While Australians can walk into a Suzuki dealership and drive home relatively hassle-free in a Jimny, our friends in the UK have a very different experience. The little off-roader is no longer stocked there in the same way, meaning enthusiasts often have to wait for imported vehicles to arrive.
And for one diehard Suzuki enthusiast in the Cotswolds, the wait was only the start of the story. His Jimny, nicknamed “Gizmo” arrived in the UK by transporter in 2019
Many genuine Suzuki accessories sold in Japan, Russia and India never officially make it to UK dealers, forcing owners to import them privately at huge expense. Gizmo’s owner spent years hunting down factory parts from overseas suppliers and international dealerships to create one of the most unique Jimnys in Britain.
Gizmo’s claim to fame is a genuine illuminated Suzuki grille badge from the Japanese accessories catalogue, believed to be the only one fitted to a UK Jimny. At night, the badge glows softly as Gizmo cruises through the narrow lanes and honey-stone villages of the Cotswolds.
And unlike many modern builds designed for social media attention, Gizmo’s story is deeply personal.
Its owner has been working on Suzuki since 1979 and in the automotive trade since 1978. Over the decades he has owned everything from LJ80s and SJ410s to SJ413s and a JB43 Jimny he still drives today while servicing Suzuki throughout the Cotswolds.
Gizmo itself has become something of a local celebrity, regularly photographed around picturesque villages.
When it’s not exploring back roads, the Jimny accompanies its owner to a local heritage railway where he volunteers, while continuing a lifelong obsession with collecting Suzuki brochures, models and memorabilia from around the world.
Because this isn’t just another modified Jimny. It’s the result of decades spent around Suzuki’s, years spent sourcing impossible-to-find parts, and one owner determined to build the ultimate Jimny despite the challenges of owning one in the UK.
We’ve previously featured photos taken by Windsor Suen… and he’s one of our favourites.
It’s a wonderful shot that you can ‘reflect’ on how gorgeous the Jimny really is.
Windsor is from Brisbane’s northside and modestly describes himself as a “Hobby photographer”.
Well, we think that if he drives his Suzuki Jimny anywhere near as well as he drives his camera, then we’re going to see him in some pretty wild and interesting places.
Indian car content platform, CarToq is featuring a wildly reworked Jimny conversion (at right) with a makeover parts list that apparently costs around the same price as the car. Inspiration is the Mercedes G-Wagon which has formed the basis of a number of similar products. This one even includes some chassis modifications to accommodate the new bolt-on parts which includes grille, bonnet, fenders, headlamps and front and rear bumpers.
Her Trax is a platform to inspire confidence and independence in the off-road and adventure space.
Founded by Paris Recchi, our Suzuki ambassador since 2023, it empowers women to tackle beautiful adventures on their terms and step behind the wheel, take on solo journeys, and discover where their own tracks lead.
Being part of the Her Trax Co, means being invited to the ultimate off-road days and retreats for women where connections are built, stories are shared and experiences are had while going on adventures together.
It’s the place to find inspiration, knowledge and community. Her Trax is the X marks the spot on your map, to finding empowerment through an off-road adventure.
Upcoming events:
Jasmine (@jasmine.t_) is a passionate Jimny owner who loves adventure and exploring the great outdoors. She enjoys taking “Jim” on off-road tracks and discovering new campsites, making every journey a memorable experience filled with excitement. She also deeply enjoys building and customising her car to suit her aesthetic, making it even more fun to drive.
Her car’s nickname is “Jazzy’s Jim.”
One of her most memorable experiences with Jim was finally getting her dream car—it was an incredibly exciting moment. Since then, she has loved exploring different tracks and campsites, each offering a unique adventure. Driving through varied terrain and setting up camp in beautiful, remote locations has made every trip unforgettable.
Her most drool-worthy rigs are Paris Recchi & JELYROL.
On her local bucket list are Moreton Island, Gordon Country, and the Glass House Mountains.
Jimny, the compact, go-anywhere, off-road superhero, isn’t afraid to roll up its sleeves…
Her most drool-worthy rigs are a toss up between @jb74.jpg and @zo00ky
On her local bucket list are the Glass House Mountains for a long camp trip this winter.
Kim’s off-road recommendation would be Mt Mee! K1MN33 got pretty dirty by the end of the day but Kim said it was well worth it and the view is amazing up there. She says the tracks are easy enough for a stock Jimny too.
People always are amazed … at the climbing ability of a Jimny. So for this edition, we thought we might focus on some of the key elements which make the Jimny such an unstoppable off-road superhero. Have a look at the photo above. This shot was undertaken in a special off-road training facility – but with an ordinary driver, without any specialist training skills, at the wheel. He had no history of racecraft, no training for outback solo treks, no ‘go hard or go home’ attitude. Just a regular driver in a standard Suzuki Jimny with a driver training expert sitting alongside him to give advice just in case things got a little too dicey for the driver. That is the very essence of Jimny – driveability. It makes novice off-roaders look awesome and skilled drivers look absolutely unstoppable. That’s a pretty sharp and steep climb that the Jimny is clawing its way up – safely, surely and sure-footedly. To find out more about what makes the Jimny so capable off-road, read on:
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