Origins

• A customized A-100 Series Dodge van
  
  As with its competitors, Chrysler responded to the growing popularity of the Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter. The first Dodge van sat on a 90-inch wheelbase and employed a "cab forward" design. Cab forward vehicles, typically found in big-rig trucks of the era, placed the engine directly between the driver and front passenger seat.
  
  

Cab Forward Benefits

• A 1964 to 1967 Dodge A-100 Series van
  
  The cab forward concept was novel for passenger vehicles in 1964. While unusual for the early 1960s, the design layout afforded a flat floor in the rear cargo area. The rear-engine VW bus and Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier couldn't make the same claim since the rear cargo area contained the engine compartment. The Chevy Van, a separate model from the Greenbrier, had a similar engine compartment layout as the Dodge.
  
  

Drawbacks

• The interior of this 1964 Dodge van needs refurbishing, but note the engine compartment in center
  
  The most common complaint among early Dodge van owners was the heat and noise generated by the engine placement. The engine was at the elbow of the driver. Heat and noise seeped from the engine compartment when insulation became loose as these vans got older.
  
  

Dimensions

• This 1969 model changed little from the 1964 vans
  
  The first Dodge vans featured 213 cubic feet of cargo space and had a 2,110-pound payload rating. The 90-inch wheelbase was offered through the A-100 Series' production run, but a 108-inch wheelbase was offered as an option beginning in 1967. The longer wheelbase added 43 more cubic feet of space. The van could carry up to nine passengers.
  
  

Inside

• A 1968 Dodge van Sportsman
  
  The Custom Sports Special model featured Dodge Dart GT bucket seats, thick carpeting, heavy insulation and a center console from the Dodge Polara cars. The Camper Wagon was a conversion model with a pop-up roof. In 1969, Sportsman models were equipped with an optional icebox, sink and water tank. The dinette table and seats were converted into a bed and complemented by additional canvas bunks to sleep a total of four.
  
  

Power

• A restored 1964 model
  
  Only two engines were offered in the 1964 to 1966 Dodge vans: the 170-cubic-inch Slant-6 generating 101 horsepower and the 225-ci Slant-6 offering 145 horse. A 273-ci V-8 was an option beginning in 1965. The 318-ci V-8 was offered from 1967 to 1970.
  
  

Dodge Van Variant

• The pickup version of the 1966 to 1967 Dodge A-100 Series van
  
  The A-100 Series van spawned the pickup truck version produced during the entire production run of the van. The truck was a basic A-100 Series van in every respect except the cargo bed was open like a pickup truck instead of being protected with sheet metal.