Britain's 1976 government bailout of Chrysler's UK arm came with strings attached — one condition was a commitment to fix up the aging SpaceVan.
Lead trim: SpaceVan 1.7 L petrol, low compression (50 hp) · up to 58 hp
Commer SpaceVanSpaceVan · 1974–1983
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Commer SpaceVan yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactBritain's 1976 government bailout of Chrysler's UK arm came with strings attached — one condition was a commitment to fix up the aging SpaceVan.
The SpaceVan is the 1974 renaming of the Commer PB. After Chrysler bought the Rootes Group it was also sold under the Dodge, DeSoto and Fargo names, and from 1976 only as the Dodge SpaceVan, which stayed in production until 1983. Reportedly a condition of the 1976 government bailout of Chrysler UK was a commitment to upgrade it, since it was praised for its brakes, cornering and price but criticised for its power, comforts and top speed; a revised SpaceVan appeared in 1977 with the same mechanicals but cosmetic changes, conveniences and a new interior. It stayed in production mainly through the Post Office Telecommunications contract (inherited by British Telecom in October 1981). By then there were three engines: two 1.7 L petrol engines of 50 hp (low compression) or 58 hp (high compression), and a 1.8-litre Perkins diesel with 42 hp, with a four-speed manual and no automatic. The last was built in 1983; it was succeeded by the Talbot Express (UK only) and, from Renault Trucks, the larger Dodge 50 series. Length 170 in (4,318 mm), width 75 in (1,905 mm), kerb weight 1,200-1,499 kg (2,646-3,305 lb). The page's History section carries a needs-more-citations notice.
Collectors Spotted in the Commer SpaceVan Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Commer SpaceVan yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
3 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpaceVan 1.7 L petrol, high compression (58 hp) | 1974–1983 | 1.7 L Inline-4 | 58 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
| SpaceVan 1.7 L petrol, low compression (50 hp) | 1974–1983 | 1.7 L Inline-4 | 50 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
| SpaceVan Perkins 1.8 L diesel (42 hp) | 1974–1983 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | 42 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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