1981 Dodge Ram 350 12 Passenger Van Montana Aeronautics Commission/civil Defense on 2040-cars
Helena, Montana, United States
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FOR SALE now is this fine example of a 1981 Dodge B-350 12 passenger van. It's a two-owner (I'm the second), VERY WELL maintained survivor. For being, 30+ years old it's in fantastic condition BOTH cosmetically and mechanically. HISTORY: Originally this van was purchased by the State of Montana Aeronautics Commission in June of 1981 from Hazeltine Motors, Inc. of Hamilton, Montana for the sticker price (delivered) of $12,393.20. I know this because I have a copy of the original window sticker. It was used by both the Commission and (purportedly) the State of Montana RADEF Maintenance Shop. When Civil Defense morphed into FEMA, the RADEF Maintenance Shop quit using it. Just recently, it was put up for sale by the state and I purchased it. This van is HEAVILY documented and was/is EXTENSIVELY and METICULOUSLY serviced. I have a service record dating back to 1981, the owner's manual, warranty paperwork, dealer inspection certificate, original registration, tire warranty/manual, and the Chrysler change of ownership card. MECHANICAL/DRIVE TRAIN EQUIPMENT AND CONDITION: Chrysler 360 cubic inch engine with an Edlebrock 4-barrel OEM-type replacement carburetor (the factory Thermo-Quad is gone. Original engine replaced. See Notes) "Loadflite" 3-speed automatic transmission (Original transmission replaced: See Notes) Full-floating Dana 1-ton axle, 3.54:1 ratio Heavy-duty front disc and rear drum power brakes. Power steering 16.5" wheels and tires NOTES: The van was serviced meticulously and regularly since "DAY ONE" and I have the service record to corroborate that statement. I can send scans of the service record. In the documentation I have, the engine and transmission were replaced at 144,670 miles, so both assemblies have only about 18,500 miles on them. The notations in the service record say "new engine & re-built tranny". I don't know if they used the original engine and transmission, or just ordered replacements. Therefore, I'm not claiming this to have all of the major factory assemblies or be "numbers matching". For being a "carbed" engine, the van starts smartly, runs with the ease and smoothness of a fuel injected mill, and "pulls" hard under 3/4 throttle acceleration. I suspect that the replacement engine might have been "built" a bit, as this vehicle has plenty of power. The transmission shifts positively and firmly with no slippage or slamming. When opening it up to pass, the transmission, drops down with alacrity. Going down the road at 65 (speedometer indicated) miles per hour, there is no wander or slop in the steering. Upon inspection I note that some of the steering components are relatively new appearing. The monitoring gauges read in the normal range for all systems (amps, oil pressure, and engine coolant temperature). I timed the speedometer and the odometer and discovered they are running a bit fast (at 60 mph (on the cruise control flat and level road), I cruised a mile in 62 seconds). The brakes respond firmly with no pedal pulse, fade, or veer. The tires are at about 65% life left. I ran the van up to to Wolf Creek and back (+/- 60 miles round trip) and placed a piece of cardboard under the van when we returned. There were no drips or leaks. On "hot" starts, the engine fires right off with very little cranking. INTERIOR EQUIPMENT AND CONDITION: AM/FM radio with presets and clock Cruise control Front and Rear heating and cooling (A/C) Trip odometer Vinyl seating surfaces Full gauge package (oil pressure, amps, and engine coolant temperature) Seating for 12 NOTES: The A/C system has been converted to the R-134a standard, but I think it needs to be evacuated and recharged. It's not blowing cold and the compressor is not "kicking in". I can have this looked at locally, or make possible concessions when it comes to shipping costs. The rear heater does work, as does the radio. At some point, door speakers were added for the radio and for (I'm guessing) the two-way radio that was installed when it was state property. The cruise control does work. At low speed, the speedometer "bounces", but at steady cruise it stays constant. The seats are in good/fair condition, but they do show wear for their age. However, there are no rips, just a bit of the piping poking out here and there. The rubber floor mat/covering has tears in it, but could easily be reproduced or the floor could be "Rhino Lined". The two 3-person rows (front two) feature a quick release mechanism so the van could be converted a cargo hauler quickly. The third row (4-person seating) requires the seat to be unbolted to removed. All the seat belts function properly. There are the typical marks and scuffs you'd expect to find in a vehicle of this age, but no indications of excessive abuse or neglect. The rear door interior panels are likely the worst, as I'm sure cargo and equipment banged against them. EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT AND CONDITION: Intermittent wipers with arm mounted washer nozzles Painted bumpers Dual mirrors Tow hitch and lighting socket "State of Montana (seal) Aeronautics" graphics Notes: All the glass is good and the windows open and close with ease. The paint is in great condition for its age. There are some "road chips" on the hood, front doors, the side doors, the forward rocker panels, hood, and sides. The usual "parking lot dings" are present, but NO major collisions. The grill has had some repair to the mounting done underneath the driver's headlight. There is some scaling of the plastic on the grill over the passenger headlight. The rear bumper is scuffed and scraped. All the exterior lighting works. The body shows no rust anywhere and the frame is solid, as are the body-to-frame mounts. The nice thing about Montana is we don't use harsh de-icing agents in the winter time and the average level of annual precipitation and relative humidity levels are low. From what I've been able to discover, the van was stored in a hanger when not in use. Near the rear door handle, I found some possible plastic repair material. The pipe mounted to the drivers's side of the rear bumper was for a flag while the van was on airport runways and ramps. The text graphics on the exterior ("STATE OF MONTANA" and "AERONAUTICS") are painted on and the seal (nice abstract of a B-52, eh?) is a sticker. Again: the BODY and FRAME are SOLID. OTHER NOTES AND RANDOM THOUGHTS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER: The odometer shows 63,XXX, but I can't state how accurate that is and I've been driving it because my daughter likes to sit up front as it has no air bags and she can get a good look out all around, as well as the fact that I'm trying to "shakedown" the van and become aware of issues so I can disclose them to buyers. At final sale, it may have a few more miles on it, but nothing excessive. It's my opinion that the major majority of the miles on this van are highway miles. We don't have LARGE cites with traffic issues, so it didn't spend a lot of time in gridlock. There are some holes in the dash where a radio was mounted, a radio mic mount is attached to the interior engine cowling/cover, and there is an antenna on the roof and cable on the dash. They come with the vehicle at no additional cost. If I sell this to a buyer in the state of Montana, the graphics MUST come off or be obscured. I do have a set of reproduction Civil Defense graphics that were purported to be on the van when it was used by the RADEF Shop. The title is free, clear, and clean. I can execute it, because it's in my name and I should have it back from the DMV by the time this sells. There are two spare tires included. I'd put a new set of shocks on it If I was going to keep it. After purchase, I had the engine oil changed (it takes 6.5 quarts with the large filter: FRAM PH8A or NAPA 1515) and I had the exterior buffed. For long-range travel, it has a 36 gallon fuel tank. All the doors close with that resounding "CA-CHUNK" of a vehicle made with a serious amount of steel. The van was built without a catalytic converter, so if you are buying from another state, you'll need to check your emissions laws. We don't smog check, so I can't tell you if it'll pass your state's requirements, or what the actual "sniffer" readings are. I'm looking for original hubcaps, but not holding my breath. If you have some, please contact me. A good detailing could really make this ride pop! INCLUDED IN THE SALE: Because this was purported to be used in the Civil Defense program, I'm including the following (not pictured, but I can send them): 50 CDV-720 MODEL 3 HIGH LEVEL GAMMA RADIATION DETECTORS 2 14" x 20" ALUMINUM FALLOUT SHELTER SIGNS 1 CDV-781 AERIAL RADIATION DETECTION KIT 1 CDV-777-2 RADIATION DETECTION KIT 1 SET OF REPRODUCTION CIVIL DEFENSE "CD" GRAPHICS THE END: I got a good deal on this vehicle and so you will as well! I'm auctioning the van and the added Civil Defense items with a reserve price under $4,500.00. I posted as many pictures as I could here, but I do have more available (including the "INCLUDED IN THE SALE" items). If you are NOT interested in the "INCLUDED IN THE SALE" items, I can do better on the reserve or assist with the shipping costs. I've done my best to accurately represent this vehicle and invite prospective buyers to ask any questions or come see it and take it for a spin. CLOSING STATEMENT: I'd pack up the clan and head off to Key West, Florida (2,875.5 miles from Helena, Montana) just to watch the sun set over the Yucatan Peninsula in this van. I'm that confident in the mechanical fitness of this vehicle. It's not an 80 MPH freeway demon, but it does go down the road nice! THE FINAL WORD: QUESTIONS? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL OR CALL 1.406.431.6350. WE'RE IN MONTANA (MOUNTAIN TIME) AND AVAILABLE FROM 6:00 A.M. TO 10:00 P.M. (OUR TIME). IF I CAN'T GET THE PHONE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. SORRY, I DON'T HAVE TEXT MESSAGING SHIPPING: THE COST OF SHIPPING IS IN ADDITION TO ANY FINAL SALES PRICE. THE BUYER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING COSTS. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP WITH LOGISTICS. ALSO WE CAN ARRANGE FOR AIRPORT PICK UP IF YOU CHOOSE TO "FLY AND DRIVE". IF YOU OPT FOR THAT, WE'LL BUY YOU ROOM FOR THE NIGHT AND BREAKFAST ($100.00 VALUE). LASTLY, WE CAN DELIVER, BUT THAT WILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED. WE WILL SHIP INTERNATIONALLY. This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. Winning bidder must contact me within 24 hours of auction end and make arrangements for payment at that time. A $200.00 non-refundable deposit is due within 3 days of end of auction. The remainder is due within 5 days of auction end, unless other arrangements are made. If no contact is made within 24 hours I reserve the right to re-list the vehicle, sell it to the next high bidder, or sell it otherwise. Most banks and credit unions do not finance vehicles older than 1995, so make sure if financing that your financial institution accepts the year and miles of this vehicle before bidding. Please arrange financing prior to bidding. Payment is by bank wire only or cash on pick up. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you are not sure about something, please ask! Do not assume anything not listed is included. I reserve the right to refuse bids with excessive negative feedback. I reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale. Please do not bid on this auction unless you are serious about owning this vehicle. PLEASE ONLY BID WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY. IF THE RESERVE IS NOT MET, I MAY CONTACT THE HIGH BIDDER TO OFFER THE SECOND CHANCE OPTION. |
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