If Americans remember the Daihatsu brand at all, it is likely for its incredibly brief appearance. The company arrived in the US in 1988 and disappeared just as quickly in 1992. In its home country of Japan, you might be surprised to learn Daihatsu sells more cars than companies like Honda, Nissan, and Subaru.
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Much of Daihatsu’s success lies in finding niches where its expertise in small cars can flourish. Consider the Daihatsu Taft, a compact off-roader like the one recently for sale on eBay Motors in Manassas, Va. During its brief stint in the US, Daihatsu sold only two models. The company marketed its Charade three-cylinder compact hatchback for its fuel efficiency, but Americans didn’t take small cars, fuel efficiency, or hatchbacks seriously. Conversely, the Rocky was a compact four-wheeler similar to the Suzuki Samurai or Geo Tracker.
While it had compelling specs, the Daihatsu name and limited dealer network kept it from achieving meaningful sales numbers. The Daihatsu Taft is the Rocky’s immediate predecessor.
Tough and Almighty
The Taft wasn’t named after the 27th President of the United States. It’s an abbreviation for ”Tough and Almighty Four-Wheel Touring.” Daihatsu intended the Taft to slot between larger 4x4s like the Toyota Land Cruiser and smaller ones like the Suzuki Jimny. Its proportions make it look elfin, but it’s about the size of an old postal Jeep.
Despite its small size, the Taft is a legitimate off-roader. Built atop a ladder frame, it has a transfer case with low and high ranges. It’s equipped with rugged solid axles and leaf spring suspension both front and rear. It also has the option of either a fixed roof or a removable fabric top. Later models could also be ordered with a detachable fiberglass roof. It came only with a four-speed manual transmission.
Under the hood, the Taft came with either a 1.0- or 1.6-liter gasoline engine or a 2.5- or 2.8-liter diesel engine. At the time, Daihatsu was partially owned by Toyota (today, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary), and the Taft was also sold as the Toyota Blizzard. The car for sale is listed as such because Daihatsu wasn’t available as an option when listing, according to the seller. The Taft and Blizzard were identical, but the latter had only one engine option, a Toyota 2.2-liter diesel.
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The Daihatsu Taft for sale is described as having been restored by its current owner as a personal project. It presents as very clean, with no visible rust on its bright yellow sheet metal. The undercarriage and engine bay surrounding its 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinder look spotless. The five-digit odometer reads 72,981 km (45,348 miles). It’s described as a turnkey car that needs absolutely nothing, with no leaks or smoke.
It’s $23,500 asking price is high. You could find a bigger Land Cruiser at that price point. But if it’s a Taft you want, they’re already 40 years old, and the supply isn’t getting any more plentiful. You might be able to get one yourself from Japan, but the market there will command top dollar for a fully restored one. Anything cheaper would likely need some restoration. Whichever path you choose, in the end, you’ll have an incredibly capable compact 4×4 with an odd name that is sure to be a conversation starter.
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