Back in the 1960s through 1980s, the Dodge A100 van was a common sight, often used for commercial deliveries. But after its working life was done, the Dodge could find itself in the parking lot at high schools waiting for classes to let out. The A100 was a series of compact vans and trucks that competed with the Ford Econoline and other cab-over vehicles. This one from 1967 looks like a nice survivor and – in original condition – may need little to continue living a productive life in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The Dodge is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,500. Thanks, Russell Glantz, for uncovering this nice van for us!
The A100 (and its longer-wheelbase brother, the A108) was built by Dodge from 1964-70. Both vans and pickup versions were made using a “forward control” design, which placed the driver over top of the front axle with the engine near the front wheels. This is sometimes also called a “cab over”. The nose of the vehicle was flat as a pancake and the engine sat between the driver and front passenger seats. They employed unibody construction on a 90-inch wheelbase (so why call it a 100?) while the A108 had 18 more inches between the wheels. The latter would be popular with camper conversion companies.
Depending on the model year, various incarnations of Chrysler Slant-Six and small-block V8 engines were available in the A100. The seller’s van likely has the 225 cubic inch paired with a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission. That combination was good for 145 horsepower which made the light van or truck peppy when it wasn’t carrying a load. At the height of production, Dodge built 30-40,000 units each year, but many don’t seem to have survived because they were well used and then discarded.
The seller’s 1967 edition is said to be in original condition and the body and paint have largely held up because it was garage kept. These vans could come with or without any side and back windows, but this one at least has them in the back doors. The smaller opening on the passenger side may or may not be factory installed. This van has had some recent attention, receiving new tires and a new fuel tank, which suggests it may have not be used in recent years. The seats looked to have been reupholstered more recently and the odometer reading is not stated.
Condition is everything with these vans as far as resale value is concerned. Unmolested copies are worth more than someone’s home conversion project. $10-15,000 doesn’t seem to be out of line for one in the kind of condition this van appears to be in. And they were popular props on TV shows back in the day. It seems like every villain that appeared on 1960s Batman had one for their nefarious activities, so you too could become a minor celebrity by owning an A100!
I still own my 69 A-100 Sportsman window van!. I customized it by adding ’70 Charger side marker lights, flip top gas cap, and a ’73 340 c.i. V-8. Now, all I need is a BIG pile of pictures of dead presidents to restore it and get it back on the road, I don’t think I’m a celebrity, though, LOL!! :-)
So nice, Moparman.
Nice ride, Moparman! Really makes me miss my days working on those things.
That’s always been my favourite generation Dodge A108 Sportsman, with the split windscreen. This was long before I was born. By the time I was born, the second generation was on the market, a nice van, but not as much personality as the 1st gen van.
Ah yes, the A100 with the “doghouse” which could be used as a third seat. Or so I thought. Sort of like riding a mechanical bull without a mattress.
Had a 1968 window van. Put an extra seat belt in over the engine cover and had my son’s car seat mounted on top of the motor. His fruit loopes stuck to the engine cover might have inspired super glue.
Looks like its fresh off the set of Batman from back in the day.
Nice van. Dare to be different.
GLWTS.
I have a friend that had an A100 van like this, only 318 and automatic. It was a,,,challenging vehicle, to be blunt. There was nothing inside, and rattled like 6 marbles in an empty coffee can, it handled funky with all the weight up front, the V8 was hot, it was just a miserable vehicle to drive. Don’t even think about them in the snow or wet grass, for that matter. The column shift on these was also a bad spot, with shift linkage 3 feet long and prone to wear, and with my general dislike of cabover vehicles, I can honestly say, I hated the old Econolines and A100 vans. The Tradesman was a much better unit, but these, no thanks.
What about the cab over Chevy vans ??
Love love love it. I disagree, these things were so much fun to drive it was ridiculous.
Maybe the fact that I was only 13 and 14 clouds my judgement.
Your age must have been the reason. These were downright dangerous to drive. It’s straight front axle and kingpin steering was the culprit. Ever hear of “bump steer”? It’s not more prolific than in straight axle vehicles.
They weren’t safe, but no cab over style van was, including the rear engine VW bus. In high school a buddy of mine had a 64 Econoline van that got hit dead center by a motorcycle who was blinded by the setting sun and veered into his lane. It looked like the van hit a tree ; the headlights were facing each other. My buddy was banged up an cut up from the glass, but survived. the biker was not so lucky
10-15k?!? Making me feel pretty good about mine when I decide to sell it https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zmk1ACxSLhNMTe8s5
Dad had one in 73 let me drive it when I was working in the oilfields. Of course, I had to do the city park thing otherwise what would have been a good time not doing that. He had the look of the time on it. He painted it blue with airbrushing on the side panels and some lace designs around the fat beltline.
Super cool, but what happens in a high impact front end collision?
You’ll be the first to know! Sorry, couldn’t resist.
There are old crash test films online. Back then in a small cabover you lost everything below the waist if you hit a car.
In a car, if you were a passenger you either went through the windshield or out on the road. Drivers usually got the steering column through the chest and occasionally the engine in their lap.
When I was in eighth grade we watched a film called Signal 30. Your parents had to sign a release form for you to see it because it was graphic after crash footage. It did have a bonus in that the teachers had to explain how the pre-crash footage was made. Cinematography 101.
I remember “Signal 30” vividly, and I watched it back in 1975. I became a seatbelt fanatic after that, and still am to this day.
I remember that from drivers Ed. Out of curiosity, I checked YouTube, it’s available to watch on their site.
Steve R
Death, more than likely
love this 1st gen due to the split windshield’n motors (slanty). Watch Uncle Tony on uTube if able. For over 30 yrs (gen 2) dodge used this platform making it 1 of the longest in usa production. I hada coupla 170ci slanties, one of which gave me more than 300K in 2 different dart waggys. Nxt to the ThriftPowers (ford 300/4.9) and MB’s (OM617) these rack up more’n a toyota.
Sweet looking Dodge Van. It’s awesome to see original daily drivers and survivors being up for sale. Given its condition and originality, I think it’s worth the $10,500 asking price.
My college girlfriend had a 66 A-100 van, same color, same engine and trans. Her dad drove it for 14 years and gave it to her… and she still has it.
It was a blast to drive and had a tight turning radius. The engine started knocking one weekend on a drive home from college. We dropped the oil pan, changed out the rod bearing and put it back together… and we drove it 500 miles back to college the next day. That engine is still together 39 years later and is still running on the bearing we replaced.
I just picked up a slant six with a rod knock for $100. I am going to teach my son how to rebuild an engine, and that seems like a great candidate. I don’t have a car to put it in, so I may be in the market for a Mopar in need of an engine swap. Or, I wonder if I could drop it into my 92 Ranger? Hmmm…
I love the style of these vans,i imagine it could be fun on a nice day,low traffic etc.but being all manual steering, brakes and transmission, would be a chore as a daily driver, especially in an urban setting, but back then this was the norm!..guess we’ve gotten too used to our creature comforts in today’s cars.
I drove the Chevy equivalent for work back in the early seventies. Thought more than a few times about being a sitting duck in a frontal collision. I will say it was a hard working little beast. It was amazing what I hauled in it.
I can imagine. They’re all awesome vans- I especially like the Falcon vans, but I’ll never own one. I don’t want it to be my coffin.
I learned to drive in one of these and an F-1 Ford pick up
I had a 69 the only windows were front and it had cargo doors on 3 sides. Called it The Breadbox 6cyl 3on tree and a straight axle. It was a party on wheels !!!
I remember seeing one that had a 426 Wedge motor stuffed in it. It could do wheelies all day long.
I had a ‘68 window in the same color. I don’t see the padded spoiler on the dash tho! What years had that?
Great windscreen !