(First Posted November 12, 2013) One of the odder van conversions was this wide-body Dodge. I can’t remember who exactly did these, but they essentially cut them down in half, lengthwise, and inserted a plug in the middle. The windshield obviously was two of them, cut down to size. These were mainly used as passenger shuttles, and such, but I seem to remember seeing one used as an ambulance. I know one of you will dig up the maker and name.
I was hoping you;d come up with one of these eventually, I’ve seen them now and again and they are fascinating! The dashboard is still the original as well with either a plug at either end or a filler piece in the middle, can’t recall which.
Yes,Ours its also lenghtend and fitted with a second rear axle.1980 sits out back, in a field in sull. co N.Y.
A company (Superior Coach?) widened Chevy vans in the seventies in for ambulance service, but they did not modify the track. The rig looked a bit tippy, which you can kind of see in the attached picture.
Yes, I remember those too. Odd.
+1
Well, my first thought had nothing to do with the van, but rather, “I wonder if anyone’s ever done a ‘wide body’ Beetle?”
Why, yes!
+2
Since you are already going out on that limb: Guenther Artzt specialized widening VW and putting tham on top of Porsche 928 platforms. They were done so well you had to take a second look.
https://www.youngtimer-blog.de/2016/11/12/youngtimer-traeume-autos-die-es-nie-gab-teil-3-12-guenther-arzt/
If Allpar forums is correct then it was made by a company called Wide One Corp
http://www.allpar.com/forums/topic/106505-widened-dodge-vans/
Here’s a link to a video of one being put through its’ paces;
I recall reading that Wide One went with Dodges because GM, when they were developed in the late ’70s, didn’t have the length and the Ford Twin-I-Beam suspension was difficult to convert.
Interesting graphics on your example, too.
GM G-Vans were on the drawing board in the late 60s,not 70s. The ’71 was launched in May 1970, and as we all know, kept the same basic design until 1995, the final year.
I know, I know’ it’s “van” week, but I’d really like a closer look at what appears to be a really clean 1970 Beetle……..
In all my years of looking at vans, I’ve never seen a widened one. (You learn something new everyday on CC)
The Chevy example above is much more seamless than the featured Dodge. Still trying to figure out exactly how they did it, what parts got changed and where.
Think I found my answer: http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10654
“The dash and seats remained in their original places. The extra interior width was “added” between the seat and the door(s), as in you’re not gonna rest your arm out the window without some serious stretching.”
Seems they even used them in my neck of the woods, as seen in the pic below – ridiculous skirts and all. Wild!
I think the skirts would actually promote better fuel mileage, I don’t know how much, but they might make a difference.
A tenth of a mpg, on a good day, downhill, tailwind, engine off…..maybe.
Saw this Dually wide body in a friends yard. Pretty good running condition and FOR SALE I do believe. Anyone interested let me know. In Michigan near metro Detroit airport. I have other pictures etc. Email is best. Bradmathis1984@gmail.com
What a odd looking van, I wonder what they were used for and how the extra width was beneficial.
The Wide One company was actually in business through the mid 80’s. I remember seeing their building in an industrial section of Fullerton, CA near where I lived at the time. I remember also seeing ‘in production’ pics at the time showing a rather involved process. The whole body (except for the instrument panel IIRC) was split right down the middle, and a 12″(?) wide section was fabbed in. 6″ inserts were spliced in on each side of the rear pillars for attachment of the original rear cargo doors. I saw them being used in So Cal mostly as airport shuttle busses and some as ambulances. A few were turned into B class RV’s as well.
Actually, into the 90’s obviously…the van featured here is a 94-97 Ram Van, and I am actually purchasing another 1995 Wide One Dodge van in a couple weeks. I used to own a ’79 which was converted into a camper and am planning to do the same with the ’95.
Would love to see any pics you might have of the RV conversion. Looking at one here in California. Thanks.
Pop.
I recall seeing a Chevy motor home version widened out with the Superior name on it. This was early 1970’s.
A fitting caption for the picture, I think:
“A pitiful squeak, the sharp crack of snapping metal, and the little Beetle was never seen again.”
I like that haha. An Australian accent would add to it, a la Steve Irwin.
Here’s an example by Superior…
Today they’d have to make them wider; for a broader-beamed populace!
And wider front buckets – Dodge vans did have the most comfy front seats
of the big three, but even as a small guy I always did feel like I was going
to fall off of them if I wasn’t seatbelted, esp. the vinyl ones. LOL
People are bigger now compared to when this round of vans came out, but
mostly in the wrong direction: horizontal.
I drove them here in Phoenix in the early 90’s. I was wary at first but actually they drove no differently than a regular van. Wide one eventually went into bankruptcy but a revival was attempted that failed miserably=poor quality control. The later ones were junk.
Dave I have one of the Phoenix Valley transit wide one Vans. I got it this last June and have converted it to a camper, i’m wondering if you have any information or where I can get information on the specs for this van. Do you by any chance know what the fuel capacity is? Any bit of info would be very helpful thanks.
Cindy, I’m also interested in this! If you have learned more about this van, let us know.
I own a 1975 Dodge Tradesmen 300 widebody RV camper van with a split windshield that was built by Jim Hanson originally from Anaheim California. . The van is a fully camperized wide one probably the only one in existence today if you want to know more about this unique piece of amazing engendering you can email me directly at papatom62@gmail.com . I’m sorry I’m not good on the web
I’m trying to post pictures of my 1975 dodge widebody but I can’t get them to load . My van is NOT duel rear wheels with just a wide back end it is cut down the Center and widened . The wheels sit right where they should . Not inset like most . It has a 360ci with a 727 automatic . Dana 60 rearend .
Try reducing the picture’s file size. When I post photos in the comments here, I reduce them to 1,200 pixels in the bigger dimension. They tend to load that way. Good luck!