Never This Nice: 1986 Isuzu P’up Spacecab
Vintage Japanese trucks have always had a following, and this segment of the hobby remains one of the few corners left where you can buy a vehicle for peanuts and likely make out OK when it comes time to sell. From early Hilux pickups to second-generation 4Runners, there’s a lot of untapped value in this space at the moment. This clean 1986 Isuzu P’up Spacecab is a perfect example of this trend, with incredibly clean bodywork and a minty interior for just $5,500. Find the Isuzu listed here on craigslist in Portland, Oregon.
So, the fact that this Isuzu is in Oregon tells me it’s just been used like any other daily driver and the seller doesn’t see it as a collectible. There’s an amazing amount of vintage tin in the Pacific Northwest that is still being used like any other commuter vehicle, and I’m sure this fuel-sipping Isuzu was a daily driver for an urban owner that occasionally needed some extra space for hauling light-duty loads that didn’t fit in the cab. That, of course, is super ironic for a vehicle literally called the “Spacecab”, but I digress. The bodywork appears to be near-perfect, along with the glass, lenses, and hubcaps.
As anyone with a tan interior knows, keeping it clean is a chore. So when you see a vehicle of this vintage with a cabin as clean as this, you instantly know that the previous owners clearly loved this truck. The P’up was a pretty bare-bones affair when it comes to 1980s pickup trucks, but the truck landscape was a much different place back in 1986. These were not gussied-up boulevard cruisers; no, they were meant to work, even in two-wheel drive form like this truck. The Isuzu presents just as well inside as it does on the exterior, with only some basic signs of wear showing up as cosmetic flaws. The seller reports that it has just 70,000 miles.
The hot ticket – if you’re into old-school Japanese pickups – is always to go for the four-wheel drive models. The lifted suspension, larger wheels and tires, roll bar in the bed, and typically V6 power are all features any enthusiast would go for. But those also come at a price and the 2WD models are generally much more affordable. To me, this Isuzu is a great option for a classic that won’t lose any money and that you can still drive every few days to run some errands without having to jump in some soul-crushing commuter car. This P’up is likely one of the last of its kind, which makes the asking price seem more than fair.
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Comments
Friends, I own two vintage small trucks (ext. cab, 2 and 4-door), and they’re just like money in the bank. If I was anywhere near Oregon, I’d have to add this one. Very little goes wrong that you can’t fix yourself, and you’ll always have a truck when you need one. If times get tight, you can always sell it to someone else who needs one, usually for at least the same as what you paid, sometimes double.
I think your analysis is spot-on. A pickup truck is always useful, and every day we see so many 10, 20 (etc.) year-old trucks and many people couldn’t guess what model years they are.
First one I owned (of 3) was a ’96 single-cab 2wd Tacoma that would spin the tires if the humidity even got high, but was awesome in virtually every other way. My son used it in college, and one day he made it there (about 15 miles) in an ice storm and declared himself “best driver ever”, which might’ve been true after that trip, lol.
I had the non-Spacecab version of this, I think it was the same year. It was a nifty little runner but the East Coast winters did a number on it. It seems like every model of Isuzu was rust-prone.
I’m mostly a fan of vintage Japanese vehicles but this is one awkward looking oddball. I’m sure it’s worth the ask, but I’m not into at all.
A more accurate heading would be, “never this nice USED”. I don’t recall ever seeing a “Spacecab”, nor heard the term, sure looks like a S-10 to me. If I may disagree, I think clean used 2wd pickups are more in demand than 4x4s and not because I have a 2wd pickup for sale soon. 4x4s tend to be beat to heck, used in the worst weather. This was clearly dads truck he rarely took out. It’s a fantastic find, Toyota and Nissan got all the thunder, but , what I call the “lesser” Asian makes, Mazda, Mitsubishi or Isuzu, were just as good, or in some cases better. Now, let’s not forget, these still embody all the things that make these a poor vehicle, crummy seats, poor heat, 4 speed will holler at freeway speeds, those plastic window cranks don’t age well, but the extra cab I wouldn’t buy a pickup without one, squarebody not withstanding, the taller roof and extra cab here are well worth it. Great find, I think all the Asian trucks basically used the same parts, for today and beyond, you couldn’t find a better truck than right here. I’m flabbergasted it’s still here.
I barely remember these but must say it’s a pretty nice small-truck design for 1986 – pretty early in the genre.
Lovely looking truck. I’ve always found the Isuzu P’up Spacecab the best looking of the p’ups, way better I think than the standard P’up. If only more pics were posted. It would’ve been nice to see what the engine looks like.
Nice to see one without rust spots all over it, kinda surprised its still available at that price I bet you can flip it for a couple grand profit on cars and bids or BAT
I always say beware of a Craigslist add. The add says automatic but the pic shows a stick shift?? Hmmmm…..never know on Craigslist. I went 30 miles is all to see a Caddy that wasnt the same year as the pic and was a real beater. I wouldnt even email this guy.
Well, geez! That’s harsh…if you really wanted it, then I guess you might, at the least, inquire. Because the guy clicks the wrong transmission it’s all of a sudden a scam? Obviously, you don’t have any interest whatsoever, so why even comment?
This is a steal and, it appears to be totally legit. I’m surprised it’s not sold yet.
“all ways go for the” 4WD only if needing it. I think this one, a rd vehicle, hasa long bed. That’s good. Back east we use a short bed for the ‘back 40’ so a lill different thought process.
I remember these as they seemed to stand out w/the odd square top – seen amileaway and identifiable to the 20 or 30 something I was then. Spacie cab is god too, once the never-used jump seats are folded away/removed. Would you sit there?
I’d daily this 1 for 3 to 5K$.
Just sold an ’81 trooper some1 left here as “too expensive to repair”, they twisted out the front chunk. I remember them as suppliers of lill diesels for usa imports (or was it the nissan?) ford currier, cheb chevette & others. I think the sd32 & sd33 (TDI) were in the scout final 2 yrs (mmm, yeah THAT was a datsun).
This gets my award for ugliest 80’s pickup truck. That’s for sure. In my part of the country. These things started rusting as soon as you drove off the lot. So, this is a rare one.
The inevitable “pup” nickname is cute but hardly manly sounding – lol – nor are today’s use of ballplayers FULL 1st names(as opposed to Tug, Mudcat, Boog, Catfish, etc. back in the day).
Nor are the lame 4 door unpatriotic honda tv commercials during the NY subway ballgame the other night. How i miss the Rheingold & Plymouth(official car of the miracle Mets) ’69 commercials!