There is something deeply honest about a Jimny.

No pretence. No unnecessary bulk. Just a ladder frame, a small-capacity petrol engine, and the quiet confidence of a proper 4×4 system. Around the world, the Suzuki Jimny enjoys cult status — from Japanese mountain roads to Australian cattle farms and European green lanes. In Bangladesh, however, most live hard lives. This one may have lived the hardest of all.

A Life in Public Service

This 2003 JB43 — powered by Suzuki’s dependable 1.3-litre engine — began its life not as a lifestyle accessory but as a government workhorse. It served under the Government of Bangladesh in the Ministry of Health pool fleet.

For years, it travelled across the country — city traffic, rural clinics, pot holed backroads — carrying officials, files, and responsibility. It was never pampered. It was used.

Like many pool cars, maintenance was functional rather than thorough. When engine issues began to surface, the decision was simple: retire it from active duty. By 2025, it was put up for sale in a government auction — tired, worn, and mechanically unwell.

Most would have walked away.

July’ 24 Revolution — The Day It Survived

History has strange ways of choosing its survivors.

During the unrest of the July ’24 revolution , vehicles stored around it were burned to a crisp. Rows of metal reduced to twisted, blackened shells. Yet somehow, this tiny Jimny remained untouched. Smoke-stained, surrounded by wreckage — but alive.

Where others saw a forgotten relic, Motorwerks saw a rough diamond.

Seeing the Potential

The team at Motorwerks understands what enthusiasts worldwide already know: a JB43 Jimny is not disposable. Its simple mechanical architecture, ladder-frame chassis, and compact proportions make it one of the most capable small 4x4s ever built.

This one deserved another chapter.

But in Bangladesh, restoration is rarely straightforward. Parts are not always a click away. Sourcing takes time, relationships, and patience. This would not be a quick flip. It would be a careful rebuild.

Mechanical First — Heart Before Beauty

Every proper restoration starts with the fundamentals.

This Jimny came equipped with the rare JB43W 1300cc twin-cam M13A petrol engine which was completely rebuilt — stripped down, inspected, and refreshed with care. Worn internals were replaced, seals and gaskets renewed, tolerances checked and corrected. The goal wasn’t just to make it run. It was to make it dependable again. The fuel tank had accumulated years of debris and contamination — the kind of neglect that quietly compromises reliability.

Once the engine fired up cleanly and settled into a healthy idle, the project had momentum. While the drivetrain was apart, a brand-new clutch was installed to ensure smooth power delivery. The braking system was overhauled with new brakes and lines throughout — essential for a car that would once again see real-world use. Every bushing was replaced, restoring tightness and composure to the chassis.This Jimny would not just look good — it would drive as it was meant to.

Bodywork: OEM+ Done Right

Years of government duty had left their marks. Dents, tired paint, and surface fatigue told its story. The Motorwerks paint team stripped the body back and began the slow process of restoration.

The brief was clear: OEM+.

Not flashy. Not overbuilt. Respect the car’s original character — elevate it subtly.

The chosen finish was Gentian Blue, a shade borrowed from Porsche 911 palettes, paired with Toyota’s Magnetic Grey as a contrasting lower tone. The two-tone treatment transformed the car while remaining tasteful.

The result is striking but mature. It looks factory — if the factory had better taste.

The Details That Matter

As with any rebuild, the small victories define the journey.

• Brand-new headlamps and tail lamps instantly updated the front and rear ends.
• The seats, thankfully, had been covered for most of the car’s working life — preserving the original upholstery underneath. Once uncovered, they revealed themselves in remarkably good condition.
• The original air-conditioning system remains intact — and still blows ice-cold. A small but meaningful reminder of Suzuki’s durability.
• Wheels and tyres from the latest-generation Jimny — sourced from a friend who upgraded their new car — gave it a wider stance and a more purposeful posture.

And then, luck intervened.

A winch — found locally at an auto parts store — surfaced at just the right time. In a market where sourcing can take months, this was a lucky find. Fitted neatly up front, it completes the transformation from restored classic to functional explorer.

A Patient Rebuild in a Difficult Market

Restoring cars in Bangladesh requires resilience.

Shipping delays. Limited inventory. Improvisation without compromise. Each part sourced feels earned. Each completed stage feels significant.

This Jimny was not restored in haste. It was rebuilt with patience — the kind that only true enthusiasts understand.

More Than a Car

Today, the once-retired Ministry pool car stands renewed. From a life of government service to near destruction, to careful resurrection — its story mirrors the resilience that makes the Jimny beloved worldwide.

Small in size. Immense in character.

Motorwerks didn’t just restore the Jimny. They preserved a piece of mechanical honesty — and proved that even in a challenging environment, tasteful builds are possible.

Sometimes, the smallest 4×4 carries the biggest story.

Technical Specifications

• Model: 2003 Suzuki Jimny JB43W
• Engine: Rare JB43W 1300cc twin-cam M13A petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Drivetrain: Selectable 4WD
• Differentials: Center differential lock
• Axles: Solid front and rear axles
• Low-range transfer case and centre diff lock

Some cars pass through your life quietly. Others stay with you long after they’re gone.

This one arrived in 1995, brand new, painted in Honda Milano Red. I was 13 years old, already deeply obsessed with cars, and I remember having to actively convince my father that this was the car to buy. He listened, but what I didn’t expect was the surprise that followed: one afternoon, he turned up outside my school in a brand-new Honda Civic. For a kid who lived and breathed anything with wheels, it was a moment that felt unreal. That Civic didn’t just take me home that day — it lit a fuse.

That car became the foundation of my passion for motoring.

Growing up together

I learned to drive in that Civic. I learned what it meant to care for a car, to listen to it, to gradually shape it to your own tastes. Like many enthusiasts of the early internet era, I spent countless hours reading forums, absorbing opinions, and slowly piecing together my own vision. Whenever I travelled abroad, I’d hunt for parts. The most significant score came in 2001 — a set of Altezza tail lights I carried back from New York, a prized modification at the time.

That Civic wasn’t just transport. It was a classroom, a companion, and eventually, part of something bigger. Along with my friend Asad Moyeen, it played a role in inspiring the launch of drivetimedhaka.com, at a time when car culture in Bangladesh was still finding its voice.

In 2003, the Civic left our family. It was sold to a family in Sylhet, and for nearly two decades, it disappeared from my life completely.

Found again

In 2021, out of the blue, a cousin sent me photos. He’d spotted the car in Sylhet — unmistakably the same one — and it was available. The images showed a very different Civic: tired, weather-beaten, sitting unused outdoors for nearly a decade. The red had faded, rust had begun to creep in, and time had not been kind.

I didn’t hesitate.

When the car came back to our house, still registered in my late father’s name, with expired papers and years of neglect behind it, I knew instantly this wasn’t just another project. This was something personal. Something that deserved patience and respect.

A slow, considered rebuild

The goal was never to overbuild the car or modernise it beyond recognition. This was always going to be an OEM+ restoration — faithful to the original, but quietly improved where it mattered.

The car was sent to a trusted local garage, where it underwent a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul. The engine was fully rebuilt, the suspension refreshed, the bodywork addressed properly, and the interior carefully restored. Mechanically, it came back sorted and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Later, lingering carburettor issues were resolved at MotorWerks, finally allowing the D13B to run as it should.

One of the small joys of the process came from the details. The Altezza tail lights were on the car and I’d somehow held onto the original tail lights at home for over a decade — an unexpected full-circle moment.

The original Milano Red gave way to Porsche Carmine Red, a subtle but richer shade that suits the Civic’s lines beautifully. A set of white alloy wheels was added, wrapped in fresh tyres — a nod to the JDM influence that defined so much of this car’s earlier life. The suspension was lowered by 20mm on coilovers, transforming both the stance and the way the car handles without sacrificing its character.

Inside, the car surprised all of us. Thanks to seat covers used by the previous owner, the interior fabric was remarkably well preserved. Aside from a small tear on the driver’s seat, it felt like stepping back in time.

The rebuild began in June 2021 and concluded in December 2022. Anyone who’s restored a car knows this timeline isn’t unusual — parts take time to source, funds need to be gathered, and details demand patience. Friends helped along the way: badges sourced from Bangkok, headlights tracked down on eBay. It became a shared effort, just as it had been all those years ago.

Why it still matters

This generation of Civic (EG8) was Japan Car of the Year in 1992, and for good reason. It was a global car in the truest sense — reliable, well-engineered, and endlessly engaging. Even with its humble D13B carburettor engine, the manual gearbox makes it feel lively, and the refreshed suspension brings a level of fun that reminds you why these cars earned such a following worldwide.

The final hurdle came much later. In late 2025, the paperwork was finally updated — penalties and renewal fees costing more than the restoration itself. Worth every taka.

Home again

Today, the Civic is driven sparingly. It’s not a showpiece, and it’s not chasing trends. It’s a time capsule — a car returned to the people who first loved it, now cared for with the patience and perspective that only time can give.

Restoring it wasn’t about perfection. It was about preservation. About honouring a car that shaped my childhood, my interests, and ultimately, a big part of who I became.

Some cars never really leave you.
This one just took the long way home.