Dream Warrior - Top Iconic Van Of The 1970s

Street Machine just re-posted an article from 2015 that featured the top iconic custom vans from the 70's in Australia. It's curious that there is only one Bedford CF in that list and all the other "vans" are actually "panel vans", considered as a "sedan delivery" or "station wagon" in other parts of the world. Anyway, the chosen one was the "Dream Warrior". I have posted about this van before - learn more here.

"Robb Howard became Australia’s first ‘professional vanner’, touring shows all over the country and living off the prize money. His Bedford van, Dream Warrior, ran a tunnel-rammed 350 Chev and featured murals by hot rodding legend Dave Hart. Dream Warrior was recently advertised for sale, but needs some serious TLC to be at its former best."

(This article on iconic vans was originally published in the June 2015 issue of Street Machine)

Source: www.streetmachine.com.au/features/1803/top-iconic-vans-part-three

Dream Warrior - Part III

I found this photo of Robb Howard's "Dream Warrior", a really beautiful CF that was part of the Australian custom van scene. This van still exists but in really bad shape. It was on ebay Australia but it didn't sell.
More here: http://bedfordcf2van.blogspot.com/search/label/Dream%20Warrior

Dream Warrior - Part II

I posted about the "Dream Warrior" about a year ago when it surfaced from the unknown. Now it has appeared for sale on ebay in Australia. The current owner can't seem to finish the job and is letting it go. It needs some serious restoration to get back to it's glory days. That high roof has to go... I have my doubts it will ever be the same van.
The bids started off at AU $3,000.00 and there is a reserve price.

"YEP !! THATS RIGHT !!!
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL & AUTHENTIC SHOW STOPPING CUSTOM VAN FROM THE 1970 - 80's. " DREAM WARRIOR " 
BUILT BY ROBB HOWARD WITH THE ORIGINAL
ARTWORK BY DAVE HART. ( see photos as printed in Custom vans/trucks Vol. 15 )

IT HAS BEEN STORED AWAY BY MYSELF FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WITH ALL INTENTIONS OF BRINGING HER BACK TO LIFE BUT I JUST CANT FIND THE TIME !!!
- IT IS A 1971 BEDFORD CF VAN STILL FITTED WITH THE ORIGINAL 350 CHEVY V8 MOTOR WHICH STARTS AND RUNS.
- TRANSMISSION IS THE ORIGINAL TURBO 400 AUTO.
- REAR DIFF IS A CHROME 12 BOLT CHEVY TYPE.

THIS WOULD BE A RESTORATION DREAM FOR THE CUSTOM VAN ENTHUSIAST WHO IS LOOKING FOR A RARE AND VALUED COLLECTABLE PIECE OF MOTORING NOSTALGIA.
IT IS A VERY RELUNCTANT SALE.
LOCATED IN THE RICHMOND AREA N.S.W.
ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL PLEASE CALL - (...)"

 

Location: RICHMOND, New South Wales, Australia
Ebay Item number: 221175479595

Dream Warrior

If you were wondering what happened to the show-winning custom Bedford "Dream Warrior" built by Robb Howard with murals by Dave Hart, then the answer is in the photo below.
Dream Warrior didn't survive... another famous CF has bitten the dust... 
I found these photos on the BUGA site, if the current owner ever gets around to restore it, it will never be the same.