Mini Truck History Part 1 '70s Van Crase and '80s Euro, Tilt Beds and Airbags- I&I E12 Podcast

[@Brooklyn_Powers]

What a Great episode, guys! Thank you for taking me down memory lane...Subscribed!

[@rebuildbetter]

Keep up the amazing content guys! Enjoyed this trip down memory lane for an aftermarket segment I'm not well versed in!

[@Brooklyn_Powers]

In 1986 I belonged to Spellbound Minis, the other local club was Midnight Minis.

[@ald71]

Amazing episode guys. I just subscribed! I remember having my ‘88 S-10 so low that there were shopping centers I couldn’t go into. When i discovered air shock it was a new game. Saturday night I would drive to the cruise spot, let all the air out, and at the end of the night find a gas station with air to get me home.

[@Brooklyn_Powers]

My '79 Datsun King Cab had emblems on the fenders: Datsun by Nissan.

[@lowlife28803]

Great episode 👏

[@Tikicar]

Great episode. Pro street was a 80s thing not a 70s thing. With majority of imports coming into California and with the custom van movement starting there. Custom Van's were started by surfers and why they are still referred to as surfer vans. Hot Rod magazine did the first Wild West Coast Vans article in 1971. A year later the first Van Nationals were held. By 1976 there were 6,000 vans at the biggest van meet that year. Not surprising that mini trucks started their style in the van and full size custom trucks in appearance. With all the aftermarket companies already making fiberglass flares, custom interior kits etc. It was easy for them to start making custom parts for mini trucks. With the gas crisis happening during the same time many people wanted something smaller and cooler. It does take years for each trend to reach its peak. The VW bug guys started clubs and shows in the 60s and reached its peak in the late 80s. The 4x4 and Jeep movement was happening along the same time. My understanding was the reason Nissan used the Datsun name to start was that if they failed they could come back again as Nissan.

[@AutoRevolutionOnline]

Thanks, and that is great info! It seems a lot of those trends/scenes came together on mini trucks.