History of Conversion Vans
Conversion vans became popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Early conversions were originally do-it-yourself modifications with home style carpet used on the ceiling and floors, wood paneling on the sides. These early conversions used large window cut into the sides of the van panels, sometimes removing the structural supports, making the vans very unsafe in an accident. Many of these vans would feature large murals painted on the exterior helping to create a “bad boy” image.
In the 1980’s, companies like “Starcraft, Mark III and others entered the conversion van market bring new features to the vans such as high roof tops, luxurious interiors featuring thickly padded seats, wood trim and fiber optic "mood lighting."
Conversion vans became more popular as everyday transportation and camping by young baby boomer families.
At the same time, both the federal government and vehicle manufacturers began efforts to exert some degree of control on the van conversion industry, demanding that certain safety guidelines be adhered to.
By the 1990’s the mini-vans was born and included many of the features found in the early and larger full size vans and offered better gas mileage
200,000 units sold in 1994 alone. As of 2007, about 20,000 conversion vans are being sold each year, with most being sold for family transport.
Conversion vans are in large part responsible for many of the feature we enjoy today: Some of the many features that first appeared in conversion vans.
· In Car TV’s · Reclining seats · Stereo systems
· Sun roofs · Wood grain panels and dashes
· Removable seating · Cup holders