I saw a vintage van out while I was getting lunch today. Deep golden yellow (very very 70s), sweet volcano and cracked drought-stricken landscape graphics signifying something or another and a small pinched diamond shaped portal window on the side.
“Fuck trucks.”
“Sin bins.”
Whatever one called them, I have fond memories - my mom had a 1976 Ford custom van, white with the most patriotic murals ever. (I know there was an eagle, a graphic of the Declaration of Independence, and a Revolutionary-era fife and drum trio. I assume these were applied stickers, not airbrushed, because the quality was pretty good, but Ma bought the van used, so I can’t be sure.) The van also had a CB radio, blue shag carpeting, custom horns (I think there were about seven options, including the first 12 notes of Dixie, an air horn like a semi truck, and my favorite - The Ride of the Valkyries,) and a PA system. It was awesome!
I suspect that a major reason for the demise of these vans - aside from the previously-mentioned fuel economy, poor quality of American autos in the seventies, and creepiness factor - is the lack of seatbelts. There were only two seats in Ma’s van with belts. The queen sized bed in the back had a wall separating the areas, which was great for kids traveling without being seen nor heard, but nary a seat belt.
Must . . . resist . . . temptation . . . to . . . comment . . . 
I know, right? :eek:
It’s just the passage of time. You don’t see a lot of kids playing Slug Bug nowadays either. Almost all of the old bugs are gone.