Concept AM Van

[83Eagle!]

That thing is GORGUS!!

Wonder why AMC never went through with it?? same with that extra small smart like thing. Both probably woulda pulled AMC outa the hole.

They probably didn't go through with it due to money shortage.  AMC traditionally seems to be the company that had to make do with very little development money to put forth a number of great ideas.  This is one of the ideas that likely got on the back burner and never was able to resurface due to other projects going forth.

[El Matador]

It still exists!

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/10/29/amvan-still-lives-too/

[matt1971]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joy67]

How cool!!!  I love the porthole windows on the sides!

[IowaEagle]

Amazing!  At least Lee did not trash it!  Extra egg to you for the find.

[UMunky]

Fascinating. I've seen some of the pics of the AM Van in the past, but seeing more pics and the video was cool. Excellent. I think the obvious is that this being a concept, that if AMC had taken it to production, it'd have had a number of modifications before being final. I'm sure that if indeed it was to be 4WD that the wheel wells would have needed more room. The engine area would also have likely needed to be extended some, which I think would have made it a bit more appealing, actually. It's not bad as it is, but a little more refinement to an actual, practical mini-van would have been awesome to see. You can bet your bottom dollar that Iacocca and co. were taking notes at the time. Lee, had afterall, been a part of the Ford "mini-van" project that got axed in the early 70s as well....and it was well known that he took the mini-van idea with him to Chryco when he took over. In fact, having seen the Ford mini-van concept pics, I think this AM Van more than likely definitely had an impact on what eventually became the Caravan/Voyager.

Oddly, one thing crossed my mind in looking at the AM Van pics this time. Being a "short" mini van more or less.....it actually had qualities that showed up in the Dodge/Plymouth/Mitsubishi Colt Vista in the 80s, and then even in the Eagle Summit (and cousins) in the early 90s. Obviously those were entirely Mitsu and only used the Eagle name, but still.....it's interesting to see the parallel approach to a small degree. So, yes, if AMC had indeed taken this to production, I think it would have made some huge waves.....especially if they had done so before '83.

BTW....a semi-related set of pics that you all may be interested in are a couple of "Jeep Van" pictures that were sent to me some years ago. I believe I was told these were out of some magazine, but Jeep *had* developed a prototype *van* way back in the late 50s or early 60s. It was based off the FC platform, as you can readily tell. It looks so much like the basic VW mini-bus in many ways, but was so much more. Front engine, rear wheel drive, 4wd, and notice the doors on *both* sides of the van! I think these were rated for seating 9 people. (how many years...decades actually....ahead of their time were these...wow!) I was never a big fan of the FC jeeps, but once I saw this it totally changed my opinion.....and it quickly became my "man, if I could have a dream vehicle, that'd be about as close as possible". I believe I've heard about 3 prototypes were built, and at least one still survives somewhere, but not sure on the whereabouts or any of that for sure.



This second image is merely a drawing of different configurations of the Jeep "bus".....including crew cabs and so on. Some of the "vans" were supposedly made as ambulances for use in the military...I believe all sent or maybe even made overseas for like Germany or something. If any were made, they were few at most....and any surviving would be rare at best. Still....it's incredible to see these in light of "what could have been"....especially when AMC ended up with Jeep later on and came up with yet another van idea this thread has been about that would have been incredible to see. Sigh......



If anyone has any more pics of vids of the AM Van, that would be awesome to see.

[Pack Rat]

Nothing more on the AM van yet but you might find this interesting-FC Connection

[83Eagle!]

I love that FC-based van.  That is awesome.  I wonder if one of those could be built?  I'd love to have one.

[UMunky]

Pack Rat - Thanks for the FC link. I haven't looked for FC pages on the net in a few years, so that was a pleasant experience to see this one! Got it bookmarked.....some excellent pics and info there!

I love that FC-based van.  That is awesome.  I wonder if one of those could be built?  I'd love to have one.

Well, with enough time, money, and effort you can do anything. Take a look at what this guy and his crew have done:

http://thefcconnection.com/jesse_ybarra_m-679.htm

So, yes, I'm sure a person could....but what the cost....in time and money and all that....would be is likely not a small figure at all.

Still...if you think about it, if Jeep *had* released this mini-bus in the early 60s...even if they only did cargo versions at first....you can bet they'd have been adding windowed versions before long as well. How long was it before there were factory 4wd vans? Wasn't it late 80s or 90 or so when the big three did their AWD vans? And they were still not as heavy duty as these would have been. When were doors commonplace on both sides of vans? Mid to late 90s, wasn't it? The Jeep mini-bus would have been 20-30 years+ ahead of its time. And we still don't have anything as cool as this was. Anyway, at least there are pictures to saliivate over.

Back to the AM van.....oddly, I ran across a video last night that had an image in it that really caught my eye. Take a look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7BwRL2yhGQ

About 47 seconds in you'll see a van image float across the screen. I think it appears again later, but you can stop at that point if you want. Not the AM van, but has some similarities. And in light of the fact that this song/video were out in what 82 or 83....*before* the Mopar mini's hit the streets....it's rather interesting to think about.

BTW....on that Hemmings link above, did anyone notice the following bit:
" Joe Bortz, he of concept car collecting fame, said he got the AM Van from Chrysler when the company was going through AMC’s inventory shortly after the buyout in 1987."

Sure makes you wonder what other goodies Joe got at the time?

[Gil-SX4]

OK Pack Rat you owe me 2hr of my do nothing day.

[IowaEagle]

Yes, very addictive site there.  I linked to some of their dealership pix there as I found three that were previously not documented at the AMC Heritage Forum.

[BortzCars]

The AmVan has been in the Bortz Auto Collection for many years.  I tried uploading a photo of the Am Van but was not able to figure out how to do it.  Please email me at [email protected] and I will send you a picture of the AmVan if you like.
It may be going to the Chrysler Museum for special display.
Debbie

[IowaEagle]

Glad to have you here.  You can e-mail it to me at [email protected]

[eaglefreek]

It's funny this popped up again. Unrelated to the AMC but to prototype minvans, I stumbled onto this yesterday. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1972-ford-carousel-minivan-concept-car.htm Seems Ford and Chrysler were working on "garagable" vans in the early 70's. Looks quite a bit like a Caravan that Iacoca brought to fruition.


 

[jim]

BortzCars:
Most of us use free Photobucket accounts.
 www.photobucket.com
We recommend clicky pics.  This is a thumbnail picture that enlarges when clicked.
Photobucket has made a change in the way you copy the code.
Here is the way it looks to me:
For a single clicky pic, hover over the picture.  This will open a drop down menu.  Click on the fourth window, img.
It will then say "copied".
Go to the thread where you want to put the picture and paste it in.
For multiple clicky pics, hover over the pictures and click on the small box at the bottom of the picture.
Scroll down and click on "Choose action".  Click "Generate code for selected".
This will open another page.  Click on the third box, "IMG for bulletin boards & forums".  It will say "copied".  Paste it into the thread of your choice. 
In both instances you can select "Preview" to make sure it is what you want before you post it.