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Memories Included: 1969 Chevrolet G20 Van

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This Chevy G20 van caught my attention not for its window-free exterior or cool period fiberglass aero bits, but more for the seller’s description of letting go of a vehicle that contains lots of memories. This 1969 Chevy G20 here on eBay belonged to the seller’s late husband, who tackled a host of maintenance projects and upgrades to make it a livable vehicle – both for camping and driving cross-country. 

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The van had been with the wife and her husband since new, which is truly impressive. Not many of these workhorses enjoyed a lifestyle where owners held onto them for sentimental reasons. The Chevy has never been used as a work van, and the interior features the right accommodations for camping out at the track or making long-distance trips to far-off camping destinations. The door panel trim is an interesting choice, and I’d be tempted to swap it out.

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The original motor was swapped out for a Chevy 355 small block that was built by the original owner’s friend. It’s been bored out slightly with a custom cam. The seller notes that her husband also swapped out the differential and the truck has a 3-speed on the column, which she also suspects was upgraded given her husband’s propensity for making the van a durable and reliable cruiser. The van was last inspected in 2005, but the seller recently had it gone over and had the carb rebuilt, a new water pump installed and put new gas lines in. It is said to be rust-free.

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There’s lots of interesting trick features, mainly hidden storage compartments and paneling that the original owner made to hide valuables in and otherwise live comfortably on the road. His career as a boat builder likely made his van a tempting “canvas” to show off his fabrication skills, as the spoiler and fender flares demonstrate. The seller seems genuinely sad to let this G20 go, noting it was “…a big part of our lives.” I hope the next owner enjoys the Chevy as much as the longtime original owner, and that it continues to build memories for its caretakers.

Comments

  1. Avatar Rock Ona Member

    That is one cool time machine!

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  2. Avatar 68 custom

    I am not wild about the fender flares but otherwise this looks like a pretty good deal on a nice old van. I love it!

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  3. Avatar Danno

    She woke up and took me by the hand.
    We made love in my Chevy van,
    And that’s all right with me.

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  4. Avatar MikeK

    Looks like a little cancer in those rear doors.

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  5. Avatar Keith Matheny

    Had one in the early ’70s. 6cyl/3 on the tree, power nothing.
    Pink Chablis and dirt weed, haha. Oak boards for bumpers, 55gal drum split in 1/4’s for rear inners and flares (rustbelt, ya know). Patchwork blue jean cover over foam on engine cover for 3rd (and cuddly) front seat. VW bolstered seats with Big/little wheels under it for a great stance (got to have stance dude).
    Had to weld the rear doors together, keep them closed and quiet the rattles from the body flex. Cooler, mattress, and a 5gal pail. $5 Motorhome plates, woo hoo!
    Built real muscles driving that with no PS and a little Grant wheel.
    Other car was a well rotted TR3a running a 4 motor w/overdrive
    Back looks to have been rapped at sometime, that’s putty showing.
    $2k for the engine, lots of hidden rust underneath. But still,,,?
    To know then what we know now, priceless!

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  6. Avatar Cattoo Member

    Would scoop this up faster than the motor less Grand National. That’s how much I love these Chevy vans. I’ll forgive the long wheel base for the boat builder extras built into the interior. I’d love it as the current owner does. I should have a go fund me page for a future van find.

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  7. Avatar RoughDiamond

    That is really a cool looking van and the back story makes it all the more interesting. I hope the widow gets a real good price for it.

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  8. Avatar miagi gene

    Love the early vans wish it would be closer to me i would probably buy it and fix her up but have no way to get there your a bit to far for me to travel

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