Having undergone a full model change, the third generation Sambar series went on sale on October 2, 1973. Equipped with a new type water-cooled two-cycle 360 cc engine, the new model earned the nickname “Goriki Sambar”.

In January 1976, the light car standards underwent revision and were expanded to length of 3.20 meters, width of 1.40 meters and displacement of 550 cc. In line with this, the new standard “Sambar 5” series went on sale in May 1976. The engine was upgraded from the conventional air-cooled two-cycle model to a water-cooled four-cycle two-cylinder 490 cc/28PS model. In May 1977, making full use of the new regulations, the “Sambar 550”, which had a larger body size and a new water-cooled two-cylinder 544 cc/28PS engine with much higher low- and medium-speed torque, went on sale.
The truck rear deck was expanded by 80 millimeters in width and 5 millimeters in floor length to become 1,330 millimeters wide x 2,010 millimeters floor length, giving it the largest capacity in the class (as of May 1977). Two years later in October 1979, a model having the first ever high-roof specifications in the light cab van class was added to the lineup.

This model had a cargo room height of 1,425 millimeters, which even exceeded that of a compact car high-roof. Then, in November 1980, the Sambar 4WD equipped with 2WD (RR) and 4WD changeover 4WD mechanism went on sale.

During the nine years in which the third generation Sambar was produced, not only did the Sambar enhance its performance for business uses but, exploiting the large cargo room volume of the van, it greatly extended its possibilities as a leisure vehicle.


Goriki Sambar (February 1973)





Size:*Length 2,995 mm x Width 1,295 mm x Height 1,610 mm*
Wheelbase:*1,730 mm*
Tread:*(Front) 1,120 mm (Rear) 1,100 mm*
Min. ground clearance:*200 mm*
Vehicle weight:*545 kg*
Riding capacity:*Two persons

Engine:*EK34
Model:*Water-cooled two-cycle, two-cylinder*
Displacement:*356 cc
Max. output:*28PS/5,500 rpm
Max. torque:*3.8 kg·m/5,000 rpm

Suspension
Front: Semi trailing arm independent suspension*
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension*
(Truck low-floor type)


Sambar 5 (May 1976)





Size:*Length 3,035 mm x Width 1,340 mm x Height 1,610 mm
Wheelbase:*1,730 mm
Tread:*(Front) 1,120 mm (Rear) 1,100 mm
Min. ground clearance:*190 mm
Vehicle weight:*555 kg
Riding capacity:*Two persons

Engine:*EK22
Model:*Water-cooled four-cycle, in-line two-cylinder OHC
Displacement:*490 cc
Max. output:*28PS/6,000 rpm
Max. torque:*3.8 kg·m/4,000 rpm

Suspension
Front: Semi trailing arm independent suspension
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension
(Truck low-floor type)


Sambar 550 (May 1977)







Size:*Length 3,195 mm x Width 1,395 mm x Height 1,655 mm
Wheelbase:*1,820 mm
Tread:*(Front) 1,210 mm (Rear) 1,190 mm
Min. ground clearance:*185 mm
Vehicle weight:*590 kg
Riding capacity:*Two persons

Engine:*EK23
Model:*Water-cooled four-cycle, in-line two-cylinder OHC
Displacement:*544 cc
Max. output:*28PS/6,000 rpm
Max. torque:*4.2 kg·m/3,500 rpm

Suspension
Front: Semi trailing arm independent suspension
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension
(Truck low-floor type)




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