Epic Win: “The A-Team” Van
“The A-Team” van, a 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500
From Wikipedia:
The black and metallic grey GMC Vandura van used by the A-Team, with its characteristic red stripe, black and red wheels, and rooftop spoiler, has become an enduring pop culture icon. One of the original six vans used for the show is displayed in the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in Keswick, northern England.
Early examples of the van had a red GMC logo on the front grill, and an additional GMC logo on the rear left door. However, early in the second season, these logos were blacked out (although GMC continued to supply vans and receive a credit on the closing credits of each episode).
It is a common error that the van is said to be all-black, whereas in fact the section above the red stripe is metallic grey (this error even followed through on to most toy models of the van). The angle of the rear spoiler can also be seen to vary on different examples of the van within the series. Additionally, some versions of the van have a sunroof, whereas others, typically those used for stunts (and including the one displayed in the aforementioned Cars of the Stars Motor Museum) do not. This on occasion led to continuity errors in some episodes, such as in the third season’s ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s’, in a scene where (the double of) Face jumps from a building onto the roof of the van. There is clearly no sunroof. However, a few moments later, in an interior (studio) shot, Face climbs in through the sunroof!
A number of devices were seen in the back of the van in different episodes, including a mini printing press (‘Pros and Cons’), an audio surveillance recording device (‘A Small and Deadly War’), and Hannibal’s disguise kits in various episodes.
This show brought us the birth of the phrase “I love it when a plan comes together.”
The spoiler is what makes that Van. It was the start of rice cars…
Just classic. They still do RC models of this van
“I ain’t gettin’ on no plane, sucka!”
A-Team = Epic win!
) I even had some of the action figures.
I pity the fool who goes out tryin’ a’ take over da world, then runs home cryin’ to his momma!
There is a van here in Vancouver that has that same paint job. Everytime I see it, the theme song gets stuck my head!
I got to see the real deal at Universal Studios in 1983, it was cool man!
I did too! But it must have been later than that because I would have been 5 at the time and I was big enough to have lifted one wheel off the ground myself. (I also sat in Kitt)
“I hate planes!!! I hate planes!!!”
“What’s this ‘bling’ word, Fool?!? Don’t go messing with my chains, Fool, or I’ll flatten your face!”
Fun times
Yeah, always fun times with “Bad Attitude” Baracus.
Especially when Hannibal was formulating another plan, BA always said “He’s on the jazz, man. He’s on the jazz.”
Also when Murdock had one of his ‘fits’ again, like an imaginary dog. “What’s this crazy foo’ up to now!?”
Comedian Mike Birbiglia got a van and painted it like the A-team to tour the country between shows; http://www.birbigs.com/photos.html. Not a classic resto but a more modern van with the same paint job.
pfffft KITT IS still the Best. Not that New GT500 version the old school 1982 Trans Am T Tops Cowl Hood. Bowlng ball hubs….
PARTY VAN
ha were there ever girls in there?
Howlin’ Mad Murdoc FTW!! Just loved it when he got into a plane or chopper and started to sing like a maniac while flying.
“Not the face !!” – Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck, right before getting punched in the face.
Hilarious moments
I REALLY want one.
Great Show… until they added Frankie and worked for Robert Vaughn’s character.
Frankie was OK but it got boring that they just kept doing stuff for Stockwell (or whatever was his name).
Has anyone seen the episode of Cheaters where the magician who was the other man tried to run Joey over with his A-Team van. I think he even had the same horn!
I remember my cousin loved this show. He had one of the model versions… My husband has the show on DVD.
Even had it as my ringtone on my cell phone… it’s just classic.
I love the way that whenever they are being chased by a car the other car always ends up doing a barrel roll. Classic!
Well, I still love to watch the movie, as I have the whole collection.
But the van is the 5th member of the A team. Remarkable!!!
regards,
Yasir
I own one of these, though it is the full size (1500) less than 200 G’s
Runs like a M.F. -dark gray paint, 2 bucket seats, lifted to 10″ at interior back for inflatable single mattress, laying on top of divided insulated speaker cabinet’s – (10″ high x2′x6″X3′ X 2) =5×6 makeshift bed. Might consider selling for intelligent offer
I pity the fool who dosn’t apreciate Mr. T’s comeback as an actor.
i wonder if it had a coffeemaker in it, too.