Date: circa 1980s
Location: Paris, France
Source: David Hermansen, via Ball State University Digital Media Repository
What do you see here?
Today’s find brings us back to the days of big hair, roadies and rock and roll, but with a bit of modern flair. This dual axle custom van has been displayed at the Museum of Automotive Icons, Inc. for the last four years, but it’s time for it to hit the road, so the museum can make room for new additions.
“This custom-built 1980 Dodge B-series van is the epitome of artistic flair,” the curator of the Museum of Automotive Icons, Inc. states. “It’s airbrushed medieval-fantasy-themed exterior sets it apart from others, and the interior is just as outrageous with a full-length bar, numerous insulated ice bins, richly textured bench seats that line the entire driver’s side and rear of the van, dual flatscreen TVs, dual air conditioning units, and LED and fiber optic lighting. Its massive sound system rounds out the multimedia functions, making this Dodge the ultimate party machine.”
The majestic mural set above sparkling chrome side pipes is what custom van dreams are made of. Fully armored knights, horses, castles, wizards, and mysterious orbs surrounded by billowing fiery clouds create a powerful fantasy land that is a beacon for attention. The overall condition of the paint is reported to be in excellent condition, with some minor scratches and paint chips on the lower rocker areas.
According to the listing, the odometer shows just 3,262 miles. It has only been driven 15 miles since in the museum’s possession. The 360-ci V-8 appears to be the original engine, though that has not been confirmed. Minor modifications include an aluminum intake manifold, headers, and, of course, those sweet side-pipes. The seller states that the van runs, drives and shifts smoothly through all the gears as it should, as shown in the below video.
1980 Dodge Custom Van
The luxurious, party-ready interior is fully functional, including color changing fiber-optic lights, working sunroof and power windows, dual flat screen TVs, dual air conditioning units, and massive sound system. The full-length bar holds insulated ice bins to keep the party going.
Who will be the next to own this club VIP room on wheels? Click this link for more details and photos.
This 1935 Buick Series 60 Model 68 Victoria is a two-door coupe that was refurbished and modified following its acquisition by the seller around seven years ago. Finished in metallic red over tan and brown upholstery, the car is powered by an overbored 455ci Buick V8 mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission and a 12-bolt rear end with a limited-slip differential. Additional features include power-assisted front disc brakes, power steering, Nova-spec front suspension, power-adjustable front seats, air conditioning, front driving lamps, and widened body-color steel wheels with chrome hubcaps. This modified Buick is being offered with a removable rear luggage rack, manufacturer’s literature, and a clean North Carolina title in the seller’s name.
Finished from the factory in Saint Regis Green (353), the body was fitted with a ridged roof panel that was reportedly sourced from a later-model station wagon and welded in place prior to a repaint in metallic red. The seller notes that the car has been fitted with a reproduction Goddess of Speed hood ornament. Exterior details include dual Trippe Speedlight driving lamps, a rear tire cover, chrome headlight buckets, 455 badging, and chrome horns with body-color accents. The windshield wipers are said to be inoperable, along with one of the parking lights. The seller notes exposed screw holes on the passenger-side door. A body-color removable rear luggage rack is included in the sale and can be seen in the gallery below.
Body-color 15” widened steel wheels with blue pinstripes and chrome hubcaps are mounted with 225/70 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires. Braking is through power-assisted front discs and rear drums, and the car rides on Chevrolet Nova-spec front suspension with a 1” dropped front axle.
The cabin houses aftermarket power-adjustable front seats and a rear bench that are upholstered in tan leather with brown leather inserts. Lighter tan upholstery covers the door panels and kick panels, and the floors are lined with dark brown carpets. Woodgrain trim is found throughout the cabin, and amenities include lap belts for front occupants, a Vintage Air air conditioning and heater system, power steering, an analog clock, engine-turned accents on the dash, and a hidden Panasonic AM/FM stereo wired to aftermarket speakers. Note that a mark present on the passenger’s kick panel has since been removed.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel sits ahead of an engine-turned instrument panel housing a Classic Instruments 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The six-digit odometer shows approximately 30 miles, though total mileage is unknown.
The 455ci Buick V8 reportedly dates to 1973 and is said to have been rebuilt, bored .030″ over, and fitted with an upgraded camshaft prior to its installation during the build. Additional features include a Quadrajet carburetor, a Magnaflow dual exhaust system, an aluminum radiator with an electric fan, and Buick-branded valve covers.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R four-speed automatic transmission and a 12-bolt 8.5” rear end housing a limited-slip differential with 3.55:1 gearing. Additional underbody photos are provided in the gallery below.
The car is titled using the Virginia Assigned Identification Number shown above.
This 1932-style Ford three-window coupe was built under previous ownership with Redneck Street Rods fiberglass bodywork finished in Electric Blue Pearl over gray leather upholstery and is powered by an Edelbrock Performer RPM E-Tec 350ci V8 crate engine mated to a 200-4R four-speed automatic transmission. Features include a Pete & Jakes chassis, a drilled I-beam front axle, Super Bell finned backing plates, coilover rear suspension, a Winter’s polished rear axle housing, Wilwood disc brakes, Vintage Air climate control, an Ididit steering column, cruise control, power windows, a concealed Bluetooth-capable receiver, and Classic Instruments gauges. The car was acquired by the seller in 2019, and subsequent work consisted of rebuilding the transmission. This Ford coupe is now offered with a clean Iowa title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1932 Ford Coupe.
The fiberglass coupe body is said to have been sourced from Redneck Street Rods and is finished in Electric Blue Pearl. Features include a louvered hood, white side molding striping, exposed hinges, reverse-opening doors, electric wipers, partial front and full rear fenders, polished grille and windshield moldings, and dual mirrors. There are rock chips on the rear fenders, and scuff marks in the door jambs.
The staggered Bonneville-style wheels wear spinner center caps and are mounted with Nankang tires up front and Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires out back. The car is fitted with a Pete & Jakes chassis, a drilled I-beam front axle, Super Bell finned backing plates, and a coilover rear suspension. Braking is provided by Wilwood discs at all four corners.
The cabin features a bench seat upholstered in gray leather joined by a color-coordinated headliner, door panels, and carpets. Equipment includes Vintage Air climate control, a Lokar shifter, a Ron Francis wiring harness, cruise control, power windows, and a concealed Bluetooth-capable receiver. The fuel tank and filler are mounted in the trunk.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel has a V8-branded horn button and is mounted to a tilt Ididit steering column. Center-mounted instrumentation consists of a Classic Instruments 140-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and battery voltage. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 11k miles, approximately 2,600 of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The Edelbrock Performer RPM E-Tec 350ci V8 crate engine was installed under previous ownership and features a Demon four-barrel carburetor, an MSD electronic ignition system, Sanderson block-hugger headers, and an aluminum radiator with an electric fan.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 200-4R four-speed automatic transmission and a polished Winter’s rear axle center section with 3.70:1 gears. The chassis, rear axle, and suspension components were painted to match the body. The transmission was rebuilt in March 2022 with upgraded components.
The car has been assigned identification number DRMVB0000158424MO by the state of Missouri, which aligns with the VIN listed on the Iowa title.
This 1940 Mercury Eight coupe was acquired by John D’Agostino in the 1980s and modified by Bill Reasoner’s Classic Auto Body of Walnut Creek, California. The body was chopped, nosed, decked, and shaved as part of the build in addition to installation of a Mustang II-sourced front suspension and rear air shocks. Dubbed “Stardust,” the car is powered by a replacement overbored 255ci flathead V8 that features an Offenhauser intake manifold and cylinder heads as well as three Stromberg carburetors. Additional equipment includes a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, a brass radiator, a dual exhaust system, Appleton spotlights, rear fender skirts, and 15″ steel wheels with Cadillac-branded “sombrero” covers. The car was acquired by the current owner in 2007 and subsequently refurbished with work involving repainting the body, reupholstering the interior, and rebuilding the engine. This custom Mercury Eight is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner with refurbishment photos and a clean California title in the name of the owner’s trust.
Body modifications performed as part of the aforementioned 1980s build are said to have included chopping the roof five inches up front and six inches out back as well as installing an oval rear window sourced from a 1941 Mercury. The hood and trunk were nosed and decked, the door handles and hinges were shaved, the doors were rounded, and smoothed running boards were molded into the body as well as the modified fenders. According to the seller, the car was disassembled by Roy Brizio Street Rods of San Francisco, California, and repainted in its current Black Cherry finish by Vintage Color Studio of Concord, California, following the current owner’s acquisition in 2007. Further custom touches include Appleton spotlights, Buick-sourced rear fender skirts, and Ford-sourced chrome bumpers with overriders up front as well as integrated taillights out back.
Steel 15″ wheels wear Cadillac “sombrero” wheel covers and are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown wide-whitewall tires. The car features a Mustang II front suspension with power rack-and-pinion steering and front disc brakes. Air shocks are installed out back and connected to an onboard compressor. The suspension was reportedly overhauled as part of the refurbishment performed under current ownership.
The interior is said to have been reupholstered by the Sid Chavers Company of San Marcos, California, and features two rows of bench seating trimmed in maroon and cream leather that extends to the headliner and door panels. The car features a column-mounted shifter, and additional details include lap belts, red carpets, and a clock mounted within the glovebox door.
A custom-made translucent red steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames a horizontal-sweep 110-mph speedometer along with auxiliary gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and battery level. The five-digit odometer shows 48 miles, and total mileage is unknown.
The replacement flathead V8 is said to have been sourced from a 1948 Ford and overbored to displace 255ci as part of the modifications completed in the 1980s. The engine was subsequently rebuilt in 2007 by Roy Brizio Street Rods, according to the seller. Additional parts and components include an Offenhauser intake manifold and 24-stud cylinder heads as well as three Stromberg carburetors and a brass radiator.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end. The transmission was reportedly rebuilt in 2007, and the car features a dual exhaust system with headers.
A collection of photos documenting the refurbishment work completed under current ownership are presented in the gallery.
The seller is unable to locate the chassis number on the vehicle itself, but the VIN on the title—99A175918—is consistent with that of a 1940 Mercury Eight coupe.
Date: circa early 1980s
Location: Muncie, Indiana
Source: Marie Fraser, via Ball State University Digital Media Repository
What do you see here?
Photo by Marie Fraser
Over at the Journal, we’ve had a lot of discussion recently about the difference between Continentals and Lincoln Continentals. In honor of this 1956 Continental Mark II (not a Lincoln) sold on AutoHunter this week, we want to share the AutoHunter Cinema Interesting Find featuring the open-air enjoyment of a 1958 Continental Mark III by Lincoln. The short-lived Continental brand was axed when it was decided to discontinue the $10,000 1957 Continental Mark II, with the redesigned 1958 Continental Mark III now being under Lincoln’s tutelage and selling for $4,000 less. This particular Mark III is powered by a 430ci V8 producing 350 horsepower paired to a Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic.
Over at the Journal, we’ve had a lot of discussion recently about the difference between Continentals and Lincoln Continentals. In honor of this 1956 Continental Mark II (not a Lincoln) sold on AutoHunter this week, we want to share the AutoHunter Cinema Interesting Find featuring the open-air enjoyment of a 1958 Continental Mark III by Lincoln. The short-lived Continental brand was axed when it was decided to discontinue the $10,000 1957 Continental Mark II, with the redesigned 1958 Continental Mark III now being under Lincoln’s tutelage and selling for $4,000 less. This particular Mark III is powered by a 430ci V8 producing 350 horsepower paired to a Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO tribute.
“According to the selling dealer, this Camaro was originally a base V8 car with front and rear spoilers and was repainted Hugger Orange and given a ceramic treatment as part of a restoration,” the listing states. “Appointments include chrome bumpers, dual mirrors, rocker moldings, and a 2.5-inch Flowmaster exhaust system with dual outlets at the rear.”
It rides on color-matched 15-inch steel wheels with chrome bowtie-branded center caps and Goodyear F70 raised-white-letter wide-tread tires.
This Camaro’s front bucket seats and rear bench seat are reupholstered in houndstooth cloth and black vinyl. The interior features a COPO-correct air-delete dashboard, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, lap belts, and a radio.
Power is provided by an L72 427ci V8 engine with a 512 block that was bored .030 over. The engine has new heads, a new intake, a 780-cfm Holley carburetor, and ceramic-coated headers. A Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 gearing sends power to the rear wheels.
The sale includes a clear title, owner’s manual, and a binder of build documentation. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 2,632 miles, but the true mileage on the chassis is unknown.
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO tribute’s auction ends on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO tribute.
“According to the selling dealer, this Camaro was originally a base V8 car with front and rear spoilers and was repainted Hugger Orange and given a ceramic treatment as part of a restoration,” the listing states. “Appointments include chrome bumpers, dual mirrors, rocker moldings, and a 2.5-inch Flowmaster exhaust system with dual outlets at the rear.”
It rides on color-matched 15-inch steel wheels with chrome bowtie-branded center caps and Goodyear F70 raised-white-letter wide-tread tires.
This Camaro’s front bucket seats and rear bench seat are reupholstered in houndstooth cloth and black vinyl. The interior features a COPO-correct air-delete dashboard, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, lap belts, and a radio.
Power is provided by an L72 427ci V8 engine with a 512 block that was bored .030 over. The engine has new heads, a new intake, a 780-cfm Holley carburetor, and ceramic-coated headers. A Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 gearing sends power to the rear wheels.
The sale includes a clear title, owner’s manual, and a binder of build documentation. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 2,632 miles, but the true mileage on the chassis is unknown.
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO tribute’s auction ends on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery