For years, I was adamant in my belief that nothing about a van was cool.  Perhaps it was the trauma of my father delivering me to the front of my junior high every morning in his Econoline version of Uncle Buck’s ride to the enjoyment of the impressionable youth gathered outside.  This notion that vans couldn’t be cool was wiped away by the movie “Old School.”  In it, the three main characters terrorize their college town in a black Dodge van, burning rubber, hitting targets of opportunity, and kidnapping a motley assortment of fraternity pledges.  While this 1978 Dodge B200 van, for sale on craigslist in Vancouver, Washington, isn’t black, it will do.  With an asking price of $3,500, I have a lot of room in my budget for black paint, Cragar mags, and raised white letter tires.  Oh, did I mention that this neat van that reader Miguel found for us has the coolest option of all: a stick shift!

As mentioned in my previous story on a 1973 Econoline, vans of this era are rapidly fading into extinction.  Haulers like this one were the weapon of choice for all manner of laborers in the seventies and eighties, and even the most rugged ones were asked to work day in and day out for decades.  The elements, other drivers, wear and tear, and rust have wiped them out in a manner similar to the disappearance of the buffalo from the Plains.

Amazingly, this Dodge work van has survived virtually unscathed.  There are some dents around the rear quarter panel on the passenger side, but these seem to be repairable.  A thorough look at the rest of this van’s exterior reveals no other major damage.  Furthermore, the lack of rust is just unbelievable.  Dodges of this era, along with most of the rest of the vehicles made domestically at that time, were often rusting on the lot.  There are stories of new Volares in storage lots that needed new front fenders before they were even sold.  If rust damage has been repaired on this truck, then whoever did the work needs a raise.

Inside, we see that the option fairy didn’t leave a lot of presents.  It appears that this van left the factory with heat alone.  Under the heater is a plug that might be the place where lighters were installed.  This van didn’t get one of those either.  If it had a radio, then one of the local miscreants managed to run off with that as well.  Maybe that is why the owner wisely invested in The Club and some sort of ignition collar for their van.  You can’t be too careful nowadays.

What makes this van special, and nearly theft proof in spite of The Club and the collar, is that stick shift resting on the floor.  I don’t think I have ever seen a panel van of this vintage with a stick shift.  Work vans often traveled short distances from job to job, and most of this was in traffic.  Working for a living is bad enough without having to shove in a clutch and row a stick shift all day.  This van, however cool it appears now, has the look and feel of being the teaser van on the dealer’s lot.  You know, the one that is stripped of everything so that the unbelievably low price can be advertised in the Sunday paper.  I guess someone had to eventually drive off in it.

Still, this is one cool van.  The 318 cubic inch V-8 engine paired with a four-speed makes for one reliable drivetrain to boot.  It would be nice left alone for camping, hauling, and the occasional cruise in.  Or, it would make a great canvas for that seventies custom van you always wanted.  There are lots of ways to go with this one.

The owner says that offers will be considered.  Just don’t let on that you’ve seen the movie “Old School.”