'71-77, '78 Dodge Vans...

[ClassicDarts]

I know the different year-range grill styles are cast, but...

Does anyone offer any of the other parts?

Y'know, rather than paying in excess of $150 for an unstarted kit...

 

The only essential parts would be the body, rear bumper, front bumper & grill piece, dash, tail light bezels and lenses. Everything else could be used from the existing '82 tooling as a donor. (as far as I know, anyway)

The interior tub, for example is definitely a remnant from a pre '78 kit... as the side door etchings on the tub don't line up to where they are on the body... they're still positioned where they would be on a '71-77.

 

A '78 (specifically) resin deal would need even less... as the tail lights (which are single pieces anyway) and dash are the same as the '82 tool.

Figured I'd ask, at least.

 

edit: If this isn't available in resin anywhere, I'll just add that the mpc '77 "New Dodge Van" kit # 1-7722 is one of the few annuals that has the most accurate body for '71-77 models. The roof stamping, specifically... it's not the only one, but only 1 or 2 issues prior to that have it.

Maybe not easy to see in the photo, which is also a short wheelbase model, but I'm specifically talking about the U-shaped roof stampings.

the hood letters are wrong on all of the '74-78 issues, but that's nothing.

 

Edited August 21 by ClassicDarts

[CapSat 6]

I know somebody was casting up a shorty 77-ish at some point. I think I saw them on eBay. I wish I could tell you who. I’m not sure if it’s current production, but I seem to remember seeing them occasionally a few years ago. 

Round 2 could probably do worse than re-engineer a ‘77-‘78 kit. If they wanted to save some development costs, they could make it a curbside. They could juice it by tooling up a window van (never done as a ‘77 or ‘78), and offer a Cannonball Run Transcom Medivac. They could get multiple versions out of one tool with different side body slides and an extra few pieces of clear. 

The original MPC vans, while they did have a manual transmission small block Mopar engine (an available- although uncommon choice) never had opening or removable hoods, so having a detailed engine was sort of unnecessary. 

[CapSat 6]

Oh- here you go…

https://rmrmodels.com/products/1970s-dodge-tradesman-shorty-van

[ClassicDarts]

Thanks, Bill!

For how many people looked at this post without saying anything, I couldn't tell if it was a good idea or a laughable request! 

I think all of the issues are panel vans (Tradesman) after the '72 annual (Sportsman). Makes sense with the customized van craze of the 70's... but it would be awesome to see passenger van configurations of later model years and not that hard to do.

Thanks again, I will definitely pick one of those up.

[oldcarfan]

The Dodge van, either a new tool or a backdated old tool has been my one consistent request from Round 2. I'd buy plenty of them if they did an early 70s version with panel or window options. I've also asked if they might consider a newer early 2000s version so I can finally do a proper Dajiban. The diecast version is way above my budget.

Maybe Moebius will do one.

[Mark C.]

I’m a little surprised that one of the Japanese kit manufacturers hasn’t taken on the Dajiban subject, TBH, given its popularity.

[CapSat 6]

16 hours ago, Mark C. said:

I’m a little surprised that one of the Japanese kit manufacturers hasn’t taken on the Dajiban subject, TBH, given its popularity.

I wonder about this. For a Japanese manufacturer to take that on, the subject would have to be fairly popular in their home market. I wonder if the Drift Van thing is really a popular thing over there, or just a relatively small group of lunatics enthusiasts...

Don't get me wrong- if they did a kit of a Dajiban Dodge Van, I would SOOOOO be there for it. 

I do see where Hot Wheels has one in their lineup, and as well, there is a nice premium 1/64 diecast, available in several colors, done by what I think is a Japanese manufacturer. 

Tarmac Works 1/64 Dodge Van Red-GLOBAL64

[Mark C.]

That’s one thing I don’t know… is it a popular thing there, or just some small niche group that happened to gain popularity here because of the internet, the fact that they are using American vans, and the sheer outlandishness of it all?

[CapSat 6]

47 minutes ago, Mark C. said:

That’s one thing I don’t know… is it a popular thing there, or just some small niche group that happened to gain popularity here because of the internet, the fact that they are using American vans, and the sheer outlandishness of it all?

Not sure. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how so many of said enthusiasts found 30-year-old Dodge window vans in Japan. Were they all originally imported for a specific company, or for U.S. Government use? I can't imagine Dodge B Vans are anywhere near common there.   

[stavanzer]

Some might be Military Surplus.

I remember seeing a few Dodge Van on Kadena A.B. when I was there in 1988.

But, other than that, I have no Clue.

[64Comet404]

Canuck3D Model Parts has a set to convert the latest issues of the Dodge van into the 1986-93 version. I may have to get one so I can build the service van I used to drive when I was younger.

https://www.canuck3d.ca/mopar.php

Note: Deliveries to the USA have been suspended until people figure out what is happening, so shipping could take a while...