The concept of a boogie van that has withstood the test of time, but it’s likely a terminology that is limited to enthusiasts of a certain age bracket. These days, a van lifestyle is more camping and going overlanding, using a van with 4WD to get to the places off the beaten trail. When this 1977 Chevrolet G20 Beauville was new, however, a van lifestyle was far more concerned with looking good and driving where everyone could see you. Check out this sweet G20 boogie van listed here on craigslist for $7,500 and thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
The seller’s van looks slightly different than it did in the photo above, but more on that later. The addition of fender flares, a front air dam, and deep-dish wheels with the perfect offset completely transforms this van. It’s amazing to think it just took the addition of some fiberglass trim pieces to make it go from plumber-spec to boulevard cruiser, but therein lies the beauty of a rig like this. Of course, if you were to go headlong into the vanning lifestyle, you couldn’t stop at the exterior – you had to make sure the cabin was customized as well. Given this is a long wheelbase model with no windows, I suspect it was always intended to have a very utilitarian purpose – but if this interior is any indication, it hasn’t been out on a house call in ages.
Now, you might be expecting a cabinet with a sink and storage, along with a variety of swiveling captain’s chairs – but that’s not how this G20 is equipped. Somewhere along the line, a previous owner added a bench that almost goes the length of the van and forms an “L” at the back; the diamond-tuck upholstery lines the benches, walls, and ceilings, which may seem extreme now but was “just right” when new. The interior is a bit spartan in terms of furnishings, but it looks like a great place to hang out. However, it seems like the potential is there to give this Chevy the period-correct interior it deserves.
As you can see, the exterior has changed a bit from the photo at top. The seller has swapped out the Centerline-style wheels for some retro-cool modern wheels. The “Cherry City” graphics have been added to the side in a homage of sorts to the signature most van owners would give their rig as a nickname of sorts. The visor over the windshield has been added, and the paint has cleaned up. Personally, I like the previous wheels much, much better and if this were my van, I would have those powdercoated bright silver and thrown back on as quick as I could, along with giving the interior the treatment it deserves.
“…terminology that is limited to enthusiasts of a certain age bracket.”
My local VA clinic is small, and only staffed with a young Physician’s Assistant (not a bad thing- she’s great). During one visit, I mentioned that before cell phones, you had to look for a pay phone if you were away from home. She looked at me and innocently asked, “What’s a pay phone?” All of a sudden, I felt my age. 😉
I know the feeling. A year ago I showed my young cousin a 45 RPM record.
Her reply was;”Cool, a black CD”!
I didn’t know they offered the Beauville package on anything but a window van. Too bad Chevy vans got ugly after this version. My preference would be to lose the visor and flares, keep the Torque Thrusts.
yes, keep the rims, Torque Thrusts could make a Yugo look good……Maybe.
yes, keep the rims, Torque Thrusts could make a Yugo look good……Maybe.
How come the first & last pics are different exterior finishes?
It’s called a buffer.
I think it looks great with the wheels AND the flares . The interior could use some love, but is good for now.
Paint the top. Take the Cherry City off. Take out the bench ,put in a bed ,refrigerator and put the little red roster pulling the little wagon on the front bumper and you,ll be set to go. I like this van and if everything checked out good about it–the price would be reasonable–IF EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT GOO.
I remember in the 70s my grandfather bought a yellow one, but it was a window van. It had deep dish mags on the back and you could not open the sliding door.
He finally took the mags off and I tried so hard to put them on my 65 Cadillac, but they just wouldn’t fit!