Big-time vehicle upgrade
I’ve always been a used minivan kind of guy — chicks dig practical cars. Well, I just ordered the ultimate vehicle: A Dodge Sprinter van converted by Sportsmobile to carry bikes, motos and aspirations.
Base vehicle: 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500. This is basically the Mercedes van used by terrorists worldwide. Maybe it explodes well? Baring an attack, the commercial-grade Mercedes turbo diesel will go a million miles at 22 mpg.
Customization: Last year Brian Lopes asked Sportsmbile to build his dream setup. He’s owned every truck, van and RV you can imagine, and he knew what he wanted:
– Basic living space up front. All leather, with a premium entertainment system. We are talking Lopes here.
– A garage in back. He spec’d his Sprinter to fit three full-size motos or myriad bikes.
Lopes’ van is so cool it’s been appearing at various RV shows, and Sportsmobile even has a Lopes 55 model. I swear, every time that guy poops, he earns a royalty.
Every summer I basically live out of my GMC Safari. This year I want to increase the comfort and reduce the stress — and I want to fit motos inside my ride. So I threw down big time on a Sportsmobile Lopes 55 van. I hope to receive the van next week. Just in time for Sea Otter!
Full details when the beast arrives.
Here’s the brochure 2.7 meg pdf
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 The Panzer has been awesome. 1999 Safari AWD XLT, leather interior, power everything, trailer hitch, roof rack, rubber floor mats, 120k miles, fits five riders and five DH bikes. It’s for sale. $6,000. lee@leelikesbikes.com |
is the new van 4×4?
They don’t make 4×4 Sprinters in America. Only in Europe.
Oh well, that would cost mileage anyway. Snow is an issue here in CO, but I have another car for winter.
http://leelikesbikes.com/Stories/021104/audi.jpg
Sweet ride…I just bought the Honda Element (poor family man’s version of your van). Love it. I can just throw the bike in whenever I want to head out, no messing with racks or anything.
I like the kitchen, that should make traveling for races easier and cheaper. Good luck.
Since that is a Diesel engine, you could run that with a Grease set up and pay nothing for fuel. Just an idea. More info on http://www.greasecar.com. I have been looking for a Passat wagon all wheel drive diesel (they don’t exist) for a while now just so I can do a grease conversion and save $$$ on fuel.
Nice – how much when all said and done?
Hey Lee, Congrats!
If you are looking for a rack for inside the van that will hold bikes or motos, my buddy Mike (that you met around Halloween) and his make and sell racks for truck beds that I am sure will fit in your new van. They are Sierra Coast Bike Racks. They will be at Sea Otter. Mike’s dad will be there running the booth while Mike will be racing. You should stop by and talk to him. We just put one of these in Chris’s truck and they are sweet. In small truck you can hold 3 bikes or I think 2 motos. In bike trucks I believe 3 motos or 4 bikes!!!
If you are interesed and want to check it out before Otter, you can swing over here and look at ours or check out the website. http://www.scbikeracks.com/ The racks either bolt in or mount temporarily, with motos, you definitely bolt them in.
I bet they’d even hook you up with a sweet deal. Don’t mean to advertise on your site, just thought that you’d be interested. Let me know if you want to come look at ours.
So ya threw down on that bad boy eh? Strong work! Sea Otter will be comfy for ya in that thing, huh?
Yessir! I won’t be getting any of that podium comfort …
BUT: Mark my words — I will go a couple rounds in semibro dual slalom. The power of intention baby!
man i loved that old safri…it looked soo cool going up to the montain with your sick demonine but this new ride looks hot and im looking for a great truck that can hal a bunchof bikes and a bunch of buds up to the hills, but this van looks like the real deal and i might look into it..
Lee,
Your killing me. I have wanted one of these since I saw the one Lopes has. I just recently lost my RV to the flood waters here in California so I am really thinking about getting one.
Lost?!?
Did it drift out the Golden Gate? …
I expect I’ll see you at the Otter. Clash of the Titans: Mighty Newsome vs. Grammatically Correct McCormack!
Dude, how much?!? I want one..sweet..dude!
A lady never tells …