1970 Dodge A108 Sportsman Van Discovered in Nevada Junkyard: A Rare Forward-Control Classic

Last week, we admired a 1970s GMC van in a California car graveyard. Now, we’re following up with a rare early-1970s Dodge van spotted in a Nevada junkyard. Could a Ford Econoline be next in Utah? It’s not out of the question.

Chrysler’s Dodge/Fargo A100 series of forward-control vans was produced from 1964 through 1970, with final-year models like this one being exceptionally difficult to find in modern-day boneyards. This particular 1970 Dodge A108 Sportsman now resides in a junkyard near Sparks, Nevada.

My fascination with these vans began in the 2010s when I purchased, restored, and sold a 1966 A100 Tradesman. That decade was spent tracking down parts donors in junkyards and documenting these discarded A100s. Since 2007, I’ve photographed and written about every A100 variant I could locate, including:

• A 1966 A100 Tradesman
• A 1967 A100 Sportsman
• A 1967 A100 camper
• A 1968 A100 Sportsman
• A 1969 A100 Sportsman

For the 1967–1970 model years, Chrysler introduced a long-wheelbase version of the A100. This Nevada find is one of those stretched models, featuring a 108-inch wheelbase—nearly identical to the first-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Chrysler badged these as A108s, and faint traces of the A108 emblem are visible in the photos.

The A100’s compact footprint belied its impressive load capacity. Riding on solid axles and leaf springs (front and rear), it could haul heavy cargo or passengers. However, the trade-off was a notoriously rough ride. Highway speeds often led to a porpoising effect, which became downright dangerous as kingpins wore out. By the time I sold my A100, it had been upgraded with a 318-cubic-inch V8 mated to a freshly rebuilt TorqueFlite transmission, improved brakes, and a refreshed suspension—yet it still handled poorly above 45 mph. That’s why I sold it. Last I heard, it’s now in Canada.

Total A100 sales barely exceeded 100,000 units, yet these vans remained a common sight on American roads well into the early 1990s. I photographed this A108 (and an Econoline beside it) in 1991 at the now-defunct Hayward Pick Your Part in California.

In 1971, Chrysler (and GM) followed Ford’s lead by redesigning their vans to be larger, with independent front suspensions and engines moved forward. Chrysler’s new B-Series vans proved so successful that Dodge (and later Plymouth) models were built until 1997 or 2003, depending on how one defines a facelift versus a new design. When I discovered this A108, a man was measuring its rear axle assembly to see if it would fit his 1967 Barracuda. He kindly stepped out of his vehicle to assist.