I don’t know if vanning ever really went away, but it seems to be gaining popularity as of late. Not as popular as it was when it originated in the 1970s, but there seems to be a fairly strong market for – or at least following of – vans like this one. This 1976 Chevrolet Van was sent in by a Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Fortuna, California. There’s no reserve and bidding is currently up to $4,560.
For those who don’t know, vanning rose to popularity in the 1970s as van owners began to heavily modify their vans. I am curious – and have not found any information to support either side – if people who already owned vans decided they could customize them or if customizers decided to buy vans specifically to customize. Regardless, they were usually done in a pretty wild flair with accessories and modifications that were typically more fitting on other styles of automobiles – sidepipes, lowered and/or staggered stance, wild paint jobs, slotted mag wheels, fender flares, windshield visors, among many others. There were some features that seemed genuinely vanning-specific – painted exterior murals, wild interiors, and, of course, some oddly-shaped porthole window.
Thankfully, this van includes several of those modifications. The burgundy exterior offers a perfect backdrop for the desert sunset mural painted on the sides. Naturally, this van has a porthole window, but it’s a more pedestrian oval shape. While this one isn’t lowered, nor does it have fender flares or a windshield visor, it is wearing slotted mags with raised white letter tires. I don’t know if side barn doors were even available in 1976, but this one has the much cooler sliding side door. The seller tells us the body and floors are rust-free and all original.
There are more 1970s goodies inside. Pleated diamond dark red vinyl covers the walls, ceilings, door panels, and doghouse. A coordinating burgundy striped fabric covers the front seats. However, if you need inspiration but still want to make your own mark, this may be the right van for you, as the rear interior has been removed aside from what’s mentioned above. You can be a sort of van Gogh with this one.
Under the hood is a 350 cubic-inch V8. The seller says it runs and drives, but needs a new carburetor and muffler. Power is sent to the 3.40:1 rear axle through a column-shifted automatic transmission. Power steering helps turn this short wheel base van.
Back when I was in the short pants my grandpa drove an early 1980s Dodge van that would have nearly qualified for the vanning culture, but promptly replaced it with a 1987 GMC Vandura Coachmen-conversion. While vans aren’t literally in my blood, they’re figuratively close to my heart. I think this one will make a fun project for someone and will turn a lot of heads when complete.
Something about the customizer’s burgundy diamond-tuft vinyl and striped cloth with the factory dash and doghouse in tan, both works and doesn’t work at the same time.
The only thing I’d do with the exterior is strip the black paint off the bumper, and selectively off the grille leaving it in place where it would’ve been there from the factory.
(whoops, looked closer and forget that second part, the grille and bumper haven’t been painted over)
The work vans had a painted grill that year, while the fancier and passenger vans had a chrome one.
Look real close, it’s not a 76. It is missing the mid level body line running front to back down the sides. This is an early 75 or before.
I’d like to know how many people were conceived in these “love wagons” back in the day!
As frightening as it may be a potential buyer may want to give the cabin of this old van a thorough look with a black light. One can bet there was hippie romance taking place at some point.
It has potential registration issues. It’s being sold with a “Bill of Sale” and the new owner will need a “bonded pink” due to the fact it was stolen while the owner was visiting California. It might not be a problem or expensive which the seller claims, if that’s the case then why didn’t he already deal with it himself. It would be wise to make payment contingent, and due, when title transfers to the new owner.
I’d also check for rust since the van in from Wisconsin.
Steve R
Somewhere out there, Sammy Johns is smiling.
Dang, Super, you beat me to it!
I thought that background looked familier –
about 15 miles from where I used to live.
Reminds me of my’73 Chevy Camper van(350, 4bbl), Used it for years to pull my race car and I still have it!
I had 2 custom vans in the ’70’s, when I was still in high school. The first one I bought brand-new from a dealer already customized by Bizi-Bodi Vans. It was a ’77 Dodge that had a bay window, ice box, and couch/bed in the back. I got sick of it, sold it, and bought another ’77 Dodge van, this one was bone stock, and I had another van customizer in NorCal do the work. I sold it when I graduated high school, and went off to college. I would say that it was 70/30 on customizers vs people doing their own thing, but that’s just what I saw in the Bay Area. Would love to find a ’76 or ’77 Dodge to fix up again.
Glenn, were you in a club? We had a club over in Pacifica. Several commercially customized vans as well as a few home built.
Yes. I was in NorCal Vans van club. I grew up in Pinole and was in the Richmond Chapter. I was only 16 so the members met with my mom to make sure she was ok with it. Great group of people!
SOLD for $4,710.