Not every van from the past became an icon. Some vintage models, despite their unique designs and features, never quite found their place in the limelight. In this article, we’re shining a light on 18 of these forgotten vans, each one with its own story of potential that just never took off.
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Chevrolet Corvan
The Chevrolet Corvan was introduced in the early 1960s as part of Chevy’s Corvair lineup, offering a rear-engine design that was unique among American vans at the time. Despite its innovative approach, featuring an air-cooled flat-six engine and a low floor for easy loading, the Corvan struggled to gain popularity. Its unconventional design and competition from Ford’s Econoline meant it never quite made the impact Chevy hoped for, making it a forgotten gem in the world of vintage vans.
Ford Econoline Supervan
The Ford Econoline Supervan was an extended version of the popular Econoline, offering more cargo space and seating capacity. Introduced in the late 1960s, the Supervan aimed to cater to the growing demand for larger commercial vehicles. However, its bulkier size and less agile handling compared to its competitors meant it didn’t catch on as widely. Despite its practical design and robust build, it remains a lesser-known model in the Econoline family.
Dodge A100
The Dodge A100, produced from the mid-1960s to early 1970s, was a compact van that offered a forward-control design, where the driver sat above the front axle. It came with various engine options, including a V8, which was quite powerful for a van of its size. However, despite its versatility and quirky design, the A100 never reached the iconic status of some other vans from that era, overshadowed by its more mainstream competitors.
Volkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT (Lasten-Transporter) was introduced in the mid-1970s as VW’s first serious attempt at a large van, distinct from the iconic but smaller Transporter series. It offered a spacious interior, robust build, and a variety of engine options. Despite these strengths, it didn’t achieve the same cult status as its smaller sibling, largely due to the market’s preference for other, more established models in the large van segment.
Bedford CF
The Bedford CF was Vauxhall’s answer to the Ford Transit, launched in the late 1960s. It featured a range of petrol and diesel engines and was available in numerous configurations, from panel vans to camper conversions. Despite its practicality and widespread use in the UK, the CF never gained significant recognition outside of Britain, often overshadowed by the dominance of the Ford Transit in the commercial van market.
Toyota LiteAce
The Toyota LiteAce was a compact van introduced in the early 1970s, known for its reliability and versatility. It was available in various configurations, including a pickup and a minibus. However, its modest size and somewhat utilitarian design meant it was often overlooked in favor of more stylish or larger vans, keeping it under the radar despite its durability and practicality.
Nissan Vanette
The Nissan Vanette, first introduced in the late 1970s, was a small van that offered practicality and efficiency. It was available in several body styles, including a van, minibus, and even a pickup. Despite its wide range of uses and dependable performance, the Vanette never achieved widespread fame, often outshined by competitors like the Toyota Hiace, making it a lesser-known option in the vintage van market.
Renault Estafette
The Renault Estafette was launched in 1959 as Renault’s first front-wheel-drive van, featuring a flat floor and easy access through its sliding side door. It was highly functional and versatile, serving as everything from a delivery van to an ambulance. Despite its innovative design and long production run, the Estafette remained largely confined to European markets and never gained the same global recognition as other vans, contributing to its under-the-radar status today.
Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon
The Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, introduced in the late 1980s, was an off-road-capable van that featured a rugged design and four-wheel drive. It was popular in specific markets for its versatility and ability to handle rough terrain, making it a favorite among adventurers. However, it never reached mainstream popularity, particularly in North America, where more conventional vans dominated, leaving the Delica Star Wagon as a niche, albeit beloved, choice.
Mazda Bongo
The Mazda Bongo, first introduced in the late 1960s, was a small van known for its compact size and efficient use of space. Available in various configurations, including a camper version, it offered practicality in a small package. Despite its long production history and adaptability, the Bongo never quite captured the attention of the broader market, remaining a more obscure choice among vintage van enthusiasts.
Citroën C15
The Citroën C15 was a small van based on the Citroën Visa, launched in the mid-1980s. It offered excellent fuel economy and practicality for small businesses, particularly in urban settings. However, its unassuming design and limited size kept it out of the spotlight, overshadowed by larger and more versatile vans, even though it served its purpose effectively in many European markets.
Fiat 238
The Fiat 238 was produced from the late 1960s to the early 1980s and was known for its versatility and reliability. It was commonly used as a commercial vehicle in Italy, available in various body styles, including panel vans and minibusses. Despite its practicality and widespread use, the Fiat 238 never gained significant international recognition, often remaining in the shadows of more prominent European vans like the Volkswagen Transporter.
Peugeot J7
The Peugeot J7, introduced in 1965, was a rugged and reliable van that served as a workhorse in many European countries. It featured a range of diesel and petrol engines and was available in numerous body styles. Despite its durability and functionality, the J7 never became a household name, particularly outside of Europe, making it one of the less celebrated vintage vans.
Daihatsu Hijet
The Daihatsu Hijet is a small kei van that has been in production since the 1960s. Known for its compact size and excellent maneuverability, it became popular in Japan for its practicality in tight urban spaces. However, its small engine size and limited presence outside of Asia meant it never caught on globally, remaining a more niche vehicle in the world of vintage vans.
Subaru Sambar
The Subaru Sambar is another kei van from Japan, first introduced in the 1960s. It offered a compact design and rear-engine layout, making it highly maneuverable and efficient. Despite its long production run and popularity in Japan, the Sambar never gained significant recognition internationally, particularly in markets where larger vans were preferred, keeping it under the radar for many vintage van enthusiasts.
Simca 1100 VF2
The Simca 1100 VF2 was a small van variant of the Simca 1100 car, introduced in the 1970s. It featured front-wheel drive and a practical design, making it a useful vehicle for light commercial purposes. However, its limited size and somewhat anonymous styling meant it never gained much attention outside of its native France, leaving it as one of the more obscure vintage vans on the list.
Austin J4
The Austin J4 was a small commercial van produced from the 1960s through the 1970s. It was known for its robust design and utility, often used by businesses in the UK for deliveries and other commercial tasks. Despite its durability, the J4 never achieved the same level of fame as other British vans like the Morris Minor, keeping it in the background of vintage van history.
GMC Handi-Van
The GMC Handi-Van, produced in the 1960s, was a compact van that offered a simple and utilitarian design, catering to small businesses and tradespeople. While it was practical and reliable, it was often overshadowed by more prominent American vans like the Ford Econoline and Chevy Van, making it a less-recognized model in the vintage van community.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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