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The entire concept of a radio surveillance car is that it’s alleged to be nondescript, which is one thing right now’s Nice Price or No Dice Dodge will not be. Let’s see if we will crack the case on this oddball Ram van and its promoting value.
Mercedes-Benz just lately introduced that, in sure markets, it plans to maneuver its automobiles and shopper vehicles to electrical energy by the tip of the last decade. That edict was tempered a bit extra just lately when a consultant revealed that the corporate has no plan to retire its V8 engines this decade, and if there’s demand, AMG will even proceed to construct them after 2030.
That’s a aid to us petrolheads, but when automobiles like yesterday’s 2006 Mercedes E55 AMG are nonetheless round and in as good of form, will it actually matter? Our Benz was offered as being in as-new situation, though it had removed from as-new miles. That, and a $26,000 asking value didn’t sit too nicely with a lot of you, with the end result being a 61 p.c No Cube loss.
Going into yesterday’s vote, the outcomes seemed like a toss-up. After all, if the power to faucet your telephone strains or intercept your Web feed had been obtainable, we maybe might have decided what the eventual end result can be nicely earlier than the very fact. If solely there have been one thing like an ex-FBI surveillance van round to help in such hypothetical endeavors.
This 1988 Dodge Ram B250 is marketed as an ex-FBI surveillance van.
For no matter motive, it’s additionally dressed as much as appear like the Thriller Machine from the beloved Saturday morning cartoon present, Scooby Doo, The place Are You! That present was a formative icon for a lot of a tween male, as debates raged throughout center faculty lunch courts and PE lessons over whether or not Velma or Daphne was the extra enticing toon. I, for one, was at all times on Group Velma. Tween women didn’t must have such debates since there’s actually no query of whether or not Fred or Shaggy is the higher boyfriend materials. I believe Fred’s ascot says all of it.
Alas, I digress. The actual query afoot is why does this Dodge van exist in its current kind in any respect? If it actually was an FBI surveillance van as purported by the vendor and evidenced by the slew of listening gear and recorders within the again, shouldn’t or not it’s much more nondescript? Or, no less than disguised as one thing that passersby aren’t going to need to snap a selfie with as they “do it for the Gram?”
The bizarre mixture of TV present tropes actually is a thoughts bender and the vendor is of no assist explaining as they provide a mere single sentence of description within the advert:
1988 Dodge Ram Van w 8k mi. FBI Surveillance Thriller Machine.
It’s being bought by what seems to be to be a small vendor and the advert does no less than give us the mileage — 8K — and the truth that it comes with a clear title. Simply precisely why it’s, nonetheless, goes unanswered. There’s additionally no rationalization as to why there’s a pair of BMW basketweaves behind the van.
We are able to glean some useful data from the images. Included in these is a photocopy of an older title displaying the proprietor on the time to have been the Hudson, Massachusetts Police Division. We additionally get to see the van from all angles and people pics present it to be in fairly good form with respectable chrome and trim, and a reasonably correct tackle the entire Thriller Machine aesthetic.
The cabin is simply as respectable wanting with cheap vinyl upholstery underneath the Scooby Doo seat covers and a rubber ground protecting up in entrance. The again is closed off and carpeted all through. A director’s chair faces a console with numerous electronics and there’s a further bench above the fitting wheel arch and—holy crap—a port-a-potty tucked in behind the left.
Energy comes from a 5.2 liter V8 with 170 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Main engine entry is underneath the doghouse within the cabin. A 3-speed automated accompanies the engine and drives the rear wheels. No phrase is given on the situation of the mechanicals, however come on, they’ve solely performed 8,000 miles.
So, this van is a little bit of an enigma, wrapped in a query and painted to appear like the Thriller Machine. What ought to that rightfully be price? The vendor appears to assume it’s price $19,995 and now it’s as much as you to resolve the thriller as as to if or not that’s an correct take.
What do you assume, might this surveillance van be price that $19,995 asking? Or, do you merely not see, hear, or intercept over a tapped telephone line that taking place?
You determine!
New London, Connecticut, Craigslist, or go here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Maximusorama for the hookup!
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