introduction

hey hey ,,
checker Jim here from Las Vegas NV. been checking out your site and its cool to see there is still a big classic van following.. I have a 1972 dodge tradesman 100. dad bought it new in 1972 and after he passed I ended up with it.. its a family treasure I actualy came home from the hospital in that van the day I was born.. I am going thru it to restore it..
will get some pics up soon..

hey Jim that was fast! welcome !
(i found Jim on a ratrod forum )
by the way ya got mail there

welcome jim can't wait to see them pix

Hanging around with this group, I've come to appreciate the Vintage models more, shunning the 80's to rescue a couple 60's first gens! Welcome! Watch out for Council of Councils evants in Vegas next year... surely there will be some vintage van iron, van fun, and awesome vanners to meet!

here ya go.. the first shot is my 72 b100... built 318 in it.. fast van.. this is the one I grew up in..


and this is my daily its an 86 b250 conversion same 318 but with a 2 bbl carb.. so its no too bad on the gas..

no love on the B bodies around here huh?

just kidding.. might pick up an A one day but I like the shorty B the best..

Heck...I have a '72 Sportsman maxi. I like it alot.

Welcome to Vintage Vans!

Welcome Jim! I have a 1977 Dodge B200 shorty windowless cargo.

my 72 used to have no windows. my dad cut in the side windows back in the early 90's... I would love to take them back out but I realy like the patina.. not looking forward to having to paint it.. pops painted it back in 73 and still has that same paint job....

Jim, you're very lucky to own your dad's van. My father took me to the Dodge dealer with him in 1977, to order a new black shorty with no windows and chrome bumpers. It was sold in 1978. So I bought a '77 years later, when I found one with no holes cut in the body. It's a sentimental reason that you probably understand.

that I do...understand that is...I actualy bought my 86 to rape all of the goodies from to stick into my 72 but after driving the 86 home...with the cold A/C and it handles like a dream..... I just fell in love with it and couldnt bring myself to butcher the ol' beast.. so now I sold off all of my other cars and drive the hell out of it.. couldnt ask for a better van.. I actualy camped out in it the other night and was amazed at how comfortable it was.. its an El Kapitan conversion ... and my hat is off to them. the van only has 120k original miles on it and has always been serviced regularly and the thing drives like new. honestly I drive it more than my infinity Q45. I am amazed to this day that SUV's outsell vans. it is my home away from home. I have TV, satellite radio, cold A/C ... and I am getting around 12- 16 miles to the gallon.. Yes I LOVE MY VAN!

Welcome Checker Jim.

I used to drive a 1986 Dodge B150 short bed myself. I bought it new as a cargo van (empty inside). It had a slant 6 with automatic and no air. I did a lot of work to the inside (which I hope to post here someday). I traded it for a 96 grand caravan (you know kids and all that). It had 180k on it everything original excetp the usuall stuff. I really liked it and don't blame you in the least for not wanting to gut yours. Any way welcome to the site!!!!