On November 2nd, 1983, the world's first minivan rolled off of Chrysler's assembly line. It was the vehicle that saved Chrysler from financial doom — and in the process, shaped the automotive landscape for thirty years to come.
In the late 1970's and early 1980's, there wasn't really an ideal vehicle for families. Sedans and station wagons were shrinking to save fuel in the wake of two oil crises. Full-size vans were built on pickup underpinnings, with truck-like driving characteristics and poor fuel economy. The term "sport utility vehicle" hadn't been coined yet, but the four-wheel-drive vehicles that would later take on that name were rough, unrefined off-roaders, best suited for snowy or rural parts.
What was missing from the market was a family vehicle that drove like a car, got good fuel economy, and had room enough for a family. Chrysler's minivan was the first vehicle designed from the ground up to fit that need, and it was a revelation.