1978 Dodge Tradesman 200 (3/4 ton) undercover police van for sale

[Mattyfish79]

I have a 1978 Tradesman 200 (3/4) ton van. 73k original miles. It was a former undercover police/surveillance van from the central valley. Original California car (not rusted out). It's a basic cargo van that has been converted. V-8, 318 cid, with 4bbl carb, 727 auto. The van runs and drives but could benefit from a tune-up and likely some fresh fluids. It has been carpeted with a bench and workbench inside. It is chock full of surprises and cool modifications including; a CB radio setup (don't think it currently works), police band radio/scanner, black out windows/shades, custom AC unit designed to run off a few deep cycle-cell marine batteries (daisy-chained together), a door to separate the cab from the rear of the vehicle, and best of all.....a periscope that comes out of the vent. Everything seems to work on it, but I haven't done much driving in it since it is not currently registered or insured. Seats are going to need to be recovered or replaced. This van would make an awesome undercover PI van, party van, camper van, hippy van, surfer van, boogie van, classic 70's van. I have another one already, and with two jobs, and school, I don't have a lot of free time to convert a second van. I may consider a trade for a 4x4 pickup/4x4 van, or similar, Suburban, Bronco, Scout, Jeep etc. May also consider for a sport touring motorcycle. This is the last year of the desirable "street van." Please let me know if you are interested or have questions and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks,
-Matt
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/san-mateo-1978-dodge-tradesmanton/6773752683.html

 

[mmissile]

I had a DEA one about 4-5 years ago. It had16K on it, lots of equipment in it, and ran and drove like new. It was garage-kept in AZ. Driveline was a 360 4bbl/727/4.10 rear. I paid 3K for mine.

 

[Demonic]

Wow! Clean interior.

 

[Mattyfish79]

Wow! Clean interior.

Very nice. Love the classic lines on the Dodges

 

[mmissile]

I'm sure nobody used the front area much. They was ZERO rust, and only one small dent on the left fender. The bumpers weren't even scratched. There were still pin-hole cameras in every plastic lens, besides about a 1/3 of the original spy-equipment. Overall, it looked like it was about a 6 month-old vehicle. It probably weighed 8K, though.

 

[69L48Z27]

A periscope! Nice!

 

[mmissile]

That was like something from Get-Smart. The amount of cameras and mics in the thing was crazy. Every door could be dead-bolted. I always imagined how many magnetic signs they had for the sides.

This is an old picture of a non de-milled one. It had plugs for 12, 110, and 220 volts, and the side door step-area was a well for 4 more car batteries.

 

[Slap Stick]

I can see it now....painted green with a big cockroach on the roof.....

 

[chtampa]

I can see it now....painted green with a big cockroach on the roof.....

Looking for Sugar Water!