The Restoration Journey of a 1965 Dodge A100 Ice Cream Van
By Dave Dieks | Photography by Dave Dieks
Dave and Kim have always had a soft spot for the quirky, stubby-nosed vans of the 1960s. So when they spotted a weathered Dodge A100 sitting quietly beside a barn, they knew they had found something special. Beneath the dust and faded paint was a vehicle with character. Its distinctive pie-pan headlights and curving body seemed to smile back, ready for a second chance at life.
That discovery marked the beginning of a five-year restoration project. The goal wasn’t simply to bring the A100 back to its former glory. It was to transform it into a vintage ice cream truck-style showpiece, a rolling tribute to nostalgia, craftsmanship and family.
Every step of the process carried meaning. From sourcing authentic parts to reshaping the bodywork, each detail reflected a shared vision. Slowly, the forgotten barn find evolved into a centerpiece of creativity and community, a vehicle that now turns heads and sparks smiles wherever it goes.
From Barn Find to Custom Build
Turning a humble barn find into a show-stopping vintage ice cream van took imagination and a lot of metalwork. What began as a simple restoration quickly evolved into a full-scale custom build.
Everything behind the front doors was stripped away and the van’s proportions were reimagined from the ground up. The body was widened eight inches on each side, the wheelbase was stretched a full 24 inches and the roof was raised to create the classic ice cream truck silhouette.
The rear wheel wells were tubbed to give the van a bold, muscular stance, while the body panels were hand-formed to preserve the A100’s original curves. Custom taillights added a touch of modern flair.
The final two-tone finish was handled by the Saunders Secondary School Auto Body Program. Mazda White Pearl was paired with Lil Daddy Roth Red Flake and matched to the awning, creating a cohesive look that is difficult to miss. The result is a van that blends classic design, custom fabrication and community collaboration.
Mopar Power
Underneath the playful exterior is something considerably more serious. The original 225 Slant Six was retired in favour of a 318 cubic-inch V8 sourced from a 1970 ’Cuda. The engine retains its stock heads but breathes through an Edelbrock 600 CFM four-barrel carburetor and matching aluminum intake. Headman block-hugger stainless headers tuck neatly against the block, while Mopar Performance valve covers and air cleaners add a touch of period-correct flair.
Cooling duties are handled by a Champion three-core aluminum radiator, helping keep the A100 reliable during hot summer show days. Power flows through the original three-speed transmission to a factory 8¾-inch Posi rear axle.
The combination gives the van a balance of vintage character and upgraded performance. It is not simply a static showpiece. It is a machine built to move, with a sound that often announces its arrival before the van itself comes into view.
Inside the A100
The transformation didn’t stop with the bodywork. Inside, the original interior was refreshed while retaining its vintage character. Seats, dash pads and visors were expertly recovered by Dave Pritchard in Ailsa Craig, Ontario. The result is a cabin that feels authentic and inviting, true to the A100’s 1960s roots while being ready for modern show days.
Every stitch and surface reflects the same approach taken throughout the build: preserve the character, improve the details and take pride in the craftsmanship.
Why an Ice Cream Van?
The motivation behind the project was rooted in family memories. Years ago, Dave and Kim’s children proudly displayed dealer-promo fiberglass-bodied quarter-scale cars at local car events. The miniature cars were always crowd-pleasers. As the children grew up, those little cars were eventually tucked away in storage. The A100 offered the perfect opportunity to bring them back into the spotlight.
Rather than simply displaying the cars, the family wanted to create a stage worthy of their charm and craftsmanship. The vintage Dodge became that stage. Today, when the A100 rolls into a show, it is more than a display vehicle. It is a way of carrying a piece of the family’s history forward and sharing it with other enthusiasts.
Good Humor With an Attitude
The ice cream truck theme was inspired by the classic Good Humor look: clean, cheerful and instantly nostalgic. But Dave and Kim couldn’t resist adding their own twist.
Skulls and the tongue-in-cheek “I Scream” motif give the van a mischievous personality. It is a wink toward the past with a grin aimed squarely at the present. That combination of nostalgia and humour is what makes the A100 work. It looks familiar, but it certainly isn’t ordinary.
Five Years, One Family and a Lot of Help
The five-year journey was far more than a restoration project. It was a family affair. Dave, his wife and their three children were hands-on throughout the build, sanding, painting and brainstorming details along the way. Friends, relatives and local businesses also contributed, making the A100 a genuine community collaboration.
Dave credits everyone who offered encouragement, expertise or simply stopped by to cheer them on. Their support helped turn an ambitious idea into something that could finally roll out into the world. There were a few battle scars along the way, too. Fourteen stitches, to be exact. According to Dave, every one was worth it.
Ready for the Show Field
After five years and countless hours of work, the A100 was completed just in time for MoparFest 2026. Now the van is doing what Dave and Kim hoped it would do from the beginning: getting people talking, bringing the family together and making people smile. If you spot the A100 at a show, take a closer look. Every curve, colour and detail has a story behind it.
And somewhere inside that story are five years of family memories, community support, Mopar horsepower, a collection of miniature cars and, apparently, fourteen stitches.
Have a Collector Vehicle With a Story?
At Zehr Vintage C.A.R.S., we understand that collector vehicles are about considerably more than their book value. They represent time, money, memories, craftsmanship and the stories that come with owning them. Our Vintage C.A.R.S. program provides specialized coverage for collector and enthusiast vehicles, including agreed value protection.
If you have a vehicle that deserves more than ordinary coverage, talk to the collector car specialists at Zehr.
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