Jalopnik: Van

1988 Mitsubishi L300

Murilee Martin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EDT

You still see a few of the mid-engined 80s Toyota vans around, but when was the last time you saw a Mitsubishi van of that era? Very few of these things were sold in North America back in the day; in fact, I can't even figure out what Mitsubishi called this vehicle here; was it marketed as the plain ol' Mitsubishi Van? Van Wagon? In any case, the 1988 Mitsubishi van is one seriously rare machine, and so it has earned its place in DOTS Truck Monday.

Looks like this van wasn't actually sold in North America, according to the Guamanian dealership emblem. Back when the Alameda Naval Air Station was in full effect, you used to see plenty of license plates from Hawaii and a few from Guam in town, as the Navy would transport sailors' vehicles when they got transferred from base to base. Most likely this Mitsu was originally brought to Alameda in that fashion.

It sure looks a lot like the Toyota Van Wagon, doesn't it?

I believe this van is powered by Mitsubishi's 4G64 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but information on this boxy little beast is sparse indeed. Looks like it's possible to get a few extra ponies out of them...

Who Needs A Big SUV? Dodge A100-Based Balboa Camper

Murilee Martin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

This Daytona Beach resident doesn't roll around in an insatiably thirsty monster SUV, yet still gets vast amounts of interior space and the reliability only the Mopar Slant Six can provide. Sure, it's probably a bit on the underpowered side, and that Florida rain probably comes in through the inevitable fiberglass cracks, but who the hell cares? Just look at this fine motor vehicle! Thanks to LongRoofFan for sending in the photos.

Just a regular old car/truck crazy guy. I spotted the attached Balboa in Daytona Beach today, parked on the street, outside a condo complex.I thought you would enjoy these.

VW Caddy Carrera Cup Edition: A Diesel Porsche Van?

Mark Arnold — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT

When is a Carrera not a Porsche? When it's this VW Caddy Van Carrera Cup Edition, a special model evidently designed to be either a support vehicle for Porsche gentlemen racers, or a wanna-be racer for European handymen. We're not exactly sure if this has anything to do with Porsche and VW's on-again, off-again relationship, but the Caddy panel van has been decked out just like a 911 GT3 RS. Though you can only buy it in the land of meatballs, gummy fish and strangely hypnotic chefs — Sweden. So what goods does this track day van pack under the hood?

Powering the V-Dub Carrera van is the 140 HP 2.0-liter turbo-diesel. That's good for 0-to-60 in 10.6 seconds. We're not sure if that makes it technically the first diesel Porsche or not. Probably there's rules on that like you have to have an actual Porsche badge on the vehicle and it had to have been built by the German automaker that now pretty much owns this one. Whatever. Those are like technicalities. Either way, we'd be more than happy to run errands with this thing. [Bil.feber via CarScoop]

Chery Making Out-Of-Scale Kei Vans?

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:40:00 EDT

We just came across a set of new spy shots of what appears to be an as-of-yet-unknown new Chery van which to us looks a whole lot like a plus-size kei-type van. Aside from noting the dude smoking a cigarette in the drivers seat and — is that toilet paper on the dash? Whatever, we've got nothing on this one. As you may already know, we kind of dig the style of kei cars but the size? Eh, not so much. Maybe this is a nice compromise. Looks fairly roomy to us and probably seats something like seven passengers. Heck, maybe there's a porta-potty on board. And there ya go, that would explain the tissue, wouldn't it?

[ChinaCarTimes]

Wheelchair Uses Lasers To Automatically Dock In Van

Travis Hudson — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Lehigh University are developing a way to make it easier for wheelchair-bound individuals to dock a wheelchair in the back of a minivan. The system utilizes lasers and radio frequency technology to automatically guide a wheelchair onto the forklift-style platform that is in the rear of the van. This is similar to how the spacecraft Jules Verne docked with the International Space Station or how my Roomba robotic vacuum will automatically dock with its charging cradle.

The researchers integrated this system into a Chrysler minivan and it has proved to be successful 97 percent of the time including in difficult situations like on gravel and in the rain. [New Scientist]

The Japanese Convert JDM Boxes Into American Iron

Mark Arnold — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Apparently, the custom van fad of the '70s never died in Japan. But what if you want all the style of a vintage American full-size, but you need the efficiency and small size of a Japanese econobox? Well, do what these guys did, and convert the front end to look just like a Dodge or Chevy Van. Auto-Otaku found these custom creations at the Japanese Mooneyes Street Car Nationals, a gathering of all kinds of American iron in the land of the rising sun. Besides the vans, there were also a couple JDM rides transformed into old Chevy Suburbans, as seen above. [via Auto-Otaku]

Forget The Spoiler: Your Van Needs Bat Wings!

Murilee Martin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:30:00 EDT

Yet more proof that nobody can outdo the Japanese when it comes to wild-ass vehicle modifications comes courtesy of this photo sent to us by reader Nathan. You got your Dekotoras, and now you got the BatVan! That means it's time for some Melt-Banana, so make the jump and crank up your speakers.

[Flickr]

Douglas DC-3 Converted to Phone-Toting Road Warrior

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

There are nooks and crannies of enthusiasm which make this perversion we have with cars seem quaint. One example among many is the collection of vintage phones, which up until recently we didn't know existed, much less that there were vintage telephone display and trade shows. Regardless, here exists a link which neatly stitches together that world and this one, a Douglas DC-3 which has been sliced and diced and dropped onto an unknown truck chassis, and then outfitted to carry old phone hardware around. Bizarre, yes, but also the bitchinest way to go vannin' ever. (h/t to Brett)

[Telephonetalk.com]

What's Your Favorite Van Of All Time?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Though we'll probably never have a "Maximum Van Day," yesterday's hard-living QOTD got us thinking about vans and vanning. Though the idea mostly died out in the 1970's in this country, the spirit of the van has lived on in Japan and in the hearts of anyone that owned a Supervan 2 matchbox car. Whether it's something small like the Mitsubishi Town Box, the gigantic and world-destroying A-Team GMC or Julie Nimoy's Silhouette, vans are rad.

Personally, we took a long trip in our grandfather's turquoise Ford Windstar around Texas that was a lot of fun (a seven passenger van easily fits 15, for the record). But that's not quite our style. We've been waiting for US import laws to change, and money to fall from the sky, so that we could buy our own Mitsubishi Delica Exceed from Japaoind and drive semi-off-road through the Hill Country with our cold ones chilling in the built-in minifridge. Dare to dream fellow Jalopniks.

1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette: Julie Nimoy's Space Vehicle

Murilee Martin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Remember the "Dustbuster" GM minivans? The Trans Sport? The Lumina APV? The Silhouette? Sure, it's only been a little over a decade since they stopped making the things, but just about every last one has disappeared. They can't all have been crushed by now, so where did they go? Into space, of course! Let's let the daughter of famous poet Leonard Nimoy 'splain how UFOs are really time machines!

1977 Dodge Tradesman Van Has Star Wars Mural, Geek Love

Travis Hudson — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EDT

This 1977 Dodge Tradesman200 van represents years' worth of lonely Saturday nights filled with geek-love and rightly so. It's adorned with a Star Wars mural fit for a Jedi. The van itself has seen some better days. This ladies-mobile has 100,000 miles on the V8 engine and the inside boasts a poorly-maintained lounging area and mini-bar.

As of posting time, the current bid is at $1,050 and the reserve has already been met. It's located in Akron, OH and can be a project car in no time—as long as you don't touch the paint job. [eBay via BBG]

Project Car Hell: Auto Union 1000 or Shorty Corvair Van?

Murilee Martin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EDT

In a rare upset, a French car actually lost a Choose Your Eternity challenge! Not only that, front-wheel-drive triumphed over a rear-engined machine. Yes, the Fiat 128 Rally beat the Simca 1000GL in our last Project Car Hell! Today we're going to look at a pair of vehicles that do interesting things with the concept of scale: a tiny German Thunderbird or a huge Seattle Hot Wheels car.

Anyone who doesn't like the idea of a 50-year-old front-wheel-drive German car that looks like a Thunderbird and gets its motive power from a three-cylinder two-stroker... well, you've come to the wrong website! And since the rest of you presumably want to walk the walk in addition to talking the talk, we've got just the project to fill that empty space in your garage and create an even emptier space in your wallet: this 1958 Auto Union 1000 SP, which is currently sitting at a nice friendly sub-$2500 price, with no reserve. This is one of the most complete 1000 SPs you're going to find in North America, but as the seller says: "There are likely many missing parts." But haven't you always wanted to take a parts-shopping trip to Germany? Travel tip: airport security personnel frown on brake drum and carburetors in your carry-on baggage. The engine doesn't run (of course), and there's rust, and the upholstery has "exploded" from sun damage, so you'll never run out of things to work on! Thanks to MadHungarian for the tip!

It's tough to out-cool an Auto Union, but a Corvair van with a 70s custom job might do the trick... especially if it's a chopped, shortened Corvair van like this one from 1963. And the price- why, it was only $366.01 at the time of this writing, and that's with no reserve! It's hard to tell from the photos, but this thing may be designed for the driver's head to protrude through the sunroof, Rat Fink style (which means it needs a 5' long gearshift lever for the full effect). Now, the same busybodies who bleat about games of Midnight Drunken Lawn Darts being unsafe will no doubt point their bony puritanical forefingers at this van and tell you that a vehicle with super-short wheelbase and a six-cylinder engine in the back is a deathtrap. Pay them no mind- what this van needs is more power, preferably courtesy of an engine that will make Corvair purists hate you even more than they hate R***h N***r! How about the hairest, most hyperboosted Subaru six possible? Before you can get to that point, however, you'll need to deal with the rust. Lots of rust. Then you'll need to get custom glass made, because it seems to lack a windshield and (probably) door glass. And, of course, you'll need to get the most bongtastic 70s black-light interior money can buy, for reasons too obvious to get into here.

Volkswagen T3 Retrofitted For Wilderness Espionage

Travis Hudson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EDT

You should think twice about your off-roading outdoors adventure vehicle, because it would seem that an old VW T3 is all you really need. This T3 has been outfitted with off-roading wheels (compared to the inflatable inner tubes on the stock T3), a safety-jacket orange paint job to distinguish the van from a bear for hunters and enough gadgets and gear to do damn near anything.

It's loaded with gadgets of all types including multiple computers, cameras everywhere, flat panel displays, DVD players, 600-watt surround sound system, GPS gear and more. The roof of the T3 has a couple solar panels to provide some juice alongside large supplemental batteries.
This T3's original lawnmower-esque engine has been updated with a 1.9-liter TDI. All of this hotness comes at a price, as well. This VW T3 van is valued at approximately $152,000. [AutoBild]

Wood Panel Van Liquor Cabinet: Why Not?

Travis Hudson — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:45:00 EST

Be prepared to confuse the hell out of guests because it's time to finally get an indoor wood-panel van, or at least a quarter of one. This Wood Panel Bar is a bar/liquor cabinet for lovers of the wood paneling. The liquor cabinet includes a classy drawer, hanging racks for various types of classes and an extending shelf. The back doors swing open like a real wood-panel van and the only downside is the lack of wheels. Click through to see another picture of the cabinet open.

The only way to make this wood paneled bar and liquor cabinet classier is to only store McCormicks and other bottom of the barrel liquors inside. Heck, it's beginning to remind me of my childhood, which was filled with cheap liquor and featured an ugly wood-paneled station wagon. This monstrosity is available for $2,850, which is more expensive than buying a real wood panel van and sawing the back off, but whatever. [Hometone]

Did a Ruthless Conspiracy Crush The Forward Control Jeep Van?

Murilee Martin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:15:00 EST

Why wasn't the Brooks Stevens-designed 1958 Forward Control Jeep ever mass-produced? Why? One glance at the prototype makes it obvious that it would have sold more than VW Transporters, Corvair Greenbriers, and Econolines put together! We can only assume that Powerful Forces conspired to keep total production to just the three that were built. Thanks to UDMan for the tip! [Hemmings Auto Blog]

1969 Ford Econoline, With Bonus Serial Killer Poll

Murilee Martin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST

In James Ellroy's novel, Killer On The Road, there were only two serious flaws: One, the serial-killer protagonist Martin Plunkett (yes, that's where my pseudonymous surname comes from, thanks to an editor at Virgin Books who knew I'd ripped off Ellroy's style for my NSFW novel) used a silencer on a revolver, which won't work. Two, his serial-killer van was a Dodge. Now, Dodge vans are great, but everyone knows the well-prepared serial killer always selects a windowless Econoline for those late-night trips to shallow gravesites in the desert or forest. And we've got a really scary one right here, perhaps even scarier than this '69 Econoline Super Van.

Perhaps in an effort to reduce this van's Perceived Menace Factor (PMF), the owner has applied some artsy touches here and there. You know, make the van look like it just hauls gentle artist and raver types to Nevada for Burning Man, where enlightened individuals ~~drop X, wave glow-sticks around, and get naked~~ work together to move the world towards a peaceful and creative future.

However, that effort to reduce PMF doesn't look so successful; this van parks pretty close to my house, and I cross the street to avoid getting too close to it when I'm walking by.

But for the purposes of DOTS I'm willing to take a chance and get close enough for a few photographs. The sacrifices I make for you, dear readers!

First 150 DOTS Cars

A V8 Dodge Van Is The Jalopnik Way To Make Apple Sauce

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST

We're not sure who the Musselman (or Mussellady) is that came up with the idea to take a V8-powered B-Series Dodge Cargo Van and turn it into a DIY apple saucer maker, but we tip our hats to them. Normally, when we see a windowless van and an old guy with a beard driving we make our girlfriend walk on the other side of us. This changes everything. We're going to hit the sauce and try and grasp the engineering work that went into attaching the drums to the wheels (looks like duct tape to us). (UPDATE: Apparently, this is from the TV Show Red Green, which is a bizarre Canadian export)[Make: Blog]

1936 Stout Scarab: The First Minivan?

Murilee Martin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST

Dull as minivans may seem (well, unless they run 12-second quarter miles, of course), they're pretty useful transportation appliances that do the job asked of them. Lots of folks give VW credit for making the first one, but the Gray Lady would like to point out that the Stout Scarab, a Ford V8-powered machine equipped with comfy furniture and aluminum bodywork, came first. Its builder, William Stout, also designed the aircraft that evolved into the Ford Trimotor... which is cool and all, but can't measure up to the achievement of Bill Lear, who is responsible for both the 8-track tape and the Learjet. <[New York Times]

Sell Your Soul To The Man, Drive A 1981 Vanagon

Murilee Martin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:15:00 EST

Say you were a Berkeley radical back in 1968- you know, high ideals, willing to lay down your life for The Cause, etc. Then, well, you got taken up on that high mountain and shown the fleshly kingdoms that lay before you, simply for the price of your soul. That's what happened with Jerry, an ex-radical who struck it rich in the house of Mammon. Jerry shed all the trappings of his old life, with the single exception of the Volkswagen bus... perhaps as a cynical reminder to himself of what might have been. Then, some camera-wielding freak from his past shows up when he's leaving work and blows it all to hell. Or something like that. In any case, it's hard to see how this ad could have moved any Transporters off the lots.

1969 Dodge A100 Van

Murilee Martin — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST

DOTS Truck Monday has worn enough of a groove in our routine to become sort of a tradition, but so far we've just seen pickups. What about vans? It's been half a year since we saw our last DOTS van, so this nice specimen of a forward-control Dodge fully deserves its day of glory.

This Tradesman is Job Rated! With a Slant Six ~~under the hood~~ next to the driver, you know this van really can get the job done.

I have a friend who drove one of these (which cost him $100) from Los Angeles to Guatemala and back, and the only problem he had was a sidewall puncture caused by a huge thorn. Surfers like these vans, too, because the engine cover makes a nice warm seat when you're all cold and wet.

The forward-control Econoline gets all the press, but I've always liked the A100 just as much. Looks like this van's owner uses it to haul motorcycles, if we are to judge by the stickers.

First 150 DOTS Cars

Detectives Can Fit More Evidence In A Mazda Bongo!

Murilee Martin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:45:00 EST

If you're the Japanese Sherlock Holmes, you don't want to have any of those boxes of confiscated cocaine get left behind at the station when you're heading out for a night on the town. That's why you need the 1978 Mazda Bongo Multivan- just roll right up and get those flatfoot coppers to pack the goods right in! We'd like this ad better if it had a macho announcer's voice, of course, but perhaps that's not appropriate for a Bongo.

What Would Noam Drive?

Murilee Martin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST

Why, a custom van, of course! And, man, the onion-like layers of conceptual heaviosity involved with this painting; since our commenters are a bunch of Wittgenstein-quoting theorists, we're sure Brandon Bird's Signifier and Signified will be food for some serious thought this fine Wednesday morning. Thanks to Teargas for the tip! [BrandonBird.com]

Flying Dutch Van: Opel Vivaro Performance Box

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:54:18 EST

Van tuning is apparently big in the land of bicycles, Rembrandt and Edam cheese. As such, it's like Ohio in the '70s. Thus, Opel's offering Hollanders a tweaked Vivaro van with a few add-ons from the global aftermarket catalog. It's the Opel Vivaro VPC, based on the company's five-seater long-wheelbase van. It's powered by a standard 2.5 liter CDTi engine producing 146 hp, attached to a six-speed manual. From there, the Opels added a body kit, wide tires over a set of alloys and a shade of blue culled from the GM brand's OPC performance models (though the production models will come in in silver-gray or black metallic). Driver and passenger get Recaro sport seats, with leather and cloth upholstery in the rear, and an umbrella holder. The floor — on the prototype at least — gets a covering of hardwood slats, not shag carpeting and faux bearskin. Opel says the Vivaro VPC will be available in the Netherlands only, at a price of E34,900. [Opel via World Car Fans]

Lynch Mob After Your Hide? Volkswagen Transporter!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:30:00 EDT

Forgive us for thinking that we'd maybe choose something with a bit more power and ground clearance than a VW T2 Transporter, were a howling, torch-wielding mob of European peasants battering down the doors of our castle. Say, a Unimog, for example. Still, for the mad scientist on a tight budget, the Transporter will get the job done!

Forget the VW Transporter: Hippie Barkas!

Murilee Martin — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EDT

After helping us do an All-Czech Project Car Hell last week, our Czech Connection, bobash, now sends us some shots of a hippified Barkas B1000. See, an East German van is far more suitable for patchouli-scented adventures than its West German counterpart. We're starting to think it's time for a visit to the Czech Republic... [Picasaweb]

Volkswagen Transporteramino

Murilee Martin — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:00:18 EDT

OK, holders of PhDs in VWology, I'm going to need youse to jump in here and point out the features that indicate the exact year of this Type 2 truck, because I'm stumped. I'm pretty sure it's from the 1964-67 period, but that's as close as I'm willing to call it. What I can say is that this pickup (actually, flatbed with wooden side rails) parks on a busy street, drives every day, and is used to haul stuff around. Maybe you hear a lederhosen-clad oompah band instead of Hank Williams when you look at it, but this here VW is still a goldang real truck!

We can be reasonably certain that this truck didn't roll out of Wolfsburg with that wooden bed, but it's still pretty well done (by the standards of the Joad family, anyway).

You got a gas gauge and a speedometer and a steering wheel and an idiot light (charge? oil pressure?). You got everything you need right there in front of you, buddy!

Miraculously, there's no obvious rust around the roof rail or the rear window; even California weather manages to rust these areas on old Transporters.

Ground clearance is pretty respectable on these trucks, and the rear engine gives them great traction on dirt roads- why, I reckon a man might even consider using this truck to haul firewood and molasses out to the still!

Just don't hit any trees on the way back from the still... not with nothing but some thin sheet metal and a few inches of air between you and the world.

Forget The Station Wagon: Family Van!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:00:01 EDT

We have a lot of love for station wagons around these parts, and rightfully so. However, even though I was a kid in the 70s, during the heyday of the station wagon, my family never had one. This makes me one of the few members of Generation X to have no childhood station wagon memories. No long road trips in the ol' Country Squire or Kingswood Estate for me and my sisters. Instead, we had a van, a real no-frills passenger van. A 1973 Chevy Beauville, with a Q-Jet-equipped 350 and the spartan all-luxury-option-delete interior package.

No bubble windows or 8-track player in our van, just a steel box with a couple rows of cloth-covered seats and a crackly AM radio. Industrial carpet of the sort you'd use for good forklift traction in a warehouse and pop-out windows ideally suited for sucking in HC-rich exhaust. It rattled and squeaked and bounced, and the differential howled like crazy once it had a few thousand miles on the clock, but it always worked. Going to the beach? Just pack everyone in, then invite the neighbors and their kids to come along- you can pack a lot more people when you don't worry about child seats (or even seat belts). The red-and-white Beauville was a family legend; purchased as part of a Minnesota-to-California move when I was six, it survived a rollover accident during the cross-country drive, lived through both gas-line crises of the 70s, and stayed in the family long enough for me to crash it as a young hoon. It lived on long after that, though; according to the BAR smog status website it passed smog as recently as 1997, and it may well still be on the road today.

It Had To Happen: Customized Thames Freighter

Murilee Martin — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:00:20 EDT

Once we saw the mighty Thames Freighter van at Laguna Seca, we knew: someone, somewhere, had turned a Freighter into a full-on 70s-style custom van. Sure enough, crazy New Zealander Colin Cowie has created The Sorcerer from his Thames Freighter. We can practically hear the strains of Frampton Comes Alive from here! [Van Association of New Zealand]

Arrh, Matey! Thames Freighter Drops Anchor At Laguna Seca!

Murilee Martin — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:30:24 EDT

It's telling that each one of the three Jalopniks did a separate double-take and quick "Whoa- what's that thing?" as we encountered this Thames Freighter 800 van at Laguna Seca last weekend, a reaction that puzzled onlookers clustered around an Enzo a few yards away- here are these guys with press passes totally ignoring the Ferrari in favor of a van! It looked Econoline-ish from a distance (and, in fact, it is a Ford), but up close we realized that the Thames is even cooler. This van was sold in Britain as the Thames 400E (and here's a worship site that will explain more of its story), but fortunately they made an export version with left-hand drive. Judging by the black-on-yellow license plate, we assume this is one of the late-50s models. Check out the great nose vents, placed so as to direct air and bugs directly into the driver's crotch!

Homy Wagon V6 Super Long!

Mike Bumbeck — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EDT

Turn no further than the Nissan Homy Super Long when it comes time to carry ten people at length. The Homy is not to be confused with the much less luxurious Datsun Homer, or Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Super Exceed. Beta translation tells us that the commodity example exhibition day on this Homy seems to have already happened well south of town. [Homy via Utilitas.jp]

Mazda Reveals Updated Scrum Vans

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:09:19 EDT

Perhaps the best part of living in Tokyo with your parents as a 29-year-old Web developer is the wide variety of vanlike vehicles at your disposal in the marketplace. Even at the micro, keicar level, such movable basements can provide the young, single male with the privacy mom and dad's flat never could. Mazda hears the call, and has just updated its Scrum wagon and microvan line. The top line PZ Turbo now comes with a chrome grill and new interior fabrics with which to woo the young salarywomen away from the oxygen bar. Just think, in 25 years you could even import one into the US.

Press release:

Mazda Releases Upgraded Scrum Wagon and Scrum Van Micro-Minis
- Both models feature enhanced interior quality with improved comfort levels -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has upgraded the "Scrum Wagon" and "Scrum Van" micro-mini vehicle lineup for the Japanese market. Both vehicles are available at Mazda Autozam, Mazda, and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan from today.

The upgraded Scrum Wagon comes with new interior fabric colors designed to match the characteristics of each model grade and front seats with thicker, contoured seat edges that enhance the vehicle's level of quality and comfort for passengers. The top grade model, PZ Turbo, is now equipped with a redesigned chrome front grille and high intensity discharge headlights which give it a distinctive appearance.

The revamped Scrum Van, which is renowned for its superb level of practicality, also comes with thicker, contoured seat edges in the front seats which provide added quality and comfort. In addition, the application of fabric seat covers has been extended from the top grade to include the middle grades.

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices range from 1,224,250 to 1,711,500 yen for the Scrum Wagon and 879,900 to 1,165,500 yen for the Scrum Van (including consumption tax). The target sales volume for both body types is 800 units a month.

Mazda Scrum Wagon PZ Turbo (Equipped with Special Package. FWD model with a four-speed automatic transmission)
Mazda Scrum Wagon PZ Turbo (Equipped with Special Package. FWD model with a four-speed automatic transmission)

Features of the upgraded Scrum Wagon
Interior
- New seat upholstery for all model grades
The PX and PX Turbo grades have relaxing brown seat fabric and door trim. The PZ Turbo grade has sporty-looking beige seat fabric.
- More comfortable front seats on all model grades.
- A center speaker has been added to the middle of the instrument panel (PZ Turbo)
Exterior
- Newly designed front grille (PZ Turbo)
- High intensity discharge headlights have been added to the PZ Turbo grade
- Newly designed 14-inch chrome wheels (PZ Turbo Special Package)
- Chrome garnish on the hood feature has been added to the PX and PX Turbo grades
Body colors

A popular purple-hued body color, Mysterious Violet Pearl, has been newly added. A total of four body colors are available.

Features of the revamped Scrum Van
Interior
- New seat upholstery (Buster and PC grades)
The Buster grade has calming brown fabric (the same fabric in the Scrum Wagon PX and PX Turbo). The PC grade has grey seat fabric.
- Redesigned front seats
- Side covers have been added in the rear (PC, PA and PU grades. Side covers are already equipped on the Buster grade.)
Body colors

An exclusive dark blue body color has been added for the Buster grade, Bluish Black Pearl 3. There are a total of three body color choices.

The Ultimate Van Decoration

Murilee Martin — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:00:42 EDT

While consuming a burritos-and-beer meal (served on the trunklid of the Crown Vic) in the Oakland Coliseum BART parking lot prior to watching yet another A's loss, I found my appetite disrupted by the sheer menace of the image painted on this yellow-and-black custom van. The sinister, knowing facial expression. The utter lack of limbs of any sort. The sunglasses.

But, most of all, the stinger dripping blood. Lots of blood. What does the Menacing Van Bee want from us?

Minivan Versus Trailer!

Murilee Martin — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:00:42 EDT

These hoons are strangely subdued about the way they go about working out the [beater minivan] + [unwanted trailer] + [enough space to get a running start] equation. They don't have quite the drunken persistence of the New England Eldorado Executioners, but at the end of the day we still have an annihilated trailer and a huge mess. There's no annoying music drowning out the sounds of muffler leaks and rending aluminum (but there's also no beer) so no docked points, no bonus points; this video scores a 29-point Hoon-O-Meter reading.

That's Hella Cool: Astro Van Jump

Murilee Martin — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EDT

The young hoon behind the wheel of Mom's van didn't get a huge amount of air on the jump, but we think this video has earned HOTD honors for several reasons. First, it's a minivan (yeah, the Astro is rear-wheel-drive, but it's still a minivan). Second, the driver keeps pedal to metal all the way up to the point of leaving the ground, unlike some hoons who chicken out at the last second. Third, they used a parking-lot speed bump as their ramp, adding to the likelihood of a stoned stunt becoming tomorrow's story of teenage tragedy. Cutting right to the chase in the video plus the lack of irritating music gains them a healthy +10 bonus, netting a respectable total of 30 points on the Hoon-O-Meter.

Tokyo Auto Show: Nissan Releases Sketch-Tease Of NV200 Concept Van

Wes Siler — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Nissan Design Europe today unveiled this sketch of their forthcoming NV200 van concept. The small van, a likely competitor for the Ford Transit Connect, will see its premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. Recognizing that most van drivers use their vehicles as a mobile office, the design features a storage pod that slides out the back doors, making room for a passenger seat that rotates backwards to face a drop down desk. Inspired by the needs of underwater photographers, not only are there separate wet and dry storage areas, but the two little driving lights on the roof remind us of those on a mini-submersible or those robotic diving suits from The Abyss.

Explain Your Nomadism

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:40:00 EDT

Today's question comes to us courtesy of commenter AdamSonar and it reads like this:

In line with the 'living in a van tips' post you had a while back and today's '$100k NY parking space' post [Ed Note: $250k parking space], I'd like to know:
If fallen upon by hard times or suddenly compelled to live a nomadic lifestyle, what vehicle would you choose for your modern day Conestoga wagon? A Westfalia? Bonneville ready caravan? An RS6 Avant with Airstream in tow? Pimped out Dodge Sprinter? Old 912 with overstuffed luggage rack? Some manner of 60s compact van? One off custom job? The mind wobbles.

Speak for your own mind, Mr. Sonar. We who exist in the form of Jalopnik are quite steady on this issue. We convert all of our worldly assets into the only material that will be worth anything after the apocalypse – gold bullion and crystal meth – and bury it in a school bus in the desert. And of course police and patrol our booty in a Lybian military-sepc LM002. No, seriously, Spinelli makes us conduct drills. Viva la Methlabham. You?

[Jalopnik's Question of the Day enjoys long walks on the beach. Have a question you need answered? Email suggestions to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

How To Live In Your Van Without Hassles From The Man!

Murilee Martin — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:00:32 EDT

"Get set up ahead of time if you can, as much vehicle living is rather impromptu (i.e., 'Get out!', or coming home to a padlock on your door), if possible, try to get the van ready beforehand." This and many other tips on living in your van, courtesy of Matt Howe in his fine essay describing his experience living in his van while attending school in Fremont, CA. – Murilee Martin

Slummin' It [Don't Come Knockin]

Related:
Concentrated Essence of 70s: The 1976 Truck-In [internal]

Volkswagen Type 2 With Rare Condiment Colors Option

Murilee Martin — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:00:10 EDT

All right, we're forced to admit that Volkswagen didn't actually offer a Ketchup-und-Mustard paint option on the Type 2. But if they had, we're sure it would have been issued with window blinds just like this one, which resides in Alameda's West End.

Photographs really don't convey the incredible eyeball-searing brightness of these colors. You can see this bus coming for blocks. Hell, you can practically see it coming when it's still over the horizon!

It's a very nicely executed paint job; even the bumpers are painted. This bus in in excellent shape, not a spot of rust, and it parks on one of the busiest streets in town.

I'm not enough of a VW expert to pin an exact year on this Type II, but I'm pretty sure it's from the 1963-67 period. Type 2 zealots, feel free to chime in with your favorite minutiae about this vehicle.

The wooden window blinds really work well on this vehicle. I couldn't see inside so well, as my retinas had been seared into near-total nonfunctionality by the paint job, but I'm hoping the red/yellow theme is carried over to the interior, preferably with shag carpeting raked into a VW insignia after each drive.

Auughhh! It hurts! But in a good way. The best part is that we see neither hippie nor surfer influence to the theme here. The hippie connotation with these vehicles is unfortunate; hippies just liked the Type 2 because it would still run (after a fashion) even if you skipped all maintenance in favor of scratching scabies lesions. As for the surfer thing, real surfers stopped driving Type 2s the moment they were no longer dirt cheap.

Maybe Volkswagen needs to take some inspiration from this fine vehicle and issue a Golf in this color scheme. With huge red emblems, of course. – Murilee Martin

Related:
1957 Volkswagen Transporter [internal]

What's The Most Fun You've Ever Had In A Car?

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:45:00 EDT

Many Saturdays ago my phone rang at 7:30 in the morning. Luckily it was a good friend of mine that also happens to be one of the most prolific pornographers in all the Valley. "Dude, I need your help. I'm at this studio Downtown and I have to return 7 cop cars and a S.W.A.T. van to the rental place. Can you help me drive them back?" Um, duh. Luckily, my friend Dylan was in from out of town and easily stirred from his nest on my couch. So, for the next few hours the 3 of us ~~hooned~~ drove black & whites all over Los Angeles freeways. Legality-wise, all we had to do was make sure the light boxes had "Out Of Service" covers over them. Talk about fun. Everyone, and let me emphasize that, everyone, slowed down, changed lanes, hid their beers and/or buckled their seat belts as we approached. Actually, that last part shocked me the most. I had no clue that so many folks drove around without seat belts. Dylan didn't have a cell phone, so at one point I pulled up next to him to shout that we were stopping for lunch. As it looked like we were up to something police-related, traffic behind us ground to a halt. I still feel bad about that part. Nonetheless, what great fun! Especially that S.W.A.T. van. I mean, can you beat driving around in LAPD squad cars with your buddies on a Saturday morning? – Jonny Lieberman

[The Jalopnik Question of the Day needs your help.. Do you have a question you want answered? Email it to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

1969 Ford Econoline Custom 300 Super Van

Murilee Martin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:00:58 EDT

Of course we all prefer the flatnosed pre-1968 Econolines, but the next generation of Ford vans got the job done too. After the passage of a few decades, we can start to pick out a bit of once-overlooked style in these early second-gen Econolines.

This is a Super Van, folks (the Average Van being a couple trim levels down on the food chain), so you know it's special.

What we're dealing with here is a classic Serial Killer Van. Just tape some tinfoil over the back windows, put on those creepy yellow-tinted sunglasses, and you'll be ready cut a swath of vengeance through the society that done you wrong! Serial killer on board or not, this van looks mean.

The incredible aluminum-ness of this grille is starting to grow on me; no attempt to imitate chrome, and- better still- no plastic. Bonus points for the Mad Max white spoked wheels and cheapo "Wild Country" tires. The license plate frame from the long-defunct Morris Landy dealership ("Another Dandy From Morris Landy") is a nice touch.

We see another example of the kind of slow, relatively inoffensive rust you get around these parts. Most likely there's some leakage during the rainy season, but you just drill some drain holes in the floor and everything's fine.

Not sure if you could get the Super Van without also having it be a Custom to boot.

All in all, a pretty well-preserved specimen of a working late-60s Ford van, decades after most of them were ground into oblivion beneath their loads. – Murilee Martin