The Honda Acty is a series of cabover microvans and kei trucks produced by Honda from 1977 to 2021 for the Japanese domestic market. Its name is short for Activity, and the range was designed as economical, agile work vehicles rather than cars with luxury equipment.
Honda Acty at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1977–2021 |
| Type | cabover kei truck and microvan |
| First generation | 1977–1988 |
| First engine | 545 cc two-cylinder SOHC, 28 PS |
| Van introduced | November 1979 |
| Honda Street | from February 1981 |
| Four-wheel drive | from March 1983 |
| Second generation | 1988–1999 |
| Third generation | 1999–2009, van until April 2021 |
| Fourth generation | 2009, truck only |
| Rivals | Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Acty.
History of the Honda Acty
Replacing the T360
The first Acty trucks arrived on 27 July 1977 and replaced earlier Honda keitoras such as the TN360 and T360. Following a 1975 revision of the Japanese rules for the kei class, the first Acty carried a midship-mounted 545 cc two-cylinder SOHC water-cooled EH engine producing 28 PS at 5500 rpm.
Van, Street and four-wheel drive
The van joined the range in November 1979, using the truck’s taillights and shared pressings to save money. A passenger-oriented upper trim called the Honda Street appeared on 1 February 1981 and lasted two van generations; four-wheel drive followed in March 1983 with 12-inch wheels, a revised cylinder head and a five-speed gearbox on 4WD models.
Export and generations
The first Acty was exported to markets including Britain and Australia, where it is credited with creating a new category; the Suzuki Carry and Bedford Rascal were GM’s answer. The second generation ran from 1988 to 1999, the third from 1999 to 2009 with the van staying in production until April 2021, and the fourth generation arrived as a truck only at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
The last of its kind
After the Subaru Sambar and Daihatsu Hijet merged, the Acty truck became the final kei truck not to use a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.
Design and features
- Midship engine: a 545 cc two-cylinder mounted under the cab in the first generation.
- Shared panels: the van reused the truck’s taillights and door pressings.
- Four-wheel drive: added in 1983 for Japanese rural use.
- Honda Street and Vamos: passenger-oriented trims built on the Acty van.
Honda Acty versions
- Acty truck: the original cabover kei pickup of 1977.
- Acty van (1979): the microvan body.
- Honda Street (1981): the passenger trim of the Acty van.
- 4WD Acty (1983): higher ride and five-speed gearbox.
- Fourth-generation truck (2009): the final HA8 series.
The Acty shares Honda’s small-vehicle engineering with the N360 and the Life. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda Acty, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, Street and 4WD, export
