Every August since 1978, Japan’s NTV network has put on a 24-hour telethon called 24HTV Love Saves the Earth to raise money for charity. It will soon be held again, and to mark the occasion Autech has restored a 1978 Nissan Caravan used in the very first airing of the show.
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 04 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 04](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab-restoration-04.jpg?w=423&h=315&ssl=1)
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 02 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 02](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab-restoration-02.jpg?w=209&h=156&ssl=1)
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 03 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 03](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab-restoration-03.jpg?w=209&h=155&ssl=1)
Love Saves the Earth focused on raising money for disabled people, environmental causes, and disaster recovery both in Japan and abroad. Nissan was the main sponsor that first year, and even hosted some of the telethon at their old Ginza headquarters showroom. Nissan donated 213 vehicles to charities that year, and has donated over 200 vehicles every year since then. This Caravan, specially equipped with a hydraulic arm and platform that could load a wheelchair-bound person into the van, was the 27th.
The number 27 Caravan Chair Cab, as it was called, served St Joseph’s Society of Kyoto for 20 years before it was decommissioned. Fourteen years later, in June 2014, it was discovered and sent to Autech for a full restoration by the firm’s craftsmen.
According ton Nissan, the most difficult part was recreating the hydraulic lift that brings the wheelchair into the van. The lift had been lost, so Autech had to create another one based on old photos. You can see the old arm in action here.
Old photos were also referenced for the paint scheme, which was then hand-painted by Wildman Ishii of Mooneyes.
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab.jpg?w=441&h=291&ssl=1)
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 13 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 13](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab-restoration-13.jpg?w=191&h=143&ssl=1)
![1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 14 1978 Nissan Caravan Chair Cab restoration 14](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1978-Nissan-Caravan-Chair-Cab-restoration-14.jpg?w=191&h=144&ssl=1)
The result is nothing short of stunning. Even the undercarriage looks brand new. If you happen to be in Yokohama area this month, the Caravan will be on display at the Nissan Gallery in the headquarters building on August 27-28.
Images courtesy of Nissan.
That lift looks very sketchy.
At the least, it’s a very different design than the two-post, usually side-door mounted Braun and Ricon ones that were the US standard in the late ’70s and ’80s.
Lovely looking restoration. I love the colours.
Sweet.
My first reaction was …. I hope Tomytec makes it into a Tomica Limited Vintage.
Second the motion!
Hahaha! That’s so you.
The thing is, we do know the right people to ask.
hope they are putting some decent tyres on it before it is driven, spare isn’t even legal
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Yeah, it looks like they got it out of Ralphie’s Old Man’s ’38 Olds.
Way to go Nissan for supporting disabled people. You deserve a award for decent and excellent responsibility for the cars you build. The van is perfect. I salute and bow to you sir!