Finding a gen1 Dodge Caravan C/V (Cargo Van) is getting to be rare enough, but one with the split rear barn doors is worth stopping for, even if it was getting dark. To tell the truth, I’d forgotten that this split rear door option even existed; it was first available in 1989, when the Mini Ram Van was renamed Caravan C/V. These doors were not built and installed at the factory, but by a vendor. The door-less Caravans were shipped there for that procedure before heading off to the dealers.
I spotted a really early Mini Ram Van some years back, and wrote it up here.
All of these had the conventional lift up rear hatch door.
In 1987, when I moved to the San Jose area to start up the newly acquired tv station for Telemundo, we needed a cargo van for the production department for remote shoots (commercials and such). The obvious choice was an Econoline, but I was rather enamored of the Caravan, and for 1987, the new lwb versions had arrived, including a cargo version. I ordered or found one, in white, of course, with the newly-available V6 engine. With the bare interior, it scooted right along. It turned out to be a good workhorse.
Oddly, I’m utterly unable to find a lwb Caravan cargo van of that generation on the web except this one in Germany hauling some kind of mud bogger contraption. It also has the barn doors, so it must be an ’89 or ’90. Were they that rare?
The interior in the cab is of course pure Caravan, and all-too familiar. The one we had at the tv station had the same color scheme.
This one is being put to appropriate use. The bare steel walls and even the sliding side door are all-too apparent.
This one looks to be in fine fettle still, and even sports those yucky cheap aftermarket wheel covers, a sign that someone still loves this little cargo van. Do they know how rare it is?
I wonder what the port in the front fender is for, EV conversion possibly?
Possibly for internal 120v outlets. Had that on mine, but it was on the right side around the rear wheel. Nice for camping.
Those wheel covers are factory Chrysler pieces, from the late 1st gen Neon.
Memories. An 84 Caravan C/V was my first van, it spent years taking my first wife and myself to SCA events, and being completely loaded for Pennsic. ‘Completely loaded’ defined as ‘remove the passenger seat for extra cargo space and fill it to the ceiling’ while the wife followed in her car.
Once the Kia Sedona reaches the end of its service, I’m looking for another C/V. Having rear seats in a van is a waste for my needs.
Have you considered a LWB Ford Transit Connect?
For many years, while Caravan C/Vs were still relatively common, I’d often glance at the rear to see if it was one of the barn-door examples… just because they looked unusual to me. I haven’t thought about these in many years — just dropped off the radar screen. And I never knew that the rear doors were installed by a vendor.
From what I recall, barn-door Aerostars were comparatively more common.
Anyway, I figured I’d include this 1989 C/V ad here, which mentions the barn door availability in the text:
I like that they bothered to make a second set of side stampings with no window cutouts for a smooth appearance (and better-looking signage graphics on commercial vans). Later, starting with the 1996 generation Caravans (and similarly for other brands, including full-size vans) they just filled in the windows with blank metal panels giving the side flanks a busy look.
I remember seeing some of those cargo vans around but at the moment I can’t see their advantage over the hatch. I would imagine that they could be opened over a low overhanging roof. The hatch does keep the rain off when unloading. I never had an issue with my ’90 Caravan during the ten years I owned it. Now I find that I prefer my Explorer that has a hatch to my F150 with a traditional tail gate, unless I’m hauling long items. I guess I’m getting old and don’t like reaching over to push the load onto the bed or doing the same to unload. My second minivan was a ’97 Town and Country, plush and roomy. The only problems I had with the vans was the need to occasionally remove the seats to carry bulky cargo. Chrysler did come up with an answer, the Stow and Go set up.
Advantages rear cargo doors: forklift (un)loading, backing up all the way to a delivery loading dock or whatever (low overhanging roofs included), access to the van’s cargo compartment when a trailer is attached, driving with cargo that sticks out (close one door, secure the other one that’s open).
All first hand experience with all types of cargo vans, from a Ford Escort to a Benz Düsseldorfer Transporter.
I know the issue with liftgates and trailer jacks all too well from when I pulled my Wells Cargo MW6 trailer with my ’96 Aerostar. It had an A-frame jack and THAT meant it would get RIGHT in the way every time I tried to open the tailgate to get something out of the van. I eventually swapped out the jack for one with adjustable height so the trailer wouldn’t have to be unhitched. Ironically the setup with the van & trailer hitched together was otherwise perfect: color-coordinated & sized very similarly in width & height. Even the wheels were somewhat similar, as were the tail light positions.
I still have the trailer (but not the Aerostar) but the rear access problem is no more with a conventional truck tailgate (my 2011 Ranger) or my ’05 Astro’s Dutch Door layout. Full-size vans have almost always come with barn cargo doors & this is likely a big reason for it.
I’ve actually seen one or 2 of those barn-door Caravans before. Someone who goes to Midlands Technical College in West Columbia, SC apparently owns a blue one b/c I see it every time I’m near that area–it’s not far from where I work. Now it makes sense why it’s one of the few still around.
we have to turn away tailgate van owners ,seeking work .A lot of work is breakbulk from groupage on pallets fork lift access is vital.
Fibreglass?! I had no idea; I always just assumed they were metal.
> Oddly, I’m utterly unable to find a lwb Caravan cargo van of that generation on the web
I’m finding several; do a google image search on “1988 Caravan C/V”; repeat with 1989, and 1990.
Here’s that blue one I mentioned earlier–I think it’s actually owned BY Midlands Tech, as are the Grand Caravan (how fitting!) on the left…
…and the Transit Connect on the right. All 3 vans are almost always parked here no matter what day of the week it is.
Nice finds John!!
I have owned the CV Ram mini for over 25 years, mine has a 3lt. Mitsubishi motor that I purchased at 84,000. I now have 230,000 despite replacing the motor once, trans, twice, and nemerous drivetrain items, it by far is the best vehicle for my employer at a Carpenter