The custom van craze that swept America was still in its heyday during the early eighties, and while the full-size offerings had more practical space and were often set up to resemble a rolling motel, those who wanted to be super cool sacrificed some room and got themselves a shorty. This 1981 GMC here on Craigslist falls into that category, and although there’s not a thing wrong with its current presentation, I wouldn’t be surprised if the buyer decides to add their own catchy personal touches outside. Whether you’re feeling like customizing or just driving this one as-is, it’s located in Chilliwack, BC, Canada, and the seller makes it clear that the price of $10,000 is not negotiable. Fun find, Curvette, and thanks for sharing this tip with us!
The owner doesn’t provide a lot of information about the van’s history, but with the blue roof, I believe we can surmise that this is likely the color this one began life wearing in ’81. There’s no mention of whether the body has had any work done in the past, but the sheet metal currently seems straight and solid for the most part. If you want to spray on a brighter color and then add some graphics, the exterior hopefully isn’t too far from being ready to turn into whatever the next owner envisions. It’s already got funky side windows in the back, and the seller also reports that the tires and rims are new.
Fortunately, the interior may be suitable for many enthusiasts without doing much of anything, as there is already wood along the perimeters just about everywhere from behind the front doors. That flat surface in the back would provide plenty of room for a mattress, should the buyer be planning any overnight excursions, and the Alpine Stereo system is likely capable of producing sounds that will satisfy most ears. The odometer is showing 63,471 miles, although there’s no written confirmation of whether this is actual.
No shots from the engine area are provided, but power is said to come from a 305 V8, with an automatic transmission handling the shifting duties. The factory GM steering wheel has been swapped for an aftermarket unit, which I typically frown on for most applications, but it seems to fit in pretty well with the overall theme here. According to the seller, it will take the full $10k to buy this one, but I believe that’s CAD, meaning the price is more like $7,200 in USD. How do you see moving forward with this 1981 GMC van? Is it better to just enjoy driving for a while, or immediately begin turning it into your own creation?
I love the folks that use the club lol. 👍
Here’s a 4am story I’m not particularly proud of. It was mid ’99, I was separated from my wife and the house was for sale, but Wis. required a 90 day “cooling off” period, they called it. During that time, I met a gal down the road, going through the same thing, and had a semi custom van just like this. She got it as a result of her divorce. Took a couple trips, she was an awful driver, and I just remember what lousy vehicle it was. Fast forward to the farm I lived on N.Wis, the guy had a similar GMC van, only bare bones inside. You talk about 8 marbles in a empty steel coffee can, worst vehicle of all time. Winter? Good heavens, they get stuck going downhill. Not this particular one, however. Looks like someone really took care of it, but I’d still pass.
Had a 3/4 ton GMC Vandura as my first car. One of the vehicles(out of about 80) I still miss. Plenty of get up n go. Vans are not slow if you use the throttle. Decent snow tires and some weight in the back took me through the winter fine. Wasn’t fast, it topped out around 120 mph. Used to get the rear tires about 18 inches off the ground on one particular road. Traded for a 69 Nova SS… always regretted that.
I put a lot of miles on GM Vans over the years but never had a full size shorty with a V8. I thought that would be a fun hauler. I got my extended wheel base 3500 express diesel stuck on a mud puddle in a new jersey parking lot one winter. But my Astro van with Posi and a back full of Stainless Steel O/B propellers got me thru 10″ of show 90 miles in a freak snow dump in NC one time. Bonus points for that one plus Tire chains had a lot to do with it. My current ride is a 2018 2500 express with a 6.0liter V8 and 6 speed auto. When I was looking for this van, I wanted the new all aluminum 4.3V6 with variable valve timing, direct injection and the 8 speed auto so when I called the dealer in Miami and asked if it had the 6, he said yes senior. He meant 6.0 not a V6. I was shocked at how fast this thing is with the V8 so I bought it anyway and it has been terrific. I like the styling of the older vans like this but the current GM crop which has been in production for 29 years still gets the job done.
The best comment I ever heard about these party vans was, IIRC, from David Spade, who described the artwork on the side of the van being like a Molly Hatchet album cover…
Most of those were painted by fantasy artist Frank Frazetta.
i liked the earlier in-the-cab-motors for wrenchin. Service needs usually meant the cowl was in the way. Loved my ’69 ‘108’ (I swapped ina ’70 292 for the blown 250) live-in work-truck (1 of 2 chebs/GMs owned over 6 decades).
If the vans a-rockin, don’t come knockin!
This thing is screaming A Team tribute.
If you buy that and aren’t planning to have a mural of a wizard pointing his wand at you as a scantily clad, very well endowed young lady rides a snarling tiger next to him painted on it, what’s even the point?
DNA included at no extra cost.
Gas, grass or a$$, nobody rides for free bumper sticker not included.
Not negotiable usually goes out the window as the wad of cash starts walking away
Saw one of these in the Walmart parking lot the other day. Replete with flames and moons. Might have been a little newer but I hadn’t seen one in years. Brought a smile as I walked past.
The ralley rims look nice on this van.