From Sapporo to Montana. Delica was made for Glacier!

Original: Summer 2025

I’ve got some people who like to follow this stupid van of mine and want to see where it’s been in Glacier. So let’s have a little Deli story time!

The Delica was really made for the Going-to-the-Sun Road. First of all, it just loves to chase that morning alpenglow! Of course, that means I have to get up early as well. I don’t see vintage Delicas ever hopping on the autonomous bandwagon. Maybe because they are just too bad-ass?

Mitsubishi makes about a dozen different trim levels for this thing. From luxurious and fun with plush captain’s seats, an in-console karaoke machine, and FIVE sunroofs.

To packages that are more utilitarian and functional, with HI/LOW 4WD (center locking differential), high roof (4″ taller), and seats that fold up and spin for maximum cargo. Mine even comes with a jump seat. This thing actually has seat belts for 8 people! Of course, of what stature is another question.

My Deli falls under the workhorse model with a touch of 90’s fashion. But it is a horse with a specialty – cold weather. Called the Chamonix package (yep, after the ski resort in the French Alps), it comes with what a skier would want.

With the 2.8 diesel, I get TWO batteries in parallel. Still 12-volt, but with twice the cranking power for long cold starts. And a 120A (vs 90A) alternator to keep everything charged. Also, separate front and back heater controls (two heating cores … ick).

No sunroof, but talk about wraparound windows. In my model year (1997), the half-mirror-tinted privacy windows were introduced. Bonus: You can fold all the seats down flat to form one giant bed. This thing is the poor man’s camper, straight out of the box, with no mods necessary.

It has an interesting 4-speed automatic transmission with a couple of features. Push a button, and it will only shift between 2nd and 3rd gear for snow. Going down a grade, it automatically steps down a gear and releases when you hit the gas. I can coast down the Sun Road at 15-20 miles per hour without touching the brakes once.

This model year, the Chamonix package had a mandatory limited-slip rear differential, along with dual airbags and ABS brakes (both for the first time). Japan adopted safety standards for its JDMs much later than vehicles made for export to countries with stricter safety requirements (aka the USA).

Continuing the ski theme, the roof and sides have extra insulation for warmth retention, and the carpet and seats are made from an ‘extra-tough’ material. Which I can attest works. Hard to stain, and no tears or scuffs after almost 30 years.

Up front, they gave Chamonix (Spec 2 – the mid-production facelift) a unique dual fog & driving lamps integrated into the bumper, and TWO additional skid plates were added (keeping everything road-grit-free but making oil changes a pain).

But the big thing for me: the first year of the electronic injection pump vs. gear-driven. This small change bumped horsepower by 15% (to 140hp total). Not great, but good enough for a 4200lb vehicle.

At the end of the day, it’s a quirky ride that looks so out of place in the United States. But if you stare at it long enough, you find it is right where it belongs in Glacier Park. Motoring in the great outdoors and climbing mountains every day.

GoatBoy out! And here is to driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the vehicle.

And Patrick sucks. He can barely drive on the ‘right’ side of the vehicle.