1971 Dodge Tradesman B300 1 ton van

Description for Dodge Other 1971

Attention mopar fans and van fans alike. I have in my possession an amazing cream puff of a dodge B300 Tradesman van. This particular van started its life as an EMT vehicle for the Soquel california volunteer fire department. it was retired sometime in the mid seventies when the more factory retrofitted ambulances came out. It then spent the next 25-30 some aught years in the fire station still under fleet maintenance. In 2003 the first civilian purchased the van from the fire house (hence the white california plates. it was CA exempt before). which happened to be right next door to him. It had just 12. 00 miles at that time. He used it for his sign making business until 2012. when it was parked and there it sat until last year when I acquired it. In the 44 years of life. it had spent all in the Soquel village at. or very close to the fire station. I took the van not too far. just over to santa cruz and began to button up a few little issues it had from sitting. It now has an actual 23. 00 miles on it. Recent Work; Old gas drained. new oil and filter. all front end components greased. all burnt bulbs replaced. horn fixed. Within the last 200 miles it has had; Full tune up including plugs. cap. rotor. wires. pertronix electronic ignition upgrade. new hi performance coil. front KYB gas shocks. rear differential oil changed with limited slip additive. full brand new. manifolds back single exhaust (super quiet). with new hangers and exhaust manifold gaskets. Engine has been timed. New valve cover gaskets. The not so good; Body and floors are as solid as it gets. but has 2 small rust spots. one on the drivers side corner at the back of the roof by the drip rail. and one on the passenger side. mid roof at the drip rail. Both spots are easily repairable. One of the back windows that open has the little latch that holds it open broken off. its water tight however and still closes. Paint is a tiny bit sunburned only on the roof. Thats about it. This van is simply amazing. the paint shines beautifully (after i spent 10 hours buffing it out) its incredibly straight. has a few scratches and very small dings (worst is on the passenger rocker panel way down low). It appears to be a very old repaint. probably at the time the fire station got it and matched the color to the rest of their fleet. but looks fantastic. All the glass and rubber seals are absolutely perfect. The chrome is all there. shines great and is ridiculously straight besides two pieces where it was very lightly rubbed on a pole or something. front bumper looks new. grill is straight and looks fabulous. All emblems present. Tires are like new and the dog dish caps all look brilliant. Inside are remnants of this vehicles past service life. There are provisions for a CB radio. power inverter. and emergency lights. A few holes were made in the dash. but really just add to the character. It still has a working "airplane" throttle present though the power inverter was removed. Still has original spotlight which works. and the siren. which also works and is extremely loud. Has a master power switch and battery switch to toggle between the two batteries. or to use both in tandem. captain chairs are perfect. In the cargo area in a massive diamond plate tool box. with under floor storage and a slide out utility drawer. All gauges and lights work perfect. The 318 engine is the real star here. as it runs unbelievably well. not one odd sound. backfire. leak. puff of smoke. oil burning. overheating. stumble or hiccup. just pure quiet. smooth power. I had the exhaust manifolds off. and had the chance to take a peek at the exhaust valves. they were clean as a whistle. not one bit of carbon or oil at all. For a 318. it moves the van quite quickly. as the torque flight transmission blows through the gears with positive and crisp shifts. This thing has 4. 10 gears in the dana 60. so it will do 75 mph. but really is happiest at around 60. I can't stress enough how good this thing runs and drives. it moves out so pleasingly. its just an absolute pleasure to drive. Steering is manual. brakes are power drum. It steers straight. with only a small amount of play and stops straight. sure and strong with no pulling. I Adore this van. and i know the new owner will as well. its nearly perfect in every way. drive it as is immediately. needs nothing. I Hope i haven't forgotten anything. but please feel free to ask me any question you might have about this beauty. If you'd like to have the van shipped. we can arrange that. buyer pays shipping cost. $500 deposit required within 48 hrs of auction end. full payment within a week of auction end. Van will be fully detailed. gassed up and ready for new owner upon purchase. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!On Oct-09-14 at 12:54:53 PDT. seller added the following information:Forgot to mention that all the front end rubber was replaced less than 5 years ago. The thing will never ride like a cadillac. but it is nice and tight and rides like an old one ton van should. On Nov-05-14 at 08:32:21 PST. seller added the following information:Van is also for sale locally. so I reserve the right to end auction early.