This dilapidated 1972 Dodge Sportsman Royal Van is better known as the “MELVAN” by fans. It’s adorned with spray paint, etchings, rust and a KISS “mural” hand drawn by Kurt Cobain with a sharpie. Legend has it the Nirvana frontman shoplifted the markers from the Thriftway grocery store in Montesano, Washington.
It is featured in many books, ‘Cobain Unseen’, ‘Come As You Are,’ as well as several Nirvana documentary films.
One wonders if this puppy deserves a spot in the ‘The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.’
For those in the dark, the Melvins were instrumental in bringing grunge into the mainstream. The band mingled with and influenced Nirvana who later made it big with ‘Nevermind.’
It turns out the band’s minimum price for the van was $101,000:
The MELVINS have put out the Question, who Will Make it to 101,000 first, The MELVINS facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/melvinsarmy to 101,000 fans, or the MELVAN to $ 101,000 ? Well, I say Bid High, and Add The MELVINS , They ROCK !
Funny highlights from the Q and A section:
Q: Does this van possess magical powers? For instance, will it make my crappy band not suck, land us a major record contract and allow us to be the first band to play on the surface of the sun?
A: With the exception of playing on the sun, it seems to have worked for The MELVINS Thanks Mitch
Q: Does it smell like Buzzo’s armpits? … My “buy it now” finger is lubed. 😮
A: Having no experience smelling the Kings armpits, all I can say is it smells vintage, does that help ? Thanks For Your Interest Mitch
Bids stopped short at $99,999.99 so it didn’t sell. Luckily, The Melvin’s won themselves some new recruits by posting their little piece of history on eBay.