Talk about a low-mile vehicle, this 1980 Dodge B100 van has a mere 5,048 miles on it, according to the seller. They say that it isn’t a barn find but a fire station find, which explains the ultra-low miles. They have it posted here on craigslist in Mineral, Illinois, just east of the Quad Cities area, and they’re asking $5,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to jonny C for sending in this tip!
At one point in my life, I thought that I’d be driving Dodge vans until they put me in the ground, I loved them. I started driving a ’74 Dodge Tradesman van – a former Sears delivery van in Sears green – in high school, and that one evolved into being a band equipment hauler, a camping van with a bed built on one side, insulation, and paneling (of course), and then a cleaning service van when I started a commercial cleaning service after high school, in an attempt to get out of going to college. That lasted for about a decade.
I could only have dreamed about having a van as nice as this one, but it was basically the same thing. A basic lightweight Dodge van with no rear side windows, and a 225 slant-six. This one has a three-speed “LoadFlite” automatic which would have been positively decadent for me, mine was a three-on-the-tree manual, which wore out so my brother and I put in a floor shifter. The problem is that in order to get it to fit, we had to put it in backward, so there’s no way anyone could have stolen that van and driven it away.
Dodge made the second-generation B-Series vans from 1978 for the 1979 model year all the way up to 1993. I would love to have this van as a motorcycle hauler. Although, in an odd turn of events even for craigslist ads, there is an engine photo but not one photo showing the cargo area of this van! I know. We don’t know if it’s filled with fire equipment, shelving, beds, badgers, a Subaru 360, who knows. It could be empty or it could be filled with who knows what. The cab area sure looks nice, though. We can see a giant white box just behind the “doghouse” engine cover, so it sure would be nice to see back there. I always wonder if a person would legally have to remove the “FIRE DEPT” lettering on a vehicle like this. Maybe not in every state, but I’m guessing some states would frown on that.
The engine is Dodge’s famous Tower of Power, the venerable 225 slant-six. This is probably my personal favorite Chrysler Corp engine, including the Hemi or 318, which is my second favorite. The seller says that it runs, drives, and even stops, which isn’t a glowing report but it’s better than not running, driving, or stopping! Believe it or not, this one has the original factory tires on it, according to the seller! This is a true time capsule, but it is showing some light rust in the usual places so it isn’t perfect. How would you use this Dodge van?
Hmm, I’d say, with a 5 figure speedo, conservatively this van has a lot of miles. “Mineral-Gold” are townships in Illinois, and this van, I’m sure, went around to various places demonstrating fire safety, not to mention, how many fire fighters kids it moved off to college. Companies would have fire fighters come to the business and demonstrate fire safety. All, I’m sure in nice weather, hence the condition, but no way on the miles indicated. It’s a super find, and about the only way you’ll find one like this. Most were customized, or so shot, they became tool sheds out back. Going out on a limb here,,,but I’d use it as a ,,,,,van.
As for the miles, the ad says it has the factory tires on it…. maybe someone can check the date on the sidewall.
Howard, This van was not for demonstrating fire equipment, it was only used for rescue.
That is the real mileage, it is kept inside the fire station and the oil is changed every two years. Next scheduled oil change is in 2024.
Too bad it wasn’t a one ton chasis.
Did this qualify for truck emissions control in 1980 so the poor 225 actually could still breath a little? I like my clean air, but I also like my slant sixes to run like they did in 1971.
If I were in the area, I’d pony up to buy this is a second. Great reliable transportation for 5K? Unheard of these days. I can’t believe it isn’t gone. I need this van Man, I wish it were closer.
In 42 years there were no out-of-town emergencies or fires? 5,048 miles? Sorry, I’m not convinced.
Possum Van :)
I want one…
My guess is that the mileage is actual. While it may be low, how much time was it just sitting, idling? In answer to if “Fire department” could be. Left on, as with Police vehicles anything identifying as such has to be taken off. You could paint over it and put your own identification on it. I would hope the buyer would not use it as a work vehicle. . I would probably rebuild the engine anyway. Simply because of its age. And look close at the undercarriage. Though a fire. Company most likely would keep it top notch
Guessing this van was sold as the listing was removed.
Deleted by author.Must be gone,not suprised.