Test Drive #2 Smoking Calipers? Help me decide: In Or Out

Are you sure the rear are drum and not disc? I haven't heard of drum brakes being used on the front of a vehicle for years.

Edited, meant to add that maybe you should talk to your mechanic again and tell him what happened on the test drive. I wouldn't let the brake problem scare me away from this van if all else is good or being fixed. Those vans with the Magnum engines run good, I drove the wheels off of one for years as a service van, no major issues.