As faded as 1978 is for most of us who lived through that era, this 1978 Dodge Street Van is a blank slate for someone talented with welding and other bodywork. It needs work on a few rusty areas but would be a fun project for those of us who had similar vans from the era when people actually drove vans for the fun of it. It’s listed here on eBay in Strasburg, Colorado and the current bid price is $1,025, but the reserve isn’t met.
As you guessed, I had similar Dodge vans a few decades ago but never a 3/4-ton version like this Street Van. Mine were B100 1/2-ton vans and still had enough heft to carry a full load of guitars and amps on the way to gigs, or almost anything else that was asked of them. This van has a couple of fun features my first van didn’t have: a 318 V8 and a four-speed manual. My vans were usually at least partially rusty so this one doesn’t scare me in the least.
Dodge made the first-generation B-series vans from 1970 for the 1971 model year, until the end of 1978 and they added fun special editions like the Street Van and others from their “Adult Toys” era, when custom vans and trucks were a thing. Now, just get yourself a black pickup and you’re set. You can see a lot of rust, dings, dents, and faded paint on this one, it’ll be a labor of love for the next owner to restore it. Here’s a closeup of just one area.
This makes it worth the effort, though, a factory four-speed manual floor shifter. My first Dodge van had a three-speed manual on the column but by the time I got it, the linkages were so worn out that they got stuck periodically, usually in the exact worst times like at a stop light going up a hill. My brother and a friend helped me convert it to a three-speed manual floor shifter in the same spot this one is located, but we had to put it in backward in order to get it to work right, so it was 100% theftproof. In case you were wondering what the cargo area in the back looked like, here it is.
The seller does a fantastic job with the photos, that’s great to see after years of listings without enough photos or really bad ones. The engine is Dodge’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8 with around 140 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. The seller even took the doghouse off to get photos of the engine, which rarely happens, nice work! The seller says it runs and drives great and comes with the original wheels. Have any of you owned a Dodge van from this era?
I always thought how ingenious they were are getting the 4 speed overdrive transmission in their vans. G.M. actually used the Chrysler 4 speed overdrives in their pickups and vans. My Dad had one in an 81 1/2 ton. It had ridiculously tall gears in it, I remember him ( and I kid you not) winding 1st gear out to 50 MPH. Not at all good gearing for a pickup truck. Great highway gas mileage which is what they were hoping for. But just way too high and way too hard on a clutch.
Back to the Dodge van here, this is really worth fixing up in my opinion 318, factory stick, and its in good shape for the age. I hope it does get fixed up.
Is a coupon for a free tetanus shot included?
I had a new 1973 B-200 LWB custom van when I was in the USAF. As you can see, the SWB vans have an issue with the passenger’s seat blocking part of the side door opening. This is solved on the LWB vans by installing a panel between the RF and side doors (also a great area to install stereo speakers), leaving a clear door opening.
A note to Barn finds: I used to be a member but after my bank account was robbed of $20,000 dollars by some unscrupulous persons I had to change all my cards so no one could break in. Unfortunately that meant barn finds couldn’t draw their money either. Now I want to rejoin but I can’t make it happen. HELP!
God Bless America
A four speed in a van really makes this thing stand out for me, but that rust is way too scary. A neighbor brought a new Ford van in the late 70s with a 300 six and a four speed. That to me was the perfect van. nice write up Scotty!
I had a1976 Dodge B100 short van that I drove through most of the 80’s. It had the 318 with a factory 4 speed. I finished the inside with the obligatory shag carpeting and couch that pulled out to a bed. It was one of the most fun vehicles I’ve ever owned with that 4 speed. The clutch linkage broke one time and I had to drive it home about 10 miles and shift it without the clutch, timing the lights so I didn’t have to stop. I’ve never seen another one with the 4 speed like that and it brings back a lot of fond memories. If this one wasn’t so rusty I would consider it just for old times.
My brother bought a new 78 sportsman100 short wheelbase van same color as this but his was a slant 6 auto looked similar to this except his did not even have windows on the ba be k doors. He traded in a 71 dodge van with turtle top conversion 318 that had 250k mi on it he drove it on a 6 month tour of all 48 lower states The slant six was noisy and a dog in that 78 van
Wow the memories this one brings back! My best friend’s dad had one of these, same color and engine but a B200 with an automatic, for their antique business that, when it wasn’t hauling 17th century Chinese vases, we would drive all over the place. It was great for getting into the drive-in with a few blankets in the back hiding other occupants. Open up the back doors, grab the bags of popcorn and the lawn chairs, and set for the night!!
Like most vans of its age and ilk, and including the one in this ad, the tinworm started to attack it. So his dad decided to do the only thing he could think of to do: get a gallon can of Bondo, about enough hardener for a quart, kick the rust away, and patch right over the top of it. There were areas in the rear quarter panel that were three or four inches thick of semi-hardened Bondo and no I am not exaggerating. The next day? Out came the cheese grater rasp, 120 grit sandpaper, a gallon of IBM mainframe blue paint, the brushes and a roller. There were worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon and it kept us out of trouble.
Forwarded this one to my best bud in case he’s interested in reliving a past where the vehicle in which we were driving pretty much guaranteed us that we were never going to have any luck with women. Lol
As mentioned above, I had a 1973 B-200 panel van. An old movie theater went out of business and I was able to purchase two cloth upholstered fold down seats. As there was only the two front seats (and a platform bed) for seating, I mounted them right behind the driver’s seat, facing the side doors. My girlfriend and I would go to the drive in, park sideways and open the side doors to watch the movie in private.
I had a 1979 200 series in Dodge Racing Green 318 with the 4 speed overdrive. I bought it new to pull my Pro Rally car to rallies. My wife hated it and was upset when I bought it. The next week she asked to take to Wisconsin to move her brother into college. After that she thought it was great. I once got 20 MPG towing the rally car. The 150 miles with the Illinois State Police on my tail may have had something to do with that! Ran the thing across the Salt Flats (I80) flat out for many miles along with a bunch of Porsches who were leaving the Porsche Convention in Reno. (1982?) Needless to say I was not able to keep up, but had several drivers/riders look at me while passing me at not too fast a clip! Great Van and wish I still had it.
Will Ten Thousand spent in body work have this Van ready for Paint?
Too close to call on this one.
Too cool! The first new car my parents ever bought was a ’73 SWB Sportsman (with windows and seats) as they had a bunch of kids to carry around. Slant Six with three in the tree. I took my driver’s license test in that rig. I’m pretty sure it didn’t have power steering. Bad car for a date though, she was so far away on the other side of that doghouse, lol!
Auction update: this van made it to $1,279 and no sale.
I had a B100 short wheelbase with a 318 and 4 speed…..and yes,I insulated it, paneling and shag it too….fun while it lasted but alas, like many of my rides, I traded or sold or just got rid of them…and today I miss each and every one!