This 1981 Daihatsu TAFT F20 is one of the best unrestored and original examples we’ve seen in recent times, with just 54,000km on the clock, excellent original trim and retains its original paint (which we believe may be Misty Beige - code DAIT01). The car has had just three owners, with the seller having owned the car for the last 7 years.

The F20 is factory fitted with a 1.6l Toyota 12R petrol motor which produced around 66kw. This engine was used in several other Toyota vehicles of the era including the Corona, Hilux and Hiace. As a result, the availability of parts for these classic 4x4s is never a concern, and reliability is guaranteed.

Inside the car, the trim is simple but functional. As workhorse vehicle, the cars were very basic and trim was limited to vinyl covered seats, door card inserts and a roof lining. The two tone vinyl seats are in excellent condition for a vehicle that’s nearly 40 years old, and the paint inside has been well preserved.

The TAFT in its various iterations was particularly popular in Australia due to its reliability and practical design, offering a slightly larger package than the Suzuki Jimny/Sierra. It was effectively a small version of the FJ series Toyota, and was also badged in the early 80s as a Toyota Blizzard. The TAFT (and its pickup truck equivalent – the SCAT) were particularly popular with farmers in Australia. As a result, many of these cars had a tough working life, were kept outside in the weather and suffering terribly from rust – particularly when near the coast.

This example is a true exception to those poorly cared for work trucks, and is a very solid example with the exception of two spots of rust below either side of the rear doors (see images). The seller notes there are some small rust bubbles emerging around the base of the rear doors, but those are not significant. The roof had blemishes at one point, but has recently been re-painted in the cars' original colour. It’s the perfect classic 4X4 for an enthusiast who wants simple reliability in a more unique package than the average Suzuki. There’s no work to do on this car, it is ready to drive and enjoy, and could be kept as is in its original form, or modified to be a seriously capable off roader. The car comes with full NSW registration valid until 13 July 2021, and is old enough to qualify for club registration.

Classic 4x4s really haven’t reached their full potential, and in a country like Australia we expect these little gems to be increasingly popular as people look for unique weekend cars in future.

The car is located on the mid-north coast of NSW (near Kempsey), and can be inspected by appointment. The price is negotiable, but keep in mind you probably won’t find another that’s been this well cared for from new. For further information or to arrange an inspection, please contact Mark by clicking the ‘contact seller’ button at the top of this page.