I am a great fan of pristine, restored 1960s vans that ooze class and charm. This is not one of those. The Dodge A108 was one of the cab-forward designs of the time, with the engine positioned right between the front seats. It gave the driver a great view of the road ahead without having to look over a long hood. This example is something. I am not exactly sure what, but I will start by noting that the seller states very clearly, “What it really needs is a good bath and detail cleaning.” Looking like it came right out of Haight-Ashbury, this camper is available here on craigslist for $5,000 or best offer. It is in Boulder City, Nevada, and the title is clear and in the seller’s name. Thank you very much, Rocco B, for this hip tip!
As for the mechanicals, this A108 has the Chrysler 318 option with a Carter BBD two-barrel carburetor. New to the van are the following: all front drum brake parts, rear pads, new wheel studs and lug nuts, plugs, cap, wires, points, belts, hoses, thermostat, etc. You get the picture; they did a lot of the routine engine maintenance you’d hope for. They say it starts up and runs quietly. The seller claims that the gauges work, as do the lights and turn signals. The horn, however, is nonfunctional. The body looks like it needs a lot of work, and I cannot help but be obsessed with the Moon or Moon-like full discs on the wheels. Perhaps it has been to the Salf Flats and has a land speed record that the seller is holding back on?
For an interior, that “full bath and detail” will really go to work here. The pop-up camper top is said to operate “effortlessly.” There is an oven, sink, refrigerator, water tanks, power outlets, a bed, a table, benches, lights, etc. No word on whether the appliances work, but the seller lists the electrical panel as wired and “not wired like 2 teenagers did it.” But they have not tried to operate any of it recently! The carpet is old and should be replaced. The front seats, engine cover, and rear bench need to be re-upholstered. There is also a dealer-installed giant air conditioner in the cab that the owner hasn’t touched but says is complete and fully connected.
I am seeing that a very nice version of this can go for $30,000 to $50,000, and metroparts.com says that a project needing substantial work like this one can cost between $5,000 and $12,000. So maybe this is the $5,000 ugly duckling that can become a $50,000 swan. Do you have the wherewithal to clean house, fix things up, and make this the camper it should be?
“Well I’m going down to Yasgurs farm, gonna join in a rock and roll band”, I welcome the reference, and even though the author may have been in diapers, it was without question the rock and roll mecca of all time, by which all other rock concerts were to be judged by. You do know, it wasn’t held in the city of Woodstock, about an hour north of NYC. At the last minute, the city backed out, with an expected 32 acts and 100,000 people ( 500,000 showed up) something had to be done. The concert was moved to Max Yasgurs dairy farm for a cost of almost $100,000 in Bethel, NY. about an hour west of NYC, (N I wonder how that ever transpired, Max did okay, despite the crowds trashed the land. Many paid almost $20 to get in, a lot of money in 1969, but turned free when the fences were crashed. And that kids, is rock and roll history!
The van, awful vehicle, possibly worst ever, but to someone it could be home,,,down by the river,,, Woodstock, peace out, man,, :)
My friend was at Woostock when she was attending Stoney Brook College. There was a photo on a magazine cover and you can see her close to the stage. She attended a Doors concert and was served a summons to appear at Morrison’s hearing. She still has the summons. Might be worth something.