For quite some time now, I’ve been on the lookout for a Barbie van to revamp and put my miniature-making skills to the test. Up until now, most of my projects have been miniature kits (which I absolutely love!) and little pieces of Barbie furniture I’ve made for my grandchildren. But the idea of redoing a Barbie van felt like a bigger challenge—and a really fun one.
After doing some research online, I quickly realized that the Barbie Star Traveller Van, manufactured by Mattel, was the only real option. It has the best layout, a generous size, and so many possibilities for customizing and accessorizing.
The Star Traveller first came out in 1976. I remember wanting one back then, but while I was lucky enough to receive a Barbie Bubble Bath, the van never did make its way to me. To be fair, at nearly three feet long, it probably wouldn’t have fit very well in my childhood bedroom anyway!
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| What I longed for |
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| A bathtub like the one I had! |
I started seriously searching for a van about a year ago, but quickly discovered how rare they’ve become. Toys that are nearly 50 years old don’t often survive in good condition, and the ones that do usually sell for a hefty price online.
So, I put the word out among my creative friends and fellow collectors: if anyone stumbled upon a Barbie Star Traveller at a garage sale, estate sale, or thrift shop, I wanted to know. My hope was to find one that had been tucked away and forgotten, that I could purchase at a garage sale price, rather than paying the hundreds of dollars I was seeing online.
One of those creative friends was Sabina. We met about 20 years ago when I re-entered the workforce after staying home with my kids, and we bonded immediately over our shared love of art, nostalgia, and collectibles. Today, Sabina runs a wonderful local business called OlDolls ReNewed, where she refurbishes and reimagines previously loved dolls. I knew she’d be the perfect scout for my van.
Sure enough, about a month ago, Sabina spotted an ad on Facebook Marketplace. A woman had found a Star Traveller in her parents’ basement and was selling it at a very reasonable price. I contacted her right away, then drove across town in the pouring rain to pick up my treasure. She apologized for the condition it was in, but honestly, I was thrilled. Aside from a couple of missing interior pieces, it was in wonderful shape.
At long last—I had my van!
This is just the beginning of my Barbie Star Traveller makeover journey. In a future post, I’ll share a closer look at the van’s condition and my first steps toward bringing it back to life. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a fun adventure!
