Beschreibung
Up for sale is this 1978 Dodge B300 Tradesman.
Freshly imported by myself and a mate from North Carolina, this is a 3-owner van that's in really good original condition.
Just coming up to 100k miles, it's been a personal van, then used as a business van for a home improvements company, then sold to the guy we bought direct from stateside.
It's a 400 cubic inch (6. 6l) V8 that starts on the turn of the key, mated to a torqueflight 3-speed auto transmission.
As you'll see from the photos, it's in very good overall condition with a couple of dings here and there, the main one being the drivers door, and a tiny bit of rust at the bottom of one of the cargo doors, about the size of a 5p coin. Underneath is in remarkable nick, I've crawled about under there and was blown away by how good it is.
There's 1 single key that operates all the doors and the ignition, with 1 more for the fuel cap. All the locks are very free-moving,
All the gauges work, lights / indicators are operational, and there's a newish Bluetooth stereo installed (but no speakers) - which connect to the still-working electric extending aerial.
I've had it out for a test drive (on private land) and it really does drive very well indeed. The power steering is super-light, the suspension is all good, and the brakes pull it up very quickly. No real surprise considering it was pretty much in daily use. There's a brand new aluminium radiator, installed by the previous owner in America, as the original failed.
The paintwork is more interesting than I originally realised. I think it's been blue, then sign-written (for the home improvements company), then just painted over. This is faintly showing through, and after a good polish, shows more. It wouldn't take much work to get this back (though there's a lot of square-footage to get through!), but I'll be leaving it for the next owner to decide what to do with that.
The wheels are 8-lug, it being a B300, be aware of this if you're wanting alloys. The van itself is rated to 8200lbs (3. 7 tonnes) at capacity, and is fitted with a tow bar, so be rest assured that it's up to the task of dragging around whatever you need to!
Inside is as basic as you'd expect. A pair of captains seats that just need a good clean. Behind that - a blank canvas to do as you please.
It's £10. 5k as it stands, offers welcome. It's near Kendal, just off J36 of the M6. The registration papers have been sent to the DVLA, so naturally I'm waiting for them to return before it can be officially passed on. Of course, we're hoping this goes through quickly and easily.
