1984 Toyota Van / Space Cruiser / Wonder Wagon / Master Ace
$15,000 ︎ 114k
06/2022
Capital “V”, Van
The Vanagon and Eurovan have become cult objects, inflated beyond measure, obsessed and overbid by a class of people who spend more time imagining "van life" than living it. It's weird to see a vehicle become an accessory—the world's least reliable handbag. But, of course, mostly what you do is grouse with other owners and get into extended negotiations with some guy named Hans or Fritz that would rather be working on an air-cooled 911.
Maybe if Toyota had figured out how to release the Van under an alternative moniker, this isn't the situation we'd currently be in. In England, it was called the "Space Cruiser," an undeniably rad name that does justice to the general lunar transportation vibe it resonates. In Japan, it was called the "Master Ace," which is cool as hell until you accidentally put the two words together... Anyway, it was initially marketed under 'Wonderwagon", a perfect model name for a vehicle with an uncanny amount of interior space vs. exterior footprint. Why they gave it the repo man treatment, we'll never know.
My goal with this thing has been to honor its wonder. Bringing it out of the realm of quirky-old-thing, in many shades of tan, and into the realm of exceptional one-of-a-kind automotive experience.
I got it about 2500 miles/ 1.5yrs ago. IT was already in great shape but dirty and a touch forgotten. Mechanically it needed nothing major; the suspension was good (however, I bought a complete set of shocks just in case they stop making them, these will come with the car), and the engine ran well.
Brake master and slave needed to be taken care of. My mechanic gave me the task of removing the dash to get to the parts. It was an educational process. I took that opportunity to completely clean the components that live behind that plastic and service the climate contol unit. I also thoroughly cleaned and conditioned all the plastic components (see pictures).
In addition, we replaced all the brake components, and I had the wheels powder-coated. This was an essential component to the full graphic scheme whihch I designed in tribute to the JDM Master Ace Surf, which is a nearly identical configuration to the USDM Van.
Everything works well here. It's a hoot to drive, has far more pep than you might expect, and gets more thumbs up than any other car you will ever find yourself in.
The stereo has been upgraded with a near-period alpine and all new speakers; it sounds fantastic in there.
AC WORKS, FRONT AND BACK!
The only outstanding issue is a check engine light; the computer was triggered by an attempt to diagnose the alternator. The engine does not, in fact, need to be checked. I have an additional computer to swap; if this car remains in California, that may be necessary.
In the photos, you will see a picture of a kid's booster seat and the mounting contraption that makes it mountable. I will include both in the purchase if you can use them.
Also included:
many extra plastic bits and bobs
really nice, never used rhino roof racks
extra "brain"
Service Manual
other stuff I can't think of right now.
SHIPPING:
I have shipped many cars to many states as a buyer and seller. You can get anywhere in the US for less than $1.5k. Usually, getting to a neighboring state or southern Cali is like $500. If you want a closed carrier, those prices double. I'm a fan of Sonic as a broker.
BIO:
I'm Aaron; I operate as @radreport on Instagram. And The Rad Report on Facebook. If you'd like to check bonafides, please see these two articles about my previous listings:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35178293/subaru-legacy-craigslist-collection/
https://jalopnik.com/the-rad-report-is-selling-a-1990-honda-crx-si-and-the-l-1846212609
CONTACT:
Please text! The number provided here is a google number; my phone won't ring. Emails may or may not get through; text is best.
UPDATE:
You’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to drive around San Francisco in an 84 Toyota Van for 20 minutes. Right?!?
Things to look out for:
Perfect Cold Start
Surprising Pep
INXS
No RATTLES
A Ridiculous View
https://youtu.be/B_MdzL7NB7E
The Vanagon and Eurovan have become cult objects, inflated beyond measure, obsessed and overbid by a class of people who spend more time imagining "van life" than living it. It's weird to see a vehicle become an accessory—the world's least reliable handbag. But, of course, mostly what you do is grouse with other owners and get into extended negotiations with some guy named Hans or Fritz that would rather be working on an air-cooled 911.
Maybe if Toyota had figured out how to release the Van under an alternative moniker, this isn't the situation we'd currently be in. In England, it was called the "Space Cruiser," an undeniably rad name that does justice to the general lunar transportation vibe it resonates. In Japan, it was called the "Master Ace," which is cool as hell until you accidentally put the two words together... Anyway, it was initially marketed under 'Wonderwagon", a perfect model name for a vehicle with an uncanny amount of interior space vs. exterior footprint. Why they gave it the repo man treatment, we'll never know.
My goal with this thing has been to honor its wonder. Bringing it out of the realm of quirky-old-thing, in many shades of tan, and into the realm of exceptional one-of-a-kind automotive experience.
I got it about 2500 miles/ 1.5yrs ago. IT was already in great shape but dirty and a touch forgotten. Mechanically it needed nothing major; the suspension was good (however, I bought a complete set of shocks just in case they stop making them, these will come with the car), and the engine ran well.
Brake master and slave needed to be taken care of. My mechanic gave me the task of removing the dash to get to the parts. It was an educational process. I took that opportunity to completely clean the components that live behind that plastic and service the climate contol unit. I also thoroughly cleaned and conditioned all the plastic components (see pictures).
In addition, we replaced all the brake components, and I had the wheels powder-coated. This was an essential component to the full graphic scheme whihch I designed in tribute to the JDM Master Ace Surf, which is a nearly identical configuration to the USDM Van.
Everything works well here. It's a hoot to drive, has far more pep than you might expect, and gets more thumbs up than any other car you will ever find yourself in.
The stereo has been upgraded with a near-period alpine and all new speakers; it sounds fantastic in there.
AC WORKS, FRONT AND BACK!
The only outstanding issue is a check engine light; the computer was triggered by an attempt to diagnose the alternator. The engine does not, in fact, need to be checked. I have an additional computer to swap; if this car remains in California, that may be necessary.
In the photos, you will see a picture of a kid's booster seat and the mounting contraption that makes it mountable. I will include both in the purchase if you can use them.
Also included:
many extra plastic bits and bobs
really nice, never used rhino roof racks
extra "brain"
Service Manual
other stuff I can't think of right now.
SHIPPING:
I have shipped many cars to many states as a buyer and seller. You can get anywhere in the US for less than $1.5k. Usually, getting to a neighboring state or southern Cali is like $500. If you want a closed carrier, those prices double. I'm a fan of Sonic as a broker.
BIO:
I'm Aaron; I operate as @radreport on Instagram. And The Rad Report on Facebook. If you'd like to check bonafides, please see these two articles about my previous listings:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35178293/subaru-legacy-craigslist-collection/
https://jalopnik.com/the-rad-report-is-selling-a-1990-honda-crx-si-and-the-l-1846212609
CONTACT:
Please text! The number provided here is a google number; my phone won't ring. Emails may or may not get through; text is best.
UPDATE:
You’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to drive around San Francisco in an 84 Toyota Van for 20 minutes. Right?!?
Things to look out for:
Perfect Cold Start
Surprising Pep
INXS
No RATTLES
A Ridiculous View
https://youtu.be/B_MdzL7NB7E