Comparing vans

Hi all, just like to get the thoughts of members about comparing vans against each other. Now i do not mean say, Procs J against Mirage. These are current vans on the circuit. I want to know about vans from different era's, for instance, Haydns XC (4 times nationals winner) against say The Wizard which is no longer around. This is an example only. Can you say the Wizard was a better van than Haydn's XC given the two vans were from era's where the judging was different.
Actually, lets compare the vans listed below.

1...Alley Cat v's Procs J

2...Street Legal v's Green Knight

3...Total Eclypse v's Smooth 74

4...Steve Jerimenko's HJ v's Old Timer (rebuild version)

5...Jade v's XX308

These are all vans that are not possible to show and be judged against each other at this point of time and or from different era's. Just like to hear peoples thoughts.

I must also add, should we compare and say a particular van from the late 70's or early 80's would be better than a van in todays top 3?
Paint quality, workmanship, ideas, cleanliness, these are all things that have a big say in todays vans where as early vans points were given for accessories and modifications. Unless an 80's van like street Legal (which is still on the show scene ) can be judged against a modern van i think it is very hard to give a true indication on how they judge against each other and which would be better unless a person has seen them both in the flesh and know them both very well. Photos do not give a true indication. Also Judging criteria has also changed.

This question becomes a personal opinion and also depends on what van scene you grew up with.

I have my top 3 vans for the specific reason that they are customised (Wizard, Street Legal & XX-308).
Where as most of todays vans, even though i can appreciate the work that goes into them, they are not what i'd class as being over appealing to me.
I grew up with vans that had customised bodies and spoilers, so therefore to compare custom vans from yester-year to today's vans is very difficult.
IMO i found it difficult to see how an Escort van with no REAL mods could beat Street Legal with it's modifications.2009 Nats

Today's vans you can go out and buy a Commodore/Falcon, put a canopy on it with some murals and hey presto you have a show van.

And to compare Haydens XC against Wizard would be an insult. How could you compare a Holden panelvan that has just about every panel modified in some way, COMPLETE Ford drivetrain in a Holden van (Never seen before) to a Ford van which has really not got any body mods of significance and standard engine/gearbox etc with a very tidy interior (ie another van interior compared to STUFF ME LOOK AT THAT).

This is in no way showing disrespect to each owner/builder but that it just MY opinion.

Thats what i am after Agro, peoples thoughts. But what if Wizard and Haydns XC were both around at the same time and judged against each other? I don't think it is an insult to anyone to compare them because they were both top quality vans, saying that makes it an insult to Haydn and his van.

Or do it this way mate.
Do like you have done but make a list of comparisons for a number of vans and i can pretty much say that NSW vanners will pick the custom vans and the Victorians will pick stock looking vans.
It's just because of what we grew up with.

not always Agro, i my self prefer body mods but also think smooth and clean is just as good, just depends on how people look at each van, some with eyes wide open, some with eyes half shut

I like some of the stock style vans - Green Knight, it's just that the modded ones appeal to me more.

I like anything done well, but not to over the top.......
Like them GOOK vans with the 12ft roof spoilers & rear bumpers you can use for a sun deck, they just don't get it at all!!!!!!!.


"Total Eclipse" & "Fire Truck" for the real old school look.
"Foxy Lady" specially round the time when Dawso' sold it!!!!
"Checkmate". "Street Legal" & "Innervisions" for the show!!!