The Complete Van Book

by Lucian K. Truscott IV

Photographs and descriptions of forty-three extraordinary vans are presented together with instructions for customizing vehicles and information on van clubs, parts and accessories manufacturers, and publications

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Lucian Truscott IV is an American writer and journalist.Truscott was born in Japan to US Army Colonel Lucian K. III and Anne (née Harloe). His grandfather Lucian Jr was a US Army general during World War II where he commanded the 3rd Infantry Division and later the Fifth Army in Italy. His father Lucian III served in the US Army in Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a colonel.

Truscott attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1969.He was then assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado. There, he wrote an article about heroin addiction among enlisted soldiers and another about what he felt was an illegal court martial. He was threatened with being sent to Vietnam, so he resigned his commission about thirteen months after graduating, receiving a "general discharge under other than honorable conditions."

Eyewitness to the July 1969 Stonewall riots.

Starting in 1970, he joined The Village Voice as a freelancer and later staff writer.Truscott's first novel was Dress Grey and was about a West Point cadet who was found dead. It was a bestseller, appearing thirteen weeks on The New York Times hardcover bestseller list and seven weeks on the paperback list. He has since published five additional novels.

He lives in Sag Harbor, New York with his wife Carolyn.

Reviews

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently bought this book to add to my vintage van book collection. So far I find it to be the best van book written during the height of the custom van craze of the 70's. Lucian does well at painting a true picture of what it feels to own, customize and most importantly enjoy a van. Frankly I don't understand why two people gave this book one star, did they expect a book from the 70's to have shop and stores listed that are still around? Do they dislike color photos of rad vans? Maybe they aren't custom vanners at all? I don't know, but I do know I wish there were more books like this, with more photos, more van talk from those living it, right there in the moment. Thanks Lucian for this book, from a new generation of custom vanner, working on my second rad van build, watching the pavement disappear behind me from my living room on wheels.