More Custom Vans at 2013 SEMA Show   I already mentioned the "Chrome Gypsy" custom For Econoline van, now it's time for a Dodge and Chevy custom van.   Has the SEMA Show changed their criteria? Are they letting just about anything in the show now? Or... are these some RAD, well done vans that make a clear statement: Custom Vans are back!     First up, a van named, "Van del Oro" and we'd have to agree... Van of GOLD! In the morning sun (unfortunately parked in the shadow of a huge column) this van was glowing. A quick peak inside said the beauty was more than skin deep.     With more gold, and I think a little more metal flake on the interior highlighted by a Mooneyes steering wheel, chrome dash and Moon pedal, there's a clear attention to detail. Upholstery was by Howdy Ledbetter Upholstery and looked clean, custom and comfortable.   Under the engine cover? How about a 380 HP 360 Dodge. Toy's by Tommy and owner ??? (help here) are keeping it in the Dodge family. Thank you for not dropping in a...

Custom Vans at 2013 SEMA Show   Vans. They're not just for living down by the river anymore. (RIP Chris Farely aka Matt Foley)   One of my EASY picks for "Favorite at SEMA" has to be this custom Ford Econoline Van. Not since Church's VanGO has a van made a statement like this. With metal flake shining in the Las Vegas sun, I had to grab some pictures and share. If metal flake's your thing, make sure to look at the other metal flake paint stories and pictures we've done including a "how-to" about spraying flake yourself.     Complimenting the cooper-gold flaked flames and stripes, the gold leaf lettering spelled "Chrome Gypsy Tattoo" a Las Vegas based tattoo and piercing shop. A perfect calling card for the shop, yea??     How do you paint metal flake on a roof with this detail? Standing on a latter for days!!?? Someone lets us know who did the paint... they deserve credit!     Custom details and more metal flake covered the interior. I heard the engine's detailed and flaked too. I'll try to grab a picture tomorrow.  ...

Debuting at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show Going to the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show? Besides the amazing roadsters, including the ones after the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award, there are other custom cars at GNRS that should never be missed. This Ford Econoline van is one. The purpose of this post is NOT to show or tell about the van, only to let you know to see it in person yourself at the show. I'll follow up with a detailed story and pictures... What you're seeing is "Van Go" the creation of artist and publisher Coby from Church Magazine. What started as a 1963 Ford Econoline van is now a one-off masterpiece of creativity and custom work. This van oozes cool from every polished and painted pore and I know it reflects a ton of work from Coby and from KA Custom, Tim Conder and Pablo Perez, who Coby says, "Are the 3 who truly made it happen..." Here's where this Econoline started: To say it doesn't impress says it correctly... that is, unless you're Velma or Daphne. With the stance drastically improved, the van already looked...

Odd Custom Van Story and pictures by Mr. Freeze: Rob Zollar I swiped this little jewel from the big bad Ebay monster. A local guy had it up for sale and I talked him into selling it to me directly, (sorry if the guy in NY reads this) . For those who know my taste in vehicles this recent acquisition should come as no surprise , it's ugly, weird , strange , unique and you don't have one! It's right up my alley! Funny thing is, I was searching for a 1963 Chevy truck and on Ebay I typed 1963 and selected distance nearest and this thing came up! Info and old photo from Offroaders.com: These were produced for the federal government as postal vans from 1961 to 1965. At a mere 81” wheelbase 135” overall length and 64.7” width, they were a snap to maneuver in tight streets. In 1969 a mistake was made and a mere 100 still in inventory were auctioned off before Willys reminded the US government they were supposed to be returned not sold... a few others escaped but the rest were eventually scrapped....

I know, Pancakes right?  Crazy!!!  Just keep reading, you'll dig it! I know we have some wagon/hatchback/van aficionados out there.  Our own Pikesan owns 2 project wagons himself. When I'm not blogging for MyRideisMe, I read other people's blogs and enjoy their auto-passion, vehicular photography and car features.  One of the blogs I follow is OMGPancakes Blog.  It's run by Marlon, or "Big Hindu", a college student in Pennsylvania who has a big fat sweet spot for the people movers and grocery getters.  I asked Marlon what's up with the blog name?  OMGPancakes?  What the Hecht?  Well, there really is no one meaning, its just a wacky name that fits perfect for this wacky cool blog and the cars he features.  It's pretty funky, you gotta give it up for that.  I mean, Pancakes?  Okey dokey!  Ha Ha Ha  You go Marlon! Here's crazy big Hindu doing some crazy monkey jump thing.  Ya, he's even crazier about wagons and vans.  He's been blogging for just over a year and his blog is growing every month.  Enough about the man...Big H's own wago-van-box-hauler-thing is a bright yellow Scion xB.  He's a...

Custom Van with a Blown 428 Pontiac So you’ve owned it since you were 16?Yes.And that was when?1973.So then, what’s the next obvious question…Why’d a 16 year old kid buy a van?I’m a drummer! Mark Greenwell of Phoenix, AZ drove this 1966 Chevy Van to the 2007 Scottsdale Goodguys show and immediately caught my eye.The sun setting on those retro-perfect murals blew me away.I knew right away this van had a story.Check these out: (click to enlarge) I hadn’t looked inside yet. The original murals were painted in 1978.That was right after the van was totaled in an accident coming back from Flagstaff, AZ in the snow.$550 bought the van back from the insurance agency and Mark, a mechanic by trade, went to work.His work paid off when the truck was featured in the 1982 centerfold of Truckin Magazine.Back then, it ONLY had a turbocharged 350 mounted between the seats.Then, in 1987, Mark rebuilt the truck again.This time, he went over the top.Take a look inside: You’re looking at a twin turbo 428 Pontiac with and Hillborn Fuel Injection backed by a Powerglide trans with race converter and trans...