The Dodge Tradesman roof was lowered eight inches, the back doors were removed, and a sheet metal panel was then formed, fitted, then welded in place and ground smooth. A massive gull wing side door was hydraulically activated with a handheld remote. A custom phantom mesh grille hides the four headlights, while the rear taillights were frenched into the rear corners. All of the door handles were shaved smooth and the body was primered, then block-sanded over and over to achieve a straight, smooth surface. The van was then driven six hours to Magnuson's Custom Paint in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, were it received it's incredible multi-colored PPG paint scheme.
The audio, or period correct, "stereo" system was headed up by a Kenwood 625 head unit and amplified by a Blaupunkt GTA 480 amp. A large subwoofer enclosure houses four 10-inch Blaupunkt subwoofers that deliver the thunderous bass. A Blaupunkt amp powers the Blaupunkt mid/high audio signals. The entire stereo system was wired and installed by Pete Rosedale, from Des Plaines, Illinois.
The exotic velvet interior was designed and created by the crew at Paradise Motor Works in Berkeley, Illinois. The van's interior walls, floor, and ceiling were covered with lavish gold, red, and purple button-tucked velvet. The bed loft features four ceiling spotlights and a side mirror.
If you qualify for an AARP card and still can remember names of classmates during your high school years of the `70s, then you will remember Van mania....