Van Me!

 We are officially kicking off our next major journey, and we need your help finding the ultimate vehicle to drive it forward: a 1965–1980 classic American van. Designed to serve as our primary rolling billboard at upcoming events, visual appeal is everything. Whether it already boasts an eye-catching vintage mural or features straight, clean body panels ready for our custom graphics, this rig needs to turn heads. Under the hood, we are looking for a reliable V6 or V8 equipped with working air conditioning to handle road trips, with an interior focused on cargo capacity rather than camper gear so we can transport all of our event gear and materials with ease.

To keep this venture sustainable, the purchase is being funded completely independently of our core operating funds and existing donor dollars. Our budget is firmly capped at under $20,000 for a private-party cash sale, or a maximum financed price of $35,000. We cant afford the show stopper but we can make some road kill as we will be on the Salt, in the Dirt and near the rocks with our van. While we would be thrilled to connect with someone open to donating a vehicle or partnering with us on favorable terms, we know the realities of today’s market and are ready travel, partner or to buy the right match. If you have a lead, a classic sitting in your garage, or want to collaborate with us to bring this rolling piece of art to life, let us know!

We are limited on our driveway and if we wish to avoid additional storage and we must deal with a few facts as we consider this vehicle for the near future. So our desire is garage, driveway storage as we live in California which has codes for vehicles on a driveway, our garage allows for storage with limits. The approach has a slight slope reducing the clearance on entry so any vehicle must be no more than 82.75 inches of height to clear our door. This actually gives us more options to purchase. We are aware we can mechanically change and lower the vehicle if needed. 

As for the driveway the current California Vehicle Code;

Section 362 and California DMV Vehicle Industry Manual (Recreational Vehicle / House Car Standard) Under California law (CVC 362), any vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered and equipped for human habitation, is classified as a house car or recreational vehicle. The state standard specifies that if a van or vehicle contains permanently installed living amenities, it is legally an RV/house car. 

The checklist used to establish that internal habitation status includes: Cooking facilities (stove, built-in burner, or cooktop) Refrigeration or icebox. Sleeping facilities or built-in bed platform Heating or air conditioning separate from the vehicle engine. Potable water system (including a sink and faucet) Independent 110-125 volt electrical supply or separate fuel supply Self-contained toilet facility. 

Our desired vehicle is

An American Classic Van

1965 to 1980 (later may be considered)

Must have A/C

Must be able to CA Smog if required.

This includes; Dodge, Ford, Gmc, Chevy.

Engine Type Gasoline (V8 or strong V6)

Exterior considerations

Mural

Graphics

Visual Personality

Limited Window Space

No Roof Accessories desired

Clean Body panels to accept graphics if needed.

Any Door configuration

No exterior utility connections

Interior considerations

Swivel Seating preferred with ½ extra seats

No 2nd row seating

Finished interior preferred

Carpet, Metal, Wood Paneling ok

TV and Stereo not needed

The following items are nice but only if we can fit into the garage,

otherwise , we really don't need them.

Refrigerator

Sink

Connections

Toilet

Bunk

Stove

Generator

Comfort HVAC