Description[]
Based on a Dodge B-Series Van, this casting was first debuted by Corgi for their 1980 model range and was reflective of the custom van craze that swept North America in the 1970s. This trend faded away through the early 1980s. Featuring long side pipes, which were cast into the base, the body had an air dam, rear ladder, spare wheel and fender flares cast into the body. Under Corgi this casting was graced with several liveries in various Motorsport, Law Enforcement and Custom Van styles.
Although Mattel aquired Corgi in 1989, models never mixed until 1996 when there were several corgi casting found in the Hot Wheels line-up. This was quite short lived though. Although similar in appearance to Custom '77 Dodge Van (but with a raised roofline to give slightly more interior space as well as a motorsport-styled front air dam), this model is a former Corgi casting, and they are in fact 2 different cars. This casting was retired after one last hurrah as a JC Whitney promotional model, where on the sides tampos simulating windows and side doors gave a more campervan-styled appearance.
Versions[]
The Hot Rod Custom Van has come out in the following versions:
| Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Plastic |
Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Auto-City | Black Enamel | "NYPD" Logo "S.W.A.T." & Crosshairs | Gray / Plastic |
Smoke Tint | None | Corgi | 93182, 93416 | China | "Corgi" branding on base Came in single and multipacks |
| |
| 1994 | Auto-City | White | Blue Sponsorship decals, STP, Champion, Bosch, TRW, Crane Cams "CUSTOM VAN" 15 "TEAM RACING" | Gray / Plastic |
Smoke Tint | None | Corgi | China | "Corgi" branding on base | 
| ||
| 1994 | Auto-City Ferrari 5-Pack | Red | Various Ferrari logos | Light Gray / Plastic |
Clear | Corgi | 93151 | China | 
| |||
| 1994 | Auto-City | Blue | "HW logo", "Racing Team" on sides | Gray / Plastic |
Smoke Tint | None | Corgi | China | Europe Only transition version w/ "Corgi" branding on base |
| ||
| 1994 | Auto-City | Blue | "HW logo", "Racing Team" on sides, Dunlop | Gray / Plastic |
Smoke Tint | None | Corgi | China | Europe Only transition version w/ "Corgi" branding on base |
| ||
| 1996 | Sto & Go Gas Station | Black | Red, Yellow, White Large Hot Wheels Logo "Racing Team" | Gray / Plastic |
Black tint | None | Corgi | 65605 | China | 
| ||
| 1997 | Chuck E. Cheese | Purple | Yellow, Orange, & Red flames, 'Chuck E. Cheese's' on sides. | Chrome / Plastic |
Solid black | None | 5SP | 16979 | China | 
| ||
| 1998 | JC Whitney | Metalflake Aqua | Gold, Black & Blue "JC Whitney" | Gold / Plastic |
Black tint | None | Gold Hub RR | 18671 | China | 
|
See also[]
Gallery[]
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