Tucked away in a quiet garage in Minamisoma, Fukushima, an hour’s drive from FUSO’s South Sendai branch stands a legend. This is the FUSO FV, a model from the iconic F Series of the late 1970s.

A classic among FUSO’s heavy-duty trucks, the FV was the predecessor to The Great and today’s Super Great. The F Series even made its mark in popular culture, appearing in well-known Japanese films, earning a devoted following. 

Recently, this FV underwent a meticulous restoration, bringing it back to its former glory. We sat down with its owner and the team at the Mitsubishi Fuso service center who made this revival possible. 

WHY THE FUSO FV?

At the heart of this restoration is Shigemi Kanazawa, president of Kanazawa Kogyo, a Minamisoma-based industrial waste transportation and disposal company. A lifelong vehicle enthusiast, Kanazawa’s passion extends beyond trucks. He is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys the occasional boat ride. 

For Kanazawa, the FV isn’t just any truck, it’s a piece of his personal history. Having helped out in his family’s business from a young age, he first got behind the wheel of an FV decades ago and never forgot the experience. Determined to drive one again, he spent years searching across Japan for a restorable FUSO FV. In 2023, he finally found one for sale. 

Rather than entrusting the project to just any repair shop, Kanazawa turned to the Mitsubishi Fuso South Sendai branch, a company he’s relied on for nearly 40 years. With that trust in mind, the ambitious restoration project was set into motion, a journey to revive a legend.

ENTER FUSO’S SOUTH SENDAI BRANCH

Bringing the FUSO FV back to life requires expert hands. Who better than Kazuhiro Sugawara, a veteran mechanic who has been with Mitsubishi Fuso since 1976. Sugawara is known for his expertise in heavy-duty trucks and continues to pass his knowledge down to younger mechanics. 

“Trucks from the 1970s are extremely rare,” Sugawara explains. “Most of the team had never seen one in person, so there was a lot of excitement when it arrived. During the initial inspection, we found typical signs of aging; rust, oil leaks etc., but when we took it apart, we were surprised by how well it had held up over the years. The engine sounded strong and the fuel tank was remarkably clean. That told us right away that the truck was still in good driving condition.” 

RESTORATION COMPLEXITY

Restoring the FUSO FV was no small feat. Every inch of the truck required meticulous care, starting with a full disassembly and cleaning of the undercarriage and body. The V8 engine needed special attention; its rocker packing was replaced, and stem seals were carefully sourced and adapted from different model years. Additional work included tappet adjustments and sealing oil leaks, ensuring the engine could continue running smoothly for years to come. 

“Engines from this era were built to last. This one will keep running strong for years.”

Fortunately, the transmission was in good shape and only needed an inspection. However, replacing its packing posed an unexpected challenge as the original part was no longer available, so the team had to handcraft a custom replacement, a painstaking process that tested their skill and patience. 

Despite the complexity of the project, Sugawara remained humble. “To us, this was just another repair job,” he said, downplaying the significance of his work. But there was something special about this restoration; Sugawara had joined Mitsubishi Fuso in the same era the FV was built, meaning the expertise he developed decades ago became essential to its revival. “Engines from this era were built to last. This one will keep running strong for years,” he assured, adding with a smile, “If anything happens, I’ll be the first to take a look.” 

Of course, Sugawara wasn’t alone in this effort. A dedicated team worked together to source discontinued parts, arrange replacements, and outsource specialized work like plating and part reproduction. Though challenging, every mechanic agreed on one thing, the most rewarding part of the job was seeing the owner’s joy when the truck was finally restored. 

LOOKING GREAT INSIDE AND OUT

With the mechanical restoration complete at the Mitsubishi Fuso South Sendai branch, the focus shifted to bringing the FV’s exterior and interior back to life, a process that showcased Kanazawa’s unwavering dedication to authenticity. 

The truck’s cabin and cargo bed were carefully removed, allowing skilled craftsmen to work on the finer details. Every exterior component—from the grille to the chrome accents—was meticulously hand-polished and re-chromed, ensuring the FV looked just as it did in its prime. The team left no stone unturned, paying close attention to every contour and finish. 

Sourcing parts from the 1970s was a challenge. Many had long been discontinued, with no direct replacements available. The most difficult piece to restore? The front windshield. Undeterred, Kanazawa personally tracked down a company capable of reproducing a custom-made replacement, ensuring the truck retained its original appearance down to the finest detail. 

A JOB WELL DONE

With the combined expertise of Mitsubishi Fuso’s master mechanics, specialists across various fields, and, most of all, Kanazawa’s unwavering dedication, the restoration of the FV was completed after a year of meticulous work. When he finally stood before the fully restored truck, a machine that had been a part of his youth, he felt goosebumps. Seeing it brought back to life after more than four decades, he could only describe the experience in one word: 

“Amazing!” he said, grinning from ear to ear. 

We had the chance to ride in the passenger seat, and despite the FV’s 45-year history, the truck’s engine start and driving performance were shockingly smooth. The interior was a nostalgic time capsule; its sturdy ride was characteristic of vintage trucks, complete with retro fittings and details. As the FV rolled down the seaside road, it truly felt like stepping back into the 1970s. 

The truck’s presence doesn’t go unnoticed. Even those unfamiliar with heavy-duty vehicles couldn’t help but stop and admire it. Pedestrians snapped photos as it passed by, and during our interview, a curious driver followed the truck into the parking lot just to get a closer look. Within minutes, more enthusiasts gathered, eager to hear Kanazawa’s story and ask about the truck.

LEGACY BUILT ON FUSO TRUCKS

For the Kanazawa family, classic trucks are more than just vehicles, they’re part of their history. The family’s longstanding connection with Mitsubishi Fuso spans three generations. Kanazawa’s son has already taken ownership of a 1995 “The Great”, while two more trucks—a 1989 model and a 1991 model—are next in line for restoration. Even as a child, Kanazawa was surrounded by Mitsubishi Fuso trucks, as his parents relied on them for their business. 

Restoring old trucks isn’t just a passion project, it’s an extension of Kanazawa’s respect for these machines and their legacy. 

When asked about how he plans to use the restored FV, Kanazawa was clear: trucks are meant to work. While he will bring it to classic car exhibitions, the FV will be put back into action for transportation. 

Looking ahead, Kanazawa has no plans to slow down, even if he eventually steps down as company president. “I want to keep working in the field for the rest of my life,” he says. With each restoration, the company’s love for Mitsubishi Fuso’s legendary trucks only grows stronger.