When Vans Were the Coolest Thing on the Road (and Custom Vans Were Even Cooler)

There was a magical moment in the 1970s when the coolest car you could possibly own wasn't a muscle car, wasn't a sports car, wasn't even a pickup truck - it was a van. And not just any van. No, you needed shag carpeting, bubble windows, an airbrushed wizard summoning lightning on the side, and a stereo system that could knock over a lawn chair.

The custom van craze was less about horsepower and more about personality. These were rolling living rooms, road trip machines, and mobile party dens all in one. Inside you'd find Captain's chairs, lava lamps, and sometimes even full-size beds. On the outside? Spoilers, louvres, mag wheels, and paint jobs that looked like they belonged on an album cover.

Ford, Dodge, and Chevy all jumped in on the trend, releasing vans built to be customized, and an entire industry of shops popped up to make your dream van a reality. Sure, the craze didn't last forever, but for a brief, glorious window, nothing said "freedom" like a custom van. These vintage photos are a love letter to that era - proof that, once upon a time, vans ruled the road.