Exit light. Enter night. Take my hand–off to Nomadic Van to buy this really special 1997 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Starwagon they call “The Sandman.” It’s for sale in Ketchum, Idaho for an asking price of $24,500. In addition to being refurbished and customized on the outside with an eye for the trails, this Active World special edition Delica also features a Stage 1 performance tune and a pristine interior that is highly configurable, including folding down into a bed (You know, where you’ll grip your pillow tight).
The 4th Generation Delica: A Truly Adventure-Ready Rig.
The Delica, shorthand for “Delivery Car,” is a series of mini buses, vans and pickups introduced by Mitsubishi in 1968. Since its introduction more than 50 years ago, it’s seen 8 generations and an absolute bevy of configurations and special editions, including this Active World edition. Like many Japanese-built cars of the late 20th century, the Delica has an impressive reputation for toughness and durability. And unlike most minivans, the Delica was a legit off-roader with 4wd, 5” of ground clearance, good approach and departure angles and a low center of gravity. This L300 cranks that up to 11.
This particular 4th generation Delica has been customized by the team at Nomadic Van, a company in Ketchum, Idaho that specializes in sourcing and customizing these boxy little beasts. They’ve done a heck of a job with this one, with a number of really special customizations that we’ll get into below. That said, if this one isn’t your speed, check out some of the other vans they have for sale.
The Condition & Specs.
This Delica L300 is 25 years old and shows 144,530 miles, but you’d never know looking at the seller provided photos of the interior and exterior. It has been fully refurbished on the outside including tan paint that likely gave this one its nickname, some sharp looking custom stickers, a rooftop basket rack with pulaski ax, and sharp looking aftermarket rims with big fat knobby 31” tires that look super meaty on this compact van.
Nomadic Van notably did not stop with exterior modifications. This L300 Starwagon is of course outfitted with Mitsubishi’s 4D56 turbo diesel motor from stock, but Nomadic has had a Stage 1 Performance Tune which includes a 2.25” side exit exhaust, EGT gauge, boost cranked up to 12psi and a fuel pump that’s been tuned and advanced to 2mm.
In addition, to prep this Delica for its new owner, Nomadic has put this van through its paces with respect to maintenance including a new timing belt, new timing belt tensioner pulleys, new front case seals, a refurbished alternator, water pump, and thermostat, new brake pads, new shocks, refurbished injection pump, a new cylinder head, new fluids and of course new fuel air and oil filters.
It’s ready to rock. Here are some of the specs:
MECHANICAL & DRIVE:
- 2.5L 4D56 turbo diesel engine
- 12 psi boost
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Hi-lo transfer case
- Automatic locking hubs
- 2.25” side exit exhaust
- EGT gauge
- Fuel pump tuned and advanced 2mm
EXTERIOR:
- New 31” Comforcer CF3000 M/T Tires
- Premium aftermarket 15” rims
- Rooftop basket rack
- Pulaski ax
- Custom Nomadic side decal
- Black bull bar w/integrated fog lights
INTERIOR:
- Active World Edition interior
- Dash mounted triple gauge pod
- Rear cabin tinted windows
- Privacy curtains
- 2nd row bench with folding bed option
READ MORE FEATURES.
Like this one, but not sure if it’s exactly right for you? Perhaps one these other amazing featured trucks and SUVs for sale might be just the one for you.
