Review written on 3/1940.
Several months ago I thought to my self. "Philadelphia Motors should really make a Van that is better than the Appalachian Diesel." Someone at Philadelphia Motors must of been reading my mind because I got my hands on the latest Appalachian and gave it a test spin. I hope it's not as bad as the Cherub but the real question is: "How far behind does it lag to the Appalachian Diesel?"

We brought the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian out to the track expecting the worst. And boy were we surprised. While the Appalachian isn't the fastest Van, it is certainly as good as most Van out on the market today. We thought the 105 hp @ 3121RPMs 4976 cc V4 engine was a good fit for this model. We were able to top out at 64 mph and on the strip we did a 23.613s 0 to 60 mph. With 142 lb-ft of torque, our smoking wheels were able to tow 2773 lbs. While impressed the Appalachian isn't perfect on the track. But it's still good enough for most people. There is not much to say about the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian when it comes to handling. As a Van it's below average. As an everyday driver it'll do its job. In summation the Appalachian is mundane.

When we got to interior testing on the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian we found it to be below average. While you wouldn't want to use this vehicle on a road trip, it is comfortable enough for short rides and tiny commutes.

The Philadelphia Motors Appalachian is one of the most spacious vehicles in its class. With 123 cu-ft of cargo and passenger room you should never have any issues with transportation. Even if you have to move an elephant...

While not exactly handmade, Philadelphia Motors did put a bit of extra work into the Appalachian and it shows. Panels actually fit and are made to last. The finish doesn't fade in the sun, and all the bolts have washers. It begs the question why buy a lower quality car every 5 years, and not buy the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian which should last a few generations?

The Philadelphia Motors Appalachian is a reliable car that we would trust our dear old grandmother with. These things are almost bulletproof.

At this point in testing we would normally take the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian out on the roads. However our test driver barely made it out of the parking lot before running out of fuel. The Appalachian's ghastly 6.6 mpg means you'll need to take a few jerry cans, scratch that, a few barrels of fuel just to make it to the grocery store.

While being safe is important, Philadelphia Motors did not believe it was a priority in the Appalachian. The vehicle does provide enough safety features to be consider average for its class. It does not add anything more than that however.

I was happy with the time I spent in the Philadelphia Motors Appalachian. This car is truly magnificent. I think future generations will look back at this vehicle and think, "I wish I owned one of these." It is absolutely one of the best Van you can buy. An instant classic that others in the segment will be compared to. I wish I could spend more time with the Appalachian but it is time for them to take it away. I believe I might go buy one myself.