1982 Suzuki Samurai

Bookmark

Share

Know of a better one?

Submit your contender for The Best One On The Planet

Drive Toward a Cure ad

WHAT IS IT?

The Suzuki Jimny (known as the Samurai in North America) is a pint-sized cheap Jeep and while underpowered is immensely capable off-road.  It’s still in production and sold virtually everywhere but here. The Samurai started off red-hot in the U.S. until its propensity to (allegedly) roll over during sudden maneuvers at highway speed became well publicized via Consumer Reports. Even in dry climates, the survival rate is miniscule, especially among the soft tops which rusted into oblivion.

WHY THIS ONE HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS

Samurais were the essence of disposable 4X4s. Nobody saved them, or even thought to give them decent care. Most lived out their days as beat-to-hell trail rigs, or in hunting camps where they were simply abandoned in the woods when they quit. And then there’s this one:  Gorgeous metallic blue paint, an as-new soft top, an interior that appears original, and it’s beautifully presented under the hood. It looks like something straight out of a publicity shot from the 1980s. Simply incredible.
Nobody saved them, or even thought to give them decent care.
Best One on the Planet content is for entertainment purposes only. Learn More

5 COMMENTS

4 1 vote
Vehicle Rating
guest
5 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Nathan Merz
Nathan Merz
Judge
1 month ago

When I was a kid my grandfather (who I admired greatly!) subscribed to Consumer Reports. This was the only area where I diverged with his opinions, as a young car kid I found their relentless focus on reliability and safety as almost heretical. Literally every car I lusted after they would decimate in their reviews… I recall their crushing safety review on the Samurai…

To this day I have always wanted a late tin top version.. It would be hard to give this a BOTP award with a scant 6 pictures but from what I see it looks seriously compelling. Sorry Consumer Reports, you haven’t dampened my desires 40 years later!

fadihakim
fadihakim
Juror
1 month ago

Brilliant addition here. This car has always been on my watchlist and I near wrenched my neck last summer watching one zip by. A true classic and boy is this one near perfect!

Rob Sass
Juror
1 month ago

This little Samurai just screams honesty. The engine compartment presentation is exactly what you want to see, complete with the jack still in place. Everything looks exactly right, nothing overdone or obviously refurbished. Honest. If there’s a better one out there, I’d be shocked.

Lyn Woodward
Lyn Woodward
Juror
1 month ago

This little nugget is so clean it almost hurts. Usually, these 7UP cans, as I lovingly called them as a teen in the late 80s, come with all their stories and the requisite rust of age. I love the interior on this and that’s an engine bay you could eat off of. I won’t crow about their off-road driving chops because that requires a lot of trust and a great sports bra, but as far as how this one looks, it’s got showroom appeal. Would be tough to find a better one, but if you’ve got it, share it! These old littles are special.

RP A2
RP A2
1 month ago

This is an astonishingly good little Jimny, I mean Samurai. If there’s a nicer one anywhere, it’s probably in the Consumer Reports Museum.

Read more

Recent Finds

5
0
Leave a comment and tell us what you thinkx
()
x