My foray into the virtual car scene came from my neverending love of all things P—Shadows and Sundances and Dusters, oh my. Now, I have that same love for the minivan, particularly the Town & Country, especially my own, Baby.
I’ve been asked, “Why Town & Country?,” and the list is long. Styling. Let’s face it... this is not your mom’s minivan. These vans, particularly the fifth generation (Baby’s a 2011 Touring, so I may be slightly biased) simply look classy.
Features. Even at the lowest trim level, these vans are pretty well equipped. Baby’s options list is long, and honestly, quite impressive. I’ve been in newer T&Cs with noticeably fewer options.
Creature comfort. Everything is easily accessible. Long trips are comfortable. The ride is really nice, even on Pennsylvania’s roads.The ease of getting in and out is a huge selling point. Not everybody likes the 3.6, but it’s no slouch. Plenty of power that doesn't dog out on a climb. For a minivan, 283 horsepower is not bad at all.
Safety. The fifth gen was the first to get the Safety-Tec package, which includes a back-up camera, auto dimming headlights, blind spot detection, and rain sensing wipers. Baby has a history, and while this is sad, it’s a testament to just how well these vans do their job of keeping everyone inside safe. I’ve fought for, and saved her from, an all too early demise twice.
It’s said that the minivan is a dying breed. However, the enthusiasts are out there, and we hold our own at the shows. Baby placed third in class at the 2021 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals. This was a huge feather in her cap... until three weeks ago, when she caught the attention of the producers at NBC News. They loved my enthusiasm, and love for these vans, and this earned Baby her moment in the sun! This totally validated my fight to save her earlier this year. She was, and will always be, worthy.
Something that wasn’t touched on in the piece is the ever-growing market in Poland. These vans were never marketed there, but the people have made it happen. They personally import what is deemed throw-away here, and create beautiful, road worthy, show quality restorations. It’s absolutely incredible! The enthusiasm is strong there. Minivans aren’t cool? I beg to differ. Sure, they're not trendy, but as I stated above... they hold their own. The customization is limitless. The versatility knows no boundaries. People are converting these into camper vans, and living the nomadic life. The owners, and enthusiasts make minivans cool.
Editor’s note: Sales of the minivan history book continue, so Mattie is not the only person interested in minivans!
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