1977
Dodge
Sportsman
15
Passenger
Van
The
Dodge
B
series
was
a
range
of
full-size
vans
that
were
produced
by
Chrysler
Corporation
from
1970
to
2003.
Through
their
production,
the
full-size
vans
were
sold
under
several
different
nameplates.
Built
on
the
B
platform
(later
AB),
the
full-size
vans
entered
production
for
the
1971
model
year.
Due
to
a
one-welded-piece
\"Uniframe\"
design,
the
Dodge
platform
was
lighter
and
stronger
and
featured
a
lower
cargo
floor
than
the
competition,
at
the
expense
of
noise,
vibration,
and
harshness
(NVH).
The
resulting
lower
center
of
gravity
improved
handling
versus
the
competing
products.
The
B-series
van
was
popular
for
cab-over
motorhome
conversion
until
Chrysler
Corporation's
egress
from
that
market
during
their
financial
difficulties
in
the
late
1970s.
For
consignment,
the
small
version
of
the
bus,
meant
to
shuttle
15
passengers
here
and
there
with
plenty
of
cargo
room,
and
comfortable
seating.
Our
example
is
from
1977,
has
decent
paint,
and
a
good
interior.
This
is
a
Sportsman
van
which
as
opposed
to
the
Tradesman
van
which
was
fully
enclosed,
has
plenty
of
windows
to
offer
a
\"zoom\"
with
a
view
for
the
passengers.
Exterior
With
all
steel
panels,
we
see
a
two
tone
paint
scheme
going
on
with
the
main
color
as
Medium
Green
Sunfire,
and
the
secondary
color
being
Jade
Green.
The
Jade
is
reserved
for
the
roof,
belt
line,
and
rockers.
Paint
is
overall
good,
with
a
few
areas
of
repairs
on
the
rockers,
and
rust
through
on
the
lower
fenders
and
doors.
The
roof
has
been
repaired
numerous
times,
particularly
at
the
drip
edge
on
the
rear
of
the
van.
Glass
is
all
clear,
and
is
surrounded
by
chrome
trim,
as
are
the
delineation
between
the
two
tone
paint
panels.
A
large
rear
door
swings
open
to
reveal
a
big
cargo
area
that
could
presumably
hold
another
2
bench
seats
but
are
not
installed
or
with
this
van.
A
large
passenger
side
sliding
access
door
allows
for
all
the
passengers
to
climb
in
easily.
Noted
the
center
of
the
roof
has
been
replaced
with
a
newer
stamped
panel
that
runs
from
the
windshield
to
the
back
doors.
All
chrome
is
present
and
accounted
for,
however
has
some
pitting
and
rusting
of
mounting
screws.
Standard
wheel
and
covers
are
on
all
4
corners.
Interior
Green
vinyl
bolsters
and
striped
gradations
of
green
broadcloth
inserts,
cover
the
front
buckets
(which
sport
arms
that
fold
up
and
down),
and
the
2
benches
behind
the
buckets.
The
seats
are
all
in
very
nice
condition
with
no
rips
or
tears.
The
headliner
is
absent
for
the
front
of
the
vehicle,
and
in
the
rear
is
a
green
vinyl
that
is
somewhat
loose.
Green
carpet
floods
all
the
floors
and
shows
some
dirt
and
wear.
Due
to
the
\"cab
over\"
design
a
large
plastic
engine
cover
is
between
the
buckets,
and
just
above
is
the
original
dash
swooping
upward
at
an
angle.
Like
the
door
panels,
there
are
strips
of
wood
applique
intermixed
with
green
plastic
and
painted
metal
to
make
up
the
dash.
The
engine
cover
also
doubles
as
a
nice
large
flat
area
for
storage.
Drivetrain
A
360ci
V8
is
under
the
hood
and
into
the
passenger
compartment,
as
a
cab
over
design.
A
3
speed
727
Torqueflite
is
bolted
to
the
back
of
the
engine
and
an
8
1/4\"
axle
brings
up
the
rear.
Undercarriage
Underneath
some
areas
of
surface
rust
have
developed
where
the
rustproofing
has
flaked
off.
Surface
rust
is
also
on
the
suspension,
and
driveshaft
as
well
as
the
rear
axle.
All
appears
to
be
structurally
sound
underneath.
Drive-Ability
With
our
test
battery
installed
and
the
use
of
some
starting
fluid
the
360ci
V8
roared
to
life.
Test
drive
speeds
had
to
be
kept
low
as
the
brake
system
needs
a
total
overhaul,
brake
pedal
to
the
floor.
The
transmission
worked
properly,
and
we
noticed
no
unusual
noises.
This
Dodge
Maxiwagon
with
its
extra
area
on
the
rear
is
capable
of
carrying
up
to
15
passengers.
It
has
fair
paint,
and
some
rust
throughout,
along
with
a
few
dents
and
dings.
Interior
remains
nicely
preserved,
as
does
the
engine
bay.