I believe it’s safe to say that few vehicles can so consistently draw a smile like a real-deal boogies van can. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time elapses between listings of these period-correct vans or how many times we see one in a week, a cruising machine like this 1979 Dodge B200 listed here on craigslist is always going to be attractive as a project. This Dodge is listed for $14,000 or best offer, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
The seller calls this van a “…lovingly restored” example, which I feel is a generous description for a van that has plenty of patina. It seems it’s more of an interior restoration with the outside left in its untouched state, which is the way it should be – but you have to be careful with the “restored” terminology. Regardless, I love the direction the sellers took, which clearly placed an emphasis on making the van run and drive well while ensuring the interior was a place you’d want to spend time. One of the highlights are these sweet bucket seats with an epic upholstery job, but you’ll note the original steering wheel has a few blemishes – the ying and yang of this van, I suppose.
But you have to give them credit for making the interior everything a true “boogie” van should be, with wall coverings, shag carpeting, a tiger mural blanket, and much more. New speakers point to a modern stereo system that’s been installed, but there’s no word on whether the A/C still works. There’s plenty of daylight pouring in via the large windows and a sunroof, and while I can’t say for sure, it does seem likely all of the materials in the cabin are fairly new – but you never know with period-correct vans like these whether this is original decor or a refresh meant to look vintage.
What is clearly authentic, however, is the exterior paint scheme. This Dodge looks like it just rolled off the main drag in downtown Santa Cruz, with its epic decals and two-tone paint scheme. The wheels are pretty spectacular, too, featuring gold spokes that looks perfect on those white-letter Mastercraft tires. The seller notes that the transmission has recently been rebuilt, but doesn’t elaborate as to any other mechanical improvements. This Dodge checks all the boxes for me, and hopefully the next owner will enjoy it as much as the current caretaker appears to.
With the design and materials of the interior, I think it’s definitely original.
It would have to be, the nauga has been extinct for decades now. At least it should be easy to clean in case anything, you know, gets on the wall…
The nauga has been extinct for decades now. Now that’s the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time
Virgin Nauga is extinct, sub-saharan Nauga is protected and is on the endangered species list, there’s a group (Hydethatnauga.com) that’s trying to bring some to the states.
Those chairs are from the JC Penny’s catalog late 60s maybe early 70s. Absolutely not original to this van.
If this van’s a rockin’…
The van’s a-rockin’ bumper sticker is related to the gas, grass, or ass sticker. The person who needed a ride chose option #3.
This van probably has more DNA then a forensic science lab in the back of it. Cool van glwts.
What’ll it be, babe? Van Halen or Ozzie?
I really wish that these vans had a door on the left hand side, in Australia the poor passengers in the back have to step out into the oncoming traffic on narrower roads. Some of the later Toyota tradesmans vans here have doors on both sides. If I could find one like this with a left hand door I’d buy it and ship it in a heartbeat.
I remember one sticker on one of these rolling bedrooms said , Don’t Laugh, your daughter may be in here!
Needs bubble windows in the back to complete the ensemble. Yep
Those chairs were available from JC Penny’s as swivel chairs or barstools. I have a set and they’re not very comfortable. Absolutely no way I’d use it as a driver seat. Here’s a link to a picture of one of their ads.
http://www.thecatalogblog.com/2018/05/10/barrel_of_fun/