Bivouac Custom Conversion: 1982 Chevrolet G20 Van

We tend to get excited by conversion vans around here, and the more period-correct they are, the more interesting the van becomes. But there’s also a nice middle ground when it comes to conversion vans, and you don’t have to go all the way off the deep end of the 70s groove train to find a nice one. This 1928 Chevrolet G20 conversion van is a Bivouac Custom job, which means it got the royal treatment by a company outside of GM headquarters. This isn’t a shag wagon or hippie paradise; rather, it’s just a really nice way to travel when the highway beckons. The paint job is pretty killer, too. Find the Chevy here on eBay where bidding has reached $6,750 with no reserve.

The Chevy has the usual add-ons that make it a truly van-tastic specimen, what with the fender flares, basketweave-style mesh wheels, running boards, and epic paint scheme. The brown and tan tones are very period-correct, and the roof rack and step ladder off the back are nice add-ons and not too over-the-top (although, they do help you go over the top. Sorry. I had to.) The G20 is a longer wheelbase model, as you’d want for a conversion van with a couch, but the proportions still look right. Obviously, everyone loves a good short wheelbase G20, but ones like this clearly put their extra length to good use. The body shows no signs of rust, and no major signs of neglect or careless parking.

The interior is a treat, too, with clean upholstery, nice side paneling, blinds on all the windows, and plenty of counter space. The seller notes that this rear bench folds out into a bed and that the front and middle row seats swivel. The interior lights are also quite stylish, and the van comes with a vintage CB radio. The mileage is listed as 78,000, and that certainly seems believable based on the condition on display here. The seller notes the van did sit idle for a while, and there are likely some deferred maintenance items that need to be addressed. The tires are definitely due for replacement and there may be an exhaust leak; however, as it currently sits, the Chevy runs and drives just fine.

There was a wide range of companies executing conversions like this one, sort of like how ASC and others got into the custom convertible game in the 1980s. The seller’s Chevy is not necessarily wildly different inside – captain’s chairs, a bed, curtains, tables – but this one just has the trappings of being very clean and well-loved prior to sitting. These were often bought as weekend cruisers or tailgating machines, not meant for daily use. Given they’re like a miniature RV, it’s not surprising so many of them were treated as such. Still, conversion vans by any company are hard to come by these days, especially in condition like this. For the current bid price, this seems like a very good deal for anyone hunting for an entry into the vanning lifestyle.