The early-1970s were what I consider the beginning of the adventure decade. Bicycles, especially ten-speed bikes, and downhill skiing were big sporting activities. Another one that really caught me by the neck would be motorcycles, especially offroad motorcycles. This 1971 Dodge B100 van is a Yamahauler tribute van and it’s listed here on eBay in Springfield, Oregon. The current bid price is $6,058 but the reserve isn’t met.
The seller refers to this van as a tribute, as in not an official Yamahauler which was a joint effort between Dodge, Yamaha, Hot Rod Magazine, and a couple of other manufacturers who came up with a contest. The first prize was a custom-designed (by Hot Rod Magazine) Dodge B100 van and two Yamaha motorcycles, a 125 Enduro and 125 MX.
Dodge’s B-series vans came out in 1970 for the 1971 model year and I drove a van similar to this one for years, a Tradesman, as in no side windows. Mine had windows in the rear barn doors but no side windows and I used it for hauling band equipment and then for a cleaning service that I owned for a decade or so in the mid-80s. I had two Yamaha motorcycles at the time (and I still have them) but I never hauled them anywhere.
This example looks great to me, but the seller mentions that while the floors and other areas seem solid, this van needs a full restoration in order to be as nice as it could be. Also, there is no power steering which with my van’s 225 slant-six didn’t seem to be a problem, with a heavier 318 V8 it would be a chore to drive without power steering. The official Yamahauler vans had decked-out interiors with many special features. This van, however, just has a bedliner-type material sprayed in the back and it’s a blank slate. It’s still a great way to haul a couple of motorcycles.
The engine was still mostly within the cab of the B-series vans but it was pushed forward much more than in the previous A-series vans, and you could check the oil and coolant and other things from the hood rather than having to take the “doghouse” off every stinkin’ time. This van has a 318-cu.in. V8 and the seller says that it “runs pretty good” which isn’t a glowing endorsement, so plan on doing some mechanical work here. This van would be guaranteed to draw a crowd at any vintage motorcycle event.
I remember when the original was new.
Just saw this last night on “My Classic Car” TV show.
If you’re into dirt biking,this would be cool to have.
If you’re into anything cool, this would be cool to have.
Just sold my 1972 Dodge Sportsman Maxi B-300 that I bought new during High School, two years ago. Sure do miss it, that it went through my whole life and family events. The van for sale here has several Sportsman added items. The dash pad is from a later model as other items, but still a COOL van. I noticed it has AC, which is a rare option for a Tradesman (work van). The blower box cover is from the Sportsman, as the chrome grill and chrome tag light. Gas cap (COOL) is from a E-body. The parking lights are from a Tradesman (amber, while the Sportsman were clear with amber bulbs). Wish I still had mine (rust killed it), I would be interested in this one and add all my goodies to it, including the 70′ 340 motor. Wish you well!!!!
Actually,that looks like a rubber mat in the back,
not a spray on liner.
There was a local Yamaha motocrosser who had his
yellow Dodge van painted just like this back then.
I’m kind of surprised to see that Mr. Mark Worman is selling this one.
He’s in the process of building a Yamahauler tribute van for the next SEMA show. He saw this van advertised for sale and thought that the graphics on it looked “right”, so he bought it to measure the size and placement of the graphics. That phase of the project is complete, and now he’s selling this (hoping, I’m sure, that the fact that he’s owned it, however briefly, adds some “provenance” and therefore, dollar value to it).
It will be cool to see his finished product.
Pretty sure the original wasn’t a shorty but rather the longer Dodge B200 van. Can’t imagine the wrong vehicle would be helpful for measuring for the size and placement of the graphics for an authentic tribute build.
After Market companies would buy Dodge vans (they had the updated look) and refitted them as something else. The smaller the van, the less it would cost to retrofit. The campers were B300 or B200’s HD. Special Customs (graphics, high back seating, front and rear, carpeting and after market panels because most were the lower cost Tradesman and not the Sportsman which had their own ceiling and side panels along with triple loop carpeting. Had a “STREET VAN” (decal on the front doors called it), I believe it was a shorty. The B100, B200 or the B300 has to do with the suspension not the length. Though I believe the MAXI van could only be had with the B300, because they could haul 15 people as in a limo. They were not all limos. My B300 (bought new in 72′) only had one rear seat, being a “ROYAL” version. The odd thing was, it was titled as a station wagan and not a truck or van.
Great information, just not sure what it has to do with the van in the article.
Steve, it does somewhat. I was just trying to give a little history behind a Dodge van of this area.
Auction update: this one made it to $8,000 and on sale.