Back in the day, finding a van like this 1973 Chevrolet G10 usually meant that it was equipped with a rear bumper sticker that read, “If this van’s a-rockin’, don’t…” well you can fill in the rest of the rather crude diddy but they were observed with surprising consistency. Actually, this van appears a bit nicer than most of the hippy havens on wheels that I remember from way back so let’s see how duded-up, or not, this barn find is. It is located in Rome, New York and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,300, reserve not yet met.
It is said that this van was part of Ritchie Evans’ entourage. I’ll admit, I had no idea who Ritchie Evans is or was, and a brief description would have been helpful for those of us who don’t cover or follow auto racing. Anyway, Evans raced modifieds and was killed in a crash at Martinsville, VA in 1985. This van has been sitting in a dry garage for the last 30 years and the current owner has been using it to haul his band equipment around. Now that’s something that I know a bit about and this van is probably better suited to that endeavor than the ’50s vintage IH Metro Merita Bread truck that a punk rock group that I used to manage employed – but I digress…
The body, chrome, and trim of this 72K mile example still present well – the paint not so much so. There is surface rust in places that is doing a bleed-down on the sides. It doesn’t look like a Liberian tanker, yet, but the finish is going to need some help before too long. And speaking of the finish, I see black even though the ’73 Chevrolet sales brochure does not include black as a color option. Regardless of paint color or condition, the body panels are nice and straight. Upon discovery, this van was outfitted with what looks like Ansen Sprint wheels though they have been swapped out for ubiquitous Chevrolet Rally wheels – I’d have stayed with the Ansens, just a subjective preference. I do question if those side pipes are connected, the inside of the driver’s side exit looks too clean.
Power is listed as a 350 CI V8 (no image provided) spinning a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission, which is then connected to a twelve bolt rear axle. Note, the truck twelve bolt is a completely different animal than the car twelve-bolt, the differential that everyone who is doing restoration or hot-rodding these days is trying to find – parts don’t interchange. Lots of improvements have been performed as it is stated, “everything is brand new, gas tank, sending unit, every bearing, bushing, seal, rear end gears“. This van is claimed to need, “absolutely nothing at all.. Runs/Drives Perfect..Every gauge works, every light works. Any removable part is new except for the paint“.
Inside screams the ’70s with its diamond-tufted upholstery and overstuffed, velour-looking seats. It was a matter of taste years ago and I guess, still is. It all appears to be in nice shape and all of the gauges and lights are claimed to be in working order.
No lollapalooza going on in the back, just a gutted, but clean environment ready for Marshall amps, Gibson (or Fender) guitars, and Gretch drums. It would be interesting to know if the cargo area was ever outfitted for some other, or a specific purpose.
Vans like this Chevy take me back in time, just as certain cars do. These lighter capacity versions, half-ton in this case, are disappearing the way full-size, two-door hardtop passenger cars have. As to what to do with it, I’d leave it as is and use it to haul “stuff” around, though I’d consider a repaint, more out of necessity than desire. How about you, what would you do with it?
Where are all the side pipes coming from? There been a throwback in styling that I was unaware of. Like the Van though.
Ya, I’dave kept the slots too, not to say that deep (8″) vette rallys arent cool…
I really like this van,& if I bought it,would have it repainted
the same color & put on the stock wheels with white hubcaps.
I also think these look cool without windows in the rear doors.
Is it just me, or do the pictures look like someone took a picture of a computer screen.
Gibson and Marshall is the correct combination. I could make a gratuitous joke about Fender and Peavy, but I won’t.
Peavey amps, because who cares about tone lol. I’d rather run through a Line 6.
1. It looks too clean on the inside. Like they cleaned out a crime scene…
2. Say what you will about Peavy, but the man said something profound, and I’m paraphrasing here, but it was along the lines of “people want to believe in magic. They want to think that there’s some hermit somewhere winding pickups, or that the wood was dipped in mystical swamp water before the guitar was made.” He’s 100% right. My only beefs with Peavy were that they were too heavy, the covering on the amps was too scratchy, and the logo was too “metal”.
I remember seeing Richie Evan’s race when I was younger
I know it’s a Chevy, not GMC, but any black 80’s GM cargo van screams A Team. I wouldn’t be able to resist a fresh coat of black paint, black-out grill, brush guard, red stripe with red turbine wheels. I love it when a plan comes together!
I’m looking for a 1972-1977 Chevy or GMC 20 series short van preferably without any windows, anyone out there with info. please respond, Thanks.
Peavey amps? Sorry but for all you sound connoisseurs, I disagree. This company has made some great products over the years, dependable, very reasonably priced and reasonably good sound including the one pictured here, purchased new by me in the late 70s and only recently sold, in full working order. And while you are at it, try pricing the Original T-60 guitars. They have become very collectable.
😯I might have to have a cadaver dog go through that thing before buying it. 😂
Besides the first bumper sticker would be a peace sign sticker next to it
The “A” Team!