Change my mind: one of the greatest trends to impact the American car and truck customization scene is van culture, or van life, or vanning, or whatever you wish to call it. This is a level of personalization we have not seen since, in my opinion, even counting the rise in tuner cars in the early and mid-90s. This six-wheeled Dodge van is perhaps one of the finest examples of how how far vanners were willing to go to create the ultimate in comfort and style when building their vans into something the factory never envisioned. Find it here on craigslist in California for $12,000 or best offer.
The louvers on the rear window represent a classic vanners’ touch, along with the side glass of varying shapes and sizes, and a suitably wide decor strip wrapping around the entire van. California blue plates tell you that this van-tastic creation has been wowing drivers on the West Coast for quite some time, and that the climate has also helped to keep the six-wheeler in seriously nice condition. Bonus point: can anyone tell me the brand and model name of those wheels? I’ve seen a very similar style on the Australian eBay page for use on Ford Falcons and Holden Monaros, but I’d love to know if I can grab a set of them state-side.
Words cannot described the scene that awaits you inside. This is what that extra axle and stretched wheelbase buys you. I mean, some vans have a couch and captain’s chairs, but the size of these recliners is not that much different from what you’d find in your own living room. The upholstery, sure, that’s a take-it-or-leave-it affair, but the sheer volume of comfort that awaits is unmatched in any modern-day SUV. Screw the Escalade and the car payments; I’m picking this six-wheeled Dodge up if I need the space and want the ultimate in top-shelf accommodations.
The seller doesn’t provide many details, but given his requirement that interested buyers call him direct to discuss, I can only imagine the sheer number of inquires he’s getting that go absolutely no where. This is the type of vehicle everyone wants to own, or talk about, or reminisce about, but few people will have actually have the means or the space to pick it up. I have to do the same with any of the vehicles I’m currently selling to ferret out the serious buyers. This Dodge is an heirloom of vanning culture, and it should never be changed, left instead as a monument to what is possible between a man and a van. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
would like to know two things: 4 wheel drive? probably not, but.. and what engine…..
My favorite part of any story on here is the mechanicals, I’m always disappointed when they are not mentioned.
Probably a 360 and no not 4 wheel drive front axle drives rear axle is just load bearing.
This was our family van growing up & my parents gave it to our gardener. My brothers & sisters were so upset & have been looking for it since. Please let me know if you have any info on the seller. Thank you!
Hey Everyone , I sold this van to a German customer . With regards to the powertrain, It has a 318 linked to a 904 . Disks up front and rear drums . The trailing wheels just had a spindle style 2 spring system welded to the frame . Had A/C power steering and brakes . I had a huge issue with the carb had to delete the electric choke did smoke on first start but never when warm . Had to deal with a water leak in to the rear fender flairs the wood yes wood they attached it to needed replacing as did all of the interior . Fuel lines were all rotten and the sending unit was refurbished due to lack of availability . This was a Plastic fuel tank version . Believe it or not I drove this thing from Oakland to LA in a head wave up the Grapevine doing 70mph. Only issue was a loose Trans cooler line leak. Hope this helps ! D
Jeff, I think those are Appliance Wire Mags. They look great on vans.
http://vintagewheelcatalogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/016.jpg
Damn. Right you are. Thank you!
Ah the memories. The blue one and my drivers test.
That vanning thing I was part of. My ride was a 1976 dodge with single rear door.
The rear door glass had a etched something. I bought it with all the tricks already done. Here is the KICKER, the roof had a olds vists crusier roof grafted in.
If you know what that roof is-think of it on a van. perfect, adds to height and the extra windows was very cool. I forgot where it went.That was in the early 90s and I bought and sold 100s of really cool stuff. My friends that knew of the stuff I got tell me to right a book.
Most of these were built originally for a waterbed to be installed.
Awesome van but black light not recommended!
Everytime there’s a van on here, someone has to say this.
Appliance is the brand of wheels, size is 15×8
imagine if some guy showed up in this to pick up your daughter for a date
So?
Perhaps it would be about the time to move thinking to this millenium. And yes I do have a daughter at dating age
It’s not rockin’….yet.
I worked in a bodyshop in Huntington Beach back in the late 70’s early 80’s that did the paint and even stretched some Dodge Maxi vans a few feet. Bruce at Windlord Performance (RIP) down the street added the tag axle and did some custom tricks for his clients…The good old days
Ad says it’s sold.
As it should,that’s a STEAL if vanning is your thing !
Very disappointing I was expecting a huge bed inside
Wow, 6 days ago I drove past a very dusty/shabby version of the Van in the Downey/Torrence area of California.
The ad is gone did anyone notice what town it was in?
Hard to believe it’s the same van I saw.
I have a real barn find, now a 6 wheeler Dodge . Should be done in the next few months.And yes I found it i a barn .
Try Cheviot Hotwires
https://www.performancewheels.com.au/product/hotwire/
back in the day, the dodge seemed the longest. I could see the final panel added on the end (wuz it on the light colored models?). Hard to believe they’d ADD lenght to them but they did. 1 seen here. Guess the dark color hides that panel line…
Luv the head liner on this one.
Hey BajaCharlie, don’t hijack the thread to advertise your crap! Do it somewhere else.
Jeff literally said “I’d love to know if I can grab a set of them state-side.” I think he’d be disappointed if Charlie had said “Yes, you can” and left it at that.
I need to know which engine and the exact length. I’m afraid this would be under-powered and over-long. Still, incredibly cool.
C’MON MAN! Not the place! Go to Craigslist to market your junk.
brianashe, still no place for that, and you may also want to learn how the word literally is used correctly!