Q&A WITH KIT FOSTER

Q.

I have a 1968 Dodge A100 Lark. When I bought it, I was told that it was one of slightly more than 2,600 made. The only other one that I have seen was my greatuncle’s in the early 1970s. It is not a pickup camper, but the truck was factory modified by adding a walk-through space and using the truck bed as the floor, not a slide-out camper. I have been trying to find out more information about this but have had no luck. I found an old ad that is from 1965 and it’s just called an A100. Any information you can give me or tell me where to look would be appreciated.

Terry Davis, Dalton, Wis.

A.

I was not familiar with this model, but I have been able to find a number of references to it online. The A100 was Dodge’s forward-control light-duty truck introduced for 1964. It was offered in pickup, van and station wagon forms, and competed with Ford’s Econoline models. Chevy, meanwhile, re-purposed the Corvair platform for its own rear-engine versions, which mimicked, in many ways, Volkswagen’s Type 2 microbus and pickup.

By 1964, Travco Corp. was a major player in the Class A motorhome market, with an aerodynamic, fiberglass-bodied model built on an M-series medium-duty Dodge truck chassis. Offered in several sizes, the Travco motor home became very popular. Its popularity led competitors to also use Dodge chassis, such that for some 20 years, Dodge more or less “owned” that segment of the RV market.

Travco used the A100 Dodge as a base for other models. A “Family Wagon” adapted the A100 van to a camper configuration with pop-up roof, while your Lark is based on the A100 pickup. Travco also marketed a Dodge-based Class C Minihome. The Dodge ad from 1965 refers to all models as simply “Dodges,” without any acknowledgement to Travco, let alone the Travco model names.

I haven’t come up with any production figures, nor have I been able to narrow down how long they were built. Can anyone add to this topic?

Q.

Thank you for publishing the answer to the question of the engine ID number (May 1). I do know that cars did not follow an exact sequence, as you say, but I believe that in the 1960s the sequence was closer than it is today. As you compare the Model A to 1960s assembly methods, it all depends on the manufacturer and the assembly plant. For instance, in 2019, I ordered a new Mustang GT that was built in Flat Rock, Mich. About two months after I ordered it, it was assigned a VIN. I remember seeing higher sequence numbers on dealer lots before mine was built.

Chris Strasburg, via e-mail

A.

It’s true that Model A engine numbers don’t relate to today’s VIN sequences. My point was that even by the 1930s, most cars did not leave the assembly line in serial number order. In general you cannot easily relate a car’s VIN to its actual build date.

Q.

Can you tell me what this glass piece is off of? Is it from an early automobile? Thanks for any help you may be able to give.

David Wiggins, Foley, Ala. A.

Sorry, no. I cannot figure out what function it might have on an automobile. There does not seem to be any way to empty the container short of removing and inverting it!

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