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The Minivans of 1987

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon, Minivans of 1987
1987 Volkswagen Vanagon

Fun minivan-history fact: The 1984 Toyota Van actually reached the U.S. market a few months before the first Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager did. That would be the only way in which the quirky mid-engine Japanese van would trump Chrysler’s family-friendly duo, as the media and public vastly preferred the latter.

It’s also interesting to note that both Toyota’s and Chrysler’s vans were born of humble stuff. The Toyota Van—mostly used for urban delivery service in crowded Asian cities—was based on a commercial compact pickup. Chrysler’s vans were built on K-Car underpinnings, though that architecture was significantly modified for van duty.

We’re looking at 1987 here, an interesting year in the evolution of the minivan. For ’87, the Chrysler duo received their first V6 option, but the Chevrolet Astro, GMC Safari, and Ford Aerostar were not yet available in popular long-wheelbase guise.

If you’ve spent any time in or around one of these vans, please tell us about it.

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The Minivans of 1987

Chevrolet Astro

1987 Chevrolet Astro

Base Price: $9833 (not including $405 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Cargo Volume: 152 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear

Base Engine: 98-horsepower 2.5-liter four

Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 4.3-liter V6

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Dodge Caravan

1987 Dodge Caravan

Base Price: $10,411 (not including $480 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 112-119 inches

Cargo Volume: 125-150 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: front

Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.2-liter four

Optional Engine: 102-horsepower 2.5-liter four

Optional Engine: 144-horsepower 3.0-liter V6

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Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista

1987 Dodge Colt Vista

Base Price: $10,158 (not including $200 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 103 inches

Cargo Volume: 64 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: front, 4wd available

Base Engine: 88-horsepower 2.0-liter four

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Ford Aerostar

1987 Ford Aerostar

Base Price: $10,682 (not including $450 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 119 inches

Cargo Volume: 140 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear

Base Engine: 90-horsepower 2.3-liter four

Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 3.0-liter V6

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GMC Safari

1987 GMC Safari

Base Price: $10,363 (not including $405 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Cargo Volume: 152 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear

Base Engine: 98-horsepower 2.5-liter four

Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 4.3-liter V6

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Mitsubishi Wagon

1987 Mitsubishi Wagon

Base Price: $12,789 (not including $219 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 88 inches

Cargo Volume: 161 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear

Base Engine: 107-horsepower 2.4-liter four

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Nissan Van

1987 Nissan Van

Base Price: $12,599 (not including $210 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 93 inches

Cargo Volume: 158 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear

Base Engine: 106-horsepower 2.4-liter four

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Plymouth Voyager

1987 Plymouth Voyager

Base Price: $10,411 (not including $480 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 112-119 inches

Cargo Volume: 125-150 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: front

Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.2-liter four

Optional Engine: 102-horsepower 2.5-liter four

Optional Engine: 144-horsepower 3.0-liter V6

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Toyota Van

1987 Toyota Van

Base Price: $11,988 (not including variable destination charge)

Wheelbase: 88 inches

Cargo Volume: 149 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear, 4WD available

Base Engine: 101-horsepower 2.2-liter four

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Volkswagen Vanagon

1987 Volkswagen Vanagon

Base Price: $15,320 (not including $320 destination charge)

Wheelbase: 97 inches

Cargo Volume: 201 cubic feet

Drive Wheels: rear, 4WD available

Base Engine: 95-horsepower 2.1-liter four

Forgotten Concept: Dodge Kahuna

Minivans of 1987

Forgotten Concept: Ford Aerovan by Ghia

Minivans of 1987

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