"...what would it take for the minivan to make a comeback, to be a vehicle that would actually be at least somewhat appealing to the enthusiast?"

If it were a 'Chick Magnet', I would be all over it! If it appeal to the Chicks, and you will sell one of these minivans to me!

I should probaby take the infant seat out of the back, though.

Think a keg would fit in place of the infant seat? Dispensing beer from the back of the van could add to its "coolness".

Ah, Moose, I like the way you think!

Wrap a blue blanket around it, place a bonnet/cap on top, and take the carpool lane.

VERY cool! ^{_{Well, maybe I should rethink this beer in the car business...}}

A convertible top?

"What am I being stopped for officer?" "Operating a convertible in curlers Mam".

How about a convertible with optional hot tub interior?

Getting rid of the 'mini' and the 'van' parts would probably help!

Its sort of like asking, How do you make a compact car cool and useful? You make it bigger!

A crusher.

What do they do with the "car juice"?

Make WINE with it?

Bill

I'm pretty sure they use it to pollute the water table.

The fluid running out of the crusher in that picture might be extract of Uncle Ant-nee, for "bein a wiseguy".

Get chrisg288 to design it.

and I'll just say "Put wings on it!! "

The guys on TopGear in the UK had a bash at this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D57j7vxxpw

Now if you were talking about one of these (seem to have got really expensive too!):-

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/82/van/

Click on the link photos to exapand them....

In 1960 or so and they cost 360 UK Pounds. 366 if you bought the optional second front seat!!!

Here are some pix....

Sorry the Pix are a bit grainy, but I reckon they woulod be a hot number today with a modern engine and a fully safety designed version.

Mini Moke tip truck.

Add this function to any van and Bob's part of the extended family.

"Are we there yet?" could be answered with the push of a button

That is a good idea, pull up, release the seat mount lever,raise dump bed, entire team is deposited at location!

I like this one!! The in-law's seat!

It was used to pick up back packers luggage from the Ferry. Slip, slip slidn' away. They were never on time to pick up their gear and unloading it buy hand was just a waste of time. Nobody and nothing was ever damaged.

It was made by using one of these

http://www.wmjmarine.com/engine-system-trim---tilt.html

Have fun, Ky.

That is really cool! And efficient...

And cheap and easy to fit

Ejector seats.

Disintegrator guns mounted on the hood.

One of those devices that forces every traffic light to turn to green for you when you approach it.

The only thing that makes my white 99 Dodge Caravan "cool", is me getting in it.

Once I'm belted in, I pretend I'm on the shuttlecraft leaving the starship Enterprise just before there is a core breach in the warp drive. I can only take the best looking women with me, and they must be of child bearing age, in case we land on a deserted planet and have to restart the human population. Being the only male, I know I've got my work cut out for me................................................................

WHAT???? Minivans AREM'T cool??? I guess I better work on my image a bit...

How about this, to the manufacturer:

1) Put it on a truck chassis, something more survivable than "unibody";

2) Give a "@" about engine-transmission-drive technology; don't let gimmicks overdrive your expertise as a designer/manufacturer;

and this, to the "enthusiast"

3) Buy what makes your family and/or your passengers safe;

4) remember that "style" is ethereal, and "performance" quixotic, but most of all that "minivans" will not be drag (read your own implications into that);

5) ignore those offerings that make you forget (3). Why else would you buy one?

Yeah, as you said, WHY ELSE WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

Gene.

Maybe a little heavy for a minivan but this would definitely make it cool 50 caliber cool

I'll apologize up front......................that is sweet!!!!!!!

Yeah, and if 50 caliber isn't your style you can also get one with a rocket launcher instead.

I don't know what to say. I'm not a bad person, but................if someone wants to kill me, I really don't have any choice, but to kill them first.

Of course, it's just my James Bond fantasy. I hope I never get threatened to that extent. I would probably wet myself.

Then die

Instead?????????

I was thinking of a pair of 50's AND a pair of 2.75" rocket pods. With aiming the 50's via helmet/visor HUD. Ala Huey Cobra armament.

My old Silhouette could've handled that load easily.

Hooker

Our minivan fits us just right. Coming back from San Fransisco (some 600 miles), we had myself and Shawna, two daughters, son-in-law, and two grand daughters (7 total), and all our luggage. Packing the luggage took a little creativity, but we did it without having to tie anything (or anyone) to the roof. We also got about 20 miles to the gallon.

Bill

I saw a cool minivan just the other day. One of the super short V8 RWD Chevy Vans from the late 70's. Add a big stereo (8-track??), small frig, mood lighting, interior lined with crushed velour, and a water bed!

So how far of a leap is it to combine that concept with today's offerings? Start with a transverse mounted V8 from a current Impala. Add a stout rear suspension. The coupe de gras would be a waterbed that converts back into 4 captains chairs (or 2 captains and a bench!).

But even with all that, would it cool?

I was also thinking 4wd, though maybe not to the extent of what LightAsMass posted!

50 mpg

I'd like to see the JDM Honda Odyssey here in the US. It is as close to a "cool" minivan as I have ever seen. Then again, I drive an Accord so...

Things have come a very long way in creating very compact and useful solutions for Van living in the last 15 years.

there is so much content on Youtube that it takes weeks to get through.

I really love the modular cnc solutions that companies like VanPackers and Roadloft have come up with

If you are going to watch a video, watch this one.

https://vanpackers.com/products/conversion-kit-dodge-caravan

https://vanpackers.com/products/toilet-kit-adaptation?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=d16846218&pr_rec_pid=8846853800195&pr_ref_pid=8877186089219&pr_seq=uniform

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan, and have been gearing up to build a solution for summer camping season.

Chris