They were definitely "cool," but they also were an over-priced, underpowered, rust-prone, deathtrap, which is why they stopped selling them here. And with normal driving, the fuel economy wasn't anything to write home about either. The only good thing about them mechanically was that it was fairly easy to rebuild the motors, which unfortunately was required every 40 thousand miles or so.
By comparison, the original Chrysler mini-vans were majestic.
The fact is that in order to make them safe and in keeping with contemporary standards for mini-vans, they will cost a King's ransom.
What price nostalgia?
Yep, back in the day I had a '71 1/2 ton Chevy van, my apt. for two full semesters and a number of safaris during the six yours I owned her. We traveled to Mexico, Canada, and all around the USA, never once broke down or had an accident, though I did get stuck in the sand south of Pismo Beach. Lots of help from fellow surfers and beach combers got us free (a tow would have cost me a months salary back then).
Many a friend sucked a valve in those air cooled heaps. The only thing I would have liked was the pop top, but at my age back then I simply walked on my knees around the 'apt'.
