At first glance, this 1975 Chevrolet G20 van doesn’t look all that impressive. But dig a bit deeper and it becomes more intriguing, as it features the rare manual transmission and the seller believes it has under 30,000 original miles. Featuring a three-speed on the tree and a 350 V8 with a Cherrybomb muffler, this G20 surely sounds fantastic. The seller points out it was used like a conversion van at some point, and that the makeshift bunk beds and kitchen area were gutted to allow the next owner to customize it as they see fit (it also sounds like the living quarters were nothing you’d want to refresh – just tear down and start over.) Now, you find this manual shift Chevy van here on eBay where bidding is up to $2,300 with no reserve.
I don’t believe this was a factory conversion van of any sort, but more the case of a previous owner who saw the wide open space of the interior and realized it might make sense to convert it into a mini RV. The long wheelbase helps with that, too, as this is the body style that would accommodate a couch and fold-out bed combo up against the rear doors. Now, if I had to guess, what was installed previously was fairly rudimentary, undoubtedly the work of a backyard handyman who fancied himself a carpenter. Most any flipper these days know that if it still looks cool, even if functionally obsolete, it’s worth leaving installed.
The seller notes the van’s body is largely solid, save for a few places: the lower portion of the left fender has rust that is starting to go deeper; the right rear corner is rusted through; and the right rear floor in the corner was previously patched. That’s not bad for a vintage Chevy G20 that’s been hiding out in Ohio. The low mileage claims are always suspect on vehicles from this era, but the front passenger cabin does look quite good for the year – do you think there’s a chance it has less than 30,000 miles? The dash and engine cover hump are both in fine shape, as are the front bucket seats and door panels.
The seller is correct in that the G20 is a blank canvas of sorts, with that cavernous space ripe for a couch, a cocktail table, captain’s chairs, and a fold-out bed. The ample glass will be perfect for enhancing daylight time but also will need curtains for those nights parked in a campground. The added cool factor of this being a genuine manual transmission model allows this G20 to live in two different worlds: a terrific candidate for a proper camper conversion, or a hot rodder’s delight that leaves the original paint scheme intact and hops up the engine just enough to make better use of the rare three-on-the-tree setup. How would you restore this cool G20?
Yeah, and my ’77 GMC has 60K,( 160 actual),, sharp salespeople can sell air conditioners to the Eskimoes. You know, being someone looking to buy something, I’m finding the amount and level of malarkey is appalling. There seems to be a ratio, 1 good seller for every 20 crooks. These people are banking on ignorance, and hopefully go to Hades for it. Okay, this happens to be a usable van for the price, but come on, stop treating the public like they’re idiots, be honest. It’s really turning me off, and know what? I might just keep the old Jimmy after all, I’m realizing, it really was quite a find.
Weasels b everywhere. Good luck in your search.
It’s located in Perry,Ohio.
I’d be leery of this – it’s called the “Rust Belt” for a reason.
The flip side is that if you could get it cheap,just drive
it as-is,like the basic old van it is.
Looking at the cargo area, that rubber mat can’t be doing the metal floor any favors — seems a lot of creeping rust especially rising from the passenger rear wheel arch. The wheel that spins the most road salt on a typical RWD vehicle.
Nope.
Radio delete? Heater delete?
Glove box delete?
Less than 30,000 miles? I don’t think so.
Item location:
Perry, Ohio
I’ve owned several Chevy/GMC vans from 1969-83. The ’83 with it’s super unreliable 700r4 trans was the pits. Even with 127,000 miles I’d love to own this motorcycle hauler but it’d need to be less than 1000 bucks. I wonder if the 3 speed linkage gets stuck like my Dad’s ’62 Chevy pickup did. Nah, at $2400 it’s way too much. Holy crap, the car dealer’s description is lengthy and he repeats himself like a novice. See “sellers other items” and then “completed items/listings”. They’ve sold quite a few.