Van Of The Day: October 20, 2010

Today's car of the day is Hot Wheels' 1966 Dodge A100.

The A100 (or Forward Control) line was a family of American compact vans and trucks produced by Chrysler and sold under the Dodge and Fargo brands from 1964–1970, competing with the Ford Econoline and Chevy Van, all inspired by the Volkswagen Type 2. It included a pickup truck and van, both with a "cab forward" design unusual in passenger vehicles. The nose was flat, with the engine placed between the driver and passenger, who sat above the front axle. These unibody vehicles used a short, 90 in (2,300 mm) wheelbase. An A108 was also available from 1967–1970, with a longer 108 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase. The A108 was very popular with camper conversion companies.

A substantially modified, Hemi-powered A100 wheelstanding exhibition pickup called the "Little Red Wagon" driven by Bill "Maverick" Golden was a popular drag strip attraction in the 1960s through the early 2000s. Another substantially modified A100 pickup, designed by Harry Bentley Bradley, was the basis for the Deora show car, also one of the 16 original 1968 Hot Wheels cars. Both the Little Red Wagon and the Deora were sold at the 2009 RM Auctions Icons of Speed and Style Auction. The Little Red Wagon was the top seller at US$550,000.

In the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the five teens are traveling in a passenger van, with the second row removed. In the animated film Cars, the minor character "Rusty Rust-Eze" is a heavily rusted A100. A 1967 A100 was also featured in a one-hour 2006 episode of the TLC network reality television series, Overhaulin'.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Dodge A100

I saw this one at Kiddie Kar and it immediately jumped into my hands.  I love Unocal 76, I love the color scheme, and the casting is hot and new!  What's not to love?

Union Oil Company of California, dba Unocal is a defunct company that was a major petroleum explorer and marketer in the late 19th century, through the 20th century, and into the early 21st century. It was headquartered in El Segundo, California, United States.

On August 10, 2005, Unocal merged with Chevron Corporation and became a wholly owned subsidiary. Unocal has now ceased operations as an independent company, but continues to conduct many operations as Union Oil Company of California, a Chevron company.