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“Flash From The Past”: 1964 Dodge A-100 Van

Goin’ surfing any time soon? This retro surf van would have been right at home at the beach in the 1960’s or 1970’s and sure looks the part now. It’s got some crusty edges under the flashy paint, so you’ll have to decide whether it’s right for you or not. It’s located quite appropriately in West Palm Beach Florida and is being auctioned here on eBay. There’s what seems to be to be a high buy it now of $15,000, but bidding is far below that, so who knows what will happen. 

I feel compelled to show you the artwork on this side of the van as well, since it’s considerably different than the first side! I don’t think anyone could say the painter lacked imagination! I guess the van was the key to their happiness at one time, but now they want to pass it along to someone else.

Do you have a “crush” on this van? Or are you blue from seeing it so removed from originality?

One thing that surprised me about the interior is that they have taken a basically short van and made it seem even shorted by segmenting the interior. As this is a modern build, I’m hoping they weren’t just trying to use shag carpet remnants and felt the need to separate them? I guess only the builder knows.

The steering wheel is where I draw the line. I get all the surf logos on the engine cover, but that tiny steering wheel has to make this van difficult to control. That’s one change I’d make right away! Or do you find it endearing?

The Blue Crush is powered appropriately enough by a blue slant 6. We’re told it purrs like a kitten, is attached to an automatic transmission and doesn’t smoke. We’re also told that the van has a new aluminum radiator, and “fire breathing” HEI ignition, as well as a new starter. Obviously, this is very much a vehicle that not everyone will like. But please let us know if this one turns you on, and especially so if you make an offer and it’s accepted!

Comments

  1. Avatar Jeffro

    I don’t know about a surf van, but I damn sure partied in a van like this at some Grateful Dead shows.

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    • Avatar Charlie Norman

      lol, I used to have a couple of VW buses and did Dead tour for eight years with them like a Saint of Circumstance, like a tiger in a dream….

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      • Avatar Woodie Man

        damn hippies.

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  2. Avatar SunbeamerStu

    Zoinks!

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  3. Avatar Rock On Member

    The slant six is probably the only thing in the van that doesn’t smoke! As the old saying goes “smoke’em if you’ve got’em”.

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    • Avatar Keruth

      “Roll one if you don’t”. Ha Ha!

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  4. Avatar chad

    great!
    (even stirs 45 y/o memories of a chevy I lived/worked in)

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Fred W.

    Besides being a car buff, I’m an indy filmmaker. The next project, “Summer of ’67”, has a character named Van who happens to drive a van- just like this one. Or a VW bus would do. I have my work cut out for me trying to find one!

    Like 0
    • Avatar St. Ramone de V8

      Here’s one! Wants crazy money, though. A VW would be, too.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar erikj

    I like the memories this brings. My hippe van was a 76 dodge tradesman. It had a olds vistacruiser roof grafted on. roses etched in the rear windows(not my choice,but someone loved it!) custom int. got lots of thumbs up.

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  7. Avatar JW

    I wouldn’t mind this van but not at his buy it now price or even close to it. I sure miss those days where political rants / smoking bans / being old didn’t exist in my home town.

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  8. Avatar Woodie Man

    Yeah but..I’ll bet nobody here lived in a purple ’61 Pontiac airport limo on a switchback in Colorado! :)

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    • Avatar Jason

      That airport limo looks three times as long as the U-Haul trailer!

      P.S. Where in Colorado?

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      • Avatar Woodie Man

        Hey Jason…It was! I built a platform in the back and lived in it. Today we call that homeless. Then it was either that, a tepee, a cabin or a lean to. LOL

        Slapped a huge vinyl decal on the back door of the Maharaj -Ji…the little twerp…and used to go to drive to Tulagis in Boulder for concerts. I was pounding nails in the Breckenridge-Alma- Frisco area. That picture was taken at my other gig at a garage in Frisco. I think it was a Chevron.

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      • Avatar rando

        I know a guy that lived in a Maverick for a time. Hippie dude. Took the passenger seat out and put plywood in for a flat sleeping surface.

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    • Avatar Moparmann Member

      Except that the purple “Pontiac” is a Buick! LOL! :-)

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Rob

    I had one freshman year of high school. for some reason, I don’t remember what I did with it who I sold it to or traded for or for that matter,, even removing the plates(hmmmm).

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Duaney

    These were never available with power steering, so the tiny steering wheel is very unsafe. I don’t know how you could even drive it at all?

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    • Avatar Ed P

      I’ve never driven a Dodge van, but the early Ford Econolines had very light manual steering. Power steering would have been a waste.

      Like 0
  11. HoA Howard A Member

    The A100. The “original” sin bin. Kelso had one on one of my favorite shows, “That 70’s Show”. http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/that70sshow/images/6/6f/Image-1.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20160729192401
    I had a friend with one very similar to this, only nothing inside, I’ve got to say, that was one of the most miserable vehicles I’ve been in, and I’ve been in a lot. It would be easier to list all the good things,,,,ummmm, we used it to move stuff,,,, slant 6,,,that’s about it. I’d park it down by the river.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JW

      Hi Howard, love that show, still watch reruns, but like all others it got kind of goofy near the end of the series, especially after Eric and Midge left the show. I did enjoy were Hyde and Fes put the fish in the hubcap of Kelso’s VW van, we would have done the same thing back then.

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  12. Avatar Frank Molby

    FYI, Vanning is still alive and well. If you google Van Nationals I bet you will be surprised! Hi will be lucky to get 3 to $4000. Out of this one.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar craZee

    Don’t take a black light in there!

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  14. Avatar Barzini

    Very cool but not quite as impressive as the shag wagon that Barn Finds recently featured in the best post ever:

    http://barnfinds.com/shag-wagon-1976-dodge-tradesman-van/

    Like 0

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