Pick of the Day: 1974 Dodge B100 Tradesman Van

Even at nearly 50 years old, a youthful Dodge van is still cruising the streets in party-mode.

The Pick of the Day is a 1974 Dodge B100 Tradesman van listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. (Click the link to view the listing)

This cargo-hauler is a vivid relic of the 1970s disco era with its aerodynamic spoilers, side-exit exhaust pipes, underbody neon lighting, chrome wheels, and vivid turquoise paint job. And that’s before we even get to the interior! More on that momentarily.

Dodge had two versions of the B-Series in the 1970s: The Sportsman was a passenger van, and the Tradesman was a cargo van. The overall body style lasted between 1971 and 1978 and was offered in three different payload configurations (half-ton, three-quarter ton, and one-ton). For maximum cargo and passenger space, a 127-inch wheelbase was available as a “Maxivan.” When optioned as such, the van could fit four rows of seats in the rear and accommodate up to 15 passengers.

This 1974 Tradesman is of the half-ton variety as defined by its B100 name (its higher-payload siblings were known as the B200 and the B300). The real magic happens when looking at the interior. The seller states, “This is what you’ve been looking for: a true Shaggin’ Wagon survivor. Custom-made memory foam mattress can be removed, and bed becomes a table with bench seating.”

It takes a few minutes of viewing the photos to soak in everything that’s going on with that psychedelic cabin. The upholstery and carpet are about as eye-catching as they can be; plush, purple shag carpeting adorns the floor, front door panels, and even the headliner. The walls are covered in period-correct woodgrain paneling, and the bed is dressed in a tie-dye-themed blanket. Additional upgrades include auxiliary battery power for the available plug outlets, storage compartments, a sunroof, and tinted windows.

Power for this versatile van comes from a 318cid Chrysler V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. The five-digit odometer shows 94,121 miles but the seller doesn’t indicate whether this is believed to be actual miles. The listing does state that the engine runs great, and the side pipes have “plenty of throat.”

The seller is asking $22,800 for this unique van which would look (and sound) right at home blasting hits from Abba, Kool & the Gang, or Stevie Wonder.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.