---
title: "1970s Dodge Van Turned Boat Could Storm the Beaches of Margaritaville"
description: "This brilliant, leisure-filled boat is actually a 1970s Dodge Van that's been repurposed for a life out on the waves."
date: "2023-06-16"
modified: "2023-06-16"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Nelson"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/peter-nelson"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/1970s-dodge-van-turned-boat-could-storm-the-beaches-of-margaritaville"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Dodge News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "dodge"
---

# 1970s Dodge Van Turned Boat Could Storm the Beaches of Margaritaville

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/DodgeBoat.jpg>)
*\<em\>Facebook\</em\>*

Like the [Amphicar](<https://www.amphicar.com/>) or the WWII-era [Duck](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUKW>), blending land and sea vehicles together usually means expanding one vehicle's capability to navigate both surfaces. In other less-versatile circumstances, but equally badass, it entails adding a hull and boat guts to a '70s [Dodge](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/dodge-news>) van and creating one of the most unique/awesome vehicles, ever: The Delta Van Cruiser.

This magnificent creation recently popped up in a [Dodge Van](<https://www.facebook.com/groups/505654876149561/permalink/6171625042885821/>) Facebook group. It's actually not a one-off mended together by some crafty genius, either. A company called Delta Van Cruiser produced as many as 37 of them in Pittsburg, California, in the 1970s and 80s.

The seller included a bunch of photos, including a sales pamphlet from the era where the company highlighted the comfort, speed, and luxury of its fine product.

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/van5.jpeg>)

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/van1.jpeg>)

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/van2.jpeg>)

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/van3.jpeg>)

![delta van cruiser boat](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16/van6.jpeg>)

To make it, DVC cut up a '70s Dodge van, gave it a hull, threw in a bunch of boat parts, a marine-ready V8 from Volvo, and bolted on an early Fox Body Mustang's grille. Oh, and finished off the interior with a fireplace, shag carpeting everywhere, and what looks like a skylight above the captain's chairs (I guess that's what they're called? I'm no boatsman). I can hear the [yacht rock bangers](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfZ56I_xQW4&list=PLemLulPSDQ8tMhTt67D0Gmsc-P4Ts7Vkh>) from here while examining the photos—I'd say the pamphlet actually undersold it.

With a little restoration and elbow grease, this thing would surely be an attention grabber on any of our nation's waterways. I can't stop thinking of the guitar riff in Steely Dan's Hey Nineteen when thinking about this beauty skating across the water.

As reported by [*Motor1*](<https://www.motor1.com/news/672307/bizarre-boat-dodge-van-ford-mustang-awesome/>), it's no longer for sale. A good offer came through and it's now residing in Washington. We wish the new owner the best of luck in a smooth and fulfilling restoration process.

*Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Peter Nelson is a former staff writer at The Drive. He often finds himself blogging about all-things motorsports and off-roading as he's thoroughly infatuated with having fun behind the wheel.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenelson/>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/16vpete>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/16vpete>)