As soon as some daring inventor of the 19th century popped a set of headlights on a car, the car became a member of the family. Now bearing two eyes and a mouth, the automobile was an anthropomorphic object, and never was this more manifest than it was on the flat-faced vans of the 1960s. Look at the mug of this turquoise 1965 Chevy Sportvan and tell me that it doesn’t look like the face of someone who’s running a little behind at the office: harried yet lovable, just trying to do its job. It doesn’t hurt that the rest of this van is rust-free and only needs an interior to take it to the next step. Tony Primo spotted it on California’s Orange County craigslist for $15,500.
The seller clearly mentions that the interior needs to be finished (unless you like the wood-grained linoleum, which honestly doesn’t look terrible). It will need some upholstery for its rear bench, which was an option; for those who needed eight-passenger seating, two benches were available. This one is the top-of-the-line Deluxe Sportvan with fancier appointments, although those appointments seem to have been lost in the redecorating (it wouldn’t be an old van without some wood paneling).
This is unfortunately as close as we’ll get to a photograph of the engine, although we know that it’s a six-cylinder van; they all were. The seller doesn’t specify which six calls the doghouse home, but the standard engine was the 120-horsepower 194 and the 140-horsepower 230 was optional. Since this Sportvan has an automatic, it would have originally had a Powerglide; however, some enterprising soul has replaced the old two speed with a Turbo 350, a nice upgrade.
The driver’s compartment, such as it is, will need some new upholstery and a little detailing. A can of black paint and a few zip ties for the underdash cables and wiring will go a long way toward sprucing it up.
Few cars are as historically amenable to customization as old vans are. Some have murals on the side, some have fender flares and side pipes, and some are mild and tasteful like this ’65. With its Magnum-500 style wheels, you could live like it’s 1970 all over again, taking your Sportvan to the beach with a few friends in the back. Although $15,500 seems like a lot for a Chevy Van, it’s not too often you find one this clean. The seller says you can “finish how you like it.” How would you fix up the interior?
The existing interior is a bit too HGTV for a 60s van. Burnt orange shag carpet would contrast well with the turquoise body color.
I would get rid of that flooring and put in carpet I would then get the outside wrapped to look like the mystery machine, if you have the right company do the wrap you can still see out but they can’t see in until its lit up inside overall nice van
These vans look to be using the same gauge cluster as the 1st gen Corvairs. Wondering if you could fancy it up and switch out with a Spyder gauge cluster?
You’re right. Same with the glove box door. The tail lights are Chevy truck also.
Had a ‘64 in college-4 cyl (!) with 3 on the tree. Yellow/orange shag, wood paneling, and a thousand stories. Drove it cross country twice, never let me down once. Probably still on the road.
That 153 four banger was a one year only for these Chevy vans. Otherwise, it was the base engine for the Nova (Chevy II) from 1962 to 70.
In the early seventies I drove one of these in work van mode for making deliveries on rental items. Three on the tree. Unloaded it was surprisingly peppy. This will be a fun vehicle for the right person. Pro tip: avoid front end collisions. GLWTS.
Which shifter is operational the column one or the one on the floor?
Years ago, a friend had a Sport Van, but it was a Panel Van. Strangely it had a 4 speed on the collum similar to an older Foreign car. It was a Munsey transmission. The van was a retired Telephone Company Vehicle and was special ordered.