Little did I know that in that same year the movie Austin Powers would become a huge sensation launching my generation into a flower power revolution. A year later in 1998 That Seventy's Show premier with ratings through the roof. It was then that the grotesque mortifying whale of a vehicle would become the envy of my peers. All of my friends would pile into the van to go to concerts and we would all shift our weight from side to side causing it to rock back and forth down the road. People that I didn't even know would stop in the halls, "your the one with the good times van?" Yeah, that's me, and I would beam with pride. It's serves as a reminder that things aren't always as bad as they seem and now I wouldn't trade the memories I had of that van for a million dollars. Who knew the Good Times Van would be such a good time after all.
*This is a photo I found online of a Dodge Ram Van, but unfortunately there is no actual photo of the good times van*
4 comments:
Cool van description and memories. Good Times, Inc offered seven different models of conversion vans that year. My favorite had no rear seating, instead it had a wine rack, sink with fresh water, and the rest of the space was partitioned off with a large oval shaped cutout in a bulkhead. Behind this was an actual queen sized bed. The shaggin' wagon, lol.
I own a 1986 F-350 crew cab diesel Good Times conversion. It is equipped with two-tone panel paint, running boards, aluminum wheels, captains chairs, velour interior, and a big wood console. Not many of the crew cab pickups were ever converted. The Good Times emblems can show up on ebay once a year under ebay motors. Be patient and maybe you will find some. I bought an extra set to put on my dump truck; the faux Good Times dumper, lol.
Good Times Van lyrics by Terri Hendrix....
"Susan headed out in her good times van
She took off to good times land
With no plans and a dog for company
Susan waved goodbye to me
I said Suz it's what you choose
You got to do what you got to do
There's gunna come a day that you're gunna reminisce
About the days you were better than this
Chorus:
4414 Desert View 78216
Who you are and
Where you been
Are so much better than this
Oh so much better than this yea
In a good times van you're gunna go everyplace i'll only dream of
You'll roll back the seat to make a bigger space
To sleep and wake and make a lil' love
Suz stay away from that vino
Keep yourself up with a cup of cappucino
Hit the road 'til it hits you back
And when it does cry 'til you laugh
You are better than runnin'
Better than hidin'
Better than decidin'
What you wanna do when it's too late
Fake it 'til you make it make it 'til you can
See the sunshine through the darkness in a plan
You might bite your nails to the nubs
When you're wired to the tire that the road rubs
Susan stay gone in your goodtimes van
You'll make it big in your good times van
If i was younger i'd do what you done
But i've grown roots where i said there'd be none"
The Empty Bottle was half empty, tide was low, and I was thirsty.
Saw her sitting at the bar, you know how some girls are,
Always making eyes, well she wasn't making eyes.
So I sidled up beside her, settled down and shouted, "Hi there."
"My name's Stewart Ransom Miller, I'm a serial lady-killer."
She said, "I'm already dead," that's exactly what she said.
So we tripped the lights fantastic, we was both made of elastic.
Midnight came and midnight went, and I though I was the President.
She said, "Do you have a car," and I said, "Do I have a car?"
What's so great about the Barrier Reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a Good Times Van,
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man?
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man?
My heart wasn't in it, not for one single minute.
I went through the motions with her. Her on top, and me on liquor.
Didn't do no good, well I didn't think it would.
What's so great about the Barrier Reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a Good Times Van,
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man?
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man.
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man.
"Barrier Reef" by Old 97s
I have a Good Times van also, and it's been true to it's word so far! have fun and enjoy the Good Times!
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