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One-Owner Shorty: 1976 Chevrolet G10 Van

It’s rare to find a one-owner example of anything made in the 1970s, but a van that could be used for multiple purposes, from carpentry to camping, typically always has more than one caretaker. Not this time: this short-wheelbase 1976 Chevrolet G10 is a genuine survivor, and features the exceedingly rare three-speed manual transmission. It wears awesome colors, painted an eye-catching shade known as Redondo Blue. Find it here on eBay with bids to $7,300 and the reserve unmet.

Proportionally, the short wheelbase models of practically anything look fantastic, and it’s no different with this G10. The best part is the shorter length didn’t translate to any real penalty inside, as there were still acres of space and plenty of room for converting into a shop truck or a living room on wheels, depending on your lifestyle. This van is accented by attractive chrome bumpers, a hard-shell spare tire cover, and a step ladder, along with the period-correct “Back Off” mudflaps.

Mileage is indicated as being just over 37,000, but no word on whether that number can be verified. The interior has some of the period decors most often associated with the vanning crowd, featuring fake wood paneling on the walls, a framed painting, shag carpeting – even on the ceiling, and what looks like a bed underneath that purple blanket. Other pictures in the listing of the up-close details paint a picture of a G10 that’s in very nice condition, so the mileage may actually be genuine.

The fake wood paneling in the dash and condition of the front buckets are two possible clues that the mileage is authentic. Other period modifications include fender flare extensions, headlight covers, a pop-up sunroof, rear window louvers, and Cragar-style wheels. It certainly looks like a rolling billboard for enhancements straight out of a 1976 accessories catalog, but it works – and if the mileage and paint are original, it becomes even more desirable. Would you keep the shag or upgrade to more contemporary carpeting?

Comments

  1. Avatar angliagt Member

    Those aren’t Cragers,they’re Keystone Classic wheels.
    I had a set on my ’72-1/2 Toyota (RN22) pickup.

    Like 20
    • Avatar Rodknee

      Only missing the airbrushed leopard skin bikini babe riding a flying unicorn on the side, otherwise it’s perfect.

      Like 15
  2. Avatar Argy

    I’m wondering if the keyhole on the driver’s front fender unlocks another couple of cylinders as promised by the emblem beside it….

    Like 7
    • Avatar Little_Cars

      What is the key lock for, a battery cutoff? Is that V8 badge from a mid-1960s Valiant?

      Like 0
      • Avatar PATRICK LABARGE

        I think it’s for a car alarm

        Like 8
    • Avatar Evan

      Generally, fender-mounted lock cylinders were used for activation/deactivation of early, crude alarm systems.

      Like 22
      • Avatar Jim

        My 77 Corvette had that type of alarm system in it. You’re right….very crude.

        Like 5
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        I had the alarm keyhole on my ’70 Corvette – located on the rear deck so it looked like it had a trunk you could open. It had been long dismantled by the time I got it.

        Like 1
    • Avatar John Oliveri

      For you young people, that’s an alarm switch, they came keyed yrs ago,

      Like 0
      • Avatar Frank

        Had a 68 Falcon with that type of alarm key, but one cold January, the internals of the lock froze. Re-wired the key to the trunk, so it was out of the weather.

        Like 1
  3. Avatar Mark

    Worth mentioning again…….if you currently have the opportunity to lay down some cash (what would be a small investment) for a nice Astro or GMC Safari do so and hang on to it because in the not too distant future they will be the hot ticket….

    Like 4
    • Avatar Little_Cars

      LOVED my GMC Safari van (rebadged Astro) and drove the wheels off it. It was fully loaded except for having barn doors in the back instead of a rear liftgate/window combo which I preferred. Bought from the original owner who dressed it up with running boards and graphics which I took off immediately. Only thing I didn’t like was the smoky smell I couldn’t remove as he was a heavy smoker.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Maverick

    The wheels are keystone classics.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Geoff

    A friend of mine’s parents used to have one that was a lot like this. He found that if he romped on the throttle pedal and then let off, the front end would lift a little. If he did that again it would lift a little more. A few more times and the front wheels would start coming off the ground. At one point he had the front wheels bouncing off the ground by nearly a foot. Boing, Boing, Boing!

    It was some of the best automotive comedy I’ve seen!

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Chris

    I love those shorty vans . Most likely that piece on the front fender is a alarm system. I would love to own that , I had many shorty vans .

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Keith

    I worked at the Lordstown Assembly plant building these and they were not big sellers. The line ran at 33 a hour and that was slow compared to the Vega line right next to the truck plant. Brings back some good memories.

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Another Keith

    Straight 6 with a “3 in the tree”? I don’t know that I’d call that rare.

    Perhaps today, yes, because most of them equipped as such were used up and thrown away back in the day.

    Also not what I’d call desirable. Nobody likes a cheapskate.

    Like 2
    • Avatar John Oliveri

      Rare to have been loved with that motor/trani combo, desirable, not so much, miserable column shifted 3 on the tree, straight 6 low on power, and all that rug and wood, No A/C I’d pass, and I’m super nostalgic for the 70s

      Like 2
      • Avatar bone

        I cant imagine many base vans coming with A/C back then , it was hard enough to heat these things !

        Like 0
  9. Avatar Little_Cars

    It’s only 39 units an hour at GM Spring Hill Manufacturing currently. Or, 352 average in a 9 hour shift. GMC and Cadillac crossovers, and soon, the Cadillac Lyriq all electric.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar E.L. Puko

    Needs portholes, a whip antenna and a CB.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar John Oliveri

    Vehicle needs an indash 8 track in front, and and another tape player in the back, for those intimate moments

    Like 2
  12. Avatar geneob

    Not sure I would use a picture in a parking lot where people have obviously been doing donuts. Otherwise a really interesting buy.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar bevis

    $11k??? and reserve not met????-you gotta be kidding(dealer’s slimeball buds must be bidding this up in an attempt to get some sucker to jump in)

    Like 4
  14. Avatar JudoJohn

    A different paint job and you’d have the A-Team van!

    Like 0
  15. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Made it to $10,900, but Reserve Not Met.

    Like 0
    • Avatar John Oliveri

      It’s not gonna bring big money w three on the tree, 6 banger, and no a/c, if it was a 350/ w auto and air betcha good for 15 grand

      Like 0

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