Another day, another shorty. How could you possibly pick just one of these vintage Dodge/Chevy/Ford vans out as your favorite? All of them are pleasing in some way, with wild paint schemes and groovy 70s touches. My question is, which qualities are most important to you? This 1976 Dodge Tradesman here on eBay is a classic shorty van that was apparently rescued from being used as a storage shed.
The seller notes that care was taken to preserve the original colors and mural artwork, which is a must-do if you’re selling one of these in original condition. Unfortunately, the cool period flares were not save-able due to being damaged, and were subsequently removed. However, this is a popular look for these vans, so finding a replacement set shouldn’t be too difficult.
Up front, standard seats have been replaced with some late-model sport buckets from a modern-day car. I’m not sure if I’m sold on the looks. I’m sure the comfort factor is high, but it’s not how these vans would have been equipped back in the day – far from it. With that in mind, I’d want to find a set of swivel seats in tweed-colored cloth to replace these, which look like they came from a late-model Trans Am.
The Cragars and period graphics are a great look for any van, but especially so on these Dodge shortys. The different points of entry mean this Tradesman will easily swallow your gear or your pals, but the interior is a blank canvas as the moment. The seller notes that the engine just received a full-tuneup, as well as a new brakes and a replacement windshield, ready for your autumn vanning adventures to commence.
So far there is only one (1) single bid of $5,500 on Sunday, October 21. Since there is no mention of a reserve, it looks like this 318V8/automatic storage shed is going to sell. This shorty van seems to be in pretty decent shape, it appears that the seller did a nice job cleaning and fixing it up. Could be a candidate for a camper or conversion van … Wonder if the seats recline?
I remember as a kid the van phase that took on America!
This looks good but agree on front buckets being too modern. I am sure they ride better. The cragars are cool 😎 and a fave of mine from yesterday.
I noticed that too. They look very 1990s.
The comfort factor is usually in the back……*nudge,nudge..wink,wink*
Cool van, but I couldn’t drive it with those graphics, and the seats are completely inappropriate. Cragars on old vans has been done way too many times to be interesting. I’d fill that circular window with sheetmetal, repaint it inside and out, throw on some oversized steelies, and enjoy!
Then you’d just be destroying the character of the van… don’t like it as is? Don’t buy one that looks like it. I’m sure there are still plain Jane versions out there that you can turn into a “snooze fest special”
As to a favorite I can start narrowing it down by going with a Chevy in line 6 or small block V8, gas milage is important to me. Then it needs to be short wheel base with no side windows and for sure rear windows, it’s nice to have visibility when on the road. Four wheel drive is out, I don’t really need it and it just gives you more things to repair. A roof vent is nice too but that’s some that can be added later. A ladder in back is OK but doesn’t do much good without a luggage rack on top, those tend to get in the way of putting a roof vent where you want it. Interior wise I’m not particular, that’s easy enough to set up since all I’d want is some carpet and a platform to set a mattress on with storage underneath. Oh yeah, it has to be FREE and in top condition in order to fit my needs perfectly!
Gag. Why would you spoil a dodge with a generic motors engine? Chryco has some great engines that would do the job very well.
This custom van brings back so many great memories ! My best friend’s dad had one exactly like this back in the day, and he would give us and our other pals rides to the skating rink on Friday and Saturday nights. It was blue and badass, and we felt like rock stars getting out of it in front of the skating rink as all of our friends looked on. The van is gone and unfortunately so is my friend’s dad, but the great memories last forever. I hope whoever buys it will have great memories in this cool Dodge as well. (I’ll have to send it to my friend, he has a son now and maybe he’ll go for it) ✌👍
Cool old van, but the fact that the entire 1/4 of it, inside and out is covered in red primer DOES NOT give me a “warm fuzzy” feeling in regard to what might be lurking underneath (RUST?)
What is DOO WW stand for ??? Just curious.
It stands for Do Wildwood NJ..it’s a magnet…the Doo is for Dogs on the boardwalks……JK, stands for DOO-Wop
Maybe the next owner will give Chris Carter a shot at restoring it when he gets out of jail.
Steve R
Who?
Where’s the shag interior?
OMG. Could anything be any more fugly than that thing? How? Salvage the rims and the rubber and put it back to being a storage shed. Just not in my yard. Please.
Decent price for a nice old artifact. Looks solid enough to me, but a hands on inspection will tell. We need to get past all these “shaggin’ wagon/van is rockin’/free candy ” cliches-time has moved on.
Dodge Vans are “COOL”!!!! If you never had one, you wouldn’t understand. Bought mine new in 72′(high school),dated, hunted, camped, raised my family through all these years and sadly had to put it to rest 10 years ago, do to rust. Ran great(1970 340 installed years ago) and still have it parked, but it will not see the road any longer. If I was younger I may consider this Van and put all my “GOOD” stuff into it.
I have always liked Ford cars, Chevy trucks and Dodge vans.
Love It !!! Dad had a 75 Maxi-van powerful 400 4bbl he customized and a 83 Dodge Maxi-van he also tastefully customized that was powered by a 360 4bbl,no lean burn power robbing on it,as in 83 the vans and trucks suffered from government emissions ,lean burn that zapped the power – performance tenfold ! Unlce had a 1976 Ford with a 351 4V was a good van but no power..He added headers,carburetor and cam/head job to wake it up a but,it did..
Back in the Day they tested a 318 2bbl Dodge vs 351 4V Ford and 400 Chev ,the 318 out performed both of them..They said the Dodge had a better ride,handling etc..With optional 360 2 or 4 bbl,400 2 or 4 bbl and the 440 4bbl it easily out powered the GM/Ford vans !
Threw a stock 69′ 340 in my 72′, Maxi B-300 and it out performed them all. had a good friend of mine that had a Chevy 350 short van, put in a lot of Hi-Po improvements to outrun me, but never did.