Van-Touring anyone?

**DarkBuddha** · 09-22-2005

Well, I've been eyeing some local super cheap early '70s Ford vans lately, thinking about how functional and cool it would be as an alternative to the dreaded minivan. You know, cheap, V8 powered, rear wheel drive, lots of room... much cooler than a pathetic 4 cyl minivan. So I started seriously thinking about it... could vans make a legit come-back? If so, what would they look like? Could you do something cool to 'em to bring 'em up to date? So I found a '70s reject on eBay and put this together. Whatch'all think?

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**SatisTraction** · 09-22-2005

LOL, looks like something form a steven king movie!!!! i guess you may see a few but i doubt they will be main stream.

**Damn True** · 09-22-2005

Anyone recall Hot Rod magazine in the 70's?

Ack.

**DarkBuddha** · 09-23-2005

Originally Posted by Damn True

Anyone recall Hot Rod magazine in the 70's?

Ack.

I know, I know... too crazy... There are definitely some wacky leftovers from those days. Seems a shame to let 'em just rust off into the sunset when they could become a cool soccer-mom-mobile.

**vanzuuk1** · 09-23-2005

I think its cool , but you have enough projects already! Get to work.

**CAMAROBOY69** · 09-23-2005

Its a good idea. If you want some serious information talk to astroracer. Your jaw will drop seeing his van being built.

**Steve Chryssos** · 09-23-2005

Please! Do not get my parter Frank started:

"....Man those were the days! You'd pick up your best girl in a van with no windows and her dad would just be fuming. Then you'd do a burnout, then you'd drive to the van-in, then you'd turn on the Frank Zappa, then you'd get stoned, then you'd get naked. Did I mention" Those were the days?......"

I think that looks cool Bhudda. But I'd go with solid paint. There's just too much surface area on a van. Better to tone it down.

**DarkBuddha** · 09-23-2005

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

I think that looks cool Bhudda. But I'd go with solid paint. There's just too much surface area on a van. Better to tone it down.

That one was a quicky version... the flames are actually part of the original photo, and it was really hard to remove them convincingly. I knew it would look better without 'em, so I did this version this morning:

**bnickel** · 09-23-2005

i love it, even with the flames. ok maybe a little less flames but i wouldn't get rid of all them. there used to be a really sweet plymouth no window van around here, it was sassy grass or sublime green and had the plymouth script logo in black on the rear side panels and they were about 4-5 ft long. it had champ 500's and fender flares and a really nice rake. swee van last time i saw it someone had trashed it and half-ass painted it white, there was still some green showing through in places.

**Camaro_Kyle** · 09-23-2005

Hasn't anyone ever seen Old School with Vince Vaughan and Will Ferrel? Remember the Black Van? That thing was badass! Black with sidepipes, mags, and a spoiler. That would be a killer project.
Kyle

**Lesrace82** · 09-24-2005

Thats the movie i was thinking about when i saw this post.

Dont forget to chop in the little moon shape window into the back.

**suh weet** · 09-24-2005

There are a few cool vans out there. I saw this one on the Hot Rod Power Tour.

**DarkBuddha** · 09-24-2005

I like the fake drilled rotors on that one... Good looking van though. Chop the top, raise the wheel arches, shave some trim, update the mirrors, lower it down deep over a set of 20"s, and you're there!

**Kenova** · 09-24-2005

The nicest van I've seen was an old Dodge A100. OK, it's not really a van, but it's not a pickup truck either. This one was tubbed, had a custom hard bed cover, and had the passenger seat and engine cover secured with quick release pins so he could pop them out at shows and cruises to show off the engine. Oh yeah, he had a mild 426 Hemi in it.

I hope to have a dig. cam. next time i see it.
Ken

**vanzuuk1** · 09-24-2005

It would need a tube chassis and a mid engine. imagine a track day with a van running with the euro geeks.

**formula** · 09-24-2005

all i have to say is youd better build it before i do...i've been dreaming up a van for years now. i just have to get the bird to where i want it first...

**bnickel** · 09-25-2005

i actually know where there is one of those early 70's ford vans like DB's pic, but it's plain old white, i bet i could pick it up for a couple hundred bucks or less, it even has a 351w in it.

**ViperBlue68** · 09-25-2005

Dont let MrQuick "Vince" see this...I think hes got a few vans in his shop

**DarkBuddha** · 09-25-2005

Originally Posted by bnickel

i actually know where there is one of those early 70's ford vans like DB's pic, but it's plain old white, i bet i could pick it up for a couple hundred bucks or less, it even has a 351w in it.

Exactly. There are 6 or 7 locally, all '69-'73s, and all under $600 running and driving. One is a 6 cyl, one is a 351W, and the rest are 302s. The one I want most is a '73 cargo van with a 302, rust free, slightly dented, with a recent tune up, new brake job, and new tie rods and balljoints. $500... how could I go wrong?

**bnickel** · 09-25-2005

the same guy has a 64 falcon van as well, would be really sweet fixed up but ti's got some serious rust issues, too bad.

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Van-Touring anyone?

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