Keep On Vanning Tapestries
Description: The social remnants of the '60s were still vibrant in the early '70s, although they had taken on a more materialistic expression. Vans became the transport of choice for many 'counterculture' types. Their trucks, made up of equal parts of rolling interior design display and airbrushed billboard, were personalized automotive expressions and as varied as their owners/builders. It didn't take long before vanners started getting together to hang out, so truck-ins or truckin' events became increasingly common, including some hosted by VANS Ltd. that happened at the most magical place on earth... at least three times, apparently.
Description: WTF is up with the 2% decals on everyone’s vans? The 2% movement came about after the March ’76 issue of the National Street Van Association’s (NSVA) newsletter hit the streets. The NSVA claimed that 98% of vanners felt that there was an undesirable element in vanning and that same 98% appreciated the NSVA’s list of event no-no’s which included no all-night parties, no wet t-shirt events, heavy drinking. drugs, etc. This was to ensure truck-ins would feel like suburban camping, so just like that, the 2% was born and those who wanted nothing to do with NSVA’s rules or events wore their 2% badge proudly.
Description: Gerring Van Conversions of Elkhart, Indiana was at the forefront of the ’70s van craze, but as vanning began to slow, they adapted by offering custom truck conversions along the lines of The Warlock and Lil’ Red Express as well. In 1977, they rebranded as Conversions by Gerring, modifying their logo to include a step side pickup.
Description: The 'Love My Stones' ad campaign wasn't trying to get people to embrace their kidney stones, rather, they were trying to sell tires. It was a runaway hit with the '70s vanner crowd and the decals, t-shirts, and other promo items that were given away were almost more popular than the products they were promoting, and even now, decades later, they're highly prized collectibles. Keep on truckin'
