Have you seen this van? The location of this machine is a mystery! At least that’s the case for someone who’s looking for help finding the van in the above photograph (date unspecified). A brief ad posted here on Craigslist by a person in Northville, New York solicits assistance from anyone with information as to the whereabouts of this old van, that is “if it still exists.” No reward offered.
Although the Craigslist post provides two grainy photos of the van no information about where it was last seen is given. Since it’s wearing old school gold and blue New York tags we can assume we’re looking at photos as the van appeared in the 1970s or early 80s. Who knows what it might look like now? Has it been lovingly preserved by a caring owner? Or has it undergone a restoration, perhaps wearing a different paint color? Maybe it’s been converted to a rat rod? One thing is certain if it still sits on those unique wheels someone should be able to easily spot this thing on the street. But what if it’s been neglected and is rotting away somewhere, now a rusted shell of its former self? That would be unfortunate. I shudder to think of the worst case scenario and wonder if, in fact, it went through the crusher a long time ago. For the sake of our friend in Northville let’s hope not!
Unfortunately, no interior photos of the van were posted in the Craigslist ad. However, two very unique and unmistakable features of the van are the diamond-shaped side windows and the custom grille and front bumper. Looking specifically for those signature details I unsuccessfully performed a few Google searches but came up empty each time. I find no van resembling this one – nothing that even comes close. But maybe you’ve seen this van? If so don’t meddle and be sure to contact the guy up in Northville to let him know it still exists. In the meantime, perhaps some Barnfinds readers can share a bit of insight regarding the customization of first-generation Chevy vans? Please use the comments section and let us know if you’ve ever owned a mystery machine like this one!
I don’t know where it is, but I wish it was in my garage. Love these vans they were super cool indeed, good luck in finding it.
You can’t go back. Even if you find that old van (or car, or motorcycle) today will still be today, and you’ll still be one heck of a lot older than you were when you had it so many years ago…. And that hot girl who rode with you….? Well, dream on, cowboy.
I occasionally look for my very first car – but in all likelihood, that car and this van were crushed years ago.
And if they are out there, there’s a good chance that they’re unrecognizable, with rust and/or mods taking a toll.
Sometimes it’s better to not know…
was sold a couple times, ended up with a painter who spilled a five gallon pail of eggshell white in the back, got backed into a couple times on job sites, side window was smashed one night by a guy who destroyed the dash getting the stereo out, then the transmission finally went and it sat on the street long enough with the broken window and no tags that the city towed it away. Sat in the impound for six months and went for scrap.
and another reason why i have sooooo much stuff lol. My wife keeps saying ya cant take it with ya when your dead, but Im not dead yet so Im keeping it.
One of the few wheels from back in the day that I’ve never seen reproduced. I have a few sets, I’ve always liked them. Hope this van gets found, and is alive and well!
Unlikely to happen but you just never know. I really enjoy reading stories like this where someone is searching for their old car. My childhood friend used to drive a VW Baja type Bug to school. He sold it to help pay school fees, yea, that was dumb and he regretted it very much. We were talking about his car a few years later and thought about trying to track it down. Since it was a pretty unique bug, it was possible the thing was still around. After searching for 2 years before the days of internet help, we wrote letters to VW clubs all over the US, we found it, 4 states and 600 miles away. Same vin numbers and the same silly orange paint with yellow stripes. I went with him to pick it up and he could not stop crying when he got behind the wheel again. Although we had to beg the owner to sell it to my friend, he did and was emotional as well, so was I. It’s back in my friend’s garage today for good. He feels like a kid again when he gets behind the wheel and I believe him. I’ll never forget that day. I really hope this guy finds his old van. Never say never.
I found my high school 63 Chevy II years later behind a body shop in Coldwater Ks, It had been hit by a Diamond T oil field semi the summer that I graduated from high school in 69, I walked away from the crash. all that was left was the body, front clip was gone, engine and tranny gone, doors gone. But the STP stickers on the inside dash were still there. That was enough for me.
May have to change the name of this website to BarnFinds/Looking!
Barn Search
I’ll bet it’s long gone, but you never can tell. I know of someone who tracked down an ’83 Mustang by doing the same process, placing an ad on CL.
You never know, I found my Mach 1 many years after I had sold it (1986) in the back of a used car lot in China Grove NC. It was all the way across the country (I’m from Colorado), had 9 miles on it since I had sold it, and was still in my name. I found my J10 that I sold in 1984 (my second car) in a craigslist parts ad. Keep looking, they are sometimes out there :)
Nice catch on your Mach Rob! 9 miles, speedo cable disconect maybe?
😲I HAVE A 72 GM SHORT 3/4 TON, 010
4BOLT 350 T400 410 DETROIT LOCKER AIRCON 31s PERSONAL PLATE
(1972 VAN)$📞
over the years i have heard many people lament the “loss” of their first or second favorite car, never to be found. had a 55 2dr chevy 265 balance, counter balance, 30-30 duntov cam killer engine car when i went to ‘nam. brother didn’t put anti-freeze in it, busted block, didn’t tell me til i got home…bought a red 69 vette couple weeks later and didn’t look back. after 47 years , i still have it… it’s hidden in the garage til spring… best way to not loose it, is don’t sell it ! ! ! ! i didn’t follow my own advice with several guns over the years tho, and lament the loss there……….
I had over 60 cars in my time, including some Gtis, 3 Series, Mercs and Porsches – but the one I am looking for is my 72 Beetle. It is the South African SP model with twin carbs, full guage cluster etc.
A friend and I fitted a ragtop, to me it was then perfection.
I sold it for financial reasons and have been searching for it ever since, even advertising in the local ads ……
Uh oh, it sounds like the Wild Cherry thief is back!
I own a couple of classic vans , started buying them instead of cars due to no one else at car shows had any. Like being different, started trucking (going to truck-ins), at this time I have a A-100 van w/pro built 360, still running original paint, was a caterpillar van, also got 64 A-100 truck basses, also own original (Free-bird) van 77 Dodge still has original murals screaming eagle, 77 1-ton chevy factory 4×4, and a 64 GMC (Hamid-van) similar to missing van. Everybody likes old vans, get nothing but thumbs up when Rollin in one
Fred Shaggy Velma and Daphne bought it and painted it up.