Possible lead?

My 2014 did, but the scope of that “perk” was scaled way back in subsequent model years.

“but the Silverado 2500, which GM claims comes in right at 10,000 pounds, does need the lights.”

Uh, not exactly.
Those lights are **optional** on 2500 and 3500 SRW models. They’re mandated on 3500 dually models, because thicc rear fenders and all that.  

“always wondered what they were going for with those lights on the H3"

Another visual connection to this...

“But who knows what actually goes on over there.”

I do. Usually, it’s underestimating what customers will actually demand, or what the competition will bring to market - followed then by months of never-ending scrambling to prep the next MCE band-aid. 

Looks like someone replicated their childhood Tomica in 1:1 scale.

“four Classic Beatles”

That’s impressive, considering two are dead. 

Happy wife, boring drive.

Knowing you’re across the pond explains a lot. Globally, there’s actually very little commonality with the exception of core engine architectures. The closest thing to a true “global” truck Hino sells is the Dutro/300.

Apart from that, everything is **extremely** tailored for regional markets. (We don’t have any…

...uh, which Web site are you on? You can’t get a 155/195 COE in the states with a manual (Aisin 5-speed only), and the conventionals are predominantly equipped with Allison automatics - any that offer a stick do so as a special equipment option. 

Mmm, not necessarily. Brand’s been here since ‘84, and has been one of the fastest-growing medium truck brands since they switched to conventional-style trucks in ‘05. Branching into class 8 space this year. 

Got to see the Contessa Sprint Coupe in person two years ago. If you find yourself in Tokyo, make it a point to check out Hino’s (free) corporate museum. It’s pretty great.

That said, there were actually 3-5 of these particular coupes made - maybe not with the 900 engine (therefore the “only one CSC 900" isn’t exactly…

“So really, this AT4 just looks like an optioned-out version of that old trim with a revised face and some paint on the front recovery points.”

Way to bury the lede in the final paragraph... 

But they didn’t clone your idea of using a VW Jetta to rebirth the Gordon-Keeble marque, so I guess there’s that?

whatever the case may be, they apparently can’t afford either a snowblower or a plow service...

Came here to say this. And free, if memory serves!

Even more confusing was the brief time they slapped the EcoTec name on the updated Gen V truck 5.3 and 6.2L V8s when K2 Silverado first launched.

They’re great fun, especially at that price point - but be aware there’s a surprisingly large (and increasingly growing) number of parts for early Vipers (GTSes included) that are simply NLA - even despite the fairly mainstream OEM and decent following they have.

Isetta.

“2) You’re not getting those bags past TSA”

Bullshit.

After finding an ‘83 Impulse parts car in a U-pull lot in Tampa this May, I spent a weekend flying down from Detroit to harvest what I could (they simply don’t exist in the midwest). I loaded two suitcases filled with all sorts of mechanical and electrical parts, and…