Closing date July issue -> May 19
Suzuki SJ 410 (1983): Warm memories for Karel
We often have a soft spot for anything that reminds us of the past. The good old days are a constant, and thankfully, tangible memories always remain. When it comes to cars, Karel can't stop talking. For him, it's also inextricably linked to the history of the Hoogendoorn Hout family business, which plays a significant role in his life. His passion for classic cars is rooted in his early years as a milk delivery driver in the western Netherlands.
From milk transport to book publication
Together with his friend Ad Verkaik, Karel began his career as a milk truck driver. Their shared interest in this period led to the idea of writing a book about it. They tracked down families, listened to their stories, and captured them on paper. The drivers back then were contented people, with work that offered freedom and special encounters with dairy farmers every day. The photos in the book provide a wonderful glimpse into the 70s and 80s. Karel even gives lectures about it.
It's remarkable that this history has been preserved in this way. With the advent of modern tankers, much of the romance of the old milk transport disappeared, but thanks to this project, the story remains alive.
The transition to the timber trade
After transporting milk, Karel's career took a new turn. Together with his father, Adriaan, and mother, Marie, he entered the timber trade. They were pioneers in their field and celebrated the family business's 2012th anniversary in 50.
In 1983, father Adriaan decided to buy a small but striking Japanese pickup: a Suzuki SJ 410 Pickup, designed for small jobs and as a show-stopper for the timber yard. A model you don't see very often, as most people know the standard SJ 410.
Suzuki SJ 410 as a rolling tribute
Today, Karel keeps not only the history of Hoogendoorn Hout alive with his Suzuki SJ 410, painted in company colors, but also his own past in milk transport. His shed also houses two other classic beauties: a DAF and a Bedford. They are all connected to memories from his childhood.
When participating in events, fairs, and vintage car rides, the Suzuki is often loaded with milk cans that Karel has collected over the years. For him, it's a combination of hobby, nostalgia, and tribute to his father.
A love for a classic or vintage car often stems from emotion. For Karel, the Suzuki SJ 410 is more than just a vehicle; it's a symbol of family history, craftsmanship, and protecting heritage for future generations.
(The photos continue below.)
That Bedford deserves some editorial attention, in my opinion. What a beauty!
Down the street, the blacksmith and friend of the family also had a Bedford. It had been ridden so much that the engine was worn out. The engine was overhauled. Together, we reinstalled it. The overhaul did it good, and it pulled better than ever before. It was a very serviceable truck. Incidentally, it was a petrol engine. Six cylinders in line and a single carburetor supplied the cylinders with fuel mixture. Surprisingly for the size of the vehicle, it had a vacuum-assisted brake system on board. That, too, was completely overhauled. The Bedford was ready for a while again.
This Suzuki off-road vehicle with its 0,8 liter engine was an excellent, reliable and economical vehicle for on the road or on rough terrain.
Today's obesity SUVs could learn a thing or two from this.
The Suzuki SJ410 has a 1-liter engine. The LJ80 has the 4-cylinder 0,8-liter engine.