Count on colors like deep brown, Harvest Gold, and Avocado to trigger instant flashbacks to the ’70s. Witness this mostly stock 1976 Chevrolet C30 van, an original Fleetwood Santana camper conversion. Not only does this sturdy-looking one-ton van rock its original Avacado paint scheme, it starred in the movie “The Unbookables,” and was given to the soundtrack producer after shooting ended. The listing in Phoenix, Arizona craigslist.org includes more pictures and details, and suggests that $10,000 can put this slice of Avacado history on your plate. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this retro camper van.
The camper is not a museum-quality time-capsule, but at least there’s no swing-out HDTV to spoil the vintage camper vibe. Consider it a Day Two representation with authentic updates consistent with its intended purpose. The original 350 cid (5.7L) V8 runs well. With a mere 70,000 miles on the clock, it should be ready for more adventures.
Founded in 1950, Fleetwood had plenty of experience and this van should serve its owners well as a self-contained portable party pad. The company built its Santana conversions using Ford and Dodge vans as well, like the Dodge used for Uncle Rico’s Van in the movie Napoleon Dynamite.
With the fiberglass roof expansion, the Santana sleeps five with ease and, as the seller confirms, “many more uncomfortably.” Orange accents may not be original, but coalesce with the van’s vintage appeal.
What tribute to the 1970s would be complete without plenty of fake wood paneling? The owner used this van extensively and claims it’s dependable and “really scoots.” It’s recently received new front tires, transmission flush, and a tune-up and passed California emissions testing. What sites would you visit in this ready-to-go vintage camper?
You want to go camping? This is much more like it than,,,you know what, for a third the cost, and will do the speed limit. I know, picking on the poor VW is like fishing in a barrel, but this has so many more possibilities. Heck, you’d have enough left over for 2 ATV’s AND a trailer,for even more fun. Try that with the VW, sorry, there I go again. I’d heed high wind warnings looks like a good gust would send it flying, but a great find. Something a family can enjoy.
Uh-oh, here we go again!!
Hi Howard I’m thumbs up # 9 your right this is way more van for a fraction of the price. To bad those roof top additions are so dam ugly. Also if I my Howard I’m dieting to here your thoughts on the latest posting a VW van with a black and red paint job.
I love 70’s and 80’s vans, campers, and green. If I had a place to store it, it would be mine. But the very first thing to get changed would be those orange cushions.
actually the orange countertops are probably original to this van, orange countertops were the “thing” in the 1970s, I had a kitchen in one of my houses, that was exactly the same color.
Mister and Mrs Brady would agree, just look at any scene shot in the Brady Bunch kitchen and you’ll get a whole face full of avocado, orange, and faux wood paneling. And Mike Brady was an architect with exquisite taste in design, form and function.
Whoah…I’m a huge Doug Stanhope fan. Now I have to watch this movie! Maybe I need to get this rig too with a vanity plate naming it VANHOPE.
Ahhhh having watched the film, with half a dozen degenerate comics smoking, drinking and occasionally peeing in the van, I cannot imagine what this thing smells like inside.
Maybe we could inscribe the name wild avocado on the sides. Of course we’d have to steal it first.
If that van could speak, probably a lotta fun in the back, stickers on windows should say If this van is rocking, don’t bother knocking, and the best one was, Don’t laugh, your daughter may be in here, needs 8 track tape deck and a black n white TV
I’ve been down the class A motor home trail, and down the conversion van road. While the mh gave more creature comforts and room to move around it was also not fuel efficient (454 Chevy) moving a 35 ft. vehicle. The van gave ample room for two people to camp comfortably and with the 318 Dodge got a little better gas mileage, about 4-5 in mh 12-14 in van.
I like this van and would park right in front of my house just to piss off the HOA.
God bless America
This is a neat rig, no doubt. But to say that “the Santana sleeps five with ease” might be a bit of wishful thinking. Get ready for some long nights of “it wasn’t me.”
This is a neat rig, no doubt. And +1 on the HOA comment, above. But Todd Fitch’s comment that “the Santana sleeps five with ease” seems like a bit of wishful thinking. It’s going to be tight quarters, even with the roof deployed. Get ready for some long nights of “it wasn’t me”.
Sorry for the double post. The first post did not appear when I initially refreshed the page.
Napoleon Approved
I own a 1983 Chevy conversation. I paid 350 bucks. Drove it 23 miles home and use as a camper.
Needed two rear tires and cleaned. These prices are crazy. Mine has no rust. Good interior. Passed state inspection without any issues. And runs great. And will use again this spring. I drive it 2 hours to the mountains of wv and get plenty of comments on it. May need a set of wiper blades lol.