Re: Van Stereotype Thread from the Onion.

Hi All. After overwhelmingly negative feedback on the satire post from the Onion, I've deleted the thread with their cartoon image. I also thought about it myself, and the cartoon perpetuated a negative stereotype about van owners and enthusiasts that we are trying to overcome. Although I initially found it funny in a "wrong" kind of way, I see how it could be interpreted as hurtful or negative toward van enthusiasts and the van enthusiast hobby. Therefore, I decided to take it down. I really want to make the Truckin' forums a positive place for van enthusiasts. To all of you that were offended by the post, I apologize, and I hope we can count on your continued involvement in our online community.  

Thanks Ed. Long ago vanners used to have a decal somewhere on their van that said," Don't laugh your daughter may be in here". It was things like that and the way Hollywood portrayed vanners combined with a few child molesters using vans that got crap like that Onion thing started and we have been trying to fend off references like that ever since the 70s.
 I don't think you have to worry about vanners continuing to participate here on Truckin web. We are here for as long as Truckin will have us. I would like to thank all the great vanners on vannin.com for taking the time to frequent this site.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

I never did see the cartoon image, but I appreciate the effort made to keep vanning in a more positive light...  I'm still thrilled that vans are back where they belong - Truckin' Magazine...


 

I also didn't see the post, I think the onion is hilarious. However I feel like we do have to fight bad stereotypes a lot. Friends always ask, you drivin the rape van today? and it's like well. I guess so... I hate scooby doo references, a-team references, anything stupid like that. It's annoying but I comes with it. People don't recognize all of the work and creativity that goes into building a van so those negative stereotypes and light are pretty annoying if you ask me so thanks ed.  

Beast_Lee:
I never did see the cartoon image, but I appreciate the effort made to keep vanning in a more positive light...  I'm still thrilled that vans are back where they belong - Truckin' Magazine...




Yeah! What he said!


Kudos!  

I really do appreciate the fact that vanners were the first guys to "pimp" their rides out.  There will be a lot of guys who are going to snicker when they read this but I prefer a custom newer Astro to an older "classic van".  I just don't see Vans in the same light as a classic truck, not better or worse mind you, just different.  I can really appreciate a custom vehicle whether its an Econline or a Monte Carlo, if it is unique and different then to me its cool.  I would like to see your guys' classic vans lying frame on 22's though.  Just my 2 cents.  
-Cody

Cody, I know having vans in Truckin' might not make a lot of sense to newbies (not saying you're one of them!  ) But Truckin' started out as a custom van magazine in the '70s. The name came from a common term at the time, "Keep on Truckin'" but over time, it morphed into a custom truck magazine. But the van enthusiasts have always been there, and lately, have started to make a comeback. I don't think they necessarily want Truckin' to be an all-van magazine, but just give them some recognition and exposure.  

Well said...

later...

P.S. - Though I don't mind the idea of laying frame and rollin' on 22's...

 

I really don't want to ruffle any feathers here but I will say this anyways.  I'm just not that into the van scene.  There is a stereotype that goes along with driving a custom van I'm sure you vanners have dealt with it, i find myself stereotyping guys who drive VW Beatles.  I'm not saying that i think all vanners are pot smoking grungy hippies with a disco ball in the back to set the mood while on long acid induced psycadelic trip outs.  I just prefer driving a truck therefore it is obvious that i prefer reading about trucks.  To set the record straight i don't think you guys are hippies, my sad attempt at humour sorry if it offended anyone!  The bottomline is the van scene is back.  Some of the most custom mods you will find are in vans.  A guy (like myself) can deal with it and appreciate the custom touches that a van has to offer or not.  But in the long run they will be missing out on some of the coolest mods that pioneered the custom scene period.  Again I don't mean to offend anyone and please keep the hate mail to a minimum.  
-Cody

Cody, VANS are TRUCKS. We are not worried about stereotypes. For many of us vans are our lives. We build vans because we love them and they offer a wide range of originality that pickups and cars don't. We are not asking for Truckin to fill every issue with vans, just one or two per issue would make us happy. You like to read about trucks but we like to read about vans and we have just as much right to want to see them in the mag as you want to see trucks. Saying that Truckin should only have trucks in it is plain selfish and you will never hear a vanner ask for only vans in the mag. Besides I have seen many boats in the mag and they are in no way a truck. Not putting you down but give us a break, we are here and not going anywhere soon.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

Guys, guys...C'mon, I think we're all basically on the same page here, so why all the negative stereotypes? Let's all appreciate cool customs, in whatever form they take, whether they're vans, pickups or SUVs.  

Agreed, now that I re-read my last post I did come off a little strong. Sorry.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

I am also sorry I didn't mean to leave the impression that I didn't want to see vans in the mag at all.  As Ed said we are all brothers of one common theme, customs.  I really can't stress enough that I DO NOT have some anti-van agenda.  I think that "Alpine Express" and the 79 Dodge Tradesman was sick with the 8 inch chop.  
-Cody

Here's what happens when you have a plotter and a bit too much time on your hands.
 

"I'm not saying that i think all vanners are pot smoking grungy hippies with a disco ball in the back to set the mood while on long acid induced psycadelic trip outs."

and there a problem with this? LOL