Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion General Discussion Looking two vans. Which one?

I am new to vanning but have allways wanted one. I am a Mopar man and have found two 70's vans. One is a 73 shorty that has some custom touches already on it with a custom grill. The other is a 77 shorty with the visor and a wing and the body work stared . They are both pretty close to the same in style and price. So what do I look for in these vans. Not sure of the value of vans. Any thoughts on the value of these vans. They both run and drive well with 318s.

id go with the 73, mainly for smog exemption. but i guess thats not an issue for you in alabama. how is the interior on them?

i like the double venturi vents

The one with the least rust and dents is the best choice. All other things the same, I would choose the one with good paint on it. Paint is a lot of work and money. Even to do it yourself, price paint out sometime. Its crazy.

Check the underside on them. Look at how rusty the cross members and frames are, look at the floor boards and areas around the wheel areas in the back. For that matter, check all of the floor area of the van. Check out the roof areas around the venturi vents and the screw holes around the add ons if possible. These areas on the vans may help you decide on which one to get too. Also, check out the rocker panels.

I like both of them, but I'd go for the 73 with the port holes over the 77 with the large windows. You can add a wing and it has a Venturi vent and chin spoiler too, but they're both sweet. Consider the interiors and which one needs the least amount of work to make it your own. Then there is always the rust factor, but I'm guessing that's not a huge issue down your way. The most important thing is mechanical condition and safety. Which one looks the least tampered with or looks the most original mechanically, wiring condition, etc. A solid foundation will make customizing it to your tastes much easier, unless you're a master mechanic, fabricator, or rich! Welcome to vannin' and good luck with whichever awesome Dodge you choose! Of course, if you're rich, buy them both!

I'd go with the '77 as long as it's not rusty, mainly because I don't like the big rear windows on the '73. That's all on what you want though. Probably won't go too wrong with either one

Portholes over massive window wins for me every time,I'm really not keen on the paint job on the top one either,but each to there own.
Love the chin spoiler on 2nd one as well.

I really dig the 1st one.Good luck with what ever you choose

The windows you either love or hate them. All things being equal it will greatly depend on the mechanic condition of the vans and your ability to self repair or afford to have someone else do the work. I myself prefer the more completed 77 but the window ruin it for me...so Id have to say 73 with the pure sex windows. If you look closely you can see the 73 has a single venturi already as well.

Buy them both. Get one ready for show, then work on the other one.

Hard to argue with that logic DrBob!

Personally, from just looking at them, I'd go for the '73.
I like the portholes better, it has round headlights, and there's no recent paint to decide on giving up because it's not to my liking.
But that's just me.

Don't know about value.
There was a '73 shorty near me recently that had the original grille, portholes, recent paint, and leftover shag interior.
It had a couple of mechanical issues, but ran and drove (according to the seller).
The price started at around $3800, but it ended up selling for around $1500.
I don't how that one compares to these vans though.
I just thought I'd throw that in.

Well looked at both vans today. Both had some rust issues and both will need complete restos. Both seemed to run well. But thought that they were over priced at about $3,500. The blue one looks ok in the pics but the paint and interior was old and will need redoing. I passed on both of them I will keep looking.
Thanks for all the replies.

well crap, this was anti-climactic

At least we got to see pictures of them.


Good luck with your search jaco.

Well thats a sign to give up on those old dodges and get a nice chevro-let-it-set. There are lots of conversions cheap. An early 1990's with a big block would be good. Then just get a title and vin from a 1970's model. Switch the tail lights and grill and you are in business! Actually, i love those old dodges.

Well it's been a while since I have posted. Here is the update.
Went and looked at both vans and they were rusted out junk and they wanted over $3000 for each one. I have been looking for one ever since. I was on Craigslist just killing time about 2 months ago and saw an ad for a 72 Dodge van. It was just 5 miles from the house.
It is a 72 B100 Tradesman 200. It has a 360, auto, air and power steering. Guy says he parked it about 12 years ago because it was stopping up fuel filters.
I bought it and drug it home.
The first thing I did was run a fuel line out of a gas jug and poured gas in the carb. It fired right up and ran good after a few minutes.
So now that I knew it would run the build was on.
Look in the readers ride section for my build thread.
Just goes to show you that you can usually find what you are looking for close to home if you just look long enough.
This what I drug home.

Score! I would spend some time pressure washing it, but that might take some of that black paint off. Still, that is a great starting pint for a project, and AC is always a BIG plus.

glad you found one

Congrats to ya.

Congrats.

Someone here recently said "the right van will find YOU"
Not expecting to find one, then suddenly seeing a new listing on Craigs list is how mine came to me as well.
Good luck with it

Congratulations!

That has a lot of potential! I am a Ford guy but those mid Dodges have always appealed to me. Even bone stock they just scream "awesome 70's custom van!"

I notice the paint is missing over the top of the windshield. I would look that over closely. It looks like it may have had a visor. You want to make sure any holes have been plugged and don't leak. Hopefully it is just where the wind has peeled the paint off.

sweet, good score, it helps to wait a bit

I would definitely choose the van with the portholes. I hate those big windows.

ah just saw the update! congrats on the sweet score! Looks like a great project!

Congrats!!!! nice score!!!! cant wait for some updates

yep I've been looking for another one forever in a good price range and found my latest not 2 miles from my house