Stick Shift and 6 Cylinders: 1987 Ford Econoline Van

Tipper Eric sent this car in with the following words: Who orders an Econoline with a stick and a 6?  I have to meet this person!  Yup, this is a strange vehicle..and one that I am familiar with..I learned to drive on similar manual transmission equipped van...but if I recall correctly my old man didn't buy this from the factory as much as win it in some strange business deal like Han Solo winning the Millennium Falcon, but in the end a young (probably 12 year old) me learned to drive a stick shift van with velour seats and Yoda's cane as a gear shifter. It was a long time ago. Find this 1987 Ford Econoline Van offered for $1500 in Bakersfield, NC via craigslist.

Thar She Goes: 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS

I love the classic Mitsubishi Van, even if it does have a Kirk Douglas chin.  But Kirk Douglas (God rest his soul) doesn't have a sweet velour interior, reclining/rotating captains chairs OR the ability take you and seven of your co-sheltering family/friends to somewhere you can stand 6-feet apart.  What a strange time we live in.  But there is nothing strange about wanting to own such a sweet van. Find this 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS offered for $3400 in San Mateo, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Rare JDM Wagon: 1992 Toyota Corolla Van

This next car REALLY stretches the limit of what you consider an appreciating classic car.  It isn't fast, and it isn't really noticeable (most of the mindless automatons driving around in their beige pods won't blink twice at a Corolla wagon...even though it was never sold here in this generation and is the only one you'll ever see) and there are thousands of cars that offer more daily driver usability...but...BUT...this is an all-wheel-drive and manual-gearbox equipped Corolla imported from Japan with right-hand-drive and it will win all the street cred you can use at the next Japanese classic car show. Find this 1992 Toyota Corolla Van offered for $8500 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from Erik202.

Steal This Teal Deal: 1991 Mercedes-Benz M100 Sprinter Van

This next tip comes from Erik202 who writes: Seems like you’ve been on a small car kick lately (not complaining) but here’s something that’s not that. Small cars...big cars...I try not to discriminate, but there are times when I get on a kick for small 80s crapcans that have manual gearboxes and I need something like this next car to pull me back to my senses.  Find this 1991 Mercedes-Benz M100 Sprinter Van offered for $6500 CAD ($4904 USD) in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada via kijiji.net.

Transportapotty or Microbebus: 1973 Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) Bus

This next car...errr..bus..comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes: You don't see these too often anymore. Volkswagens from this era seemed particularly prone to catching the rust bug. When you do see one, it is either in a Woodstock documentary or Jay Leno's car collection. This appears to be a somewhat complete collection of parts roughly fashioned into a 1973 VW Bus, in an undriveable state for less than the cost of a new hairpiece. All it lacks is a balding hippie with a fat wallet and fond memories of their halcyon days in the back of one of these.  Find this 1973 Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) Bus offered for $2,500 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Manual Gearbox Equipped: 1993 Volkswagen Eurovan

What was sold here new in the United States as the Volkswagen EuroVan was actually the 4th generation of the Transporter / Type 2 / Bus / Kombi / etc, and was the first of the bread loaf VW vans to have its engine and drive wheels up front, finally ditching the rear/rear setup of old. Today the prices have fluctuated between cheap-depreciated crap, and oooh its a future collectible..and to be honest, I have zero clue as to the actual value of these machines...but getting a running/driving RV/minivan for sub $4k asking in SoCal seems like a good deal to me. Find this 1993 Volkswagen Eurovan offered for $3800 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Star Wars Tribute: 1979 Dodge Van

This next van, like all vans, exudes a certain degree of sketchiness...not to the level of the infamous "Free Candy" van, but its on the spectrum.  However, with the sweet Star Wars graphics, rad staggered mag wheels, and roof mounted wing, you are far more likely to attract 40-something year old men named Kevin instead of little kids. Nonetheless, you will attract something and let's just hope you lean towards the light instead of the dark side because I would totally go for a ride in this thing and my name isn't Kevin.  Find this 1979 Dodge Van offered for $9800 in San Antonio, TX via craigslist.

Surprising Survivor: 1987 Nissan Van

This next car falls into the category of one of the cars that was built in large quantities, but is mostly forgotten...but in the case of the Vanette..the story is much more interesting.  The Nissan Vanette was exported to the US market from 1987 to 1990 badged simply the Van as a competitor to the Toyota Van and Mitsubishi Van. The only problem was that Nissan didn't spend much time on engineering and the 2.4 liter Z24i engine inline-4 that was shoved into the C22 for US market didn't quite fit. Cooling issues and engine fires led to a massive recall that had Nissan offering to buy back every single C22 Van sold in the US market and all repurchased vehicles were crushed to avoid future legal issues. Somehow this next vehicle avoid the steel grip of the crusher and now lives with the weirdos in Santa Cruz.  Find this 1987 Nissan Van offered for $4,500 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

MasterAce Space Cruiser: 1986 Toyota Van

In the late 1970s Toyota entered the light passenger van segment with a compact cab-over eraser shaped thing called the MasterAce. Actually, it was called the MasterAce in Japan and known as the Space Cruiser in Europe, the Tarango in Australia, but for the squares in North America it was only badged as the...wait for it...Toyota Van. Yup.  No fancy name, but all of the manual-gearbox, rear-drive, box-shaped goodness that comes wrapped in sweeeeeeeeeeeet 80s graphics. Find this 1986 Toyota Van offered for $5000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist. Tip from Safety Fast.

"Adventure" Van: 1991 Ford E350 4X4

There is a fine line between a sweet van and a free candy van...which is ironic given the sweetness of candy, but ultimately the difference between seeming quirky and creepy.  You'll have to be the judge with this next van, but I wouldn't park it in any school zones until you've fix the body damage on the side. Find this 1991 Ford E350 4X4 offered for $14,500 in Black Canyon City, AZ via craigslist.

Don't Call Me Mini: 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon

The Mitsubishi Delica was a compact Japanese van with unibody construction, a mid-engine RWD or 4WD drivetrain, and a smattering of engine options. These were sold in North America under the creative model names Van and Wagon, and only lasted a few years here (1987-1990)...but if you ask this guy (and you did...right?) I'd say they are as cool as a Volkswagen Vanagon and should be collectible in the future.  Find this 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon offered for $13,300 in Truckee, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Go West, Young Man! 1987 Volkswagen Westfalia

This next car comes as a tip from Scott T who writes: Have you ever wanted to pick up someone else's project after they've lost interest? Do you love putting together lego sets with no instructions?  Then this is the van for you friend!  This looks like the seller methodically removed every non driveline part. It's not blooming in New England yet, so those pics probably aren't from this year. On the plus side, it's a non rusty east coast westy and you don't even have to lift a carpet to inspect it. The Go Westy bumpers the seller has are about $200 for the basic kit, but he might have the heavy duty version, which with the hitch is almost a grand in parts. Find this 1987 Volkswagen Westfalia offered for $7500 in Boston, MA via craigslist.

LT1 V8 Swap: 1992 Chevrolet Astro LT

It happens three or four times a month without fail, strangers approach me in hushed tones and ask "what is the best platform for an engine swap?"  At first, I'm taken back by the fact that I'm being asked such a strange question in the middle of Sunday Mass, but then I shrug my shoulders and whisper in a hoarse but brief reply-- "Chevy Astro Van". Really...as if there is any other answer to this question.  Find this 1992 Chevrolet Astro LT offered for $9995 in Colorado Springs, CO via craigslist.  Tip from Barbpaddles via engineswapdepot. 

Groovy: 1967 GMC Van

This next car comes as a tip from Zach Z who writes: It's... beautiful!  But then he sent another email a few minutes later: Okay, actually it's a mess, but, well, it could be beautiful.  So true.  Find this 1967 GMC Van offered for $2000 in Southeastern IA via craigslist.

Not So Delicate: 1992 Mitsubishi Delica Exceed 4WD Turbodiesel

The Mitsubishi Delica was a compact Japanese van with unibody construction, a mid-engine RWD or 4WD drivetrain, and a smattering of engine options. These were sold in North America under the creative model names Van and Wagon, and only lasted a few years here (1987-1990). Those were basic cargo and people mover versions, but if Mitsu had offered us the full-on 4WD turbodiesel Delica in this market, they might have been as common as 4Runners and Cherokees. Find this Mitsubishi Delica 4WD for sale in Fort Myers, FL for $15,000 via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Space Cruiser: 1985 Toyota Van LE

Toyota sold their awesome TownAce/MasterAce R20/R30 van with the names Toyota Space Cruiser in parts of Europe, but for whatever reason it was called the Toyota Van for the US Market.  Really? I demand European import Space Cruiser badges for my rear drive oddball!  Find 1985 Toyota Van LE offered for $4999 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

6 Wheelerr: 1982 Dodge B250 Custom Van

If you are going to drive a custom van, it better have some serious flare.  Start with 4-rectangular windows on each flank, cover the insides with plush fur, and then put it on 6-wheels...yeah...that'll do pig, that'll do.  Find this 1982 Dodge B250 Custom here on eBay bidding for $8,600 with a few days to go, located in Hawaii.