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MaxiVan: 1977 Dodge Custom Van

dodgevan

Those of us of a certain age (50-60 now?) remember when having a custom van was the thing every young adult wanted. Wild color schemes, elaborate velour interiors, shag carpeting and wide wheels and tires were on everyone’s list. There seemed to be a competition as to who could come up with the wildest design schemes. If you’re not of this era, you probably look on these as a curiosity now, and I have to admit I find myself wondering why one of my favorite die cast cars was a chrome-plated custom van with flames! This Dodge van appears to have survived in largely original condition–you don’t see many like this anymore! It’s located in Saint Joseph, Missouri and is up for sale here on eBay. The van runs well, with a little bit of rust (the area on the roof surprises me a little) and is showing 49k miles–neither the seller nor I are willing to hazard a guess as to whether it’s 49 or 149 thousand. As was typical, while the exterior of the van was treated as a blank canvas, the real star was the interior!

1877 Dodge Custom Van

Yes, that’s gold and orange velour combined with wood paneling and baroque design elements! Where else but in a 70’s van? Enjoy the look back into automotive culture? Interested in a trip back in time? Let us know below.

Comments

  1. Avatar skloon

    Haunted by the ghosts of a dozen virginities

    Like 1
    • Avatar phoneman91

      lol.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      LOLOL best Internet comment of all time!

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Tom

    “Everybody wants to do the horizontal bop” Bob Segar

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Mark E

    A friend of my Father’s was a cop in the town I grew up in and he HATED these vans because, in his words, “You can’t see what’s going on inside and if you want to do that you must be up to no good!”

    The rest of the story? He had an Arctic Cat snowmobile and when he was in the dealership buying a part or something he entered a contest and won the grand prize.

    Yeah, you guessed it, a custom van with the bubble windows and all decked out in Arctic Cat’s signature black with green & purple striped livery! Needless to say, he sold it ASAP… ^_^

    Like 0
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hi Mark, Ha, there’s irony for ya’!

      Like 0
  4. Avatar phoneman91

    The sunroof drain must have gotten stopped up and caused that rust just behind the A pillar on the roof.

    Blast from the past ! The 1970s all over again! To be young in the 1970s and to have a van back then !

    Like 0
  5. Avatar OhU8one2

    I had an uncle who had a 78 Econoline that was orange. Turbine wheels,and the ace of spades window towards the rear on both sides. The rear seat would fold down into a bed. With full brown shag carpet. It also had this strange smell inside. Left by some girl named Mary Jane.What it really needs are the fender flares,and the chrome side pipes. Boy does this van take me back. He always had Marshall Tucker Band playing over and over on his 8-track. To this day I can’t listen to them.

    Like 0
    • Avatar skloon

      Uncle ? we may be related

      Like 0
    • Avatar Dave

      Don’t forget the folded matchbook under the 8 track.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar randy

    My sister dated a guy that had a 340 6pack cuda and a short wheel base dodge van with a 340 as well, it would get sideways real easy. I have wanted one ever since.

    Like 1
    • Avatar John Morgan

      What are the odds! I had a ’77 short wheelbase, blue Dodge van AND a ’70 T/A 340 six pack Challenger, the sister car to the AAR Cuda you mentioned! Didn’t live around San Antonio, Texas did ya?

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Ernest Ridgeway

    I think it’s awesome, but no price listed

    Like 0
  8. Avatar francisco

    If this van’s a rockin’, don’t go a knockin’.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Texas Tea

    Those were the days my friend
    We thought they’d never end
    We’d sing and dance forever and a day
    We’d live the life we choose
    We’d fight and never lose
    For we were young and sure to have our way.
    La la la la…

    Please, no more……………………..

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Bobsmyuncle

    My sister came home with a guy with a van. I was pretty young couldn’t tell ya the year or model but I remember being amazed by the carpeting on the walls and floor and I remember asking why there were mirrors on the ceiling.

    I also remember that after my dad was done he didnt come back LOL.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar justin

    Great ol’ Shaggin Wagon!

    Put in some Doobie Brothers in the 8 track and cruise…

    Like 1
  12. HoA Howard A Member

    You may have opened a can of worms with this topic. Oh yeah, custom vans were all the rage in the ’70’s. And let’s call a spade a spade, we WERE up to no good in those things! ( oh, don’t look so shocked) I never had a custom van, or any van, for that matter. Didn’t like them. Hard to work on, hot in the summer, cold in the winter. I was more of a pickup guy, but I had a friend with a Dodge just like this. We did a lot of cruisin’ with that van. CB radio too. VERY important to have. There still is a following for these. You had to be an idiot ( or wasted) to show up at your girlfriend’s parent’s house with one of these. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to look for that Edgar Winter tape.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar AustinPowers

    It’s shagadelic, baby….

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Joe Moss

    While moving South this winter from Mi. my beater Lumana mini van gave up-died. (It was a great little work house-3.8 motor-great in snow). Desperate in Southern IL. I found a 94″ Chevy G-20 with just a 100.000. miles on her. Very Clean-original in all respects, even the plugs, breaks and wires! Original multi color paint is as new. Took a chance for $2.200.00. *Allowed $500.00 trade in* After cleaning her up and TLC it looks as new. We get LOTS of comments and offers to buy., young and old (ER) a like. From the comments I hear I do believe soon these older vans will be collectors and have a following.I can see Van Clubs popping up for sure. Much like what has happened with station wagons. I NEVER seen myself as a “Van Person” but now we have learned to love it. And we have not even used the power set (bed) in the back– Yet!!… Didnt have one in the 60s or 70s but do in the 2000s. Figures…Funny thing, SEVERAL of the cars from the 50s-early 70s, even some 80s that I didnt like new I do now.. Perhaps time does change some things after all.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Fred

    I can hear the tune now blaring on the 8 track:

    I gave a girl a ride in my wagon
    Now she crawled in and took control
    She was tired as her mind was draggin’
    And I said get some sleep, we’ll get on down the road
    Like a picture she was laying there
    And moonlight dancing off her hair
    She woke up and took me by the hand
    She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me
    Her young face was like that of an angel
    And her long legs were tanned and brown
    You better keep your eyes on the road, son
    Better slow this vehicle down
    ‘Cause like a picture she was laying there
    And moonlight dancing off her hair
    She woke up and took me by the hand
    She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Rspcharger

    Pretty sure he’s hiding in there somewhere.

    Like 0
    • Avatar krash

      ….LOL….

      ….

      ….I’ll arrive in style at my next jousting tournament…

      Like 1
  17. Avatar Chebby

    $3425.00?? That was a steal.

    Like 0

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