Another day, another street van. The weird thing is, I don’t tire of seeing them pop up. This 1977 Dodge Tradesman has some period details that make it downright tough, like those meaty sidepipes that still thrum proudly, or the wood paneling inside the van that gives the Dodge the feeling of a cozy cabin. And of course, who can ignore the swivel seats that make anyone look like a Grade-A badass. Find the Dodge here on craigslist listed for $6,900.
I don’t know why I love swivel seats so much, other than they’re a feature from a bygone era that cared less about safety and more about style and convenience. Those were the days! The cloth upholstery pattern is pretty tight as well, and the seats themselves look to be in great condition. Rarely does the interior of a street van look better than the outside (at least other than on the show circuit), and this Dodge looks like a nice place to spend time with your lady friend.
Now, she may find the lack of windows somewhat startling (to be fair, so do I…), but that’s an easy fix if you find your romantic encounters are ending as soon as you hop from your swivel seats. The paneling does look to be nice quality, so you can always transport it to your basement where it’s less alarming to have no outside windows. The seller notes this van was equipped with A/C from the factory, and it still works as intended.
It’s curious to see the long, vertical window on one side and not the other – was this a standard feature? Most of the vans I scope out have the big bay window on both sides. The sunburnt paint on the hood and roof further accentuate this van’s tough appearance, and with “…new brakes, clutch setup, tires and tune,” I’m sure it’s ready to get down to Van Nuys and prowl around for some action. Would you hitch a ride in this sidepiped-Tradesman?
My family had one of these, same year, 100 model with a slant-6, no A/C and no opening windows on the sides. Despite that we loved it, and had it been a V8 with A/C it probably would’ve been a member of the family, but towing was slow going and that back bench could be a scorcher. One of the handful of rides from my childhood I’d love to have today.
Loud pipes save lives!!!
Am I alone in being surprised at a manual shift van?
I had a 77 e150 that was 3 e on the tree
Thanks for reminding me how many seat swivel mechanisms I manufactured for van and RV conversion companies, back in the 1970s.
Looks like the perfect Boomer retirement vehicle…
I ordered a 1973 black window less Dodge just out of high school. I worked at a junkyard/speedshop at the time. I did the interior to look like a deer shack. My buddy nicknamed her the Dodge Lodge. It was pretty nice, no unicorns on the side. Just glossy black paint. It was a 318 motor that I added chrome sidepipes and M/T valve covers. The photo is pre sidepipes. Pretty funny, I sold it to a buddy but I had to steal it back twice to get the items it was sold for. Before I traded it, I rolled a doobie and stuck it under the horn button. That is one that I would like back, the van and the doobie!
Vans like this one really are a lot of fun. As they say “What comes around goes around” Sooner or later the popularity of these will be back and if it’s anything like the classic car market this one will sell for $30k some day.
It is an odd set up with the 318 and a 3 speed with overdrive on the floor.
That seems like something that should have been mentioned in the write up.
“…3 speed with overdrive on the floor.”
how can U shift it w/the engine cover right there?
No room, right? Hard 2 believe But:
I guess there is~
As the writers at Road & Track used to say; “The shift lever falls readily to hand”. The lever is right where your right hand would be by your side. Fun to drive you can even double clutch if you like !! Play like a real trucker.
Not all dodge vans are “street vans”. In fact very few are street vans. There is a special vin code for street vans and special logos/decals on the front door. My first dodge van was a 318 3 on the tree. Very common back then as were manual shifts everywhere.
Yes, the three on the tree was common, but the floor shifted vans were not.
It is an odd place and it feels like you are reaching backwards to shift it.
Awkward.
Hurst made van floor shift kits. I put one on my 73 dodge and I saw many others do the same.