1983 DODGE Caravan 2.2L 5MT FWD (101 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The Chrysler minivans were considered one of the most important vehicles for families in the early 80s. They were far more spacious than regular station wagons and offered a pleasant experience for the passengers.

It defined a new trend that followed for decades. The carmaker decided to offer the car under three different brands, pricing them differently so the customers would have a wider choice. Thus, Dodge offered the Caravan as the most affordable of them.

The boxy-looking tall vehicle was built as a passenger car and as an LCV as well. Thus, for families and small contractors was an excellent tool. Thanks to its flat and short front overhang, it was easy to park and maneuver. Dodge adopted a four-headlights styling with the lamps stacked one on top of the other, on each side, separated by a chromed slat that ran the entire vehicle’s width. Apart from the front doors, the Caravan featured a side right sliding door, while at the back, a lift-up tailgate revealed the big trunk area.

Since it was a front-wheel drive vehicle, the carmaker was able to create a low floor, easing the ingress and egress. Inside the minivan, Dodge offered a seven-seat interior in a 2-2-3 layout. The last two rows could have been folded or completely removed for extra storage space. Since the rear windows featured a pop-out system, venting the cabin was easy. At the front, the bucket seats were faced by a squared-looking dashboard fitted with a wedged-shaped instrument cluster.

Under the hood, Chrysler started the minivan series with a 2.2- and a 2.4-liter engine paired to either a five-speed manual or a standard three-speed auto for the latter version. During its production, the minivan has received more powerful engines, up to a 3.0-liter V6.