voyager plymouth 87

Shopping Cart:

Customer Login

If you are already registered, please log in.

Create your account and enjoy a new shopping experience.

1987 Plymouth Voyager Catalog and Classic Car Guide, Ratings and Features

Posted by Scott Thompson on 17th Jan 2024

Image of 1987 Plymouth Voyager, sourced from carsandbids.com , Image Link.

Performance Metrics

Fundamental metrics, emotional appeal.

Note: Specifications for classic cars are given to the best of our ability, considering the limited and variant data available.

Unveiling the Quintessential Family Cruiser: The 1987 Plymouth Voyager Van

The year 1987 brought us an icon of suburban driveways: the Plymouth Voyager Van. This emblem of family transport was more than just a vehicle; it was a vessel of memories for countless households. Born from the innovative minds at Chrysler, the Voyager not only redefined the minivan segment but also became a symbol of the era's automotive landscape. Among its accolades, the Voyager was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 1984, a testament to its groundbreaking design and appeal.

Design and Innovation: A Glimpse into the Future

With its boxy yet functional exterior, the 1987 Plymouth Voyager presented a clean and straightforward design that prioritized practicality. Its unassuming silhouette concealed a surprisingly spacious interior, crafted with durable materials meant to withstand the rigors of family life. The cabin offered a welcoming environment with comfortable seating and thoughtful amenities, such as ample storage compartments and easily accessible controls. The technological advancements of the time were evident in features like electronic fuel injection and front-wheel drive, which were cutting-edge for a family van. Color options ranged from classic whites and blues to bolder choices like wood paneling, with the latter becoming an iconic look for the era's minivans. The most iconic body style was undoubtedly the Grand Voyager, offering extended space and versatility.

Historical Significance: Changing the Family Transportation Game

The Plymouth Voyager's introduction in the early 1980s was a pivotal moment in automotive history. It offered an alternative to the traditional station wagon and full-sized vans, providing families with a more efficient and maneuverable option. Its success spurred competitors to develop their own versions, but the Voyager remained a benchmark for the category it helped create.

Performance and Handling: A Smooth Operator on Suburban Streets

Under the hood, the 1987 Plymouth Voyager was equipped with an engine capable of delivering adequate power for daily errands and long road trips alike. While it wasn't designed to break speed records, with a modest top speed and leisurely acceleration from 0-60 mph, it provided a reliable performance that owners came to trust. Handling was a strong point for the Voyager; its car-like ride quality and responsive steering made navigating through parking lots and urban environments a breeze. Drivers often praised the van's smooth ride and the reassuring hum of its engine—a soundtrack to many family adventures.

Ownership Experience: The Go-To Choice for Versatile Family Mobility

The 1987 Plymouth Voyager earned its place in driveways as a versatile tool: it served as a daily driver, a vacation hauler, and even a makeshift moving van. Its reliability was one of its strong suits, though as with any vehicle of its age, maintenance is key to longevity. Parts were generally affordable and repairs straightforward enough for the DIY owner, contributing to its enduring presence on the roads.

Fun Facts: The Voyager's Journey Through Pop Culture and Beyond

The Plymouth Voyager may not have been a celebrity magnet or a record-setter in speed, but it did achieve fame in its own right. It became an icon of 1980s pop culture, featured in films and TV shows as the archetypal family vehicle. Criticisms over time focused on its modest power output and utilitarian styling, but these were often overshadowed by its practical virtues.

Collector's Information: A Nostalgic Investment?

Today, the 1987 Plymouth Voyager may not command the high prices of more exotic classics, but it holds sentimental value for those who grew up with its familiar shape parked in their family's garage. With production numbers in the hundreds of thousands, rarity isn't one of its traits, but well-preserved examples can fetch a premium from nostalgic collectors. As for value range, a Voyager in good condition might sell anywhere from a few thousand dollars to perhaps over ten thousand for pristine specimens—reflecting both condition and nostalgia.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the 1987 Plymouth Voyager Van

The 1987 Plymouth Voyager Van stands as a testament to innovation and family-friendly design in automotive history. It may not have been flashy or fast, but it excelled in delivering comfort and utility to families across North America. As we look back on this classic people mover, we're reminded that sometimes, the most ordinary vehicles are those that leave the most extraordinary impact on our lives.

1987 Plymouth Voyager Catalog of Parts

Why Choose Metro?

For over 100 years, Metro Moulded Parts has been the pinnacle of quality in classic car restoration parts. Our commitment to precision and authenticity in every component ensures a perfect fit and an OEM-level appearance.

• Expert Craftsmanship & Quality : Each part is a testament to our dedication to reliability and perfection, crafted from original designs and thoroughly tested.
• Advanced Technology : We use cutting-edge techniques to create flawless, long-lasting parts that surpass others in performance.
• SuperSoft Sponge – The Ultimate Door Seal : Not only are our door seals 30% softer than competitors', but they're also guaranteed to never leak. They effectively reduce wind and road noise, enhancing your classic car's comfort and driving experience.
• Proudly American : Our parts are a product of American craftsmanship, made in the USA with a spirit of excellence and heritage.
• Unrivaled Warranty : We back our products with a 30-year industry-leading warranty, a testament to our confidence in their quality.

Join us in preserving the legacy of classic cars with parts that are crafted for perfection, not just made.

• #1980s Plymouth
• #1987 Plymouth Voyager
• #Classic Car Catalog

1987 Plymouth Voyager

Model years for plymouth voyager.

Showing 1 of 1 related listings

1987 Plymouth Voyager SE

• Location: Westport, MA, USA
• Originality: Original & Highly Original  Vehicles that are original or close to original factory specifications, irrespective of condition. May include vehicles that have minor, removable modifications such as aftermarket wheels, exhaust, or accessories such as cargo/roof rack, stereos, etc.
• Transmission: Automatic
• Driver side: LHD

Specifications

New Additions

Browse by Make/Model/Type

Detailed Search Interface on the Home Page

All Makes in automobile-catalog

VIN Check , detailed car history by VIN

Markets, where cars with this particular specifications were sold:

North America

Related models:

DODGE CARAVAN 1gen

CHRYSLER TOWN&COUNTRY (minivan) 1gen

CHRYSLER VOYAGER 1gen

• Cars for Sale
• Research & Reviews
• News & Videos
• Sell Your Car
• Sign in with Google
• Sign in with Facebook
• Sign in with Apple

Compare cars

Choose two cars to compare side-by-side.

Add first car

Add second car

Popular car comparisons.

Here’s how the most-searched-for-cars on the road differ.

Hybrids/electric cars

• 2024 Tesla Model Y vs. 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
• 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. 2024 Kia EV6
• 2024 Tesla Model 3 vs. 2024 Polestar 2
• 2024 Tesla Model Y vs. 2024 Volkswagen ID.4
• 2024 Tesla Model S vs. 2024 Tesla Model 3
• 2024 Tesla Model X vs. 2024 Tesla Model Y
• 2024 Rivian R1T vs. 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
• 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid vs. 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid
• 2024 Toyota Prius vs. 2024 Toyota Prius Prime

Minivans/vans

• 2024 Honda Odyssey vs. 2024 Toyota Sienna
• 2024 Toyota Sienna vs. 2024 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs. 2024 Honda Odyssey
• 2024 Honda Odyssey vs. 2024 Kia Carnival
• 2024 Toyota Sienna vs. 2024 Kia Carnival
• 2024 Chrysler Pacifica vs. 2024 Kia Carnival

Pickup trucks

• 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 vs. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2024 Ford F-150 vs. 2024 Toyota Tundra
• 2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2024 Ford Ranger vs. 2024 Toyota Tacoma
• 2024 Ford F-150 vs. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2024 Ford Ranger vs. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2024 Ford F-150 vs. 2024 Ram 1500
• 2024 Nissan Frontier vs. 2024 Toyota Tacoma
• 2024 GMC Canyon vs. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2024 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2024 Toyota Tacoma
• 2024 Ford Maverick vs. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
• 2024 Nissan Titan vs. 2024 Toyota Tundra
• 2024 Ford Ranger vs. 2024 Honda Ridgeline
• 2024 Ford Maverick vs. 2024 Honda Ridgeline
• 2024 Honda Accord vs. 2024 Toyota Camry
• 2024 Honda Civic vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla
• 2024 Honda Civic vs. 2024 Hyundai Elantra
• 2024 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla
• 2024 Nissan Sentra vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla
• 2024 Kia Forte vs. 2024 Hyundai Elantra
• 2024 Kia K5 vs. 2024 Hyundai Sonata
• 2024 Toyota Camry vs. 2024 Nissan Altima
• 2024 Toyota Camry vs. 2024 Hyundai Sonata
• 2024 Honda Accord vs. 2024 Nissan Altima

Sports/muscle cars

• 2024 Ford Mustang vs. 2024 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2024 Chevrolet Camaro vs. 2024 Dodge Challenger
• 2024 Ford Mustang vs. 2024 Dodge Challenger
• 2024 Toyota GR86 vs. 2024 Subaru BRZ
• 2024 Ford Mustang vs. 2024 Dodge Charger
• 2024 Dodge Charger vs. 2024 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2024 Dodge Challenger vs. 2024 Dodge Charger

Compact SUVs

• 2024 Honda CR-V vs. 2024 Toyota RAV4
• 2024 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2024 Ford Escape
• 2024 Ford Escape vs. 2024 Honda CR-V
• 2024 Honda CR-V vs. 2024 Mazda CX-5
• 2024 Honda CR-V vs. 2024 Subaru Forester
• 2024 GMC Terrain vs. 2024 Chevrolet Equinox
• 2024 Audi Q5 vs. 2024 BMW X3
• 2024 Honda CR-V vs. 2024 Nissan Rogue
• 2024 Nissan Rogue vs. 2024 Toyota RAV4

Mid-Size SUVs

• 2024 Kia Telluride vs. 2024 Hyundai Palisade
• 2024 Toyota Highlander vs. 2024 Honda Pilot
• 2024 Ford Bronco vs. 2024 Jeep Wrangler
• 2024 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2024 Ford Explorer
• 2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander
• 2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Honda Pilot
• 2024 Ford Explorer vs. 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2024 Honda Pilot vs. 2024 Acura MDX
• 2024 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2024 GMC Acadia
• 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. 2024 Kia Sorento

Full-Size SUVs

• 2024 Jeep Wagoneer vs. 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
• 2024 Ford Expedition vs. 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe vs. 2024 GMC Yukon
• 2024 GMC Yukon vs. 2024 Ford Expedition
• 2024 Toyota Sequoia vs. 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe

Expert multicar comparisons

2023 Affordable SUV Challenge: Which SUV Has the Most Cargo Space?

By Mike Hanley

2023 Affordable SUV Challenge: Which SUV Is the Best Value for the Money?

By Brian Normile

What’s the Best Affordable SUV of 2023?

We're sorry for any inconvenience, but the site is currently unavailable.

Find 1987 Plymouth Voyager interior, exterior and cargo dimensions for the trims and styles available. Choose the desired trim / style from the dropdown list to see the corresponding dimensions.

3dr Mini-Van

Interior dimensions, exterior dimensions, cargo dimensions, 3dr se mini-van, 3dr le mini-van.

eBay Find: 1977 Plymouth Voyager – The Ultimate Shaggin’ Wagon

To most (myself included), the name “Plymouth Voyager” instantly conjures thoughts of the Voyager minivans, and their three generations from 1984-2000. What some don’t know, is that the Plymouth Voyager was another unrelated Mopar product, sold from 1974-1983. The original Voyager was a full-size van, based on Dodge’s line of B-Series vans. I recently came across this one on eBay that oozes pure ’70s style.

Introduced in 1971, the Dodge B-Series was the first full-size van offering seating for up to 15 passengers. Like competitors, the B-Series could be ordered in a number of different wheelbase, length, and seating configurations in both windowless cargo and windowed passenger models. Throughout the 1970s, passenger models were badged as the “Dodge Sportsman”.

For one reason or another, Chrysler executives thought it would be a good idea to badge the Sportsman as a Plymouth, broadening the model’s availability to Chrysler-Plymouth dealers. The Plymouth Voyager was the result of this plan, and went on sale as a 1974 model.

I spotted this pristine 1977 Voyager on eBay. It reeks of ultimate shagginess. Starting with the exterior, it sports a bitchin’ pale yellow and bronze two-tone combo, complete with intricate pinstriping that somehow can’t help but remind me of trash barrels in Disney World . In true ’70s fashion, this one wears wire wheel discs.

Enter the backseat through the double doors, and you may need to pinch yourself in case you think you’ve entered the Bradys’ living room. I don’t know if it was officially marketed on the Voyager, but this lovely cloth and vinyl color scheme was called “Boca Raton” on other Chryslers of this era. And of course, no ’70s shaggin-wagon would be complete without orangey-brown shag carpeting. Curtains are provided all around for privacy of course!

Now THAT is a center console! And everyone complains about how big they are on today’s cars. That plasti-wood cup holder tray reminds me of a ’70s-era coffee table from my grandparents’ vacation house.

The Voyager and Sportsman also offered a class-exclusive, one piece swing-open tailgate. Competitors’ doors were spit down the middle.

Truck production figures are harder to come by than car, and I wasn’t around in the ’70s to witness any, so I have no certain info on how popular the full-size Voyager van was. I’ll go out on a limb, and say that these Voyagers weren’t huge sellers. The full-size Voyager was ultimately dropped after the 1983 model year, and the Voyager minivan picked up where this one left off. As they say, the rest is history.

The eBay listing is (here) and a complete photo album from the seller (here) .

34 Comments

The ’74-’77 B series vans were the most handsome vans ever in my opinion. I owned two of them. The PLYMOUTH lettering in the grill looked much sleeker than the DODGE in chrome letters on the hood. I’ll pick a nit and say that there were better two tone layouts than this, but in truth I’m drooling over this van.

I’d like to find a Plymouth grille for my ’77 Dodge:

That thing is in amazing condition. These were tough vans that ran for a long time with little maintenance, but they didn’t age well from an appearance standpoint. Someone sure loved this one. Sammy Johns would approve, even if it’s not a Chevy. (And now everyone who gets the reference will be cursing me because they have the song in their head for the rest of the day…)

I actually have that tune on a comp CD, from Rhino Records of all places. I also have his older semi hit, Early Morning Love on a true 45rpm record. 🙂

Chevy Van generally doesn’t stick in my mind like some other tunes, thankfully.

Worse CC effect at full volume today last pour of the day i drive onto the street and whats there,this I know its a Chev but thats about all and Ive just finished reading the post cool van Ive seen something similar in a print ad decades ago its cool in a retro way

Interesting find. Here in the US, a ‘Vandura’ is a GMC, but this obviously has a Chevrolet grille. I wonder if it has been modified, or is it a NZ version.

Its a left hook so imported they weren’t sold new here we got GM vans from Bedford.

Wow, that is in truly amazing condition. Who puts something like this away for future generations to enjoy?

I’d love to see stuff like this at car shows. What a nice van.

Right around the corner from me in Lakeland FL, this was probably elderly owned and loved, not used much apparently. And my wife and I were just talking about acquiring a good tow and road trip vehicle… I bet she’d love this! LOL

I recognize that interior; it’s the same color and upholstery as my ’77 Dodge Chinook!

My father in law had that interior also in his ’77 Dodge RV.

A small maintenance company i worked for in the 70’s leased their vehicles ,and had one of this vintage. As a self proclaimed dyed in the wool Mopar guy I am embarrassed to say I don’t remember if it was a Dodge, or Plymouth . I do remember it was a very nice two tone green with the same bucket seats up front, and two rows of seats behind. I was allowed to borrow it to use for a personal move ,and also remember that it rode nice and that its 360 (I think) was quite thirsty…

Not quite a shaggin’ wagon but certainly a contender for the Most ’70s Van Ever (Rhythm-Method Division).

wow, thats a beautiful van! My dad has a 76 dodge sportsman osage conversion with red button-tuck leather and tri colored shag. It dont look nearly this nice, nor does it run right now 🙁

Know these vans, not intimately, but do know them. An older one, I think a ’72 two tone green extended van, I think the Maxi that a church campground owned, don’t know if they bought it new, or used, anyway, it was used to haul campers and counselors to the hiking areas where the hikes began, and would pick them up again, and do the occasional day trip to a lake with the canoes and such.

The campground was in the north Cascade foothills, just east of Everett, and all the lakes and hikes were in the mountains around there.

I became familiar with it around 1978, and rode in it at least once during the 3 years attended camp there (campground owned by the Diocese of Olympia, the Episcopal church diocese of Western Washington).

Then in the spring of 1983, I, and other kids were picked up in it, I think in Tacoma on a Friday, if not in Seattle and then it whisked us to Anacortes Washington where we hopped on the ferry to the great San Juan Island for a church conference that was being held mostly at the HS since no church up there was large enough for everyone.

I can’t remember Bruce the campground director at the time came on the ferry with it, or not but he also drove us back that Sunday. On the way back, I think it rained as we drove down I-5, and I recall noticing the amp gauge flittering back and forth, and the lights of the dash doing the same, the alternator was slowly going!

By that point, it WAS a decade old or so and who knows how many miles it had by then, I’m guessing a fair amount, probably well over 100K.

I don’t know how long they kept it, but for several years in any case.

I also drove a newer version of that van, a restyled variant from 1981, or 82 and it had the round headlights, was white w/ blue upholstery and it drove decently, for a van while a student in a TV Broadcast program at a local tech college, now a community college, and this was in 1989-90 time frame.

I love how this one is a complete time capsule of an era, right down to being completely unmolested and oh-riginal. Simply Groovy. That dash has soldiered on, more or less the same up through the last iteration of the full sized vans in the mid 1990’s, so it must’ve been a good design to have lasted that long, with some modifications to update it some.

Amazing how many people don’t know Plymouth dabbled with trucks in the ’70s. I would love a Trail Duster…..

I had a 72 Tradesman years back. Had a 400 instead of the stock 318. My GOD that thing was fast. Total chi-mo van. No back windows, gritty yellow paint, satanic looking roof rack. It was great for hauling drums to venues. Driving it up Prairie Road taught me why the curve signs indicated 35, 40, etc. I didn’t dare take them at speed.

I love, love, love this van. As a kid, I spent many happy hours in a yellow and white 73 Dodge version. My car-mentor (and best friend’s dad) Howard owned it and kept it for a long time, at least by his standards. I got some wheel time in it, eventually. With the 360, it was plenty fast. The unibody construction also made these things extremely rigid, something that neither Ford or Chevy vans could claim. However, they were certainly rusters, a trait that the B van kept intact to the end of its life.

This 70s version with the little side windows behind the front doors were the best vans of all, with super easy entry into the back seats due to the side doors being set farther back. I never liked the newer versions as much as these.

I will agree with some on the 2 tone treatment. The Plymouth offered that narrow strip around the car, while the Dodge had a much larger area for the “middle” color and looked more balanced. I will go on record here as saying that those are not original wheel covers. I think that somebody’s grandpa put those wires on in the 80s. This thing just screams out or a set of Mopar Road Wheels.

I recall when the Voyager came out. Our local ChryPly dealer got a whole batch of them in, all in solid baby blue. Must have been or some small fleet. As a rule, you hardly ever saw these in a ChryPly dealer’s lot.

Never been much of a fan of these types of vans, but I look at these pictures and I’m seven years old again. What a fantastic time capsule.

One of the first cars I ever “drove.” My father let me sit in his lap and steer one of these around the trailer park when I wasn’t yet four years old. We did that regularly (it was a very different time), but the size of this one sticks in my mind. Quite a challenge to squeeze it around all the parked cars.

Unibody………….. That’s why they were a total bitch to pick up with a single post floor mounted lift! I had to maintain a early 90s Dodge van that was maroon and silver and cursed it every time I had to pick it up to change oil and general repairs. It had the rear mounted air conditioning to make it even more fun.

Any of you guys remember a 1979 CBS TV movie titled “Death Car On The Freeway”?

Shelly Hack ( of Charlie’s Angels fame ) plays an ambitious news reporter covering the story of a wacko dubbed The Freeway Fiddler. The Fiddler is a psychopath loner who spends his days stalking the L.A. freeways in his souped up Dodge Tradesman cargo van, and uses it as a weapon.

His targets are lone female drivers. When one either gets his attention or pisses him off, his M.O. is to pull her into a high-speed game of cat and mouse, eventually causing her to get into a fatal accident. Every time he goes on the attack, he shoves in an 8-track tape blaring wild, frantic bluegrass fiddle music.

The whole time that Hack is hunting him, he’s stalking her. Once she discovers his identity and reveals it to the police and public, he knows his goose is cooked. With nothing left to lose, he ambushes Hack on a freeway still under construction, and challenges her to a four-wheeled fight to the death.

The ending is completely predictable and totally cliche’.

I totally love this van but to be fair, its no ‘shaggin wagon’ with all those seats.

+1. A true “shaggin’ wagon” needs full shag carpeting up the walls (and appropriate upholstery and sound system) inside, a Frazetta mural outside,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yU5HThYbU

and only a dark tint porthole window in the top quarter.

So the link in this post is why so many people are looking at the photo of the trashcans outside the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot, very cool! feel free to link to my photos any time!

It sold for $10k

Until recently I didn’t know that you could get anything from a 225 slant 6 to a 440 engine on these vans (Dodge too) from 1971 to 1978. I have no experience with Mopar vans but I did have a SWB 1978 Chevy Sport Van with a 400 small block which was a lot fun.

This is my 1975 Plymouth Voyager. Could be considered a shagging wagon. Still has original Paint. Hopefully the pictures will come thru.

One more picture of the 1975 Plymouth Voyager. This was taken in the summer of 2013. My son likes to take it to car shows. Only Plymouth Voyager anyone has seen in the area. Manitowoc Wisconsin.

Does anyone know where I can buy a tubular grill or a square one. Please can act me

Just found this beauty on Craigs, all orig, no rust, bought with the intention of customizing with flairs,paint,shag,cragers but don’t know if I should after trying to find another one online for sale or even images for that matter are scarce, I would love to see more pics and stories of other people’s customizations of these old mopar vans. this one is a 74

Love my shaggin waggon! I’m 24 and my friends just don’t see the joy I do in this beast… With the 360 engine it’s super thirsty! Is the passenger van and I wanted to move the seats around so I bolted them down more like a wrap around couch, more fun that way and don’t ruin much with that small customization… Has 72,000 miles and near perfect interior

Just picked this 1976 Voyager sport 3/4 ton (pb200) up on on craigslist. Been really excited to do a little body work and repaint it after I reseal the valve gaskets and whatever else needs mechanical attention. It sat in a barn for 15 years but it made the 2 hr drive home from that barn like a champ.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Click for CC’s Privacy Policy

Curbside Classics Archives

Recent Comments

• rudiger on Auto-Biography: Thinking Small in Syracuse — The PTV (Personal Transportation Vehicle) Project
• Evan Reisner on Vintage Snapshots: Truck People In The ’50s & ’60s
• la673 on Vintage Snapshots: At The Mall! – Parking Lots In The ’50s-’70s
• Ralph L on Vintage Snapshots: At The Mall! – Parking Lots In The ’50s-’70s
• justy baum on Cohort Pic(k)s Of The Day: Old Iron At The Junkyard
• Steve on Quarryside Classics: Mack R-Series – Rock Solid Since 1966
• Paul Niedermeyer on Vintage Snapshots: Truck People In The ’50s & ’60s
• Daniel M. on Vintage Snapshots: Truck People In The ’50s & ’60s
• Paul Niedermeyer on Auto-Biography: Thinking Small in Syracuse — The PTV (Personal Transportation Vehicle) Project

Copyright 2011 - 2024 Curbside Classics. All Rights Reserved.

Discover more from Curbside Classic

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Classifieds
• Get The Email

Auctions Ending Soon

First-Year Game Changer: 1984 Plymouth Voyager LE

I’ve been around long enough to witness the introduction of two rather revolutionary car categories. And both spearheaded by Lee Iacocca. The first was the Ford Mustang, the original pony car, which came out in 1964 when I was nine years old. Twenty years later, I had just started a family and needed four doors and room for playpens and high chairs when Chrysler introduced the first ever garage-friendly, car-like driving minivan. Trust me, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager twins were a transportation game changer if you had kids and needed cargo space. And consumers thought so, too. Chrysler couldn’t build their popular new minivan fast enough and over 209,000 found garages and driveways in their first year of sales. Most of these minivans were “rode hard and put away wet” as they say, but here’s a low-mileage 1984 Plymouth Voyager LE that is remarkably preserved. It is located in Huntington Beach, California and is for sale here on craigslist for $8,000. A special shout out to our pal, numskal, for sending this tip our way.

Plymouth marketed their new Voyager as “the family vehicle of the future…the Magic Wagon. You’ve got to drive it to believe it.” And although most minivan buyers were young parents with several kids, some grandparents found the practicality and flexibility of this new occasional grandkids hauler appealing as well. Nothing is shared about this Voyager’s history, but I’m guessing it belonged to “an older demographic” who bought the luxury LE level, always kept it garaged, well maintained, and wasn’t taking a gaggle of kids to soccer, football, or baseball practice several days a week. The exterior looks great for a nearly 40-year-old people/cargo hauler. The Beige Metallic paint is shiny and I’m not spotting any body and rust issues. The faux wood trim on the sides and tailgate looks very good as does the shiny stuff, trim, glass and lenses. I don’t believe the added-on running boards came from the factory.

Inside, the well-preserved time capsule theme continues with the beige cloth interior looking to be in very good condition. The driver’s bucket seat has a little bit of wear in the form of stretched fabric and the rear bench seat (that when removed, offered 125 cubic feet of cargo space) hasn’t seen many fannies on it the past 40 years. The instrument panel, dash, and door panels look very good as well. The seller rates the interior a 9 out of 10, and it looks like it.

Chrysler’s new minivans were originally going to have four standard doors, but changed to dual sliding doors for easier parking lot access. But to reduce production costs and market the van for commercial use, a single left-side sliding door was offered on the ’84 Caravans and Voyagers. Other cost control measures included sharing the instrument panel, interior controls, and a number of trim items with Chrysler’s K cars.

The seller doesn’t include any photos of the Mitsubishi-sourced 2.6 liter 4-cylinder engine that is mated to a three-speed TorquFlite automatic transmission. It’s listed as having 84,700 miles on the clock with all service records having been kept since new. Mechanically, the Voyager has a new AC compressor and lines, a new battery, windshield washer pump, and blue tooth stereo. Under the “Newer” heading, the seller lists brakes, radiator, alternator, water pump, rack and pinion, headliner, and more. It also passed the California smog test less than 400 miles ago. It’s easy to poo-poo the uncoolness of the minivan 40 years after its introduction (which was seen at the time as a cool replacement for the uncool station wagon), but you can’t overlook its importance as a transportation game changer in the 1980’s. This one might be one of the nicest surviving first-year Plymouth Voyagers out there. Many didn’t look this nice and clean even when they were new!

Most of these turned to a pile of rust. This one is surprisingly nice. The bad thing about the minivan is it led to the demise of the station wagon and the rise of the “softened” SUV, which is bow resulting in the demise of the automobile.

I too had a 1984 Voyager. The Mitsu engine (optional) was bulletproof. Unfortunately my oldest daughter totalled it after 8 years and 100,000 miles.

We had one almost identical to this one, except that it was dark brown with the Chrysler 2.2. It could barely reach highway speeds, and there was no way it could maintain those speeds on even the slightest hill. What a piece of junk! Sold it after about 6 months

I had an ’86 used with about 1,000 miles on it. It came with the Mitsubishi 2.6 and automatic. It was the best car I had ever driven. Four kids, all our luggage, from Washington to LA and back, over the grapevine easily holding its own up the grades and across the blazing hot central valley with air conditioning running at 70+ and never a problem until the thermostat stuck a year later. When it overheated that ruined the wax-cylinder automatic choke which made it a little difficult to start on cold days after that, but I not been so stubborn and simply replace the thermostat, it would most likely still be running. Synthetic oil and changed it every time it got a little dark. I have had four Caravans and one Voyager since, all used. As I discovered later, the previous Voyager owner had destroyed the sliding door lock mechanism and door frame, but there was never a problem with any of them that was not attributable to negligence. The 3.8 was a particularly strong engine and economical, on long runs up I-5 it got 27 mpg.

I worked at Bob Caldwell Dodge here in Columbus OH where the 5 millionth minivan was sold, I believe it was 1996. The family that bought it was unaware that the van would be free to them and there would be a morning block party catered by McDonald’s and covered by CBS’s “Good Morning America”. I worked in the parts department and had to help set up the event at 5:00 AM. Of all things it was on my parents street where I grew up. Fun memory and I later owned one starting a young family a few years later. Only wish Lee Iacocoa was there so I could’ve met such a great American ! 5 million sold after 12 years is nothing to sneeze at…

Great American????

Yeah actually he was. I started working for Chrysler in ‘81. It all turned around when Lee came and took over after working at Ford.We wouldn’t have the suv of today without his knowledge of what the public needed. He turned the company around and made it profitable, and repaid the loan back to the government in short order.So yeah I think he’s a great American too.

I had an 88 with the 2.5 mopar 4. Bullet proof and decent acceleration. Was really a game changer as our family was growing. Car pools, road trips all in a comfortable and roomy space. I not too big and not too small.

The early ones likely suffered from all the emission controls retrofitted to carburetors, while the newer ones had a throttle body EFI which really improved drivability and reliability.

Lots of great memories

Say what you will, these vans rocked the world in the 80s. My girlfriends father had one just like this but in medium blue, we put a motorcycle in it (no mirrors), and he used it for work during the week and family hauling and long trips. It could swallow 12’ 2x12s and got really good mileage, all while hauling 1000 pounds of concrete. It is the only vehicle I have ever seen to get over 100k on brakes. It is a shame they became unpopular, SUVs are really no better looking and get much worse mileage.

Doesn’t say anything about headgasket. Had a 1987 a she smoked up a storm.people would tell my wife that her car was on fire.

I still have my 1999 Dodge Grand caravan sport. Bought it used in 2008 for $2250. It now has 305,000 miles. Never has it left me stranded, unlike my 2011 Toyota Sienna which has three times. Transmission service every two years. Never have had the transmission removed / replaced. Now it hauls concrete and everything else to the dump.

Solid vehicles that created a market segment. Lots of scrambling from others to get something like it. The Aerostar and Astro was aimed at a similar yet different client. Tough as tanks and not rust buckets until the all new 1995 model. Lots of people had them with 2.2s and stick shifts who really liked the car. Of coarse anything bigger was a step in the right direction, especially the 3-litre V6 and the 2.5 turbo. Chrysler’s own 60° V6 wouldn’t appear until I believe 1990.

When these first came out they were in such high demand that it pushed the price way higher than sticker price. In 1984 I had just started working at a bodyshop and a coworker was fixing a loaded one that was hammered very hard in the side. Most any other vehicle would have never been fixed but these were so valuable and so hard to come by at that time that it was fixed. Seems crazy today that so much effort would go into saving a Caravan.

I’m a Great grandparent and my Grandkids and Great Grandkids ride in our 2006 Caravan. We transport rescue dogs in it too. We LOVE it. As long as we can find another one that’s not a rust bucket, we’ll have one. Thanks Lee. This and the Mustang were great ideas. (We’ve owned a few Mustangs too)

My one and only mini van was a 93 Aerostar 4wd. Loved that thing, but it loved gas and head gaskets. A buddy bought a Caravan in ’87. Had the 2 kids by then, and the wife was complaining about his Mustang GT. He showed up at a bachelor party in the Dodge, and parked a block away. Too embarrassed to park in front of the house, I guess.

The write up says due to cost controls, the new minivan would only have a LEFT side sliding door. Apparently, the author can’t tell the difference of the right side or left side, as this van clearly has a RIGHT side sliding door.

I was thinking about that too at first but then realized that if youre looking at it from the front……. it IS on the left……. just a thought…..

In the automotive world, the view isn’t from the outside front, its from the driver’s seat. That is the standard. In the USA, what side of the street do you drive on? That would be the RIGHT… as in the view from the driver seat. You steer the car from the LEFT side of the automobile. When you order a front fender for a car, or any left or right part, it is always the view from the driver seat.

Thats a good point. You would order a right front fender ( passenger side) etc.

My dad bought a new Caravan in 1984, with a four on the floor! Fun to drive.

I would recommend to anyone, especially those not familiar with Lee Iacocca to read and/or watch a documentary about him. Not only was he responsible for the Mustang and Minivan, his story as a self made man of humble beginnings and his life achievements is impressive. If there were a ‘Mount Rushmore’ of the US auto industry, he would be carved in rock !

My brother had an 84 model in 1992 with a manual transmission, the only one I ever saw. We went from Tyler Texas to El Paso Texas and back in it. It stayed up with traffic just fine and had no problems on the near 2000 mile trip. The a/c had problems keeping the back area cooled so he mounted a fan to help out.

Postng deleted by author.

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.

Recent Finds

First Year Project: 1974 Ford Mustang II

BF Auction: 1975 Jeep Cherokee S

Real or Clone? Complicated 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350-R

BF Auction: 1980 Chevrolet Camaro RS

• Motorcycles
• Muscle Cars
• Our Projects
• Project Cars
• Success Stories

Get Daily Email Updates:

Don’t Miss Another Find!

Sign up for our free daily newsletter:

Unsubscribe anytime

Enjoying Barn Finds?

Sign up for our free daily email and you’ll never miss another find:

No thanks, I'm already subscribed.

The best taxi services in Moscow

How best to drive a taxi in Moscow

Moscow is a huge metropolis – the capital of the Russian Federation is three times as large and has three times as many inhabitants as Berlin, for example. Of course, getting from A to B is an important topic for visitors and locals alike. The metro is certainly the number one form of transportation in the Russian mega city. But as practical as the subway may be: in the rush hour it can get damn stuffy on the trains – especially in the city center and on the ring line the trains burst at the seams in the morning and in the evening and sometimes you have wait to be able to get in at all. In addition, you cannot get to the airport by metro. The most obvious solution is certainly the taxi. As a foreigner, you have to know a lot about Moscow and taxis. In Soviet times, taxis were affordable, but not competitive in comparison to heavily subsidized public transport. In addition, taxi drivers had a bad reputation and often questionable work ethic. Hardly everyone drove a taxi in Moscow and there were accordingly few. The development in the wild nineties, which were economically difficult for Russia, in which even many doctors, engineers and scientists had to earn something as taxi drivers, was quite different. The so-called “bombily” (from the Russian word bombit’, to earn something extra) came into service. It became common practice that as a pedestrian on the side of the road you only had to keep your hand out and stop a (usually unmarked) taxi or a bombila in a matter of minutes. A short negotiation about the price and you’re on your way. In 2011, the Moscow city administration estimated that in addition to the 5,000 licensed taxis, at least ten times as many black taxis were on the move.

«Black» taxis – not advisable for tourists

For tourists, especially inexperienced Russia, these taxis are anything but advisable. At first you will have communication problems even with kindly Bombila-drivers without knowledge of Russian. Even with proper school Russian, as a tourist you lack the local knowledge and an idea of ​​the usual prices – which is why you are almost at the mercy of the many black sheep among the «black» taxi drivers.

Russia trip planned? Under the following link you can find out how to get the necessary visa!

However, if you have sufficient knowledge of Russian, are clear about the exact route beforehand and can still negotiate well, it may be worth trying the «black» taxis. Because of the increasingly popular taxi apps, the «black» taxis are a slowly but surely dying phenomenon. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t pay more than 500 rubles for a trip within Moscow and if the driver demands too much, just keep going.

Taxi apps: Gett, Yandex, or Uber?

Equipped with a SIM card and mobile internet, it is certainly the best option as a tourist to get around using the taxi app. The world’s leading provider Uber only plays a subordinate role in Russia. Although the app also exists in Russia, Uber works here in cooperation with the local top dog Yandex Taxi. Yandex is often referred to as the Russian Google and is also very popular as a taxi service. The Yandex app works similarly to that of Uber. You can see in advance the fare to be paid later, the license plate as well as the vehicle type and the driver’s previous ratings. However, at Yandex you can pay not only with a credit card, but also in cash with the driver. The prices that Yandex calls in Moscow for the so-called Eco tariff are very moderate. The basic fare, which includes a five-minute journey and three kilometers, is 129 rubles, or about $ 1.81. Each additional kilometer then costs 10 rubles, i.e. $ 0.14. Trips to Moscow airports are billed at the normal tariff. However, a pick-up fee of 449 rubles, i.e. $ 6.32, has to be paid from the major international airports Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo to the city. The standard fare will be 8 rubles per 1 km and 8 rubles per 1 minute. Of course, Yandex also offers high-quality transport, analogous to Uber’s offer. From the business tariff, in which you are chauffeured in a limousine from 349 rubles ($ 4.91), to the so-called ultimate tariff, in which you drive through in a Mercedes S-Class from 1899 rubles ($ 26.75) Moscow is driven, the Yandex offer knows no limits. Even vehicles specially equipped for transport for children, with special paint can be ordered via the app. Gett’s competition offers a similar range of products at generally lower prices. The cheapest service in vehicles of the VW Polo class currently starts at 99 rubles ($ 1.39). Trips to Moscow airports cost almost a quarter less than Yandex at 350 rubles ($ 4.93). The VIP service with vehicles that include the BMW 7 Series, the S-Class or the Audi A8 is also significantly more affordable at 700 rubles ($ 9.86) – even if fewer inclusive kilometers are included in the price.

Classic taxi services: Rare and usually only on order

Taxis in the western sense are rarely seen in Moscow. Just wave a taxi up from the street like in Berlin, London or New York? This is rather unlikely because there are simply too few taxis. You have to order a classic taxi in Moscow beforehand. Despite the competition from «black» taxis and the increasingly popular apps, there are still numerous companies that offer this. However, it is usually impossible to order one of these taxis without knowledge of Russian. Services that are specially designed for tourists and foreign business travelers can usually be paid for dearly. Therefore, as a tourist, unless you prefer a taxi app from the start, you leave the order to the hotel or local friends.

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

The travel voucher for the Russia visa

How do i get from moscow airports to the city center, you will also like, everything you need to know about russia: included..., traveling‌ ‌in‌ ‌russia‌ ‌–‌ ‌how‌ ‌safe‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌..., choosing the best guide for a free and..., how do i exchange money in moscow, eating out in moscow, the best time to travel to russia, how do i get from moscow airports to..., moscow’s best free city tour, moscow’s top 13 – the main attractions of..., with sim card purchase in russia: use whatsapp,..., leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

@2019-2020 - Moscow Voyager. Alexander Popov

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to use our site you accept our cookie policy. Accept Read More