In my grandparents' neighborhood, when I was a kid, right after the first Star Wars came out, there was this dude who lived there who we kids called "Van Man", because he had a 70's van covered in Star Wars iconography. It was so bad ass. Every time he'd go up and down the street we'd go nuts.
With the current live in a van craze I'm surprised many of these dormant 70's hippy vans haven't been brought back into repurposed service. I'd love to see that one like that brought up to date. It would be cool.
I'm 55 and remember guys fixing up thier vans back in the day but nothing like what you've accomplished. It was a pleasure seeing craftsmanship to this degree.
Cool, innovative, unique and I dig it! There are some way cool custom features that make it stand out without taking away from it's usability. Even on my laptop that paint looks fantastic in quality and artistry. I'm not a Star Wars fan but I appreciate what went into this creation and I'm a fan of the van. Excellent execution of a far out vision!
I had a 77 Dodge Tradesman with a similar 'snack tray' on the front. It had cup holders around the outside and a dropped down center piece. It was a broken down pos I bought for $700 and brought it back to life. I loved that van. The first time I filled the gas tank (back then it cost over $50) I almost had a heart attack.
Really awesome build, and extra respect for keeping it this long and running. My only bitch would be (and I can't believe no one else has pointed it out), that the quote on the hoods wrong. For all the attention to detail, that's kind of glaring. But everything else is top line. Plus props for the cleanliness of the fabricated parts. They totally flow with the rest of the build. And that art is on point. Too often photo realistic doesn't come off that well.
This is my first time seeing a van limo, but I am a huge fan of comfort, and vehicles of all makes. But vans have a special spot in my heart . Ever since I was a young'n my friends dad had a old school decked out van , with a small bar table, a bed, a Lil fridge and I remember having many fun nights literally filled with laughter. I swear I went in a fat kid came out with a hardened sixpack abs. Thank you for the post
The artist is my uncle. My mother just sent this to me lol. I saw this van just finished in G. Coops shop one day visiting home from the service and we had the family get together there. Love them folk.
Inspirational! Your van is a true work of art! The guy who did your van is brilliant! Love the Star Wars theme inside and out! Masterfully done! Thank you for sharing this amazing work of art with us!
Beautiful old dodge van. I have a 87 Dodge Ram Van with a 360 4 barrel and I've drove it close to 25 years with the original engine still in it. the only major things I've done to it is rebuild the 727 TorqueFlight myself using RUclips video's as a guide along with a hard kit and new torque converter. I also finally wised up and replaced the temperamental and worn out quadrajet with a Holly 4160 vac. secondary's carb., spread to square bore adapter and a 7 psi in line electric fuel pump to feed the holly. Best and most reliable van I've ever had, and I've had several Ford's and Chevy's working in the service industry my whole adult life.
My dad's had a 77 Chevy shorty van that's a badass hot rod for 40 years! So with that said I love Vans at one time we had three Chevy van shorty vans in our driveway I had a 77 my dad's had his 77 for many years and then he had a 76! And with that said I'm not really into super custom bands but that van that you've got I give you unlimited thumbs up I know that took tons of work and it looks pretty cool and Star wars rules!!!!!!
My uncle had the star wars van you speek of here in mass.1977 had a 327 in it .Was bought new off show room floor fully customized but was a Chevy. I want to say there was two for sale new.I was only 7 but will Always remember the attention that van would get!!love your van
Tom, I worked on that van back in the late 90's, when Select Vans was still in business. Like how you have updated it all around. It was cool then and its even cooler now...keep on keeping on.............
This truly is a rolling work of art. Its a shame that the newer vans don't have the same level of cool to customize like the vans from the 60s thru early 80s. Definitely alot of time and money was spent on this beautiful machine.
This van is absolutely epic, but the sequential cougar tail lights... be damned if that just doesn't set it off! I love it. Thanks for bringing this to us! Simply awesome.
harleyguyinmilw same thing with me. Still miss my custom van. And the van rallies were the most fun ever. And all the different vans people came up with. Great times for sure
I use to be very partial to the Dodge brand don't know why love your tandem axles. And the use of the materials in the interior they give the interior very clean look instead of the carpeting that everyone else uses which I can't blame them because I have the same plans if I had ever purchased a van it's beautiful. I remember back in 77 there was a magazine called van and pick up magazine that featured a Dodge van call the Spanish galleon I fell in love with a theme and the look of the van this brings back memories how I wanted to as a kid buy a van fix it up and run away to California and live in my van. Lol!!!!
These van in the 60 threw the early 80s were the best. This custom van were the best. I had one of my own and love it. Van rallies were the best of times. Most just can’t afford to do this with vans anymore. But it was fun while it last. I sold mind and still miss it until this day. It was really sharp 1973 dodge with a custom paint and interior. What a party vehicle
Dark side is powerful, but we've seen which one stands out everytime... Great van,craftsmanship, scenery, amazing paint and murals... sir, May the force be with yous!!!
When the late 70's was cool, man, look at Leia and luke, the paint, airbrush masterwork here. When I was young I was offered a book about the Van culture, how they'll probably become the new limo etc… With pics of some of the most coolest custom vans in it, I can't recall if this one was in, but I remember a 6 wheel exactly as this one called 'Harem', all candy red with a 'boudoir' interior, all sofas and beds, custom engraved mirrors and the airbrush was stunning as well. It's cool to see this one 'live' on video.
Remarkable craftsmanship . I do find one thing curious though - RV'ers are always careful about excess weight and he has a water bed that probably weighs 600 - 900 lbs, which would take a toll on gas mileage and stopping distance.
Oh my Wow I am in Love . I was born in 1977 I am a Star Wars Freak Addict my whole life as soon as I could talk and I am a Dodge lover and a 20+ year Carny spent my adult life traveling and I am so jealous as you have the Most Awesome Camper Van in History The DeathStar has my heart !
As I recall, Kenny (?) of Pacific Vans on South Vermont in/near Gardenia specialized in creating Dodge Dualies. I worked for Fiber Van at the time, 77/78, just a few miles from his shop. One that I remember Kenny built had a hot tub and crystal chandelier. His work was premium and ahead of its time. I was doing Pass-Thrus on mini trucks as well as full van conversions at the time.
Buddy of mine had a tradesman 200 when I was in high school. Spent a lot of lunches in it in the parking lot. Had one of those pop up vents on top to let all the smoke out. Nice interior too. Popular customs in the 70's
Mopar baby!!!!! Don't judge me because I have a E350 I come from a family of Hard core Mopar heads!!! What a beautiful piece of Americana heck yeah!!!! Cheers n God bless
my 1978 Dodge MaxiVan with a 496 v8 and a 2:73 gear was a blast! I wish I still had it.... Cool van. I like the tandem axle idea. I want to build one with snowcat tracks, ultimate bug out van!
That's not a 'van'...it's a work of art. Really beautiful one too. God knows I'd love to have that kind of tandem 70's van but I don't think you can find them anymore. Thanks for letting us see how you roll.
sam boyd of course.. when I see these lame ass modern low profile rims on a classic car/hot rod it pisses me off.. only Craiger or supremes or the like.. to the point, these wheels/tires on the beauty are exactly as they should be🤙🏼
dude this is the coolest thing ive seen for along time... a built 360 with 400 hp? i wonder if the power goes to the back 4 wheels or what.. but damn thats cool the [paintjob is sick
Chronic Awareness. I love how the different shades of blue mix with the pink. For me this is one of the best presented vans around very few like that model still around I'd say. I'm from Brisbane Australia.
This is friggen Outstanding Tom. Brought g-kids to int/l auto show last wk-end only to see more of pretty much the same ho-hum but pricier machines. Had this unique chariot been there would've attracted the most looks & hits. Enjoy it as I'm sure you are. Cheers!
You need solar panels on the roof to run your inside stuff. Amazing Van for the years it was built!!! Reminds me of being a teenager and trying to do anything to modify your ride. Way too go on keeping her intact!!!
I remember seeing that van in my youth. Loved it then, still love it now. Would love to see it in person again.
In my grandparents' neighborhood, when I was a kid, right after the first Star Wars came out, there was this dude who lived there who we kids called "Van Man", because he had a 70's van covered in Star Wars iconography. It was so bad ass. Every time he'd go up and down the street we'd go nuts.
With the current live in a van craze I'm surprised many of these dormant 70's hippy vans haven't been brought back into repurposed service. I'd love to see that one like that brought up to date. It would be cool.
Most rusted and we're crushed
I'm 55 and remember guys fixing up thier vans back in the day but nothing like what you've accomplished. It was a pleasure seeing craftsmanship to this degree.
Cool, innovative, unique and I dig it! There are some way cool custom features that make it stand out without taking away from it's usability. Even on my laptop that paint looks fantastic in quality and artistry. I'm not a Star Wars fan but I appreciate what went into this creation and I'm a fan of the van. Excellent execution of a far out vision!
What a madness of van, Tom! This 77 Tradesman XL looks huge even with four tires plus.
I had a 77 Dodge Tradesman with a similar 'snack tray' on the front. It had cup holders around the outside and a dropped down center piece.
It was a broken down pos I bought for $700 and brought it back to life. I loved that van.
The first time I filled the gas tank (back then it cost over $50) I almost had a heart attack.
Really awesome build, and extra respect for keeping it this long and running.
My only bitch would be (and I can't believe no one else has pointed it out), that the quote on the hoods wrong. For all the attention to detail, that's kind of glaring.
But everything else is top line. Plus props for the cleanliness of the fabricated parts. They totally flow with the rest of the build. And that art is on point. Too often photo realistic doesn't come off that well.
Wow! Probably the most Beautiful van I've ever seen! Excellent design and workmanship!
This is my first time seeing a van limo, but I am a huge fan of comfort, and vehicles of all makes. But vans have a special spot in my heart . Ever since I was a young'n my friends dad had a old school decked out van , with a small bar table, a bed, a Lil fridge and I remember having many fun nights literally filled with laughter. I swear I went in a fat kid came out with a hardened sixpack abs. Thank you for the post
This van has held up remarkably well, thanks for sharing this....very cool.
The artist is my uncle.
My mother just sent this to me lol.
I saw this van just finished in G. Coops shop one day visiting home from the service and we had the family get together there.
Love them folk.
That is the coolest shaggin wagon I have ever seen, so cool, so cool, so cool.
I'm a 60 year old fan of custom vans and never seen one as spectacular as yours. I'm inspired by your imagination.!
Inspirational! Your van is a true work of art! The guy who did your van is brilliant! Love the Star Wars theme inside and out! Masterfully done! Thank you for sharing this amazing work of art with us!
Loving this van I was born in 1977 n I'm a huge Star wars fan. May the force be with you Full Send U.K.
That van is as old as I am..
And it's in way better shape!
Very cool.
It's not the year it's the miles, my brother
Me too! lol
Me too. I was born in 77 and all of my hairs are turning grey.
do any of you old vans have any advice for ababy van pulling out of the lot?
Beautiful old dodge van. I have a 87 Dodge Ram Van with a 360 4 barrel and I've drove it close to 25 years with the original engine still in it. the only major things I've done to it is rebuild the 727 TorqueFlight myself using RUclips video's as a guide along with a hard kit and new torque converter. I also finally wised up and replaced the temperamental and worn out quadrajet with a Holly 4160 vac. secondary's carb., spread to square bore adapter and a 7 psi in line electric fuel pump to feed the holly. Best and most reliable van I've ever had, and I've had several Ford's and Chevy's working in the service industry my whole adult life.
Am not a star war fan but I definitely love your van man .
My dad's had a 77 Chevy shorty van that's a badass hot rod for 40 years! So with that said I love Vans at one time we had three Chevy van shorty vans in our driveway I had a 77 my dad's had his 77 for many years and then he had a 76! And with that said I'm not really into super custom bands but that van that you've got I give you unlimited thumbs up I know that took tons of work and it looks pretty cool and Star wars rules!!!!!!
This Dodge Van simply looks awesomeI never imagined it with 6 wheels. Its owner is crazy
A genuine Star wars lover, I like you and your wonderful van Keep on trucking, man👍✌️☮️🙏
My uncle had the star wars van you speek of here in mass.1977 had a 327 in it .Was bought new off show room floor fully customized but was a Chevy. I want to say there was two for sale new.I was only 7 but will Always remember the attention that van would get!!love your van
Chris Thompson Chevy also offered a 1976 customized van called the " Denim Machine " ,the entire interior was made of levis blue jeans .
Very unique. Great ideas for snack tray a/c vents, table legs bumper, tandem rear & Cougar tail lights.
I really like it.
Tom, I worked on that van back in the late 90's, when Select Vans was still in business. Like how you have updated it all around. It was cool then and its even cooler now...keep on keeping on.............
This truly is a rolling work of art. Its a shame that the newer vans don't have the same level of cool to customize like the vans from the 60s thru early 80s. Definitely alot of time and money was spent on this beautiful machine.
That's beautiful. It looks amazing. Very clean bodywork and paint.
I love it! Not only a real beauty, but also good and useful design. Everything done right!
I absolutely LOVE it . Fantastic customised van :)
I grew up in the era of vans. They were way nicer than today's SUVs.
And this one is awesome.
If the Deathstar is rockin', don't come a-knockin'!
😂🤣😃😅😆😉👍
Shaggin wagon. 😉
If it's a smokin then somebody is a tokin!. So don't break the circle damnit and pass it to the right!. 😉😂😂😂
Pretty sure that van stays very very dry!!!
Judging by the cryptic slogans on the doors .. If this vans a rockin! there's probably a sacrifice going on. 😥
I own three vans. Nothing but vans. You sir have outdone yourself. Thanks for keeping old iron on the road.
AWESOMEST Van I have seen !!! Great job and in keeping it all these years!
Just found your channel.... great looking old school vans..All the best from UK🙂
Beautiful Van! The paint finishes are beautiful! Enjoy!
This van is absolutely epic, but the sequential cougar tail lights... be damned if that just doesn't set it off! I love it. Thanks for bringing this to us! Simply awesome.
"Rule number one: In my van, it's Rush. All Rush, all the time. No exceptions."
jon smith
Fanboys movie. Lol👍👍
Wakey wakey hands of stakey!
Their song Trees kinda scared me
@@TheSleepingonit .. "and their all kept equal by hatchet, ax, and saw..." not a happy ending... not at all.
Hit'm hit him with pressed Ham
that is art that will never die. do not mind people that say it is dated, so is the michael angelo. great job
simply beautiful!, nice to see a real custom Van I sure miss mine! brings back many fun memories!!
harleyguyinmilw same thing with me. Still miss my custom van. And the van rallies were the most fun ever.
And all the different vans people came up with. Great times for sure
Awesome. So glad this van is still around
Cool van! Awesome paint job. Thanks 4 sharing.
RVing LiveThe Dream now
Never seen a hot tub in one
@@454LeeBen that cool we love this
I use to be very partial to the Dodge brand don't know why love your tandem axles. And the use of the materials in the interior they give the interior very clean look instead of the carpeting that everyone else uses which I can't blame them because I have the same plans if I had ever purchased a van it's beautiful. I remember back in 77 there was a magazine called van and pick up magazine that featured a Dodge van call the Spanish galleon I fell in love with a theme and the look of the van this brings back memories how I wanted to as a kid buy a van fix it up and run away to California and live in my van. Lol!!!!
Hey DMACHOLMAN we had the same "plan" of building a van, drivin' it to Cali and livin' the dream. I still wanna do do it!
Beautiful van with artwork, thanks for sharing🌺🐞
What's up Betty bone
You have a cool van man! Class of “74 Tucson, Arizona had a Dodge Van I loved too back in the day! God bless you for your choice of paint jobs!
Kool paint job...thanks for sharing.
These van in the 60 threw the early 80s were the best. This custom van were the best. I had one of my own and love it. Van rallies were the best of times. Most just can’t afford to do this with vans anymore. But it was fun while it last. I sold mind and still miss it until this day. It was really sharp 1973 dodge with a custom paint and interior.
What a party vehicle
What an incredible van. Just amazing.
@ 3:47 This air cooled snak tray is over-the-top. Pure NASA innovative stuff. Right out of a science fiction movie. Nice
Best Dodge van I ever have seen ! Very Cool ! Great paint job ! 👍👍👍
Dark side is powerful, but we've seen which one stands out everytime...
Great van,craftsmanship, scenery, amazing paint and murals... sir,
May the force be with yous!!!
cool van man! lots of blood, sweat and tears there for sure...much respect!
A work of art. Who wouldn't want to own a van like that?
AWESOME!!! I love old vans, especially custom vans like this.
When the late 70's was cool, man, look at Leia and luke, the paint, airbrush masterwork here.
When I was young I was offered a book about the Van culture, how they'll probably become the new limo etc… With pics of some of the most coolest custom vans in it, I can't recall if this one was in, but I remember a 6 wheel exactly as this one called 'Harem', all candy red with a 'boudoir' interior, all sofas and beds, custom engraved mirrors and the airbrush was stunning as well.
It's cool to see this one 'live' on video.
Beautiful. It actually means a lot that you're not some awkward fan boy. That's a man's van. MANVAN!!!
This is officially the most badass van I've ever seen. I don't even like Star Wars but it's still badass.
I loved the van craze back in the 70's. I went to as many shows as I could. No 2 we're alike.
Oh man! The AC vents at the snack tray! A water bed?!! Cooooool!
really nicee ride. even with the toasted headlight :-)
I watched this in delight as I ate 1/2 a pecan pie! The best 9 minutes of my life!
That front reminds me of Clark Griswolds wagon.
Yeah me too. The 8 headlights.
The family truckster
wow and wow
Iam very impressed and give you a thumbs up for keeping it for all these years
Did he say a waterbed in the back? Like an actual water bed?
NOW those double axles at the back makes sense.
400 Horse dragging an extra axle around & extra van to boot. Probably gets 6 mpg.
Back in the day it was called a shaggin wagon lol for obvious reasons lmao
Ive lived in garden grove California for for 30yrs and ive never seen this awesome van before.
Remarkable craftsmanship . I do find one thing curious though - RV'ers are always careful about excess weight and he has a water bed that probably weighs 600 - 900 lbs, which would take a toll on gas mileage and stopping distance.
F C Burgner excellent traction though... could probably get through any icy roads if all four wheels have power going to them.
Oh my Wow I am in Love . I was born in 1977 I am a Star Wars Freak Addict my whole life as soon as I could talk and I am a Dodge lover and a 20+ year Carny spent my adult life traveling and I am so jealous as you have the Most Awesome Camper Van in History The DeathStar has my heart !
I saw this van in Champaign, IL. about 2 weeks ago.
The van is beautiful. But, that paint job is outta this world.
Great place to show Princess Leia how well your light sabre works.
As I recall, Kenny (?) of Pacific Vans on South Vermont in/near Gardenia specialized in creating Dodge Dualies. I worked for Fiber Van at the time, 77/78, just a few miles from his shop. One that I remember Kenny built had a hot tub and crystal chandelier. His work was premium and ahead of its time. I was doing Pass-Thrus on mini trucks as well as full van conversions at the time.
Mini trucks... lol gone with the dodo just like california vws
Cool Van....
Kinda get the feeling he’s really not that into Star Wars...just kinda picked the theme
T C should have gone with Barbarella and airbrushed Jane Fonda on the side.
Remember- it was his buddy’s idea; he was talked into it.
Haha Yeah I felt that too. Still cool af though
Can't be, there's prequel trilogy art on the van.
@@crunchb3rry Prequel trilogy is a masterpiece compared to sequel trilogy, just saying.
Buddy of mine had a tradesman 200 when I was in high school. Spent a lot of lunches in it in the parking lot. Had one of those pop up vents on top to let all the smoke out. Nice interior too. Popular customs in the 70's
When a complete nerd builds something cool. Love that super clean and simple interior, very well done.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL VAN KEEPER I N THE SHADE SAVE THAT PAINT JOB
this is so beautiful
Beautiful van, Tom. Hopefully I will see it in person some day.
This is the van Vader gave Lando for selling out Han. The bumper sticker says "I Operate This One Solo".
Mopar baby!!!!! Don't judge me because I have a E350 I come from a family of Hard core Mopar heads!!! What a beautiful piece of Americana heck yeah!!!! Cheers n God bless
my 1978 Dodge MaxiVan with a 496 v8 and a 2:73 gear was a blast! I wish I still had it....
Cool van. I like the tandem axle idea.
I want to build one with snowcat tracks, ultimate bug out van!
Hey Tom, good to see you. Long live Primo Vans!
vintage & spectacular time capsule 🍺✌
Johnny Questt agree
That's not a 'van'...it's a work of art. Really beautiful one too. God knows I'd love to have that kind of tandem 70's van but I don't think you can find them anymore. Thanks for letting us see how you roll.
Like old rims like this, not the new big ones.
sam boyd of course.. when I see these lame ass modern low profile rims on a classic car/hot rod it pisses me off.. only Craiger or supremes or the like.. to the point, these wheels/tires on the beauty are exactly as they should be🤙🏼
Using these wheels on newer cars would look out of place just the same as using newer style low profiles on older vehicles
I’m diggin’ the deep dish slot mag aluminum wheels on this van, man. Groovy.
@Daren Shelton But on this one we called them slots.
big new rims have ruined a lot of cars. such a stupid look.
That is a cool van and that was the year I was born and that is my favorite movie of all time !!!!!❤
dude this is the coolest thing ive seen for along time... a built 360 with 400 hp? i wonder if the power goes to the back 4 wheels or what.. but damn thats cool the [paintjob is sick
Chronic Awareness. I love how the different shades of blue mix with the pink. For me this is one of the best presented vans around very few like that model still around I'd say. I'm from Brisbane Australia.
That paint job is next level
And the picture on the side here showing all 47 films.
Thanks for building the van May the force be with you!
This is friggen Outstanding Tom. Brought g-kids to int/l auto show last wk-end only to see more of pretty much the same
ho-hum but pricier machines. Had this unique chariot been there would've attracted the most looks & hits.
Enjoy it as I'm sure you are.
Cheers!
You need solar panels on the roof to run your inside stuff. Amazing Van for the years it was built!!! Reminds me of being a teenager and trying to do anything to modify your ride. Way too go on keeping her intact!!!
Awesome job, Tom. The paint work and attention to detail is very impressive.
I bet you got a ton of trophies at home.
By far one of the Best paint jobs I ever seen.
**I live In A Van Down By The River**
R.i.p Chris Farley
RIP Chris Farley
F
Old vans I love. Love Star Wars. This is the BEST van I have ever seen.
RIP my nephew Jason Ripley the biggest Star Wars fan
That’s beautiful. Too big for my city commute,but if I lived somewhere else I’d love this.
Danny from Counts Kustoms would go bananas over this van...
Yup or Horny Mike too.
Probably the sweetest van out there, just wow!
Luke, get in the van. I am your father. Join me and we can cruise the galaxy as father and son.
Dude, how has your comment *only received 5 likes?!? That was f'n funny, Kennerth!
That artwork is exceptional.