So-called “shorty” vans will never stop being cool. They’re in a similar space as a short-bed pickup truck; no matter the make or model, if it has a short wheelbase, odds are pretty good we’re going to like it. This classic 1977 Dodge B-100 Tradesman van is such a model with some other features that make it a desirable specimen, namely its three-on-the-tree manual transmission and slant six engine, a darn near unkillable combo. The Dodge is listed here on craigslist for $8,400, and the seller claims it’s already smogged and ready to go.
Now, this isn’t necessarily a classic conversion van, but the seller alludes to the fact that the original owners made some tweaks to make it livable year-round. The history apparently involves the previous caretaker driving this van all over creation, including more than one run up to Alaska and back. The history alone is pretty cool but I wish the seller had included some interior photos so we can see how it was kitted out inside. The curtains in the back window suggest it may have been set up for sleeping at one time, but as often see with these vans, the custom features are often gutted by the time it reaches a later owner.
Now, I am all for vintage style and attitude, but I feel like this steering wheel is a bad idea. I mean, getting into any sort of accident in one of these old-school vans is a bad idea, but getting a face full of twisted metal while your knee is compressed up against the engine block is not my idea of a good time. Of course, with a slant six, you’re not likely to be going fast (ever) so at least you should have plenty of time to react if things go sideways on the road. The seller reports that the Dodge will cruise on the interstate at 70, all while getting excellent fuel economy, and I’m guessing it would be even happier at 60.
This old-school advertisement shows that the Tradesman lineup wasn’t just built for freedom-loving road warriors; you could also be a man in a suit picking up a date who is more interested in what’s on the clearance rack than hopping into your Tradesman van with no windows. Regardless, this country still loves its vans, and this short-wheelbase Dodge with a colorful history is sure to find a new owner before too long. Whatever the next owner chooses to do with his purchase is up to him, but I do hope he’ll retain some of the original features given the awesome stories this shorty van could likely tell.
I’ve always liked these shorty vans, especially the early to mid-70s Dodge shorties – in my opinion, style-wise, they have the best proportions, they just scream 70s custom cool. There was a dark green one like this (early 70s Dodge, solid cargo rear with no windows) sitting beside a house in the town I grew up in, it had been sitting in the same spot for years but they refused to sell. Unfortunately the owner passed away and it got crushed soon after without even being put up for sale (why do people do that?).
I wouldn’t mind at all to have this one; I like the overall look and I think the price is very fair given the condition.
I had an Orange 76 D-100 in the mid 80s- 95. Not a spot of rust on it ANYWHERE ! 318 powered, 3 on the tree, and only 2 small door dents on the sides. Another one I let slip through my fingers……darn !!!!!
One of the parts delivery guys for us in the `70s had one, with the same chain steering wheel.
I asked him once what that was like in our Chicago winters, and he said “Hellified”.
I’ve never forgotten that…
My uncle had one that was tricked out
at the factory. He ordered it with the
fancy stuff in place before he took delivery in ’73 or ’74. His ran a 318
mated to a 727 torqueflite tranny. And that shag carpeting was really
something else! Unc’ was a semi pro
bowler who used it to travel to bowling matches around the country
back then. Mom said that he was on
the ABC network’s Pro Bowler’s Tour
at some point in the ’70s. He wound
up trading it after 2 seasons complaining that the van ate him out
if house and home! Maybe he should’ve gotten a slant 6 instead.
Looks good on the outside, but that steering wheel makes me wonder why no interior pics? “Call or text but please don’t waste my time” says the seller. I guess that means you can’t ask for interior pics.
There’s a good chance this bad boy will be headed for Japan to go Dajiban racing.
The older I get the cooler these Dodge “shorty” vans are becoming to me. I too think Dodge nailed the proportions on these over the other manufacturers.
I took my driver’s license test in a 1973 B-100 Sportsman shorty with 3-in-the-tree and a slant six (in 1976). Only new vehicle my old man bought in the 20th century. Of course he had to special order it (being a cheapskate) and when it arrived at the dealer they held onto it for a week trying to get the doors to close right and the water to stay out (failure on that point). Ah, 70s Detroit quality… But I loved it anyway. Drove it to Florida from Maine for Spring Break in 1978 with 4 high school friends. How many parents would let their kids do that today? Fond memories of the van. But I must say, it was horrible for dates – you were like 10 feet away from the girl of your dreams!
We had a 76 Tradesmen 300, 3/4 ton. Ours rusted bad in about 4 years. 318 and automatic. Bell Atlantic had these 6 banhmger with the 3 on the tree. I’ll have to show this to my father in law.. he worked for them and had one…