- This 1996 Honda Acti Crawler fire truck was imported from Japan last year, and it still includes the tool rack, flashing lights, and siren system.
- A tiny 656-cc three-cylinder engine sends 37.5 horsepower through a four-speed manual transaxle to the 12-inch front wheels and rear tracks.
- Five days before the Bring A Trailer auction ends on Tuesday, February 28, the bid currently stands at $11,500.
In America, fire trucks are huge beasts that can hold up to 1500 gallons of water and carry ladders that can be nearly 100 feet tall. But Japan’s narrow streets require unique solutions, leading to beloved rescue vehicles like this 1996 Honda Acti Crawler, which is up for auction on Bring A Trailer — which, like car and driverPart of Hurst Auto.
The Honda Acty is a long-haul truck sold in Japan’s Kei class, a designation for miniature vehicles that fit within reduced dimensions and are powered by engines with a maximum capacity of 660 cc. The crawler was a quirky variation of the Acty that replaced the rear wheels with treads wrapped around the two axles and was built on special order for five years in the 1990s.
This action crawler, modified for the fire service, comes in red with gold graphics and a unique badge on the nose. The bed features bench seating, chrome handles and racks for mounting fire fighting equipment, while the siren and emergency lighting are still attached to the cabin ceiling. The 12-inch wheels are shod with narrow 145-width rubber up front, with a spare under the bed and four spare wheels included if you want to replace the rear tracks.
The little fire truck is powered by a 656-cc inline-three mounted ahead of the rear axle. 37.5 horsepower is routed through a four-speed manual transaxle with ultralow forward and reverse gears. A rear locking differential and a real-time four-wheel-drive system help the little crawler run around, and front disc and rear drum brakes are used to slow the actie down.
The interior is simple, with gray cloth seats, rubber floor mats, a heater, and the factory stereo system with controls for the siren and flashing lights. The selling dealer imported the vehicle to the US in December 2022, and the odometer shows 3600 kms or approximately 2237 miles. You probably won’t be rushing to any emergencies in the Acti Crawler – and certainly wouldn’t want to take it out on an American highway – but the adorable fire truck will definitely help you out at your local cars and coffee meet. The bid currently sits at $11,500 with five days remaining in the auction.
associate news editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at the age of 13, and he pursued his dream of writing for Car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and attending. car and driver Team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like the Nissan S-Cargo, and he is an avid fan of motorsports.