Image via Complex Original
Vans have always stood for good vibes, free love, and music. They were basically a vehicle to showcase the freedom to do what ever you want. To further this feeling, many owners showed that through art, airbrushing the van to showcase whatever fantasy world they envisioned. Unicorns, horses, underwater life and outer space are just a few of the concepts many owners frequently chose to depict.
Today the tradition continues, just on a smaller scale. There are still festivals, events and competitions held that are havens for the people who love to display their vans. Check 'em out after the jump.
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Surfing Fun
These types of vans are made for relaxation, and where better to relax than a cool, breezy oceanside?
Escalade van?
This one doesnt have the best airbrush job, but we'd just like to point out that wedging an Escalade fascia on vans is apparently a thing.
The Yellow Brick Road
Who doesn't love a good story painted on the back of their van? Dorthy, along with the rest of the characters from "The Wizard of OZ," can come with you everywhere you go. Now, punch in "yellow brick road" into your apple maps and get ready for a road trip filled with flying monkeys and witch or two.
Rocking on
If you're going to name your van the "Deathstar," it's gonna have to be better than this. This is just weak. We like the set up with the double rear wheels and the imposing front face, but that paint job is going to have to get a lot more sinister. Where is the electricity? Where are the light sabers? Where is the giant eye?
JC Superstar
Spreading the word of Jesus Christ Superstar one stoplight at a time.
The Horse in the Forrest
Another gravely detailed piece with no space left untouched. There's something so serene about this one, with the bright-shinging steed traveling through the darker, mysterious desert.
Harry & Friends
You guys didn't know that Terminator and Harry Potter are related? It's actually going to be the next game in the Marvel vs. Capcom series, where the wizards have to go up against the ever-feisty machines. Should be a good one.
Heroes & Villans
The artwork on this van is fantastic, but why does Robin look like he should be one of the kids running up to this potential ice cream truck?
Past & Future
The airbrushed lines pay homage to the vans of yesteryears, but the round shape look toward the furtue. We just hope that those grilles can double as grills. We're hungry just looking at this thing.
Dark Horse
For all of the people who still sit in dark basements playing Magic, we've found the perfect ride for you. Just be careful, we don't know if you've ever seen boobs before.
Alien Abduction
This might be the single greatest piece of cartwork we've ever seen. At first glance, it looks like a volcano errupting. Then you look up and see that there's actually an alien abduction happening, looking like one of those old-school '90s T-Shirts you could get at the SciFi store. And that's not even mentioning the glorious road, which might as well be a red carpet for the aliens.
Brown Horse
What's up with all the horses standing triumphantly in front of canyons? Is this supposed to be inspirational?
Retro
BREAKING BAD SPOILER ALERT: You know the scene where Walter White is rolling his one barrel of $11M and comes across that old native American dude and takes his truck? It shouldn't have been that old truck. It should have been this van.
Nope! thats not two cars
Yo, like ... we know you like cars, so we put a car in your car.
Deep Sea
We don't know what's better, this very nicely brushed shark sceneor a car that is actually shaped like a shark.
Icons
Now this is how you make a band van. You have dreams of becoming a rockstar? Surround yourself with legends.
Creepy
Between the Skull on the back and the eerie peeper on the side, this whip is sure to instill fear. Everyone you drive by will undoubtedly will be spooked, perfect for the month of October.
Mermaids
Somebody in Maryland has been eating a little bit too much seafood ...
Intergalactic
Why would anybody ever want to sell this beautiful piece of space art? This would have totally been appropriate as Rick Moranis' ground vehicle.
Dont Waste Anything!
Some people believe in leaving no space empty. Corner to corner every spot on this van is utilized. We're not sure that's a good thing in this case.
Little Dab Will Do Ya?
Set at the center of a clean, blacked-out background, this mystical dragon scene has us wondering what is in the water of that lake? Oh yeah, weed.
Who wants Ice Cream?
Ice cream trucks usually dont look like this, but that's becasue most ice cream trucks aren't a personal piec of Mister Cartoon artwork. Respect a legend.
Photoshoot Girls
This mural looks like it was modeled after a Maxim photoshoot. The fire, steel and girls all work together to confuse the public's general emotional mood.
The Girl on a Sprinter
Although not a traditional American van, a Sprinter achieves kinda the same thing (maybe even a little more comfortably). With more creative space, the side of this sprinter is graced with a detailed image of a dreamy bikini babe. Apparently, the owner likes sharing beautiful women with the world just like us.
The Lone Horse in the Canyons
Look at the craftsmanship on this thing! The detail is impeccable, the styling is on point, and to top it all off you would never know that this was painted about 30 years ago. The colors are still fresh and vibrant. This is what TLC looks like.