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The history and evolution of 70s Boogie Vans

The history and evolution of 70s Boogie Vans

Get Out N Drive Podcast Jan 19, 2026 35 min
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About this episode

Exploring the vibrant world of 70s boogie vans, this episode dives into the nostalgia and culture surrounding these iconic vehicles. Hosts John and Jason share personal stories, detailing how these vans became symbols of freedom and creativity, often adorned with psychedelic murals and shag carpets. They discuss the DIY spirit of van customization, the evolution from hippie vans to family haulers, and the resurgence of interest in vintage vans today. The conversation is filled with humor and insights into the unique subculture that defined an era.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Company

Auto Metal Direct

"Auto Metal Direct is a premier manufacturer of high quality restoration parts for classic American cars and trucks. AMD offers a wide range of components, including body panels, trim, glass, weather stripping, and much more."

Auto Metal Direct makes replacement parts for older American cars and trucks, helping people restore them to their original condition.

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Part

body panels

"AMD offers a wide range of components, including body panels, trim, glass, weather stripping, and much more."

Body panels are the metal parts that make up the outside of a car, like doors and hoods. They can be replaced if they're damaged or rusted.

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Part

weather stripping

"AMD offers a wide range of components, including body panels, trim, glass, weather stripping, and much more."

Weather stripping is the rubber or foam that seals the edges of doors and windows on a car, keeping out rain and noise.

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Chevy van
MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevy van

"I learned to walk in a crib on the floor of a 74 Chevy van. Wow. I don't remember it."

The 1974 Chevy van is a large vehicle made by Chevrolet, often used for transporting families or cargo. It was common in the 70s and has a lot of space inside.

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Term

sixty series tires

"...big, wide, sixty series tires on it. Right."

Sixty series tires are a way to describe how tall the side of the tire is compared to its width. A lower number means a shorter sidewall, which usually helps with better handling but can make the ride feel harsher.

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Cupra Born
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Cupra Born

"..., you know, that thing was a seventy four. I was born in seventy five and you know, learning to walk. ..."

The Cupra Born is a new electric car that looks sporty and is made to be eco-friendly. It’s designed to be fun to drive while also being good for the environment, showing that you can have a cool car that doesn’t use gas.

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Term

suspension companies

"We didn't have all these suspension companies. So if you wanted to lower the front end of your G van, what did you do?"

Suspension companies make parts that help cars ride better and handle turns more smoothly. They create things like springs and shock absorbers that support the car's weight and control how it moves on the road.

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Term

fender well

"...that wasn't going to clear the fender well. You had to cut it out, weld something else on."

The fender well is the space around the wheel where the tire sits. If you want to put bigger tires on your car, you might need to change this area to make them fit.

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Concept

rat rods

"...we've always talked about rat rods and how rat rotting, you know, kind of became a thing."

Rat rods are cars that people build themselves using old parts, making them look rough and unique. They are often made for fun and don't need to look perfect.

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Term

hot rod

"...if you wanted a hot rod, you went to the junkyard, you stole parts off of one car, you made it fit another."

A hot rod is a car that has been changed to go faster and look cooler, usually based on older cars. People modify them to make them special and unique.

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Concept

muscle cars

"...came in, muscle cars and stuff, all the custom cars,..."

Muscle cars are fast cars that were popular in the 60s and 70s. They usually have big engines and are designed for speed and power.

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Term

ISCA

"...you can look at any ISCA, you know, International Steel Car Association,..."

ISCA stands for the International Steel Car Association, which is a group that organizes car shows for custom cars made of steel. They help people show off their unique car designs.

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Concept

boogie van

"Yeah, I did build my own boogie van and it's been quite popular, copied quite a lot, built originally again because I like Hot Wheels."

A boogie van is a custom-designed van that looks cool and often has bright colors and special features. They were really popular a long time ago and are often seen as fun vehicles.

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Term

Hot Wheels

"It was built off of the Hot Wheels Super Van and it checks all the boxes."

Hot Wheels are small toy cars that come in many different designs and colors. They are very popular among kids and collectors, and some people even build real cars inspired by them.

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Chevrolet Camaro
Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...want to show up with another orange and white 69 Camaro pace car. You want to show up with some kind of ..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that many people love for its speed and cool looks. It was first made in the late 1960s and has a strong connection to car racing, especially the bright orange and white version from 1969 that is famous for being a pace car at races.

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Term

conversion van

"...when you started getting into conversion vans that were not just people haulers, but they were also campers. So, you know, when you kind of transition from the sport van..."

A conversion van is a regular van that has been changed to make it more comfortable and useful, often with nicer seats and extra features for traveling or camping.

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Sprinter van
Vajotwo  This image was created with PhotoScape. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Sprinter van

"...like you go and you buy yourself a sprinter van that's got like four seats in it..."

The Sprinter van is a large van made by Mercedes-Benz that can be used for many purposes, like transporting people or cargo. It's known for being roomy and flexible in how it's set up inside.

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Dodge 318
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA,cropped and altered by uploader Mr.choppers (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Dodge 318

"...with their small block chevies, boards, 318 Dodge, and they just saw the world."

The Dodge 318 is a type of engine made by Dodge that is known for being strong and reliable. It was used in many of their cars and trucks for several decades.

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Term

small block Chevy

"...with their small block chevies, boards, 318 Dodge, and they just saw the world."

A small block Chevy is a type of engine made by Chevrolet that is smaller and lighter than other V8 engines. It's commonly used in many cars and trucks and is famous for being powerful and easy to modify.

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Volkswagen Bus
sv1ambo (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Volkswagen Bus

"...that's how that trend has transformed from VW bus..."

The Volkswagen Bus is a famous van that many people used for traveling and living in, especially during the 1960s. It’s known for its roomy interior and distinctive look.

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Brand

Dodge

"We want American made, America, and we can drive our Dodge Ford and our Chevy's."

Dodge is a car brand from the United States that makes a variety of vehicles, including cars and trucks. They are known for their powerful and sporty models.

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Brand

Ford

"We want American made, America, and we can drive our Dodge Ford and our Chevy's."

Ford is another well-known American car brand that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. They are famous for models like the Mustang.

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Chevrolet Silverado
LukaCali (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"...they said, you know what, it's time. We're going to call it something. We're going to call it a Silverado..."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a popular pickup truck that can be used for many purposes, not just for farming. It was first introduced in 1999 and is known for being strong and reliable.

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Chevrolet C10
GPS 56 from New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Chevrolet C10

"...rado. We're not going to call it the 1500 or the C10. We're going to, we're going to give it a name."

The Chevrolet C10 is a type of pickup truck that was made for many years, starting in the 1960s. People like these trucks because they are tough and can be easily fixed up or customized, making them a favorite for those who enjoy working on cars.

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Concept

pavement princess

"...into the pavement princess that has a giant winch on the front of it that still has a tag on it. And that's a whole another topic talking about Jeeps and Jeep people."

A 'pavement princess' is a vehicle that looks tough and is built for off-roading but is mostly driven on regular roads. It's like a show car for off-road enthusiasts.

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Term

self-driving feature

"...and they're promoting their self-driving feature. Because if you want to cut your kid's hair or eat a bowl of soup..."

A self-driving feature means the car can drive itself without you having to control it, using special technology to see and understand the road.

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Term

EV

"my cute little EV car drives itself by finding the little lines on"

An EV, or electric vehicle, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. This means it doesn't produce exhaust fumes, making it better for the environment.

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Term

torque

"...EVs and especially Teslas in general generally have a lot of torque. You've got direct drive, which auto enthusiast in me thinks that's pretty amazing to have..."

Torque is a force that helps a car move. In electric cars, it helps them speed up quickly, which is why they feel fast when you press the pedal.

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Term

traction control

"But we all know what traction control, well, maybe John doesn't, but we all know what traction control does when you start spinning in the snow."

Traction control helps your car maintain grip on the road by stopping the wheels from spinning too much when you accelerate, especially in bad weather like snow.

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6 cars featured

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