Greenlight 1:64 1976 Dodge B100: Mopar

The first modern Dodge vans, the Forward Control A-vans, lasted until 1970; their success led the company to quickly invest in a follow up series (as it would turn out, the only follow up series).

The new vans were named B100, B200, and B300, but are usually just called "the B-vans." They were made in Fenton, Missouri, at the start.

The B-vans were phased in over 1970 and 1971; they started as 1971 models. Radically different from the A-vans, the B-series were changed to meet customer requests. Engineers cut wind resistance to make them quieter and increase highway mileage, and dropped the old plate-glass, split windshield.

The interior was brought upscale, with some parts from passenger cars; and the front suspension was switched to an independent design with coil springs. Power steering and brakes were available across the board, with optional air conditioners and fresh-air heater/defrosters. The vans came with a single sun visor, two-speed wipers, single driver's seat, turn signals, heat, painted hubcaps, backup lights, and some other items considered essential today.

There was much more space than in the A-vans, especially if the buyer skipped the 109 inch wheelbase and went for the 127 inch wheelbase (or a Maxivan, unveiled in calendar-year 1971, which had 18 inches of additional length aft of the rear axle, for a total length of 212 inches).

Side doors were hinged, with an integrated step, near the center of the body; the Maxivan could take up to 15 passengers, and Dodge made school-bus versions (as they had with the A-van). The heavy vans had a standard 198 cubic inch slant sixes, with an optional 225 six or 318 V8 in their early years; yet the maximum gross vehicle weight was 7,700 pounds.

The B-vans were just five inches longer than the A-vans (176 and 194 inches), despite the longer wheelbase, and had much more interior space (206-246 cubic feet). The engine was still kept inside the van, rather than under the hood; the hood itself was mainly used to get to the accessories and check the fluids. The engine was under a sturdier plastic cover than it had been in the A-vans, with better sound insulation.

The 1976 vans gained an optional noise insulation package, and suspension tweaks to improve the ride; a warning light appeared when the transmission fluid was too hot or low. Dodge also launched its Street Van, designed to look (and be) customized. Two new engines were optional on B200 and B300: the 400 and 440 cubic inch V8, the first B-van engines bigger than the 318.

The 1976 vans gained an optional noise insulation package, and suspension tweaks to improve the ride; a warning light appeared when the transmission fluid was too hot or low. Dodge also launched its Street Van, designed to look (and be) customized. Two new engines were optional on B200 and B300: the 400 and 440 cubic inch V8, the first B-van engines bigger than the 318.

In 1976, sales were up to 184,583 vans; in 1977, they hit 226,066 vans, making the B-van Dodge's best selling truck group (compare that to 215,409 light-duty conventional pickups). Ford sold just 179,820 Econoline vans in 1976.