When we see vintage conversion vans used as a camper, they’re often the longer wheelbase examples that suffer from serious overhangs front and rear. No such problem here, as this 1975 Dodge B200 camper van combines shorty style with all the comforts of home inside. Speaking of, it looks like a nice place to spend time. Find this Dodge shorty van here on eBay, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt Williams for the find.
Bidding is already over $5,000 for the van, with close to a week left in the auction. It’s not hard to see why, with its dry, rot-free condition, awesome period graphics and perfect 70s colors. The van is currently located in California but as the Arizona license plates indicate, it lived in sunny, dry Arizona before moving just north of San Diego. The paint is said to be original, and the seller notes that the frame and body are in very nice condition with no evidence of rot.
Sometimes, original condition in a camper van can be a detriment. Not here, as the original configuration and materials still looks great and the seller notes that with the exception of the A/C, all components function as they should. This includes the ice box, prone stove, sink and faucet. The rear couch folds into a bed and looks as comfortable as it did the day it was new (but, it could probably still stand to be steam cleaned). The shag carpet is period-correct but a matter of personal taste.
The seller notes that the original seat material is decent but shows signs of fraying. Underneath your foot is a 360 V8 that’s said to still run well, and the seller notes it passes California’s strict smog testing without issue. You’ll also find power steering and power brakes up front and the pop-top camper top can be operated with one hand, notes the seller. Overall, this Dodge B200 looks like a true survivor with all the right equipment to start duty immediately as a vintage adventure vehicle.
I’m having a flashback to my high school days. I’m a bidder!!!
I think one of the previous owners was Uncle Rico.
hahahahahaha!!!!!!
that’s great. I would bet your right to :)
The story on the van is that the production crew saw it driving around in the town they were filming in and stopped the driver to see if they could use it in the film.
Just got to get some “Cragers” on this van with some chrome side pipes and we’re good to go. Slip in my BTO tape and crank the tunes up. Ya ain’t seen nothin yet . . . . . . .
Darn, to have lived when dudes drove this things in HS, and picked their dates with them!
“Don’t come knocking”…
Most dads would tell you to get lost when you show up in this to pick up their daughter!
No sane dad would let his daughter out the door when you drove up in one!
Park it around the corner. Problem solved.
I had a B200 Dodge Van from ’75-’80, carpeted the entire inside and put ARE 200 cokespoke wheels on it, it was all silver and installed pentastar porthole windows in the rear quarter panels. I put a platform bed over the wheelwells and cruised all over the upper Midwest and to Florida a couple of times. I bought it brand new for $6000.00.
most dads, sane dads… Somehow, that’s not what I’ve heard, and this things were VERY popular, and frankly so is copulating!
WHAT. That paint, those fender flares, that pushbar up front, and that pop-top. One of these days I will absolutely have a ’70s boogie/camper van. Jealous of the new owner of this rig already.
Very cool.
The only bad thing about this rig is i dont have the cash to buy it. I love this rig…🙁
A cool van, some shag carpet and a nubile nymph… the recipe for a hot date back in the day. Seems a shame that steps one and two are not necessary nowadays…
Also seems a shame that I was never able to acquire the third prerequisite back in the day.
Well, break out the very groovy purple leisure suit with the foot wide bellbottom pants, the round, wire-rim glasses with blue lenses, the flower print, fitted shirt, and the gold medallion neck chain and hang a sign on the back door that says, “if the van’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin'”. Groooovy baby! Can you dig it? Has anyone seen my Captain and Tennille eight track?
Sounds like you have them still in your closet?
The only question I have regarding this Van is what awesome vintage looking mural will I have custom applied when I win this thing?!
It will have to be awesome since my wife will insist I move into it down by the river!
Serious question I thought if it was ’75 or older no smog in Cali?
Read the ebay listing….no smog testing required, the article here confused me.
I always wanted one with a mural of one of the molly hatchet album covers painted on the side…you remember those?
The first house that I bought had that gross carpet in it. That would have to be changed but otherwise it’s cool.
Not sure if anyone remembers that rather infamous van IRON BUTTERFLY from here in new mexico it had a blown 350 and custom paint by Hass and Himsel a friend of mine had that van pretty neat. Those days are long gone, just saying
This van may not be the Mayflower but your daughter came across in it !
I bought a 76 Chevy G20 SWB van with a 350 4 bolt main /400 turbo trans in 1980 , it had 50k miles . I bought from a local Ford dealer , it was a “back lot special” priced at $895 .The thing was light metallic green with round porthole windows on the top corners of the rear quarters ,and brown shag carpet inside . The previous owner had put 202 heads and a 750 Holley on an Edelbrock intake , I added headers and sidepipes , a big lift cam and a shiftkit in the transmission . I never got beat on the dragstrip at any Vanfest I attended . Those were great times .I got engaged and the van had to be sold . (I still have the girl) . This van is great . I wish it was closer to me . Wonder if it would make a trip to the East coast ? Hmmm. Better yet , I wonder what the wife would say ?
Tell your wife you just bought a time machine!!!;-)
Very cool and would love to own it.
I’m sure Roy Moore is bidding on this one!
I bought a new 1979 200 series Dodge short wheelbase like this one. 318 with the 4 speed overdrive floor shift. I t worked great for sleeping in at Road America and towed my Pro Rally car with service paraphernalia with ease. Got 21 MPG one time with the Illinois State Police riding my tail for many, many miles. I was rolling 95 mph across I80 through The Bonneville Salt Flats when the PCA convention was over in Reno. I was passed at least 30 times by cars going 130 mph or more. Good Times!
My brother is looking for a dodge streetvan. Can’t find one. Where are they hiding?
Cool van largely as it sits. Doesn’t have the gaudy custom features that ended up making these vans look old and dilapidated. This has more of a sporty, outdoor look to it. Would look appropriate pulling a pair of dirt bikes.
My very first automobile in 1986 . 1975 with the same white wagon wheels. took it out in a snow storm against my mothers wishes. slide through intersection head on into a Yugo. his car was totaled and I just needed a new radiator.