1966 Dodge A100 Solid Door Van

Not all vans came with glass windows. In fact, some didn’t even come with cargo doors. Watch this video to see some bizarre - but real - variations of the Dodge A100 van platform.
Watch the 1964 A100 Video Here: • 11 1964 Dodge A100

[@gregscott9170]

I bought a ‘68 A108 in 1973. 318/3spd stick. Learned to drive a stick on the way home from the dealership. Would do block long peg leg burnouts. You can swap the side and rear doors to put windows where you want them. A lot of great memories in that van. 😉

[@saxongreen78]

The identical door pressings is the sort of efficient, clever design that seems to have died long ago. Also, the windscreen uses flat glass - potentially saving repair costs (oh...except that there is always the sorta bloke who would use old PLATE glass to get it for free. Yikes!)

[@Guns_N_Gears]

I always loved the vans from the Big 3 in that era. They all had design cues that made them very distinctive, to me made them all appealing.

[@davideidsvaag8785]

I got a line on a forward control 2ton! Sweet TRUCK. Rare, so rare.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Same here. The next generation vans with the short hood are nice. But these flat nose vans are just great looking

[@patrickwayne3701]

@@davideidsvaag8785 one in Tennessee and one in Florida,,, twin screw flatbed 4speed with 2 speed rear axles,,, so weird they're cool....

[@vettekid3326]

I was real familiar with the A100 Dodge vans as a kid. The neighbor across the street worked for a plumbing company that used them exclusively until about 1980 when they started replacing them with the B series and he always drove his van home. Also when I was in auto shop in high school we had in the shop a 1967 A100 manufacturer's cutaway show car complet with cutaway LA 318 engine and cutaway three speed manual transmission. If you plugged it in the engine would turn and.so would the cutaway rear end.

[@robtiger]

I was getting worried it was a little late ..it’s like back when someone delivered you a newspaper .. I was that kid .. Great job Steve as always thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@dumahim]

Starting the day off wrong when I get up from breakfast and there's no Steve Mags video ready. I feel a bit lost.

[@DeweyCheatumNHoweLLC]

@@dumahim He's in Houston this weekend for the Barrett Jackson auction.

[@emersonaz]

My Dad bought an A100 from a Mountain Bell auction that had no back windows at all. I learned to drive stick on that three on the tree. Fun little van.

[@feelinfine1973]

Just finished my 2 pot of coffee!! Wheww!! I didn't know if i was gonna get my Junkyard fix this morning Steve! My morning routine is now complete!! ✌️ from Iowa

[@myretirementlife8731]

I had a 66 like that when I was a teenager, man I loved that thing! My girlfriend used to sit on the engine box when we went places in it. Good times for sure back in the late 70's

[@tobyvincent9190]

Same here,slant six three on the tree

[@throckmorton8477]

Yup, me three. My buddy had a white '66 A100 in high school. I'd borrow it and my girl would sit there warming her buns on the engine cover as we drove around. That was 49 years ago. 😁

[@myretirementlife8731]

@@tobyvincent9190 mine too.

[@myretirementlife8731]

@@throckmorton8477 45 years ago for me, damn, where did the time go.

[@tobyvincent9190]

50 years ago for me

[@garyspaun5237]

Really great to have a guy who works on cars also present automotive information.

[@jamestucker8073]

I had one of these that had a 318 V8 and the cool shifter on the dash . And also was a popup camper.

[@honorrolls5415]

Love you have so much respect for the old vans. They were everywhere thanks Steve Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana

[@popplace4]

Had one back in the day for our band. Loved it, rebuilt the slant 6 and it ran like a deer. Used it as my personal ride until the front shock rotted off the unibody and became undriveable. Clutch rod would break on occasion at the 90 bend. Had it welded and it was good to go several times.

[@wazzup948]

I’ve got 4 of them. 1967 a108 318 auto-1967 a100 225 aluminum 3spd-1966 panel a100 no windows or doors 22,000 miles 190ci manual-1966 a100 pickup 273ci 3spd 26,000 original. I also have a 69 Dodge coronet rt convertible 440 4spd-69 Dodge Dart swinger 340ci 4spd 43,000 miles. Also have an 84 dodge rampage 5spd. All vehicles are rust free. I have 3 jeeps one with a hemi. MOPAR or no car. I do have one 88 Chevy van (I needed something that breaks down so I can actually work on a car LOL) 43000 miles no rust. I mention the no rust issue because I live in the rust belt and I learned from experience after buying a Wisconsin 57 nomad rust bucket in 1982. Enjoy my man Steve because of his endless knowledge of the auto industry and his love for mopars. Keep up the good work!!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Steve, just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us. I've learned a lot from you in all your shows and I've enjoyed every minute of it

[@danw6014]

There was a guy who showed up at one of our local fairs with the pickup version in the two wheel drive truck pulls. There was a great big blower Hemi on alcohol in the box.

[@TrashcanGarage]

Look up the Dodge Little Red Wagon

[@danw6014]

@@TrashcanGarage yeah I've seen that in magazines. They are both pretty cool.

[@DanEBoyd]

My Ma's younger hippy brother had one of these!!! He and his wife were artists, and they toured around the country going to art shows and selling their works! Eventually they stopped doing that, but kept the van. Well, one day, my Uncle was working outside, and heard his van's starter kind of cranking over. He turned to look, and there was the A100, slowly chugging down the street on its starter, and with smoke pouring out of the doghouse. He pulled the battery cable, pushed it into a spot, and sold it...

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Love slant 6 such a great motor 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇺

[@jeffparris8387]

New drinking game. Every time Mags tells the story about Bostrom seats you have to take a shot. Love ya Steve. Your channel is my "go-to"

[@edwardpate6128]

Love all those old flat front vans from Dodge, Ford and GM!

[@kennethzullick6897]

My workplace had one back in the 70's, I loved driving it around. Sorry I never got one for myself.

[@ColumusCrew]

Thank you Steve

[@flydieselair]

I use to drive one of those when I worked for Hydro. When the wind would blow even just a little, they were all over the road. It was quite the effort to keep on your side of the road. 198 slant six with 3 speed on the column.

[@larrywinger59]

Mine was all over the road too until I carried three people it was steady. Weight in the back really helped.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Good to see you at Barrett-Jackson ! Love the junkyard ! Keep them coming & have a good week-end !

[@zachsmith5216]

Bummer that I didn't see Roger🦌. You are gutsy Steve to sacrifice old magazines and literature for your viewers. Appreash. Also, you are the reason I watch Barret-Jackson, mucho knowledge.

[@formula112967]

I love the flat nosed vans! Thanks Steve.

[@therealpatriarchy]

You haven't fully lived if you've never been inconvenienced by that doghouse.

[@TrashcanGarage]

re: production numbers - my mustang is number 1000 off the line when assembled in April 2010. 333k miles and counting.

[@rayhope7957]

Had one back around 1986 or so same color, just got it for the 3.91 sure grip to put in my 71 duster, and yes and it was a factory slant 6 van!

[@joehorecny7835]

Learned to drive a stick shift in a Dodge van like this. Buddy bought one for $100 in the late 70s. Kenny kept saying give it gas, give it gas,, as I kept stalling the engine at a stop sign, 5 minutes into my lesson. I accelerated thru the intersection, went to shift to second, but there was no second gear! I took off in 3rd Ha! And yeah, I gave it lots of gas! :D Good Times!

[@BL2197]

Thanks Steve. Your channel and Junkcar Willy are my favourites.

[@marvinmartian7281]

The Scooby-Doo van well excuse me... The Mystery Machine indeed!

[@googleusergp]

Bostrom still exists and there are two companies now (they used to be one, then they split up). H.O. Bostrom does a lot of fire truck and emergency vehicle seating (among other vocations) and Bostrom does more vocational and is OEM to a lot of the truck builders out there. HO Bostrom is in Waukesha, WI. Bostrom is in Piedmont, AL. No, I think you may have gotten it a bit wrong on the VIN, as the "2" is for the assembly plant (Warren Truck HD in this case), it is not part of the "production stack". Based on that, I think this is a 1965 model. So, with the "VIN" (serial number), we win: 19 for A100 van, 6 for six cylinder equipped, 2 for Warren Truck Plant (Heavy Duty), Warren, MI and the rest is the production sequence. 1965 model year production started with sequence number 015000 and the 1966 model year starts with 055000. Therefore, sequence 050221 falls in the 1965 model year range, not 1966. Warren Truck still operates today under Stellantis, although various parts have come and gone over the years. It opened in 1938 and was known as "Dodge City", much like Flint, MI for GM was called "Buick City". Exterior paint should be Ditzler code DT8491 Arctic Blue.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Steve, I had no idea an Industrial Slant 6 existed.

[@sporty196071]

I remember seeing lots of A-100's, the old phone company Michigan Bell used them for service trucks. They also used the big 2 ton dodge trucks. You could buy them cheap and work the hell out of them. They make good tow trucks.

[@googleusergp]

I want to say Sears service vans may have Dodge (among other makes) around that time. The type of van you might see pull up to your neighbor's house to fix something that they couldn't handle themselves. Those types of trucks didn't come around my house, my dad (and later me) were the "Maytag Man". when the situation called for it.

[@jiggyjim4098]

"Fill your library before you fill your garage" ..... would love to see a video (or 3) showing and talking about your library. It always amazes me that you know right where to find the article you are looking for. I am guessing you must have a heck of a catalog system.

[@frankdenardo8684]

In 1996. Chrysler redesigned the minivan and in the brochure you showed the right and left side doors on the Dodge A-100 van. The van you showed had the swing out doors, the 1996 to present Chrysler minivan had the dual sliding doors.

[@stevehenderson2571]

We miss you buddy. Get well soon Steve.

[@watsisbuttndo829]

"When stedenko backs this up". Lol, thats an obscure reference these days.

[@goratgo1970]

"Shoot the Moon!"

[@pl5624]

A100...favorite van of the 1966 batman tv series..

[@talfacprez]

We found a walk through 68 Dodge van and when we asked the salvage yard owner how much he would take for it, he choked on the coffee he had just took a sip of when he realized he had one in his yard and said, "I'm not going to sell that". Sure enough a few month later he started using it was one of his delivery trucks to take parts to body shops in the area. Darn!

[@johnlewan1114]

I had 4 of that era Dodge vans, all with the Leaning Tower of Power. My 66 sportsman was all original, custom ordered with a 727 torqueflite, and a 3.91 rear end. I could take a lot of people off the line, and then eat their dust! Sadly someone ran a red light and totaled it. A very unique ride and the coolest camper ever. Thanks for featuring this Steve.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

I had this van when I was 17 or 18 it was white with black upper that wrapped around , 3 speed on the column and a bullet proof slant 6 I think it was blue and that starter motor sound , it was a good van it needed a set of king pins badly it was very tuff turning that steering wheel , thanks .

[@josephdipalma5989]

I always loved those goofy headlight bezels, they gave that van its own personality.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great video Steve! I’ve learned so much about all different kinds of van’s with you! And I never really been interested in van’s!👌😂👍keep’em coming my friend!

[@ez123ification]

Had one in high school. Had a lot of great adventures with friends. Was an old new England telephone van sadly it rotted away.

[@jasonformulaboater357]

Steve, how about an episode showing some of the old literature you have. Im the gearhead pausing the video when you show them to try and read it. How much of Bernardston auto have you covered you think? Great stuff sir.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@Jason Hines I asked a couple months ago how many acres is that property it seams huge.🤷‍♂️

[@UberLummox]

The A-600 semi tractors were cool as hell too.

[@bruceprentice6441]

Telephone companies and cable companies always had Dodge vans. And as resale vehicles every small time repair guy, plumber, carpenter, appliance repair shop, they all drove the used telephone vans. Those things were everywhere.

[@willhorting5317]

IMHO..... VERY weird to see a van with windows in the side door, yet none in the rear doors.🤯

[@richardbates2367]

I remember the Texas auto hoard auction vehicle videos you did Steve sir, and hopefully the same drag truck most people should remember the little red wagon!!

[@tkflanagan4449]

You're Late..... I was a WRECK!!!! I start every day with you....well, as long as you are alright!!!

[@alanwhite3280]

My father ordered a new Sportsman in Jan of '65. Slant 6 3 on the tree, grind 'em in first. AM radio, rear heater, heavy duty suspension w/ "C" rated 15" tires

[@francisbobek9]

My family had a 68 walk through. Bought it from a local Lenox heating and cooling outfit. I actually learned to drive manual trans in the deal. Also learned the art of un jamming the shift linkage haha.

[@coolbreeze5561]

Wheeler Dealers did an A100 that was very cool 😎

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

The 1970s vans were sought after for customizing but not this model. Seats after 1980 were living room quality and very comfortable!

[@randyauer7303]

You the man Steve get well soon

[@noneed4me2n7]

Dad was a van guy for a time. Have fond memories riding around in that old econoline.

[@EagleKammback]

Whoa! I wanna see more about that crazy IH van? in front of it

[@davidmiller3263]

Wow really cool van! Wish I’d have caught this video when you uploaded it! Guess I was slacking

[@daynadiggle8169]

I had a 66 Chevy van in the late seventies with no side doors , six bang , three on the tree , and that beam front axle we called straight front axle . All I had in the van was a single size mattress and believe me , it earned it's keep !

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

Very informative. My friend who had one of these were 318 and it was supposed to be all original back in the early to mid-90s all but begged me to buy it off him. If was a $150 that's all it was it ran and drove and had some decent old school aftermarket rims and tires. But I was too busy at work and thought it was neat. It's all about buying it for the motor. But I didn't have time to haul it out to the farm and park it and if I had it probably still be there. So I even took it to the company sold it to for him. The guy whose job it was to unload the van off the trailer wanted to know if I was sure he was shaking his head and everything else. Well you know the giant claw in the games where you can pick a prize? He took his giant claw smashed in the middle and I thought he's going to cry. See my friend was a scrapper and he liked the old vehicles. Couldn't get in bed take it for some reason. The tags weren't expired and it ran and drove and all gears. It did not even have a burnt out light bulb on it. Factory radio. And you can get the engine out from either side because I had thought about it because it ran so well. Yeah I had those doors on both sides you were talking about. So I'm kind of cleansing my automotive soul by making this confession. Every time I see one of these little Vans I regret not buying that from him. Truth be known I could have bought it for 75 bucks probably. As the old song goes that's my story and I'm sticking to it. You had to point out to seats and the differential / axle assembly.

[@Ramcharger85]

I have always wanted one of these. My cousin had a 64 Econoline until the engine caught on fire. ❤

[@stevengamsby8376]

My dad had a 1968 dodge van like that one with the 273 v8 same color but with a white stripe around it he loved that van tell someone can around the corner off of Artesia Boulevard onto Heron Street and totaled my father’s van

[@ScottDLR]

A mechanic buddy had one of these that he kept all his tools in. Without some kind of barrier between the seats and the back, it was nearly impossible to heat even in mild Western Washington.

[@wreckerjonny6144]

My neighbor has a 66 a100. 3 speed on column. I remember his dad was next to the engine working the shift rods while my friend drove . We're 13-14 no license. Linkage came apart and said you wanna go home shut up and drive I'll do the shifting just do what I tell you and we won't die. I promise. Those were the days to remember

[@frankfurther3828]

thanks for showing the various side door options. Base model among the 3 was the no side door.

[@bobbyz1964]

Liked the engine between the seats vans and especially pickups. Almost bought a pickup (might've been an Econoline) when I was maybe 13 or 14, for like 250 or 350 bucks, this was around 1980. My dad pulls over so I can look at it and waits till I'm sitting behind the wheel with thoughts of Little Red Wagon type wheel stands in my head. Then he says something about how legs get cut off in a frontend crash. I start looking at where your feet sit and that ended my desire to own one right then and there. If people really lost their feet in them I don't know. But by that point in my life I'd spend enough time in hospital to know I just ain't very lucky. 😂

[@craigmiller7063]

I absolutely love the van videos. It makes me really think back when i was a kid seeing these on the road before the whole cash to clunkers program destroyed millions of beautiful vehicles

[@rob1129]

To me the A100 is the quintessential Scooby-Doo van

[@ckaspersen]

I love my Steve Magnante spitting truth! Keep'em coming!

[@gregkellow4723]

I got all excited at around 5:41. I had to go back to the video and stop it. There appears to be a set of 69-78 Honda CB750 motorcycle carbs. They are worth a pretty penny.

[@johngranato2673]

Looking at the vid, I can almost smell those old Ford, Chevy, and Mopar vans that I rode in as a kid.

[@01trsmar]

In 1996 I bought one after a friend of a friend knew of it and told me just to buy it asap for the $600 the older guy wanted..I said no way!! WHY would I want it? He said just go look at it so one evening we drove half an hour away to look at it..The van had a 1969 440 Magnum and 727 stuffed into it,it ran and drove real good and hauled ass!!! I bought drove it home and I ripped the engine trans out sold the van for $500..Would have kept the rear end but needed it a roller..Was a solid rust free body,decent paint a 70's custom job,stripes,shag rug etc..I was thinking of slapping a warmed up 360 I had in it but sold it 2 months later..as a roller. The good news the 440 went into my 69 Charger R/T ( I still have the car) and that car then had a bone stock 1978 400 2bbl in it(yes I put a 4bbl on to drive it around) I restored it and it was my daily driver..The 440 was a perfect fit,correct year 440 and trans from a wrecked 69 Coronet R/T the old guy said and it was! I bought just about every type of 1960-80's Mopar...I have stories for days...Sorry about the 2000 word novel!

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

The pickup model was very cool . I had a Jeep F C 150 very much the ultimate get around machine.

[@rolliebear42]

You've mentioned Bostrom several times now, one of their former factories is a stones throw from my house. Quality products, even today.

[@savedin87ify]

Would love to have one. To restore. Cost more than it's worth. But what the hell you only love once.

[@davezul4396]

Look at the SBC with the road draft tube baffle in the lifter valley.....

[@buckster2575]

I seen one like that in the junkyard last Saturday.its been there for a little bit.it was last on the road in 87.seen a 60s model Chevy van lately to

[@kmath50]

A neighbor had one of these, but it was nicer. It had a 273 V8 and nice interior panels. It also had 3rd row seating. Another thing to note, was that the battery was stored in a case behind the driver's seat. With this same neighbor, the voltage regulator once got stuck closed, causing battery to overcharge. Two of their daughters were overcome from the hydrogen. Luckily, they were able to pull over and get everyone out before it got too bad..

[@larrykroger3100]

Hey, whats the story with the brand new set of TRW's somebody left on the dog house ??

[@throttlewatch4614]

I always wanted a cab over van always thought they were cool

[@thomasdearment3214]

back in the later 70s vans were bought and converted to living rooms inside, sag carpet, plush beds, and chairs, killer sound systems I never thought it cool, and we used to call them P---- wagons haha

[@andrefiset3569]

20 years ago I knew a guy who had a camper version in great shape but made the sin to use it during a few Canadian winters.

[@stephenhenderson9871]

Man I would’ve loved to have that van in Texas, oh well I hope it went to a good home. Another great video. Thanks Steve

[@66balsam]

My local fire department had one, 318 auto with the 8 3/4, it was a fun driver

[@andreamills5852]

Dad Had a green one just like this ,had a slant 6 , we named it Kermit , it reminded us of a frog. lol.

[@bradbrown8759]

I loved the big 3s version of these. The odd Corvair style was even weirder. It seemed they all were trying to copy the VW bus. But the rear engine of the VW & Corvair surely made for far better snow driving. And sitting over or in front of the front wheels felt really spooky. But not as much as your knees being against the front most sheet of metal.

[@magnificenthonky]

Having no windows on the rear doors isn't all that odd. Perhaps it's a rare option on those old Dodge vans, but fairly common on work vans in general. As far as relying solely on mirrors to back up... well, those vans are work horses. The cargo area is frequently going to be fairly full, and those rear windows will be largely blocked from view. So, you'll STILL be needing to rely on your mirrors. Being a van enthusiast, I've owned a few. Also, I've had many jobs that put me behind the wheels of vans. Having great experience with such vehicles, I can say that the visibility out of rear windows in vans is not the greatest; you're better off using your mirrors, anyway. The rearview mirror fell off of my current van, nearly a decade ago. I've never bothered to put it back. Never used it, anyway. Always used the door mirrors. Recently, I removed the stock door mirrors, and installed some West Coasts. The art of fully utilizing mirrors is becoming lost.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

In the 2nd and 3rd grade there was a company called Servicar that contracted with the school district for bus service. I used to get picked up for school in a second generation Econoline and taken home in one of these. I remember the driver reminded me of the bus driver in the simpsons.

[@markbeech3455]

A great source back in the day pulling the 8 3/4 section out and a lot had sure grip. Don’t for get the speedo gear.

[@gilbertnowak5770]

My Dad had a 66 just like that one with a 273 with a three on the Tree! Sold it to a News Paper for Route deivery ....

[@jeffclark2725]

Seeing the magazine, i remember as a kid Tonka toys ,copied alot of the mini vans, and these trucks, Thumbs up

[@mikemcglashing4848]

Steve.....love your videos......do a 76-77 f150.........68 barracuda.......watching from New Brunswick

[@dubiousf00d]

Not gunna lie. I was becoming a little concerned. This is becoming a ritual for me. Guess I need a fresh cup of coffee!

[@robertlyman9789]

Nice COE in background

[@ZebsterP43]

I saw one years ago that the owner had put a Hemi back there with stack pipe exhaust

[@ddellwo]

Always thought those A-series trucks and vans were so cool looking with their “bug eye” front ends! Wouldn’t it be cool to have a nicely restored example in a charming period-correct color as your “weekend utility vehicle” for running errands around town?

[@danfarris135]

The classic Batman Villain van

[@4everdc302]

Steve! Ya found a movie star. It's Dusty Rust-Eze from Cars 🚗💨

[@ccg1171]

Good stuff. 👍

[@winsox28]

Houston looks like a blast! How are you not distracted by the "sold" woman 🙃