Jdolt Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Back in 2009 there was a discussion about '89 Dodge Shelby B250 Safari Conversion vans and some pics were posted. Someone, a moderator I assume, spoke of researching the VINs to see how many vans were still registered. Any results of that research? I own one. Nearly pristine interior, few exterior faults, 157,000 miles and acquired from an 80 year old friend that passed shortly after my buying the van from him. So, as a proud Ironworker, he owned the van from '91 and prized it. He could no longer keep, maintain or drive it so he wanted, INSISTED, I have it because I'd teased that if he ever sold it I wanted 1st chance. SO, I'd like to know how many may be left. This van was "Salvage" titled after a minor fender-bender that only damaged the bumper, but because the insurance company could NOT find value-related data on a van nobody would admit existed and simpy "salvaged" it back to him as totalled. I will get pics all-round it and post them sometime in the future, depending on interest shown by response to this post. I'm going to DMV today to do the transfer and get a non-op on it until I can buy tires and insurance. Any interest out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Would love to see some pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richstang Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 We need to see some pics...I've never seen or heard of a Shelby van! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbymotorsports Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Shelby Van pics are in this thread: http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php/topic/37921-shelby-durango/page__view__findpost__p__599008 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 When I was looking for a car, I was strongly considering a newer version of the Dodge Durango Shelby. If I could have found one period, I think I still would have taken the Mustang. Still, it has Shelby pride. Definantly post pictures. ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted April 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 Thanks for the interest. I'll get it into a better position, in a tight carport right now, and will take pics all around and inside and post 'em within the next day or 3. I looked at the other thread pics and mine is the same but for in better condition all round and the wheels on mine are "native" mags that need polishing, not white like the other. Which the guy said the frame was rusted away and had to let it go to the crusher. Somewhere in MO? Only thing about mine is that the original fiberglas spare tire cover was rotted years ago and Grady, the owner I got it from, had repalced it with a chrome ring and "naugahyde"(sp?) cover. 318, single-point/throttle-body fuel injected and runs like a top. No, not around in little tight circles!! Runs really smooth, powerful and quiet. I'd said 157,000 but actually only 111,000 miles. I gotta close this and get about other things. Pics to come.................... Jdolt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 Looks like you may have just posted them, yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted April 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 O.K., Pics are up and published. Here's the album URL: http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php/gallery/album/1743-1989-shelby-dodge-van/ 18 pics just to prove Shelby DID license the name to SAFARI VAN CONVERSIONS. The van has a small bit of skin cancer in 3 places, drivers windshield pillar and a couple small places rear gutter. It's been repainted at least once to repair the lousy paint EeePeeAee left us with and PeePeeGee provided. Always used original scheme and color matching to original. I'm fairly certain the mileage is 111,920, as shown in the pic of the speedo, and no more, but anything is possible. The tranny, which was a lemon series of this year model has been rebuilt at least twice. Any other questions, let me know. I forgot to get a pic of the hood opened but it looks, for all intents and purposes, the same as the other thread pics from 2009, EXCEPT, mine has a cutsie "courtesy light" reel on the hood that allows you to pull out a fixture with a 57 bulb in it and light up all the way to the rear of the van for any emergency then it will reel back in when you're done. Still works but needs a bulb, thinking of replacing the original with an LED. Hope you like the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 The condition is excellent; this is amazing to see. You pretty much know you won't see another vehicle liek yours on the road. The van is in the hands of a worthy owner; best of luck and thanks for posting! ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry T Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richstang Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks for the heads up on the pictures. It looks like the typical flat top conversion van from the 80's. Rim swap, rear tire mount, rear door aluminum ladder, bay windows, stripe kit, captains chairs, table, etc. I say this because I worked for a Van Conversion Company here on the East Coast for one of my college summers. What a great idea to license up with Shelby. Wish my boss (Uncle's friend) had that going on in his shop. I'd bet your Shelby Van came with lettered tires or blackwalls vs. the white wall when new. Lettered tires were still popular on customs trucks back then and was a custom feature many customers wanted us to add. I'd be interested to hear how many were out there as well. The shop I worked for covered the NJ / NY area and built 2-3 on average per week. If it was a one year deal then I guess no more than 100 were made. It's likely to be far less considering it was probably a healthy added cost for the Shelby name. Good luck with your new toy and enjoy. I'm sure it will cause a stir of conversation where ever you take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glhs0075 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thank you for sharing those pictures! That is a very interesting and rare van you have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted April 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Just added the pic of the "Limited Production" plaque showing my van was number 014. Didn't even know it was there, under the dash protector, saw the pic of a VERY blurry one in the 2009 set of posts and pics and decided to look tonight. Found it and was jazzed how clean and preserved the dash is, thanks to the custom protector covering it for who knows how long. This is a duplicate posting of the one in the Shelby Dodge Forum "89 Shelby Dodge Van". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadAssPerformance Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Nice van! Would love to learn more about these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Nice; preserved plaque, the story gets better, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted May 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Be nice if I could register it as a true Shelby or even get some kind of a response from those in the know, but everyone else seems to be ignoring the reality of the van. Oh, well. Onward and.......................onward. Upward I've got hopes for but ................. I've got all notifications turned off so anyone wanting a personal reply or statement will have to email me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amigo GT500 Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I know how you feel.....sometimes the forum is weird......btw you found a very nice van!! If you see another one please PM or email me to jegdle@gmail.com since I would be interested to purchase one.... Enjoy it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder_gal Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Limited info is on www.shelby-dodge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted May 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 FIRST, Let me convey my utmost condolences to the Shelby Family for the loss of this giant and innovator in the automotive arena. He was one of a kind and I appreciate his intention toward excellence. The majority of the info at Shelby-Dodge was gleaned from here and my posts. It had, earlier in this website forums, from posts alluding to the existence of them, been suggested that additional info would be researched into known VINs for these vans but was apparently abandoned and nobody seems to know anything other than a final admission that they WERE built under a licensing deal that provided using the Shelby nameplate/Logo. Too bad Safari allegedly chose to defraud Carroll by "under-reporting" sales of these vans. Now, apparently NO-ONE will ever know how many were produced or may still be road-worthy. Except by dumb luck. I get it that this is the "COSMETIC Only" application of the Shelby name. VERY little to nothing in the way of souping-up or "strengthening" of the power-train was attempted in constructing these vehicles. Actually just CONVERTING the basic shells of the Dodge B250 RAM Vans SUPPLIED FROM THE CANADIAN PLANT(S) and incorporating the CS logos and painting/striping formats. But it has been fun to try to stir up interest in my van. Shelby-Dodge emailed a request for info and to notify me they had posted a "blurb" about it on their website but haven't gotten a response to MY reply and will supply them with what I deem safe for public consumption. Just for posterity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrampage1 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Fascinating read. Thanks for posting the pictures!! Ray Central California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Glad you like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Mopar Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 My take on it was that these were kinda home-brew....but then again, there was a lot of stuff like that going on in the 80s (such as the Shelby-esque Direct Connection Rampages). I dig it though....gotta have something to tow your shelby with, right? The Shelby emblems looks off and out of place though. Especially the one on the edge of the hood. Those rims look IDENTICAL to those found on a 97ish TJ/Wrangler Sport/Sahara, only painted white, and with a big cap stuck on. I'm intrigued by this. If nothing else, it has some value...just because I know some Shelby Dodge guys that would love to have that steering wheel/seats and badging for their projects. The "Shelby" name popped up on a lot of stuff in the 80s. Some dealers outside of Cali (several here in Canada) were making their own Shelbys, selling their own versions Shelb-a-fied Rampages, among others, complete with Shelby decals. Did Shelby know about them?? what do you think lol. Doesn't necessarily make them fake, but whether or not they could be considered as "real", is also foggy. Shelby was never one to say no to licensing, and they have had everything from trailers, to bicycles made bearing the name Shelby's name was even used on the earliest "Chrysler" (in Canada/Export) Daytona Iroc R/Ts in 92. In those cases, these were actually factory errors that slipped through the cracks after Shelby ended his formal partnership with Chrysler in late 1991. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted May 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Yep, cosmetics only, done by Safari with the vans coming from the Canadian factory(ies), but still one of a kind left, we think. At least most of the other Shelby Dodge websites, forums or BBS seem to think it is the last still road-worthy and running, much less in this good a shape. I'd said it had been repainted at least once, but on re-examination, found only the top from gutter up was repainted. All the rest seems original from Safari. Anyone who places value on it should contact me. Anything can be for sale. As a whole. Will not consider parting out. Emails only since I have IMs disabled. I only check every few days to see if new postings are up. Have a great one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdac guy Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 .... Shelby's name was even used on the earliest "Chrysler" (in Canada/Export) Daytona Iroc R/Ts in 92. In those cases, these were actually factory errors that slipped through the cracks after Shelby ended his formal partnership with Chrysler in late 1991. They were not factory errors. Since the IROC championship was a US racing event and not publicized worldwide, all the 1992 and 1993 16 valve Daytona's exported wore the "Shelby R/T" badge instead of IROC R/T like the US versions did. I wasn't sure if any Daytona's that were exported to Canada followed that pattern or not. But yes, Chrysler Daytona's were sold in Canada since Dodge was not a brand sold there at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Mopar Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 They were not factory errors. Since the IROC championship was a US racing event and not publicized worldwide, all the 1992 and 1993 16 valve Daytona's exported wore the "Shelby R/T" badge instead of IROC R/T like the US versions did. I wasn't sure if any Daytona's that were exported to Canada followed that pattern or not. But yes, Chrysler Daytona's were sold in Canada since Dodge was not a brand sold there at the time. That makes sense. I will say this, the first Iroc the Chrysler dealer I used to work received wore both badges...."Shelby" on the rear, and "Iroc" above the "twin cam turbo" badge. My father also had a brand new Shelby Charger (1983 1/2) that didn't actually say "Shelby" on the side. Missing was the body side stripe and Shelby badge, which made it look very odd. They had to order a stripe kit for it. He worked for Chrysler Corp, so the car was off-the-truck, factory new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdolt Posted June 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Since there's been no more interest in this van I'm giving it a few more days then I'm taking the pics down and removing my membership. This is only taking up space on servers better dedicated to true Shelby fans, not vans no-one wants to acknowledge. Jdolt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Taking it down? I wouldn't see a reason to do so, you have a Shelby. Your a member of the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glhs0075 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Don't do it! Please leave the pictures. Your van is extremely rare, and these pictures are invaluable for those of us that want to document and remeber the Shelby Dodge history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Mopar Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hey Jdolt, not sure what type of "acknowledgment" you're looking for...so maybe you can elaborate??? (because you're starting to come off as having an attitude, although I'm sure this isn't the case). Nobody here appreciates Shelbys more than I. From bikes to Chili, he's had his name on too much stuff to mention, and I personally am a fan every bit of it. I am a Dodge guy to the core, but I have had several Ford Shelbys. Heck, if this van wasn't forever away, I'd probably buy it from you. Now, if you're looking for ever member on this site to give you props, that's just not going to happen....and for a few reasons. 1st, this site doesn't actually get a ton of traffic. secondly, the read Ford/Dodge divide. Many (not all) of the Shelby Ford guys are exactly that...."Ford guys", so they're not going to throw out much love for a 2nd cousin. Then there are the purists. A few guys here don't think a Shelby is a true Shelby unless it was in Carroll's shop. As such, vehicles such as the Shelby Durango could be considered less of a Shelby than, say....a 66 GT350 or a Series 1. Keep in mind, even mainstream Shelby Dodges don't enjoy the spotlight and envy that GT500s have, and for obvious reasons. But again, those are just the opinions of a few. I feel that if he thought it was cool enough to lend his name to it, then it's cool. If in spite of the love a few of us have shown your ride, you still wish to bail, do as you wish....but know that you'll leave a few of us wondering if your intentions were to join, share and participate, or to simply join in hopes of selling that Ramvan for a good dollar. P.S- Although unique, this van has a lot of marks against it. It has a marked title, it's displayed mileage isn't correct, and it could use some TLC. Unfortunately because the modifications were cosmetic, a restoration would basically wipe away anything that was "Shelby" about it. Those are serious marks against any vehicle, not just this one in particular. So have a realistic value in mind. I vote that you keep the pics up so that it can serve as a record of these very unique and unheard of pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdac guy Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 +1 to what Jon Mopar said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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