# 1970's Custom Vans!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623 "2019-01-11T22:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/21 "2019-01-12T19:11:36Z")
Watching _Mad Max_ (1979). More a station wagon than a van, but it’s called a ‘panel van’. Check out the [prices of Holden Sandman](https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-cars-vans-utes/carmake-holden/carmodel-holden_sandman/c18320) ‘panel vans’. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/22 "2019-01-12T19:39:04Z")
The first this this thread made me think of what Cheech and Chong’s [lowrider van](https://pics.imcdb.org/21794/dropped.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/23 "2019-01-12T19:48:39Z")
“Ayyy, pendeckos!” **snerk** ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/24 "2019-01-12T20:29:12Z")
If C.W. (“Convoy”) McCall and a groovy hippie chick had sex in a room full of Frank Frazetta posters, their love child would have been the 1970s custom van culture. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/25 "2019-01-12T20:44:45Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > The first this this thread made me think of what Cheech and Chong’s [lowrider van](https://pics.imcdb.org/21794/dropped.jpg). Ahem. The first **thing** this thread made me think of **was** Cheech and Chong’s [lowrider van](https://pics.imcdb.org/21794/dropped.jpg). I am never posting from my phone again. ::sigh:: ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/26 "2019-01-12T22:57:28Z")
Cheech and Chong’s other van: [cheech and chong fiberweed van - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=3F37E7D591482322599E60A5B7AB01B1C53A03EE&thid=OIP.-EMpg7edA-4c7ajFEtNFTQHaDb&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2F2h3mh837ken53kitqv1co5fh83o.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2Fup-in-smoke-van-cheech-chong.jpg&exph=255&expw=550&q=cheech+and+chong+fiberweed+van&selectedindex=5&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,2,6) ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/27 "2019-01-12T23:17:51Z")
I didn’t have a Shaggin’ Wagon, but my first car (really it was my dad’s car, but I’m the only one who ever drove it) was a 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, silver with racing stripes, a fishbowl window in the back, red shag carpeting and a fake rubber spoiler under the front bumper. She was the Sara Lee (as opposed to the General Lee). [This](https://rustybuttrusty.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1977-ford-pinto-cruising-wagon-right-front.jpg)is the closest I could find online, except, you know, silver. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/28 "2019-01-12T23:23:36Z")
This thread is making me want to take our 2005 Dodge Caravan dogmobile and trick it out. 😛 Too bad it’s such a POS mechanically. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/29 "2019-01-13T07:20:04Z")
If this van’s a rockin, don’t bother knockin. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/30 "2019-01-13T17:39:06Z")
Kelso: If this van’s a-rockin’… we’re in there doing it. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/31 "2019-01-13T17:45:58Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Man, the 1970s were weird. You misspelled AWESOME ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/32 "2019-01-13T17:48:27Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > You misspelled AWESOME You misspelled FAR OUT! ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/33 "2019-01-13T18:31:21Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > So great they made a movie about them! Anyone else remember _The Van_ made in 1977? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4HHsICvu7k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4HHsICvu7k) I first saw it in the late 70’s on HBO. Why settle for The Van when you could go for Super Van (formerly, The Love Machine)? > **[The Love Machine](http://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/comments/love_machine)** > > Created in the late 1960s by Hollywood auto customizer George Barris, who's best known as the designer of the original Batmobile. The Love ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/34 "2019-01-13T18:43:13Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > [Japan does it better](https://www.google.com/search?q=dekotora&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_j5nQuOffAhVp5YMKHS5cCqcQ_AUIDigB&biw=1408&bih=703). Those are decorated **trucks**. Japanese custom vans look [like this](https://www.google.com/search?q=%E3%83%90%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0&tbm=isch). Totally separate sub-culture and completely different aesthetics. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/35 "2019-01-13T20:03:54Z")
The only thing that ever made my Mother forbid me to date someone, was a guy whose Dad had given him his old custom van with a dragon mural on the side. She was having NONE of either the van or the morals she assumed he had also inherited. ROFL She was probably right about that one, too. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/36 "2019-01-14T14:06:42Z")
Even AMC and International Harvester _attempted_ to make vans. [http://autocart.biz/wp-content/uploads/imgp/Amc-van-3-1509.jpg](http://autocart.biz/wp-content/uploads/imgp/Amc-van-3-1509.jpg) [https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/01/21/international-harvesters-passed-over-people-movers/](https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/01/21/international-harvesters-passed-over-people-movers/) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/37 "2019-01-14T16:13:34Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I didn’t have a Shaggin’ Wagon, but my first car (really it was my dad’s car, but I’m the only one who ever drove it) was a 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, silver with racing stripes, a fishbowl window in the back, red shag carpeting and a fake rubber spoiler under the front bumper. She was the Sara Lee (as opposed to the General Lee). > > [This](https://rustybuttrusty.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1977-ford-pinto-cruising-wagon-right-front.jpg)is the closest I could find online, except, you know, silver. [This](https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/1970s-cruising-van-wagon.jpg) is in the first link in the the OP. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/38 "2019-01-14T16:56:30Z")
I would totally drive one ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/39 "2019-01-14T17:05:19Z")
My parents really wanted one of those. Finally in 1980 they got a Ford Econoline cargo van, and had it customized with captains chairs, table, CB radio, bench/bed, the whole setup. No crazy mural, just silver with blue and silver stripes. I drove it off and on through high school and college. My Dad finally sold it around 2000 to a band, because he was living in Austin. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623/40 "2019-01-14T17:50:00Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [This](https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/1970s-cruising-van-wagon.jpg) is in the first link in the the OP. Which looks nothing like the car I drove - hence the pic i posted. But thanks for the heads-up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1970s-custom-vans/827623.md?page=3)