One of the fads in automotive history I wish would make a comeback is the van craze, which started to become noteworthy in the early seventies and flourished until around the mid-eighties. Customizing a van was once considered a form of expressionism, with levels ranging from a few small personal touches to rolling works of art, as well as vehicles primarily functioning as mini party buses. This 1983 Dodge Ram conversion van here on eBay is somewhat tranquil compared to many, but it was tastefully modified when new and still presents well all these decades later. It’s located in Moreno Valley, California, and there’s already been quite a bit of activity, with 42 bids driving the high bid to $7,500 so far.
The seller says that all the uniqueness seen here was achieved when the van was new, including the exterior, with the custom paint and finish dating back to that period. He’s also upfront about letting potential buyers know this one’s not quite perfect, pointing out a bit of corrosion around the rear roof rails. However, it seems to be a fairly minor issue, and the rest of the sheet metal gets a clean bill of health. This cool cruiser also sports Cragar S/S mags all the way around, which were popular on vans and muscle cars back in the day, fitted with a set of Cooper Cobra white letter tires.
Stepping inside, one quickly realizes this is the exact opposite of a party van that’s spent its life heading to music festivals with open containers spilled everywhere. Passengers here are treated to a high-level of luxury, with a couple of comfortable swivel seats in the back, a stationary mattress, and even a small sink with a refrigerator underneath. The front occupants relax in captain’s chairs, with a stylish game table serving as the centerpiece that sort of unites all of the commuters together, no matter where they’re sitting.
Though the owner provides a good selection of photos showing almost every area, one that’s missing is a picture from the top side of the engine, which is said to be the tried-and-true 318 V8. Thankfully, we do get a glimpse from underneath, with the bottom components appearing nice and dry. This one is reported to start easily, run strong, and drive well, with the mileage listed as 116,000. This 1983 Dodge Van seems to have plenty to get excited about, and I’m feeling it probably has a lot of fun travel time left to offer the future owner. What do you think?
Stephens if the van is rockin’ 🎶 🛌 ….
Hubba-Hubba! 😋
Vans done up in this fashion were great on long drives. You really felt relaxed when your driving shift was over, and someone else took over. This one appears pretty tight.
Mom, we were only playin’ checkers! (till 4 am)
These vans are timeless and making a comeback. Auction prices recently reflect this. This van “is” making a statement – kind of like the Uncle Rico made in the movie “Napoleon Dynamite” – alone, living on the side of the road and reliving your high school memories!
Home for several thousand people in Los Angeles.
I think it’s cool, with life the way it currently is I would have to remove the seat closest to the side door and install q straints but it would still be fun to have
This vehicle is very —— Brown.
Corrosion around the rear roof rails. However, is a Major Major issue!
Man O” Man, Do I remember the van craze. I owned several over the years and Mr. Stephens is correct, the 318 is a “Tried- and – True” engine. Nice to see these making a come back, but those gas prices tho’ Yikes.
I had one just about like this one it was great to go out with a group of friends or with my young children back then. I would say that the 318 was very strong. One afternoon I was heading for the gas station and I saw the oil pressure gage drop to 0% oil pressure. I was about 2.5 miles from home. I turned around and I actually drove it home. I went out the next day and pulled the oil pan and found that the oil pump was frozen and the shaft from the distributor snapped near the oil pump. I don’t know how or why it kept running but I replaced everything and it was perfect. I put over 300k on that engine. I never expected it to even start after replacing the distributor shaft and oil pump. I found a tiny bit of grit that bound the manual oil pump up. Very tight tolerances.
With a bit of modernization in the back this could be a great cruiser. I like how the interior hasn’t aged much. I always loved the creativity people did with these. If I only could afford it it would be mine.
the van craze is comin back.
As true vanners not hippies, this
economy dictates van dwelling. Some of my best times were livin out of my van.
The rich kids are in on it too, with their $150k Sprinters. Theres #vanlife etc.
In SoCal, there a van run called ‘the stampede’ , last year had some 50-75 vans, and many of them were legit, vintage, and customized.
The ones profitting off people trapped in the rat race dont like when people find a way to live a good life without drowning in debt, so they try to suppress it, lobby, pass unjust laws, etc. So becoming somewhat of an outlaw is part of it. ‘They’ can try to criminalize low income and resourcefulness, but we all know who the real criminals are.
“Stand by your van”
SOLD for $8600.
51 bids.