Is there a less likely vehicle to receive a flamed paint job than a full size cargo van? This Ford Econoline looks like it was a tradesman’s van in a previous life going by the remains of some lettering. It now sports a hot rod style make over with Key Stone style rims, white letter tires and flame job on the nose. Surprisingly it isn’t the only van I’ve come across subject that has been flamed.
This groovy Dodge Tradesman 200 van looks like it has driven right out of the Seventies and features three quarter length flames as well as a custom grill.
The other side does without windows but that just allows plenty of room for a mountain and lake mural. Rather faded now but I bet this vans has plenty of stories to tell.
This Mazda MPV minivan is an even more unlikely recipient of flame paint work. Likely in the hands of its final owner this Mazda goes with blue rather than the traditional red and yellow.
We better feature a Chevrolet after showcasing both a Ford and a Dodge. This 1949 Chevrolet Styleline stretches the definition of van perhaps but wears its flames well.
Love the 49 Chev, we call that a panelvan its what was customized here backintheday along with Bedfords and Transits
Back when Ford ignition switch fires were happening with some frequency, there was a website devoted to the topic called flamingfords.com. I think the site has gone dormant, maybe someone needs to restart it with as a place to celebrate vans like these.
That Dodge is the real shortie. Those were the ones that convinced me that there was no market for minivans. Yeah, I know.
I wonder if the Chevy with the red and yellow flames still sports the Blue Flame six under the hood?
I’m pretty sure it had a Chevy small block V8 of some flavor. A blue flame would be fitting however.
From a friend in MI yesterday:
https://muskegon.craigslist.org/cto/4132003037.html
You can’t deny this is majestic.
It is indeed.
Holy crap if that were local I would SO buy that van. LOVE. Someone put a lot of work into it. Hopefully someone will restore & enjoy it.
IMHO, hard to go wrong w. a 351W. (As long as whatever’s wrong doesn’t require a full engine swap.)
That is groovy! Slot mags and side pipes! That green flames look quite good too.
Thank you David.
I really enjoy that Dodge van. It has that true 70s look and feel. Love the shortened ones. If it was lowered, with fender flares, wide tires and a fresh original Battlestar Galactica mural… it would do Frank Poncherello proud!
The MPV looks marginally more interesting than say an early 80s Austin Metro.
The flames need to start in blue, on the front bumper.
The Econoline unfortunately, once again, is too ’80s’ with that front clip.
The flames aren’t as flamboyantly executed as they are on the Dodge.
There’s an old 1979 CBS TV movie titled “Death Car On The Freeway”. In it, Shelley Hack plays an ambitious tv news anchor tracking down a wacko dubbed The Freeway Fiddler due to the crazy fiddle music blaring from his stereo whenever he goes into attack mode. The Fiddler uses his souped-up Dodge cargo van as a murder weapon against lone female drivers who manage to piss him off.
In the final scene pitting Hack against the Fiddler, his Dodge has been painted black with red flames. Ironic since at the film’s dramatic ( and totally cliched ) ending, the flames become real instead of paint, and we’re left with Fiddler Flambe’.
Thanks very much for that…I remembered seeing part of that movie as a kid…until now…wondering what the heck it was… Did Wacko drive his van with the doghouse cover removed? I was thinking I remember seeing the engine or something …. maybe I’m thinking of MY van, LOL.
You could get factory custom paint jobs on the tricked out Ford vans. I was thinking a flame job was one of the options. Here’s a link to an old ad showing one of the color schemes. I couldn’t find one for the flames, short on time.
http://www.adclassix.com/ads/75fordvan.htm
This ad was for the van that accompanied the Pinto Cruising Wagon and also the Free Wheelin’ package on Broncos and pickups in 1976-77. I don’t believe I recall a flame job being offered, but weren’t these exciting enough? 🙂
I like the flames but i hate vans. Especially mini vans. I would love to see vans go away like the read american cars n personal luxury cars did. Who in their right mind wants to sit so close to the front of a car and they are too tall. I seriously think its about time to tax vehicles on height instead of weight. I remember when only plumbers had them oh the good old days. and now they are everywhere blocking out the forward view. I hope this body style dies and soon. Praise ford and gm for building such junk that there are no more windstars and dustbusters. Buy a real truck or a real car. Not a view blocking monstrosity. N van week sucks how about hearse week or mafia staff car week or imperial week.