A tour van formerly used by Melvins and featuring exterior artwork by Nirvana‘s Kurt Cobain is currently up for sale on eBay.
Known as the ‘Melvan’, the 1972 Dodge Sportsman Royal Van features a mural of the band Kiss apparently drawn by Cobain in marker pen.
The eBay listing describes the van as ‘world famous’. The listing reads: “This is a very unique piece of Melvins/Nirvana history and truly one of a kind. The Kiss mural on the side was hand drawn by Kurt Cobain using sharpie markers shoplifted from the Thriftway grocery store in Montesano, Washington.”
It continues: “This was one of the first Melvins tour vans and was used on at least one US tour. Kurt himself was often times known to drive this van to local shows, also included are two former registrations, one signed by Roger Osborne (King Buzzo) and the second signed by former Melvins bass player Matt Lukin!”
The auction finishes on March 13 and the winner must pick up the van from Montesano, Washington. Rolling Stone reports that the van is being sold by Ben Berg, who has had the van since 1992. Berg told the publication: “I think Kurt’s name is carved somewhere in the van, as well. I don’t know the exact location. I know that Krist Novoselic’s name is carved in there. Dale Crover’s name from the Melvins is carved in there.”
He added: “It’s on eBay reserved at $150,000 (£95,414). If it’s somebody with money right now that wants to contact me, I would let it go for like, $135,000 (£85,872).”