Despite being from an era that seems far removed from our current society that’s obsessed with short-term thinking as it relates to the future of the automobile, the classic street van is still quite popular among automotive enthusiasts. Typically, when you’re talking about a style of vehicle we likely won’t ever see again mass production, values tend to remain consistent, and it sure seems like the days of a V8-powered shorty-style van are behind us. That’s why you should check out this 1977 Dodge Tradesman 100 here on eBay, offered for sale with no reserve.
Looking quite sharp in copper paint with matching steel wheels accented by dog-dish style hubcaps, this Dodge is a runner with V8 power under the hood. A clean body with no evidence of prior accident repair or rust issues (at least from this side of a computer monitor) make the truck look even more desirable, and the short wheelbase proportions are always a home run. The single rear door is an interesting look as well, as many of these have the two smaller door-style opening. Check out that trapezoidal window!
While we all love a classic shag-covered interior in a period-correct street van, there’s a lot to be said for having a blank canvas. I personally struggle with this as it relates to the desirability factor of a street van; for one, having the hard work done of installing couches, tables, carpeting, and a mural would certainly make for a shorter path to bringing this Dodge out to car shows, but if you don’t like the builder’s chosen design scheme, you’re starting over anyway. This interior is ripe for custom paneling, carpeting, and fixtures to make it a home on wheels.
The seller has included videos of the Dodge running and going into gear, showing no apparent issues with self-propulsion. He does note the brakes need some work as it tends to bite harder on the right side and pulls the truck as a result. The Dodge is equipped with power steering and power brakes, and also features true dual exhaust along with new tires. There’s still plenty of time to drive this rig around all summer while making big plans for an interior refresh over the winter months.
Nice rig. I especially like the 15×7 cop wheels. Those are worth a buck or two themselves. This is pretty sweet.
Given my druthers, I think I’d rather have the interior unfinished. I’d like to see this finished out with removable materials so I could use it as a rolling office and/or light hauler.
Cool van. You rarely see these.Great work van or shaggin wagon material.Probably a caliper hanging up or correct me if I’m wrong a strut rod bushing worn out for the brake pull as I think I recollect these used em like other Chryslers.glwts.
A lot of the problem with them was the brake hose, a lot of new calipers were installed, and still they had the same condition, a Mopar wrench puller for years.
Phenolic brake caliper pistons were terrible on Chryslers. Complete junk.
Going through the 150 pictures provided by the seller it does appear there is rust and dents, and why does it have a fuel cell in the back? (gas tank issue or an auxiliary tank)……..but I still like it
My guess is heavy rot underneath, note no pictures that show the underside. The floor in back is rotted thru, can see the ground. Also, that cracked area to the left of rear door, that is heavy/thick Bondo.
Another disposeable vehicle from this era. I had 2 of them to fix. The cargo door hinges were terrible. Pins froze and broke. No reasonable way to lube or replace them. Even when the hinges were good the doors never sealed right. Rear wheel wells had a welded seam on the inboard side. Rusted out in a heartbeat. As well as the floor behind the back tires And Dodge kept right on building them. Only thing I liked was the optional fiberglas 36 gal.gas tank.. It could go all the way from Chicago to the Indy 500 and back without refueling. High mileage 318’s were prone to loss of oil pressure. Probably why STP is still in business. Good luck!
I’ve had like 30 of these vans and never had the hinge pins freeze up. From my experience this would be only in a humid climate, like eastern USA . I’m in Colorado. Dodge did improve the doors and seals, much better towards the end in 2003. A large parts dealer in Sweden said that of the 3 American vans, the Dodge’s held up the best. All gone now due to Seden’s brutal climate.
We had a 77 Maxi Van my parents bought new. It seemed like that old girl was 30′ feet long if it was a foot. We sold it in 91 with approx 80,000 miles and 14 NE Ohio winters with no frozen door pins, in fact they opened and closed like new and were vere tight sealing. My grandfather was a cabinet make so he and my dad converted it into a camper, which was why it was bought in the first place. We went to Cali to visit friends and saw most all of the US there and back. Great van and trips in it until it was sold.
Firefly family cross country van.
We had a 1993 Chevy that even with daily use the hinge pins froze up. I heard there was a recall on them but we never got notice. After some 200,000+miles and the 4th deer my wife hit, doors frozen and rust. We parked it about 2010. Tho it still ran good.
A friend of mine had a new one of these only it was orange. He got hit by a freight train crossing the tracks right at the passenger side rear wheel. Flung the van around and away from the train. He was banged up a bit but alive. The van, not so much. The hitch on the front of the train engine drove into the wheel and body pretty good. The night before around the same time my girlfriend and I were laying in a beanbag against the same wheelwell when he drove over the same crossing. We felt lucky. We didn’t party much with him in his next van.
Oooooh BABY….I’m good on vans as I rock a 77 Chevy one. These are like the chrome front Chevies of this Era, more or less gone, as are the Fords which some of those had 460s
A very good canvas here to begin with. Fix some of the crummy engineering things,” all vehicles have some” and roll on.
I didn’t catch where it’s located.
Pretty much already 2000 overpriced. At 4k for a empty cargo van. Yikes
Hey can you help me move this sofa … It puts the lotion in the basket
My friend bought a 75 van new. It had a 318 which he put 150,000 on it. After that engine he installed a stock 340. It ran great! It was one of those factory built custom vans. Lot’s of parties in that van!
Nice sled, jus need hog n back go drag racing. Ya b no trailer truckn. Hello come in. Cornbread not rice krispies
It’s amazing what you can do when you’re 20 and by yourself.
Did you file an insurance claim?
Did I miss??? Where is this located?? !! ??
Like….if you’re posting a vehicle for sale….PLEASE post where it’s at..!! ? ¿¿ very disappointed. I’m not the only got lost trying to find out..
look on ebay
I did,,,,still did not see it~~
From the ebay ad, right side just below the pictures:
“Shipping:
Located in: Springtown, Texas, United States”
It was posted at the end of the 150 pics!!
Desirable Autos and Classics
171 Private Road 3803
Springtown Texas 76082
(682) 333-7433
That’s not sorting up on my screen anywhere and I’ve clicked on all the ebay things I could. But it did show seller so I could probably Google that and find what you’re finding
I had a shorty B200 Sportsman this color and loved it. It was a 318/727 torqueflite, 4.10 Dana rear end. I put a B&M shift kit in it and it barked the tires when it shifted. I only used Dodge vans because of my construction business and they made fair race car haulers. The 15 passenger was good for carrying my pit crew help. My first new truck(Dodge) in 1988 put an end to my van days.
and not one of my Dodge vans had the doors fall off because of rusty hinges. They all seem to rust behind the rear wheels but after you own a couple that can be taken care before it’s a problem.
I ordered a new 76 Doge Max-Van with a 440 engine, custom murals on the side with a strip containing 440 on the front fender. Very quick for a van, installed the requisite shag carpet inside and a bed.😊
A true “Street Van” would be worth more, but since there isn’t anything showing that, probably not a real one.