First time posting, long time lurker. I bought this 1971 Dodge B300 that has a really interesting (I think) back story. Purchased new in 1971 by the Potter Twsp VFD and used very sparingly one the years but always maintained, from what I can tell. It was purchased in the (early?) 2000's and the camper additions were made. That owner sold it to a surfer who put about 20,000 miles on it as a "chase" vehicle. Currently it has 46,750 original miles on it. I have been looking for a '71 or '72 B300 for at least a decade in as original condition as possible. As y'all know unmolested early vans are getting quite rare. The reason I wanted this particular year and model is that my first vehicle purchase was a red 1972 B300 that I bought from a bank as a repo for $900. It was fairly dinged up but my dad and I worked on it and got it to a point that it was quite nice. Paneled, carpeted, ice box, 8 track, big wheels, repaint, etc. I learned how to use a slide hammer and hammer/dollies as well as the occasional Bondo application. I bought it a year before I got my license so I could only drive it in our driveway, which measured 125' by 40' at its widest point. I racked up several hundred miles in those confines (no power steering!). I needed to sell it in order to have money for my first year of college so I did and made decent money on it. The next several years I repeated the pattern: by something needing work, fix it up and sell it to eat/drink at school. The summer before my senior year the guy who bought it from me offered it back; rode hard and put up wet, for $400. I jumped on it. On the way to NC from NJ the steering box started to come apart. By the time I arrived I had to throw the wheel and wait for it to catch before the steering would engage. I was ashen by the time we arrived. I parked it, put an ad in the paper, and sold it for $400. 22 vehicles later and I found this one. Plans are to make it as safe and comfortable as possible while changing its provenance as little as possible.
That paint looks to be in good shape. I bet with a few hours on a buffer it would surprise you. With the paint buffed and redo the lettering in gold leaf, It would be awesome. Very cool van!
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