What retro van to get for the large family?

[christiandk]

Hi guys,

Old Porsche guy here. 3 kids, dog and wife. The Bimmer e39 is getting small. We live in Copenhagen so new Volkswagens, Citroens and Audis are the norm. I want old school. Not much to choose from there in euro cars. My late uncle had an 80s Astro. Awesome car.

I am seeing myself in something like this. Any other ideas?

[id10t]

Old VW microbus

[1990C4S]

I can't think of any that I would want to drive (or pay for fuel consumption).

But the old GMC/Chevy full sized vans with a 350 V8 were reliable vehicles. We had a couple where I worked years ago. Rock solid, but no 'fun'.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by id10t

Old VW microbus

Far to pricey and impractical. I am talking us vans.

[MRM]

I think the older full sized vans had very poor safety records. If I recall correctly, they didn't have to pass the same tests as cars. You might want to look into whether they are safe enough by today's standards to put your family in one. Just because they are big and built on a truck frame doesn't make them safe. Just something to think about.

[wdfifteen]

You're seeing yourself in an ambulance?

Given your location you might consider a Mercedes Sprinter diesel.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

You're seeing yourself in an ambulance?



Given your location you might consider a Mercedes Sprinter diesel.

That isn't just any ambulance, that is the Cannonball Run ambulance

[Otter74]

A 70s or 80s US van isn't going to be much safer than a VW van, but a Chevy or Ford conversion van will give you loads of American style, reasonable (for what it is) fuel consumption, reasonable reliability and if you get one from the 90s, front airbags.

[911boost]

[KFC911]

Had a Dodge Ram250 Conversion van for many years....served me and my former girl well as we traveled around the southeast with our favorite hippie jam band leading the way...lots of music festivals, etc.

"If this van is a rockin'...."

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by KC911

Had a Dodge Ram250 Conversion van for many years....served me and my former girl well as we traveled around the southeast with our favorite hippie jam band leading the way...lots of music festivals, etc.

"If this van is a rockin'...."

Thats awesome man

Is the Dodge on my pic a Ram250.

Thanks for the comments all - keep em coming!

[VincentVega]

A team or Scooby doo, the only options in my book.

[Racerbvd]

Are you looking to import from the states??
https://staugustine.craigslist.org/cto/d/ford-e350-extended-73-idi-4x4/6357799956.html

Ford e350 extended 7.3 idi 4x4 - $16000 (St Augustine) hide this posting
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© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap
(google map)

1992 ford e350 van extended
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: 4wd
fuel: diesel
odometer: 187000
paint color: grey
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Ford E350 extended version 4x4 7.3 idi

Year 1992
187k original miles
4x4 conversion was done in mid 90s they put the Vans body on top of a 1993 Ford F350 extended bed. 4 wheel drive works great. Locking hubs.
Starts right up every day...my current daily driver.
Has new tires, alternator, batteries, glow plugs, injectors, fuel lines, lift pump.. and a few more other things too.

With all that said...i still needs a little TCL

Just don't need it anymore

Taking all serious offers

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-ford-conversion-van/6345976076.html

1999 FORD CONVERSION VAN - $4500 (CHIEFLAND) hide this posting
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1999 FORD E-150
VIN: 1FDRE14L9XHB57357
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 152700
paint color: white
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: van
Hi Conversion Van Ford E-150 series. Very good running condition. A/C good. Tires replaced and good. Well maintained brakes and radiator, belts replaced. Interior is grey and black. Leather seats 4 captain and rear seat that folds down to a bed. Has cloth shades on windows in rear of driver seat.
Used as a camper has 1000 watt inverter, microwave, electric cooler, tv, rear A/C 110.
Rear towing hitch.
Has bagged Awning in excellent condition.

[ckissick]

Is a vanagon not retro enough?

[vash]

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/1969-chevrolet-g20-van-full/6334797515.html

apparently the reverse gear lever is behind the seat!! retro+!!

[Eric 951]

We had a 1980 Chevrolet C20 conversion van done up by Cozy Craft--carpeting, rear bench coverts to bed, removable tables, captains chairs in the middle large side bay windows on sides with curtains, faux stained glass overhead lights, dry bar/cabinet, padded front fridge, sink--that thing had over 160K when we got rid of it-it travelled all over the US. Roomy, reliable, terrible gas mileage, but it was a really good vehicle.

You can find good deals on the full-size conversion vans from any of the big three.

[nota]

are THE FWD VW's still cheap ?
the audi 5 cyl motors ones

replace with an audi turbo5 and 4WD

I had an old vw van slow but able to break major bits somehow quite regularly
why anyone pays big money for them is a mystery

[Won]

Do you have "American Vans and Campers" dealers around DK? Seems to be a number of them around here. I can see the appeal, in a weird "exotic" sense when cars cross the pond (that works both ways). Even for the Astro van you mention. As far as vans go, I always thought it was quite a sad one at that. But there is this one parked at my work and it actually looks pretty good.



I had a Chevy G20 van once. It was a good incognito vehicle while living in the Canadian prairies. Single carb, 5.7L of V8 glory. Not sure if I could afford almost 20L/100km fuel economy anywhere in Europe though... Would love a VW T5/6 here

[onewhippedpuppy]

This should do.

Seriously though, conversion vans are awesome. As a child of the '80s I was always jealous of my friends with the vans that had curtains, captain's chairs, and a VCR.

[KFC911]

My CV had the raised roof, bench seat/bed running long ways.....cabinets above, VCR, TV, sink, portable toilet, captain's chairs, blinds, etc. It was set up for camping (with a female) when I bought it. Had most of the stuff removed in the back except the seat/bed and overhead cabinets....gave my yellow lab more room to roam .....fun times we had!