The idea of combining a standard transmission, a turbocharged engine, and a minivan body is a concept that has not been repeated since the short-lived spectacle of the turbo Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. These days, the rarest of minivan configurations remains a fan favorite among a wide group of enthusiasts, including both Mopar maniacs and fans of unusual performance vehicles across the board. This 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE Turbo with the elusive 5-speed manual listed here on Facebook Marketplace appears to be an honest survivor with modifications limited to a set of aftermarket wheels. The seller is asking $5,500.
This is one of those vans that those of us in the know recognize instantly thanks to the dual exhaust pipes sliding out from beneath the back bumper and the turbo script on the fenders. Otherwise, this looks like a standard Voyager, made even more boring with the brown paint job. Talk about sleeper potential: lower it slightly, throw on the wheels from a Daytona Turbo Shelby, and call it a day. The seller notes that there is some rocker rust, but that’s to be expected for a vehicle from the northeast. Honestly, I’m surprised there’s not more rust to contend with. I don’t love the aftermarket wheels, but the original wheels are included,
Inside, you get the standard Caravan interior with attractive cloth seating surfaces. The seller notes that he removed the third-row seat but it is included. The Caravan was a brilliant package when introduced, and it’s still quite sensible by today’s standards, and if you don’t need the third row, removing it opens up a ton of cargo capacity. The seller is including a second Caravan with the factory 5-speed in naturally-aspirated form as a parts rig, but I’d try to figure out a way to just grab the transmission and not have an entire Caravan carcass sitting around.
You got front discs and rear drum brakes, and the handling was decent out of the box for a van. Sway bars and better rubber would make handling crisper for not much additional outlay, but tweaking it for more power is where the modifications are more meaningful. With 150 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. out of the box, it was certainly entertaining, but there’s a large aftermarket in the turbo Dodge space that will get that number up easily. A front-mount intercooler would be a good place to start, and maybe a free-flowing exhaust. No matter which mods you choose, this turbo minivan will be a blast to own.
When you have to get the kiddos to Soccer practice PRONTO!!! Sorry, just kidding. But seriously, this one needs to be preserved, a turbo with a 5 speed is one rare find for sure. And I’m sure a blast to drive. This one really looks pretty solid overall.
Be cool to see Dodge pull off an SRT version of a modern Caravan Dave. 6sp manual of course ✔️
I wonder if a Caliber SRT-4 engine would fit in this…
Google Stay Tuned, Tony Angelo. He is in the middle of a project, doing that, right now.
One of the many jobs I had in my later years after trucking,(2002ish) was a messenger job, delivering medical supplies to hospitals, drug stores, etc., that required a minivan. I found a ’89 Plymouth turbo van just like this, but no 5 speed, that needed a new rack and pinion that leaked profusely. Like most of the repairs on these, it was a simple job. In fact, of all the Chrysler minivans I came in contact with,( dozens) this is the 3rd time I’ve seen a stick. The one previously posted a while back, and a guy at the messenger service had one. The turbo, if functioning, added a whopping 50hp, up from a stock 98hp, and you could really feel it. It was V6 performance from a 4 cylinder, but at a cost. It used a quart of oil a day, and didn’t get the mileage my V6s did, but that job I did like 10-12 stops around S.Wis., maybe 200 miles a day, stop and start, and let’s say, everybody got their medications and supplies, it never failed. I’m confident the only reason this particular van survived, is being a stick, it wasn’t subjected to the horrors of soccer moms and old folks, and a great find.
The van escaped the soccer moms, but was easy prey for ham fisted kids redlining every shift.
Wonder why the suspension hike. Not factory height. If you want a present day van hot rod buy a Pacifica with the big V6 and 9 speed automatic. Zero to whatever pretty amazing.
Oh MAN this is one of the bucket list cars I’ve lusted after for years, no joke. Look up Gus Mahon (R.I.P.). He had “Mean Mini” into the 12’s or 13’s if I recall. Rare to find with a turbo, even more rare with the 5 speed. Maybe one of these days….
Almost perfect. It’s a 5-passenger. Should have had Convert-a-bed.
On the market for 22 weeks now. I am kind of surprised because these have to be rare.
Steve magnate says Chrysler built approximately 50 of these and I’ve seen three of them for sale in the last few weeks so I’m skeptical of his numbers.
Yeah, there are definitely more than 50, I would think. Maybe he was talking about something else that made them rare.
I like Steve – a lot. I follow him on YouTube and like his model and junkyard crawl videos in snow laden NH, where I was from.
These were great vehicles and a 5spd turbo is like a unicorn. Those wheels gotta go but otherwise looks pretty clean overall and the price is cheap enough if you’re looking for a rarity like this. The beautiful 69′ Charger R/T I had back in the 90’s originally sold from Greensburg Motor Company in Greensburg PA.
Is this a 2.5 Turbo? I drove a 2.2 non turbo once, not bad, but it would have been hell in the mountains I think. The best would have been a 3.0 V6 with a stick, but not sure if that was available.
Funny that you should mentions mountains, Zippo. It reminded me of something.
Me and my buddies went on a ski trip to Colorado. When we arrived at Colorado Springs airport, our rental was one of these turbo vans, but an auto. Back then, I didn’t think of it as anything more than a rental, but now seems strange that they would be using turbos at that high altitude.
Seems like the ideal combination. The turbo charger makes up for the lack of atmosphere so you don’t lose power as you rise in altitude.
Nelson, thanks for that info. I didn’t know that.
I have a 90 turbo van with the 5 speed. Not as good looking from 20-30 feet as this one does, but also lacks any rusted through spots. I swapped hubs and brakes from a Grand Caravan as well as a manual steering rack I found. Also added an intercooler. Daytona front struts. No A/C… don’t need any of those power robbing devices. Has the “SHELBY” valve cover. With the larger bolt pattern from the Grand Caravan I am able to run 16” wheels from a Mustang with wider tires.