If you frequent Barn Finds, you’re a car guy or gal so you probably know about Richard Rawlings of Discovery TV’s, “Fast and Loud” reality show. Richard’s team of Gas Monkeys are known for building anything and everything from the ridiculous to the sublime. Today, we’re going to take a look at one of Richard’s more middle of the road projects, a 1976 Chevrolet G10 van, converted to 4X4 status. It is located in Dallas, Texas, (where else, right?) and is available here on eBay for a BIN price of $29,995. There is a “make an offer” option too.
This G10 van is a bit of a kit-bashed, knock together undertaking. Vans like this were all the rage in the ’70s and this one has that decade nailed on the inside. The peculiar feature is the 4X4 nature of this unique creation. A G10 van and a radical, lifted four-wheel-drive set up generally don’t mix, it’s like peas and spaghetti, it just doesn’t click. That said, in typical Gas Monkey Garage style, it sort of does, in its own unusual way.
Now my experience is that it’s not the best idea to advertise liquor on the outside of a vehicle unless it’s the delivery vehicle, you know, the one bringing the hooch to the bar, liquor store, restaurant, etc. It’s especially not a great idea when the vehicle looks like this van. Richard states that he built this Chevy as a promotion for his new Cinnamon Tequila; I get it, great stationary billboard idea but when in motion, you may gather the wrong attention. Richard adds that the original finish was in “phenomenal” shape, so it was polished and buffed and then the Tequila wrap applied. The blue finish is slightly worn/faded but it suits this van’s personality (vananality?) perfectly. Other exterior features include a roof rack with storage crates and spare tire, rear ladder and a bevy of KC Daylighter off-road lights. The description claims that this G10 has received a “mild-lift” but it looks a little more than mild sitting in profile. The entire exterior package works well, surprisingly well, for a short wheelbase van. Jacking one of these things sometimes creates a “pig on stilts” visual.
The interior has a perfect 1976 Macho Man vibe to it. I’m not sure where Richard found all of that stuff, maybe from Goodwill or maybe his own cast-offs, whatever the case, it’s perfect from a spoof perspective. The only thing it’s missing is a deer head hanging on the wall. (I hope that bear rug wasn’t a real bear.) The driver’s compartment, however, is completely original and hasn’t had any restoration or enhancement applied. A rusty footwell is visible, but it’s hard to tell how rusty, and the engine hatch cover is mismatched – not big items of course; the focus of this build was on the powertrain, suspension and the man cave.
Under the hatch is a Chevrolet 350 CI V8. There are no specific details regarding the motor but it would appear to be either an ’80s TPI (Tuned Port Injection) version or an older 350 converted to TPI status. There is a listing disclaimer which reads, “While this kick — 1976 Chevy G10 4X4 Van does run and drive, it has been on static display here at the World Famous Gas Monkey Garage World Head Quarters and it will need to be completely inspected and serviced before any extended driving to ensure safety and reliability.” The 4X4 conversion is rather impressive, it has been borrowed from a Blazer (K10) and affixed to this van. The listing details some of the componentry that was used to build this conversion. The transmission is an automatic that is suitable for a mash-up with a transfer case, but there are no particulars on that front. Many images of the underside and suspension are included in the listing, they are worth taking the time to review.
So yes, this thing is cool, but what would one do with it? Well, being a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you could use it to go off-road and hunt deer, that way you’d get that needed deer head for the living room. You could also use it as a beach cruiser party van too. Maybe the most sensible thing to do would be to use it as Richard intended, a promotional vehicle. It would be a matter of re-wrapping it to promote whatever the new owner’s business or service is. And if you’re into grins and giggles you may get a few of those just tooling around town. So, if you wanted to own a little bit of Fast and Loud’s renowned workmanship and made a pitch for this Tequila van, what would you do with it?
Caught the build of this one. It was done right. If you were living in the south west desert in the ’70s , which we were, these were a dime a dozen. Lot of them used as support vehicles for cross country dirt bikers, which we were. Couldn’t afford to build or buy one then so we settled for a ’58 VW panel van with a 180hp Corvair engine in back. Anything along this line is built for fun, and usually is.
Great write-up Jim! You are right on about it being bashed together. Up close the best thing about this is the barn paneling, the rest of it looks like smoke and mirrors. If you’re buying a vehicle from (and built by) a professional garage, a “we can’t guarantee how well it drives” disclaimer is pretty lame. Caveat Emptor!
Thx Chebby!
If you strip off the wrap in order to replace it with your own personal wrap, then you’ve just lost all the provenance of it being one of Gas Monkey’s throw togethers.
I don’t blame Aaron for leavin’
My great uncle owned bakeries in Allentown PA. He was a ford man, but he had several factory 4×4 vans in the 70s and 80s associated with the bakery. His theory was that you needed to be able to deliver the bread whatever the weather. The fords were called quadravans.
His were all semi custom, looked a lot like this on the outside with the racks and whatnot. The insides were a little less gaudy, shag all over, giant speakers and custom stereo, igloo coolers and usually a futon or two for lounging. He used to do up the exteriors with two tone paint and the grilles and racks that were popular in van magazines. There was always Heineken on ice in the cooler, and he used to drink Schweppes club soda and tonic water too.
I have an affinity for these. I frequent the OBX (outer banks of North Carolina) and a 4×4 van would be great for beach fishing. 30k, pretty steep. But for a reasonable price, this has a market. I get that it was a promo vehicle, but lose the wrap, tone down the interior and price it more realistically. Would probably attract a buyer or two. It’s typical of a more extreme custom. You build it just how you want it, but it’s not easy to find someone who shares your vision.
I like how on the show they rebuild an entire car in like a week, and just finish in time for the “deadline”…
fast work isn’t good, and good work isn’t fast.
Well, the van is ok enough, if you’re into 4 wheel drive, single digit gas mileage vans, which will no doubt be laying on it’s side on the 1st incline, but what kind of Kentucky fried Rube puts graphics like that on the side? One vehicle I’d be nervous seeing my daughter climb into,,,
“My van smells of rich mahogany”. Stay classy!
When Aaron was on the G.M I liked it, but his new sidekick is obnoxious and brings nothing to the show. They need a pretty girl.
They need to get rid of that smartass Richard. He has always rubbed me the wrong way.
I stopped watching this show quite a while ago. Exactly what did they do to this van other than decorate a living room? Nothing on this van looks like it was replaced. It’s about $29,995 over priced. Richard is the reason why flippers get a bad name. He beats people down ridiculously when he buys and then somehow convinces others to pay astronomical prices for his crap when he sells. My son and I occasionally buy and sell. But we can make a few bucks by finding a vehicle that someone priced fairly or under value. If the price is low, we will buy it. We don’t beat them up to increase our profit on the other end. Finding the deal is how it’s done. Not abusing others.
@$$ monkey, lame and scripted. I wouldn’t walk across the street to see the crap they “Build in a week”, don’t watch any of this. I’ll shut up now.
Stay safe and wash your hands
Cheers
GPC
R U Sue the interior woman using a pen name just she always used the @55-Monkey name? I know Ur secret but I’ll not let on! 😉
Need to first get rid of the garbage on the side, but still way over priced. Ebay ad says Chevy K10, you say Blazer (K10) is what was used. Looks like 3/4 ton axles which neither are.
Think about the ‘built in a week”. If you have a van in reasonably good condition, a whole shop full of the tools you need, a bunch of experienced mechanics, and an unlimited budget, you can build something like this in a week. Had the same experience several years ago building a race car for a 24 hour race. 5 of us with varied skills took 2 weeks to completely rebuild and paint the entire car. It can be done, especially if there is enough beer.
Does this mean that one of Richard’s “get rich quick” schemes didn’t quite work out and they have to sell this van in order to sweep it under the rug and out of peoples’ memory?
Seriously, no matter how good it is/was, would any serious tequila aficionado drink “Gas Monkey Tequila”?
Yeah, I love those arbitrary “deadlines” for these stupid shows. BTW, if I’m paying thirty grand for this thing, be nice if they threw in a service.
Yeah, the “we’re too busy to get the car running for you” sounds very lame.
Just came for the Gas Monkey/Richard Rawlins hate. Now where’d I put my popcorn?
Save some of that popcorn – another season is about to start.
And I may harp on him, but I can’t help but watch!