HARD TO FIND ORIGINAL SURVIVOR TRADESMAN 100 SWB CONVERSION VAN NR 130PIX+VIDEO

1975 Dodge Ram Van NO RESERVE ORIGINAL SURVIVOR! Description

NORESERVE ON THIS KILLER 70'S SURVIVOR!! 7 DAY AUCTION ENDS AUGUST 3RD AT 7:00 PST THIS IS AN ALL ORIGINAL CALIFORNIA RUST FREE 1975 DODGE TRADESMAN 100 SHORTY CAMPER VAN 2 OWNER! THIS CAMPER WAS CUSTOMIZED AND CONVERTED NEW IN AUGUST 1975 BY RECREATIONAL VANS INC OUT OF TORRANCE CALIFORNIA. THIS WAS A FULL HIGH TOP CONVERSION VAN WITH GAS STOVE, FRIDGE, HEATER, SINK, BEDS AND TABLE. THIS VAN MADE DECADES OF CAMPING TRIPS AND CLOCKED MANY MILES OF ROADS ON IT'S JOURNEYS AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO EASTERN WASHINGTON WITH IT'S 2ND OWNER IN THE MID 2000'S WHERE IT LIVED UNTIL WE PICKED IT UP AND HAD IT TRANSPORTED OVER HERE NEAR THE SEATTLE AREA ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT IS AMAZING TO FIND NOT ONLY THIS VAN AS A SURVIVOR, BUT IT REALLY HAS REMAINED MOSTLY UNALTERED AND INTACT AFTER 4 DECADES OF LIFE. THIS VAN WAS STILL ON THE ROAD AND MAKING VACATION TRIPS UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE INTERIOR STOVE, CABINETS, TABLE, BED AND FRIDGE WERE REMOVED BY THE 2ND OWNER TO REPLACE THEM AND UPDATE THE INTERIOR TO A MORE MODERN STYLE, BUT THE OWNER NEVER REACHED THAT POINT AND THE VAN JUST SAT FOR THE MOST PART WITH REGULAR FIRE UPS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND HAD FRESH FUEL. THIS VAN IS WHAT I WOULD CALL A TRUE SURVIVOR THAT LITERALLY SHOWS WHAT IT HAS SEEN IN IT'S JOURNEY WITH SCARS AND MARKS YET STILL HAS A GREAT ERA CORRECT THROW BACK LOOK. WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS VAN WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BESIDES ITS KILLER 70'S CAMPER LOOK WAS HOW HONEST IT'S CONDITION IS THAT LEAVES NO QUESTIONS UNANSWERED AND CLEARLY IS NOT HIDING ANYTHING. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A SHOW TRUCK AND WHAT THIS OLD GIRL MAY LACK IN PERFECTION IT MAKES UP FOR IN ORIGINALITY AND SHOWS AN ERA THAT SO MANY OF US ARE SO FOND OF AND WAS BUILT IN A TIME OF THE VAN CRAZE AND IT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF WHAT CAMPER VANS ARE TODAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT WHEN YOU'RE IN THIS 75 DODGE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN A TIME WARP AND ARE IN A 40+ YEAR OLD FULL STEEL VAN THAT IS TRULY AN END OF AN ERA. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS THIS KILLER SHORTY HIGHTOPPER I HAD BIG DREAMS AND POSSIBLE PLANS TO PAY RESPECTS TO THIS VAN WITH ALL NEW PANELING, CARPET, FRIDGE, TABLE, STOVE AND MORE GOODIES, WHILE KEEPING THE OUTSIDE AS IT IS WITH A GOOD BUFF TO BRING BACK THE SHINE AND I WAS TORN TO GO WITH POLICE CAR STYLE RALLY WHEELS OR MOPAR RALLY. I WANTED TO ALSO GO THROUGH THE 318 WITH SOME MODERN PERFORMANCE PARTS, FLOWMASTERS AND A SET OF NEW SHOCKS. THE LONGER I HAD IT THE MORE I LOVED JUST THE WAY IT LOOKED AND FELT IT WOULD ALMOST BE A CRIME TO CHANGE WHAT THE ONLY OWNER HAD PRESERVED FOR SO LONG, BUT AS SO MANY OF US GUYS SUFFER FROM IS TOO MANY PROJECTS AND DREAMS AND JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME, SO WITH OUR GROWING FAMILY A QUICKER ROUTE FOR US WAS TO GO WITH THE DODGE POP TOP SPORTVAN. I'M LISTING THIS VAN AT A TRUE NO RESERVE AUCTION IN HOPES IT WILL GO TO SOMEONE THAT HOPEFULLY SEE'S THIS VAN AS I AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER DID. IT IS DOUBTFUL I WILL GET BACK WHAT I PAID, BUT I PURCHASED THIS VAN WITH MY HEART WITH DREAMS AND IDEAS WERE FLOODING MY BRAIN BEFORE I EVEN HAD MY HANDS ON IT, BUT WITH LIFE CHANGES AND DIFFERENT ROADS WE TAKE IT SOMETIMES IS ABOUT FINDING SOME OF THESE CLASSICS AND PROJECT RIGS THE RIGHT HOME, SOPLEASE CHECK OUT THE 125 DETAILED PICS AND ALL THE VIDEOS! AS YOU CAN TELL BY OUR NAME OR OUR PAST AUCTIONS YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THAT WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE HUNT FOR ODD BALLS, CLEAN CLASSIC ORIGINAL SURVIVORS AND CLASSIC TRUCKS, SO THIS VAN BEING THE PERFECT COMBO OFF ALL I HAD TO HAVE IT. THAT OF COURSE IS ALSO MY DOWN FALL AND SOMETIMES I GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED IN VEHICLES IN WHAT THEY CAN BE WITH A LITTLE WORK AND JUST WANT TO BREATHE THAT NEW LIFE INTO THEM, BUT IT ALSO CAN OFTEN BE CALLED A PROBLEM OR HORDING :) SO WITH FUTURE PLANS ON LARGER PERSONAL PROJECTS I'VE REALIZED I HAVE TO THIN THE HERD ON MY STASH OF SOME VEHICLES AND RESTORATION PROJECT TRUCKS, SO YOU MAY SEE A FEW GREAT CANDIDATES FILTER OUT HERE IN THERE IN THE HIGHBOY, C10 AND IH SCOUT DEPARTMENT (MY THREE SOFT SPOTS) WITH THAT SAID THIS CAMPER WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK CAN HONESTLY BE LEFT ASCETICALLY AS-IS AND DRIVEN FOR YEARS AND YEARS JUST AS IT HAS, BUT I COULDN'T IMAGINE A MORE HONEST OR DESERVING CANDIDATE FOR A PARTIAL SYMPATHETIC RESTORATION TO A FULL FRAME OFF BUILD AS IT IS A TRUE ORIGINAL AND ICONIC 70'S CLASSIC!!! THIS VAN IS FROM AN ERA WHEN LIFE WAS TRULY DIFFERENT AND MANY OF US RESPECT AND LOOK BACK IN FONDNESS. THIS VAN ONLY HAS S 5 DIGIT ODOMETER THAT SHOWS 14,317 AND ROLLS OVER AT 100K, SO I ASSUMED IT ROLLED ONCE MAKING IT 114,317. IT IS EXEMPT AND WILL SAY THAT ON THE PURCHASE ORDER. THIS VAN CAME WITH 318 V8, AUTOMATIC, POWER DISC BRAKES UP FRONT AND POWER STEERING. THE MOTOR RUNS GREAT AND PULLS STRONG WITH GREAT POWER, BUT DOES SMOKE SOMETIMES AT IDLE WHEN WARM OR IF YOU ACCELERATE HEAVILY, SO PLEASE REAR FURTHER AND WATCH THE VIDEOS TO GET THE BEST IDEA OF THIS BEAUTY.BODY- THIS IS A SOLID, STRAIGHT AND 100% RUST FREE OLD DODGE. THIS TRUCK HAS THE LOOK AND PATINA OF A 30-40 YEAR OLD ORIGINAL PAINT TRUCK WITH MILD WEAR AND TEAR OF CHIPS AND SCRATCHES THROUGHOUT THE BODY, BUT NO ACCIDENTS OR DENTS AND IT HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL SHEET METAL. THIS VAN STILL HAS THE SAME 1975 PAINT JOB IT DID WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED 42 YEARS AGO, BUT IT IS THE SECOND PAINT JOB THE VAN HAS HAD SINCE THE RV @ VAN COMPANY THAT DOES THESE CONVERSIONS OBVIOUSLY DOES MODIFICATIONS INCLUDING CUTTING THE ROOF OFF FOR THE HIGH TOP AND REPAINT THEM THE ORIGINAL COLOR WITH THE GRAPHICS IT HAS NOW. THE PAINT STILL HAS A NICE PRESENTATION AND LOOK WITH WEAR, BUT TO ME THE BODY AND PAINT IS THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS TRUCK BECAUSE YOU REALLY CAN'T HIDE ANY ISSUES, IT SIMPLY SHOWS YOU WHAT IT HAS BEEN THROUGH AND IF IT HAS ANY NEEDS OR NOT. THE PAINT IS FADED, BUT I HIT A LITTLE AREA WHEN I GOT IT WITH SOME COMPOUND AND WAS AND THIS OLD LAQUER PAINT STILL HAS SOME SHINE LEFT IN IT IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME. THERE IS A FEW SMALL AREAS THE PAINT HAS BEEN SCUFFED OR SCRATCHED DOWN TO THE ORIGINAL ORANGE PAINT THAT LOOKS A LITTLE BRIGHTER IN THOSE AREAS BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN EXPOSED AS LONG AS THE REST OF THE PAINT. THE DRIVER FENDER HAS A FEW LARGER AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN SCUFFED UP, THE DRIVER DOOR EDGE IS SLIGHTLY BENT IN A LITTLE NEAR THE LOCK AND JUST AFTER THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE THE BOTTOM OF THE QUARTER PANEL SEEMS TO HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH SOMETHING IN THE PAST. I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THIS VAN AND IT HAS ZERO RUST OR RUST STARTING. THE FRONT DOOR, SIDE AND REAR BARN DOORS DOORS ALL OPEN AND SHUT NICE AND TIGHT WITH NO SAG IN THE HINGES AND ALL LOCK EASILY. ALL GLASS IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND I BELIEVE IS ORIGINAL WITH SOME AGING AND DRY CRACKS IN THE SURROUNDING RUBBERS. IT HAS TIGHT AND LOCKING FLY WINDOWS, SIDE WINDOWS ROLL UP AND DOWN SMOOTHLY, DOORS LOCK EASILY WITH THE KEY OR BY HAND INSIDE. IN THE DAY THIS VAN WAS FULLY OPTIONED FROM THE FACTORY WITH CUSTOM DELUXE EXTERIOR TRIM PKG WITH FULL CHROME EXTERIOR TRIM. THE GRILLE IS IN AMAZING SHAP, ALL LIGHTS WORKS, ALL LENSES ARE INTACT WITH NO MAJOR DAMAGE, BUT DO HAVE SOME FADING AND SOME HAVE SMALL DRY CRACKS. THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS PRESENT WELL, BUT DO SHOW AGE WITH SOME AGE AND SLIGHT FOGGING OF THE CHROME. THE ORIGINAL AND HARD TO FIND WHEELS AND CAPS ARE IN NICE SHAPE WITH OLDER TIRES, BUT DON'T HAVE DRY CRACKS AND ARE PRETTY SMOOTH. THE OUTSIDE SHOWS 40 YEARS OF AGE, USE AND LOVE WITH SOME SMALL SCRATCHES AND CHIPS THROUGHOUT THE BODY, BUT OVERALL THIS IS A KILLER VAN WITH A ICONIC 70'S LOOK THAT IS RARELY SEEN NOT ONLY ON THE ROADS TODAY, BUT ALSO AT CAMPSITES. THIS DODGE TRADESMAN SHOWS USE, AGE AND WEAR OF THE YEARS, BUT ALSO STILL SHOWS THE LOVE IT RECEIVED TO KEEP IT THIS INTACT AND CORRECT FOR OVER 4 DECADES. INTERIOR- INSIDE IT IS ALL ORIGINAL AND BESIDES THE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED OUT IT IS FULLY 70'S IN THE FLESH! FULL CUSTOM SHAG CARPET FROM FRONT TO BACK AND WOOD INTERIOR PANELING, 360 ROTATING PLAID CAPTAIN STYLE CHAIRS UP FRONT! ALL GAUGES WORK, THE DASH HAS SOME PAINT CHIPPING ON THE TOP WITH SOME SOFT DINGS ON RIGHT SIDE, THE SEATS ARE IN IMPRESSIVE SHAPE, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE HAS SOME TEARS IN THE PLAID AREA AND BOTH SIDES THE MATERIAL IS STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE DRY. THE STEERING COLUMN IS NICE AND TIGHT FREE OF ANY WOBBLE OR BUSHING DAMAGE AND HAS A GREAT LOOKING STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS NICE AND INTACT DOOR PANELS THAT SHOW SOME SMALL AGING AND FADING, THE CARPET SHOWS AGE WITH WEAR, STAINS AND SUN FADING.THE INTERIOR COULD USE WORK AS THE STEREO DOES NOT POWER UP ANY LONGER, THE SUN VISORS ARE A LITTLE STIFF TO MOVE, ALL THE WOOD PANELING INSIDE AND RELATED TRIM PIECES ARE AGED AND COULD USE RESTORATION WORK OR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THIS VAN DOES NOT LEAK WATER INSIDE AND WAS ALWAYS STORED INSIDE UNTIL WE GOT IT AND IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE HAVE DECIDED TO PASS THIS TRUCK ON BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT DETERIORATE DURING OUR OWNERSHIP, DASH AND DOME LIGHT WORK AND THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR WORKS, BUT THE WIPERS DO NOT TURN ON. OVERALL THIS INTERIOR LOOKS GREAT IN THE FRONT DRIVER / PASSENGER AREA AND COULD TLC IN THE BACK, BUT STILL LOOKS GOOD FOR IT'S AGE AND IS IMPRESSIVE IT IS AT LEAST COMPLETE AS IT IS. MECHANICAL- THIS OLD VAN ALWAYS FIRES RIGHT UP NO MATTER HOW LONG IT SITS WITH NO BATTERY DRAW AND A PROPER WORKING ELECTRIC CHOKE. THIS VAN DRIVES DOWN THE ROAD GOOD, SHIFTS THROUGH ALL 3 GEARS NICELY, NO SLIP IN REVERS AND HAS A PROPERLY WORKING AND ADJUSTED THROTTLE KICK-DOWN. THE POWER STEERING IS QUICK RATION STEERING BOX THAT MAKES FOR FUN AND VERY EASY DRIVING AND HAS JUST A TINY BIT OF FREE PLAY IN THE WHEEL. THIS VAN HAS CLEAN OIL, TRANSMISSION FLUID, ANTIFREEZE AND BLAKE FLUID. THERE IS NO COOLING ISSUES AND THE BRAKES STOP SMOOTH AND STRAIGHT WITH NICE PRESSURE. IT HAS THE ORIGINAL 318 V8 THAT IDLES VERY QUIET AND SMOOTH, HAS PLENTY OF POWER AND PULLS STRONG, BUT IT IS A LITTLE UGLY WITH OLD SEALS AND GREASE STACKED ON IT AND IT DOES SMOKE AT TIMES. THE MORE YOU DRIVE IT THE LESS IT SMOKES, SO IF YOU DRIVE IT REGULARLY IT'S NOT AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. IT IS MOSTLY NOTICEABLE UNDER HEAVY THROTTLE OR WHEN SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AT IDLE, BUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR LOW TO MEDIUM THROTTLE IT'S NOT EVEN NOTICEABLE. THE TRANS SHIFTS GREAT, THE REAR-END AND ALL OTHER BIG MECHANICAL ITEMS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. YOU CAN FEEL THIS IS A HEAVY AND TALL VAN WHEN YOU DIVE INTO CORNERS, SO A FRESH SET OF HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS WOULD HELP. THIS TRUCK DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY BIG FLUID LEAKS AND THERE ARE NO EXHAUST LEAKS SO, ANY OF THE SMOKING GOES RIGHT OUT THE TAIL PIPE AND YOU DO NOT SMELL THAT OIL BURNING SMELL INSIDE EVEN AT IDLE. THIS ACTUALLY IS A DEPENDABLE RUNNING AND DRIVING VAN THAT DOES NOT STUMBLE, SHAKE, WOBBLE, MAKE NOISES, OVER HEAT OR LOAD UP.IF YOU HAVE NOT EVER OWNED OR DRIVEN A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO SIMPLY LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MODERN INVENTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED SINCE THIS TRUCK WAS BORN AND HOW FAR OTHER ITEMS HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES AND KEEP IN MIND NEW VEHICLES HAVE THE BOXES TO CHECK FOR COMFORT OPTIONS LIKE LEATHER, HEATED SEATS, NAVIGATION ETC AND VEHICLES OF THIS ERA LOADED MEANT GETTING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, A BASIC AM STEREO AND A SPARE TIRE :) THIS MAY HELP TO AIM YOUR EXPECTATIONS ON OWNING A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. The older the car, the harder it is to define the condition of the vehicle.Most of our vehicles are specialty vehicles or are 15+ years old, and usually trucks. Because of this, it is very difficult to describe each vehicle to everyone’s satisfaction. Based on the bidder's personal experience, some bidders will be overly pleased with my description and pictures, and others may feel that I fell short. I post these auctions based on how I want to see auctions when I’m buying, keeping in mind what I look for, and I try to put your eye's to what I can see and touch. Please help me by asking all questions and letting me know if other pictures are wanted. If you do not see a pic or description of a item or a area on the truck please do not assume anything and ask me about the specifics your a needing or for more pics and i will post every question asked by members so all potential bidders can see. Every car is available for inspection and i personally drive each vehicle before listing it and If anything does not work properly I will let you know. Of course I am only human and these are mechanical creatures and these are used vehicles, so please keep this in mind when bidding.