Wacky Rookie #188 - Steve Tansy / Dodge Supervan - licensed by MPC

[Otto Puzzell]

For 1 point, identify this ...thing... and its builder.

Only a complete answer will earn a point!  

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[Mudflap]

Zingers Super Van, a full-size version of the MPC model kit. I think this had a Chevrolet engine.

[Otto Puzzell]

Remember, only a complete answer will earn a point  ;)

[RayTheRat]

1969 Zingers van built by Chuck Miller of Styline Customs.

[Otto Puzzell]

I have a different builder's name.

[RayTheRat]

Fred Childers built some of 'em.

[Otto Puzzell]

Looking for the guy who built this one, and then licensed the design to MPC.

[RayTheRat]

Ok.  The MPC models were based on Danny Johnson's creations.

[Otto Puzzell]

Not him

The builder I'm looking for worked for some of the better know customizers of the 60's, before striking out on his own.

[RayTheRat]

Ok.  Steve Tansy worked for Barris before creating several cars that became prototypes for MPC kits, including 2 Zingers.

[Otto Puzzell]

That's it!

In 1969, Tansy combined one of his ideas with those of a Tipton neighbor, Glen Yeary, and built "The Coke Machine," a far-out creation, which brought national attention and money.

"I knew Glen had a chassis and an engine built, and I talked to him about getting together and making a Coke machine body to put on the chassis."

"The Coca-Cola people made us no promises, but we went ahead with our plan. When the car was finished, I took it to Atlanta, Ga., and they liked the idea, and the car went on tour."

Not long after that, Model Products Corporation (MPC), a division of General Foods, bought the rights to the design so they could make a model kit of the car. We still get royalties from the sale of the kit."

"The car has been on tour now for nearly three years, and that's a lot of mileage for a couple of old Coke machines," Tansy grinned.

Since the "Coke Machine," Tansy has built two other show cars, the "Dune Buggy Zinger," and the "Dodge Supervan," for which MPC also had bought modeling rights, and pays Tansy royalties.

~ Indianapolis Star, September 17, 1972

[RayTheRat]

Finally!   ::)

[Otto Puzzell]

Yeah - what took ya?  ;)

[RayTheRat]

Would ya bleeve I was actually working on my full-sized cars?  My Suburban got a bad case of pickling in brine last year on the salt flats (let me know if you want a link to that whole gruesome deal that was supposed to be World Finals) and it still has some problems with electricals and vacuum lines.  Seems they don't really like salt water all that much.  It's not quite as bad as the Bugatti that was hauled up from the bottom of a lake, but that was fresh water.  :)

Ohh...and I finally got the rear shocks replaced on my Camaro beater/economy car (2.8L V6/5-speed.)  I think they were factory originals...about 190k ago.  It actually drives like a real car now.