This first-generation Dodge Caravan would be considered a desirable specimen solely for its impressive condition inside and out, but it’s the rare standard manual transmission that truly puts it over the top. The Caravan was a pioneering model when introduced and marked a significant shift away from the station wagon as the family hauler of choice and into the minivan era. The packaging of the interior revealed there was more than one way to build a mousetrap as it related to family transport and today, finding a first-generation Caravan in mint condition like this 1984 model listed here on eBay is unheard of.
Since these were used predominantly by families, they were used and abused and then put into service as the teenager’s first car. Needless to say, very few are left. This one has escaped that fate, and while we don’t know how the first owners used it, the second owners bought it to primarily tow behind their motorhome. That’s why you don’t see much in the way of evidence of heavy use, since the actual time spent driving was minimal compared to the time spent being towed. And the manual transmission: yes, Dodge offered its A-520 manual gearbox in the Caravan, and while finding one paired to the turbocharged engine is the true needle in the haystack, this version is extremely rare as well.
And look at this interior: spectacular! Just stunning. This is an interesting combination of features, since from the outside, it looks like an entry-level model with those steel wheels. The tan paint doesn’t help you get excited about what’s inside, either, but open the door and you’re treated to rows of deep brown and chocolate leather seats, along with handsome wood trim in the dashboard crevices. The seating surfaces actually remind me of what you’d see in a Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertible with the Mark Cross trim box checked, but this doesn’t appear to be anything special in the trim department.
The seller notes that while the odometer shows 101K miles, the second owners estimate that only 30,000 or so was actually racked up being driven; the rest of the miles accumulated while being towed behind the motorhome. The exterior, as bland as it is, is in spectacular condition with no signs of major dings or scrapes. Under the hood is a 2.2L four-cylinder engine that produces around 101 horsepower and 120 lb.-ft. of torque, which was good enough to help the Caravan reach 60 in just over 11 seconds. Today, this time warp van is sure to be a crowd pleaser at any show it goes to, and other than finding a set of mesh wheels from a later Town & Country edition, I wouldn’t change a thing.
This is very cool. An early Caravan, most were used up and thrown away. But this one is in great shape. Unexciting exterior color, but the interior is eye-catching and looks great. The manual transmission is the icing on the cake. What a fun conversation starter at Cars & Coffee.
Good write-up Jeff.
We bought a ’91, put over 80K miles on it, a good number of those towing a trailer with a race car on it. 4 cylinder, auto trans, two batteries, a muffler, and 4 tires is all it took to do everything we need to do. Nice one here.
Weeeeell, I don’t see any evidence of any kind of towing gizmo, and if on a tow dolly, wouldn’t accumulate any miles on the speedo, be that as it may be, it’s an unusual find. Stunning? Hardly, and a stick was pretty rare, I think I’ve only seen 1 or 2, of the dozens I’ve come in contact with. In fact, yep, no manual trans post would be complete, 267 viewers, and 18 bids? I can’t seem to make it clear enough, people don’t want a stick, ESPECIALLY in a find like this. Those 267 viewers tuned in only because they had one, amazed to see one available again, only to be turned off by the stick. I simply can’t say enough good about these. Saved Chrysler, was an instant hit, we drove the heck out of them, I myself put many miles on one, used as a delivery service, kids learned to drive on one, even camped out in it. I can say without reservation, THE most important vehicle since the Model T, and sold more by 2019, and still a big seller. That, my friends, is an automotive success, no matter how you look at it, just no stick or at $4800, it would certainly be gone.
Well this guy got 425,000 views on his stick shift minivan build. Part two generated 362,000 views. So he should be well over a million views, when he finishes part three. Not bad for a manual minivan, if you ask me!
Oops, here’s the link.
https://youtu.be/3iXcGC_lwLk?si=gxMa2NLjBdCDWRjX
The number of views only reflects the prior 24 hours, not the entire time of the listing. The more important number is the number of bids, that reflects on the willingness of someone to actually take action and pull money from their wallet.
Steve R
Everyone loves a stick. You are not going to use this for your daily driver. It’s going to be a 2nd or 3rd vehicle to take out on sunny days.
Wow!!! An early Caravan with a stick is just so rare. I knew of people having them, but was never in one. Even the non turbo 2.2 with a 5 speed would be a lot of fun to run through the gears. I love the interior too. This is just great and would be willing to bet there’d be a lot of people gathering around it and asking questions about that stick!!!
Being a tow behind vehicle explains the manual transmission choice 💁♂️
Thats not leather.
Correct. Leather was not an option.
Had a burgundy ’84 with all options including woodgrain siding.
Man did that thing turn heads when new.
It would be interesting to find a 1984 Caravan brochure to see all the options available at the time. I’ve never seen an interior like this on any Caravan from 1984. And the sunroof? A later addition? Looks to be but the roof seems to be made for one. A great vehicle at any show and conversation starter. The only thing I would do is tint the windows.
Sweet first year Magic Wagon. These were everywhere back in the day. In the early 90’s as a teen I worked at a Chrysler dealership. Perhaps in Canada the manual was more popular, but I drove quite a few of them and turbocharged ones too. It’s weird I still have a longing for a first gen version.
We had 4 of these vans altogether, 2 Caravans, a Voyager, and a Chrysler T&C. The Voyager and 1 of the Caravans were stick shifts, but 2nd gens, a ’92 and a ’94. They had the later 2.5 and f.i. Great running vehicles and fun to drive. My son took his down to a local garage to have a new battery installed the owner said he worked for a Chrysler dealer for 10 years and only saw one other. He was shocked when I opened my door, and said have a look at number 3.
I owned a P.I. company for 35 years and we used Caravans for surveillance vehicles. Conservatively I think I’ve bought 50 or 60 of them. In ’96 I ordered 8 at one time. It was interesting they had consecutive serial numbers. We kept to a “severe duty” maintenance schedule and usually got around 250k miles out of them. I think I can walk past a Caravan and tell you what will break next.
They are handy, and although retired I just bought a mint 2020 with under 60k miles. Much nicer than any of the work vans, all leather and every option. I fold all the seats down and slide a rubber covered sheet of plywood in. It’s my daily and parts getter. A big box with an engine that’s out of the way.
It”s a shame they later got tagged with the “Soccer Mom” thing as they make so much sense. My kids have kids but wouldn’t be caught dead in one. Instead they live with a cramped mini-SUV…
I like these a lot. The first generation were so comfortable before air bags. The transmission is a cool feature today and although not as common as the automatic not at all unusual. Great looking interior.