One of the biggest trends that are been growing in the intersection of car culture and travel is the return of custom van vehicles. We’re not talking about the stereotypical clapped-out cargo van with shag carpeting all over and only two seats, that was running on 2 ½ cylinders of a 4-cylinder engine, we’re talking about some of the most comfortable and versatile passenger vehicles on the market today.

More and more people are turning to these highly adaptable vehicles as a way to not only create their own space in the world, but to make that space mobile, and it’s even creating its community and subculture. Let’s dig into why these custom vans are coming back, and what makes them so great.

One of the biggest reasons that [...]

Those of us who have family members or friends with mobility problems understand the difficulties of transportation for them. Travel is not just an issue of vehicle, but also of access to the vehicle by the wheelchair-bound passenger or driver. In attempts to make a wheelchair van compatible and accessible, the vehicle may be less convenient for others, even limiting how a person enters the vehicle or is seated in the vehicle.

The RAM ProMaster begins life as a chassis with safety and security options like advanced front airbags (supplemented by seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain front airbags), electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, and more… The point is, this front-wheel-drive van is fully outfitted in both low roof and high roof designs, and can safely carry a payload of 4,440 pounds. The sidewalls of the Ram ProMaster are [...]

Conversion Vans are among the most versatile vehicles on the road today. They provide transportation for the entire family, haul cargo and also act as a camper on the weekends. Conversion vans typically have a rear bench seat that folds down into a bed. Weekend campers, hunters or tourists can bring their room with them, saving money on hotels and enjoy sleeping in secure comfort.

Many vans today are equipped with television sets, DVD players, overhead lighting and are very well insulated. Passenger seats are made to be comfortable. Air conditioning and heating allow create a pleasing environment for travel or camping.

There is a perception that a high top van will not fit in standard garage because of it’s height. Most modern garage doors are seven or eight feet tall. Taller doors may be found on older homes and new doors made for taller vehicles. The best thing to do is carefully measure your garage [...]

If you think Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is the perfect example of someone who drives a flashy sports car, get ready to be surprised. The 31-year-old football player, who has two young sons with wife Kristin Cavallari, is the proud owner of a white conversion van. According to reports, it’s a Chevy 2500 manufactured by Explorer Van Co. in Indiana. Onlookers assert the van is as tricked-out than any luxury car around.

Cutler drove to training camp in Bourbonnais, IL in what he calls his “dad style” vehicle, which the Orlando Sentinal claims could cost upwards of $60,000. The customized van is great for families, but it’s also practical for hauling luggage, equipment, and teammates. It seats nine people and boasts a 6.0-liter V-8 engine, with options for television and game outlets on the inside.

Cutler is not the only prominent [...]

The classic Conversion Van is as important to American culture as hot dogs and apple pie. Well, maybe not that important. But conversion vans have been a part of our automotive landscape since the early 1970s. Even though they’ve evolved over the years, these incredible vehicles still have their rightful place.

As a dealership mascot, we happen to have a 1977 Chevrolet Hop Cap that could easily pass as the dictionary definition of a van conversion. It has everything you’d expect from a 1970s era conversion, including hardwood floors and plenty of shag. It also has a killer paint job that would make any child of the 70s swoon.

The history of the conversion van goes back to the 1970s and a little-known company in Goshen, Indiana. Back then, van conversions were all about being a [...]