, with a renewed version evoking the feeling of nostalgia. The tuner chose the eleventh-gen Suzuki Carry (2013-present) as a donor car, which makes sense if you consider it is also the base for the re-badged Mazda Scrum – the modern equivalent of the Mazda Porter Cab.
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Mooku’s redesigned front panel for the cab-over truck closely follows the lines of the original. Rounded square trim pieces finished in black highlight the round headlights, combined with round indicators, and an unpainted plastic bumper. Buyers can opt for the horizontal black bar between the headlights, or go for a cleaner look without it. There is an option of full-LED headlights which look a lot more modern than the halogen units, but spoil some of the retro fun. Finally, the panels can be painted in any desired color.
The rest of the Suzuki Carry’s bodywork remains unchanged, which is not a bad thing as the boxy minitruck has a pretty generic look. The versatile nature of the vehicle means it is compatible with different kinds of body types, like the tiny campervan, food truck, or regular pickup shown in the gallery. Mind you, the Suzuki Carry kei truck is fitted with a tiny 658 cc three-cylinder petrol engine producing 50 hp (37 kW / 50 PS) and 59 Nm (43.5 lb-ft) of torque, sending power to all four wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and AWD system with an optional differential lock.
According to Mooku’s official website, the cost of the retro conversion is ¥258,500 (equal to about $1,920 at current exchange rates) including taxes. Of course, if you are dedicated to the old Mazda looks you can make some money by selling the original components of the Suzuki Carry (headlights, bumper, and bonnet), potentially making the conversion even cheaper.
