After spending a righteous time as a pizza delivery van, this 1964 G10 Chevrolet van spent 34 years in storage. Recently being awakened, this G10 is solid, and runs, albeit with some help. 1964 was the first year for the G10, and certainly many of you have likely said in your head “The Mystery Machine”, or “The Scooby Doo Van”. Arguably the closest van to resemble the Mystery Machine, this G10 is in great condition, and judging by the exterior paint, was a part of the American “Van movement” of the 1970’s. With an opening bid of $6,000, we imagine someone will jump on this extremely straight example. Find it here on ebay out of Grand Prairie, Texas.
Having slept for 32 years, this 194 cubic inch inline 6 does run, if you pour gas into the carb. The carburetor is new, although purchased in 1984. Perform a tune up, check the fluids, and clean the fuel system and this baby is ready to run. You get to row your own gears in this mystery machine via a column mounted Warner 3 speed manual transmission.
Inside of this cool van is a very basic and simple interior. The dash is simple and to the point, looking to be missing only the factory radio and ashtray, which are included with the van. Seating in this G10 looks to be in dire need of help. The passenger seat was optional in these G10’s though we are uncertain if the passenger seat is a Chevrolet unit. Also this being a 1964 G10 means there are no factory seat belts.
Cargo space is no problem with this G10, as space is abundant in this small stature van. Something else cool about this van is that it has no side mounted cargo doors, the sides are smooth. Only through the rear of this van can you load and unload.
We suppose the word “patina” is best used here when describing the exterior of this G10 van. Looking at the upper portion of either side of the van reveals a thin line design that looks to have a 1970s feel to it. Looking to have last been blue, the paint has faded, and chipped revealing a white base color. Putting this van under a magnifying glass reveals it is almost rust free, only having some small and minor surface rust areas. The van currently sits on iconic 5 slot mags from the 1960s-1970s era, but this van also comes with a set of Fenton style mags. The only drawback to this Chevy is a small one, as there is a small hole drilled into the roof that was for a CB antenna. The antenna is included, so either fix the roof or replace the antenna, your choice. Also the brake system is dry and will likely need a complete overhaul, which is not too tall of an order for most back yard mechanics. So we are curious what you, our readers, would want to do with this solid, but cool vintage van? Tell us about your dream van in the comments section!
Finally a finish job that defines the “patina” look rather than “rustina”! Cool find.
This patina look you talk of Jay looks like it was done with a random orbital sander not the passing of time in the hot Texas sun. Looks like it was hit with 80 grit paper I’m not sure why some one would do that. All they have done is make a mess of it I would have rather of had the original finish.
Very cool van, after owning a stripped 64 Ford Econoline I would be used to the rattles of that big empty container of a interior on my Lowe’s lumber runs.
Scooby Doo van!
Alrighty then!
extremely funny, Jeffro……thanks for the laugh!!!
The famous Free Candy red ford van actually came up for sale a while back. I think it was like $800.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/2lg360/just_rolled_into_my_driveway/
My Dad had 2 of these GM vans 1 was a 68 GMC long body, and the other was a 67 Chevy standard body. These were the vehicles, the 4 of us kids learned to drive in. Dad always said if you can learn to drive a vehicle with a clutch and no windows, you can drive anything, the 68 was my favorite, it had no windows other than the front and the door window, you had to learn to drive with mirrors, and I did, I even taught my kids to drive in the same type of van. These vans were parts trucks for the body shop, so like somebody else said they raddled because there was nothing in them other than steel floor and walls. They were hot during the summer and warm during the winter, because as you can see the motor was between the seats. The 68 had a straight 250 6 banger, and was easy to work on, but the 67 had a 350 v-8 and it was crowded in there to change spark plugs, but much easier than in the later model with the motor hump after the 70’s. Wish I still had one of them they were fun to drive!!
Reminds me of “The Boogie Van”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng0yavQjfAA
Love it, with all that blank space up front Id love to paint Wile e coyote on it as if he’s just been run into.. like this… except facing forward…
This is a rare no door van, no door or right or left. Not many around.
I owned this exact same van in high school! Mine was a ’65 with a 230ci 6, but otherwise identical no-side door version. I decked out the interior and dreamed of painting it someday. A few of my date’s parent’s refused to let their daughters go out with me because of it. But in their defense, their fears were well justified.
A late friend of mine had the ambulance service in the small town of Lamesa, TX for many years. For some time his first-out ambulance was a ’72 Chevy wagon, but his second-out unit was a snub-nosed ’65 G10 van that was the same body style as the ’64 pictured here. When both of those units were put into service the notion of real patient care in an ambulance hadn’t really caught on in TX. That happened in ’73 when some of the first EMT and ECA courses began to be taught. The little van was used mostly for emergency transfers from Lamesa to Lubbock when IVs were used, which couldn’t be properly hung in the ’72 Chevy station wagon. Surprisingly, though, the little Chevy van was a fast runner and made its share of the Lubbock trips. Eventually when Texas began to do away with low-topped ambulances, the ’65 was replaced with a ’74 high-top Chevy van that was built by an ambulance builder in Duncanville, TX, and my friend still had it in service when he retired in the early ’80s.
Always loved vans and Coe pickups of this vintage. I’d do the inside up and brakes, steering etc. Then just luv and drive and tinker.
I love the clean sides but that could hinder its usability.
This would be a great little truck though.
Need something in a van? Slam on the brakes and it hits you in the back of the head!
I had a 69 handy van it had doors on the side but no windows I loved.it .I wish I had the room for this cuz I really want another one .This van is rare, and solid which is also rare up here on the east coast .Most of these vans if you can find one here are rusty ,and the parts are hard to find.A friend of mine has a 65 that is pretty sweet. But it still needs a few things to be finished . Parts that they just dont reproduce anymore.Ive got a few projects of my own that need to be finished up,then I can get serious about getting myself another one of these old chevy vans .
Very cool… I dig the look of the front end styling on these 90″ wheelbase models.. No one is paying $6000 for it however..
How hard is an engine swap? A little more power would really help the motivation of this van.
Not hard to swap in a bigger Chevy six at all… :-)
Had a 1967 window version of this and loved it. When the 6 started spitting water out the side of the motor, I built a 327 w/ 4 barrel Holley and side pipes. It bolted right up in the same engine mounts and I never touched the trans except to bolt it back up to the V8. The fan is too far from the radiator to do a lot of good so best bet is to opt for an electric fan.
I’ve often fantasized about getting another one some day. This looks to be a great candidate except for the lack of side doors. I’ve climbed over that (hot) engine cover many times but just don’t feature it at this stage of my life.
Six grand? Am I the only one that thinks that’s way optimistic? I might be out of touch – It wouldn’t be the first time. {8-))
BTW – the engine rides on a subframe cross member and drops out the bottom. Piece of cake if you have access to a lift, and not too bad even if you don’t. (I didn’t.)
I had a ’69 lwb window van with a 307. Drove it from LA to Florence, Oregon with my best friend & 2 dirt bikes. Went through all the scenic splendor of Cali and rode in places you can’t ride anymore. It’s an episode of my life I refer to as “Riding motorcycles into the sunset”. The van was reliable as a stone and surprisingly comfortable, especially after I relocated the armrests from the back seat onto the engine cover. I got incredibly creative and cut out vinyl letters to spell out “STAR TRUK” on the rear flanks. Just goofy sh**. Thank you Barnfinds for all the nostalgia.
I delivered parts in one of these years ago, there was just something strange about having the steering wheel in front of the wheels being steered, took some getting used to. Love the look.
Great little truck. It is not a $6000 one though.
These are actually more efficient use of space than current vans but safety, well that’s another issue. Neat van but not something I’d want to drive a whole lot. This is just one of those I can’t see spending a whole lot of money on but that’s what makes this hobby interesting — different strokes for different folks.
This was the only year the 153 four cylinder used in the chevy novas were available. The good thing about the flat windshield is if you need one and can’t find it, you can always have one cut.
I’d love to shoehorn in a LS3 and a modern 5 speed auto trans. I’m pretty sure I’d leave the exterior as is, including remounting the CB antenna as well. As far as under this skin goes, it’d have to be all modernized and restored to current level of safety and durability. A quick call to wilwood for a set of big disc brakes, and down to my local wheel guy for a set of retro slot inspired 17’s and modern rubber. The inside…..now that’s a tough call! Either a total 70’s revival, or a modern spin with leather and alcantara, or wood panel it with some nice modern buckets and just go,for the complete 70’s “kidnapper” look! Any way you look at it, this van is a beautiful solid blank canvas to some lucky dude to create his or her masterpiece!
i just got a 64 chevy van out of southern calif rust free uncutl bad motor just missing pass seat and two side emblems
Hello everybody this van was purchased by me and i had this van shipped from texas to Nova Scotia,Canada.I owned a 68 GMC no door van when i was 17-18 years old and i am now 63 years old, had a lot of good time and memories in it.Just had to have another one.Looking forward to doing something with this very dry rust free van
Tom
Hi Tom, Do you still have it. Do you want to sell it. It looks like it just needs a great cleaning, a dual master cylinder brake upgrade, some Chevrolet rally rimsm a paint job and a nice interior. I would love to have it to take to all the local car cruise nights and car shows.
sorry Cliff its not for sale
I had a 64 with no side doors. Dropped a built 250 in it with auto trans from 66 impala. Fast little van. Wish I still had it.