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Shorty Camel Van: 1979 Chevrolet G-10

Short wheelbase Chevy vans continue to find new homes on major selling sites with relative ease, as the looks and the period-cool style is hard to resist. The vans themselves may be nothing particularly special, but given how most seem to be the longer wheelbase models better fit for contractors and the trades, these short wheelbase models are the ones to buy if you’re in the market for a cheap collector vehicle you can actually use. This 1979 Chevrolet G10 has under 80,000 original miles and wears awesome period-correct “Camel” paint with sharp rally wheels and the rare porthole delete option. Find it here on eBay with bidding to $7,600 and the reserve unmet.

The body obviously isn’t perfect, and the paint looks a bit cloudy in places. However, I just like the fact that this is a fairly unusual color for a work van and one that we hardly ever see a G10 or G20 wearing. The van sports chrome bumpers that look to be in good shape, and fairly straight lines and trim going down the sides. It looks like there’s an errant dent or two in the body, but nothing a dent repair specialist couldn’t sort out. While “porthole delete” wasn’t really on the Chevy options list, we still tend to see more vans than not with the additional windows pop up for sale, and G10s like this offer the maximum amount of privacy should you want to create a living space in the back quarters.

The interior is in amazing shape, as having 73,934 miles still leaves plenty of time for the upholstery to be ripped and carpets to be soiled. Not here, and the dash and surrounding trim and plastics remain in incredible condition. The door panels are custom, with a sort of “Pacific Rainforest” vibe to them, and they look quite sharp. That paneling appears to continue to the back cargo area, but no photos are included of the space most van enthusiasts are most interested in for converting to a living space. It’s a surprise, too, since the interior really does look like the G10’s best feature in terms of surviving to a high standard.

The seller notes the Chevy is no stranger to long drives and is quite reliable, helped by a heaping of recent parts and services. In addition to the new door panels (seen here), other new parts include tires, heater core, Edelbrock carburetor, belts, exhaust, shocks, and more. If the dents were pulled up and the paint buffed out, this G10 would look even sharper than it already does, and the next owner won’t have much to sort out mechanically based on that list of improvements. Short wheelbase G10s and C10s are always smart buys if in good shape, and this one has extra eyeball appeal thanks to the unusual colors. Would you convert the interior to open-road-friendly living quarters?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mitchell Gildea Member

    Three Words: Just Drive It

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Daniel wright

    Needs a mural of a naked warrior woman riding a dragon…maybe a disco ball and do up the interior in purple shag…

    Like 8
    • Avatar Jon

      Shaggin Wagon
      Needs some fat meat tires
      And craters, get the stance right. I agree with the murals,
      Fender flares,take it back to the ’70’s big bed mirrors carpet stereo and CB. Beer fridge

      Like 2
  3. Avatar jwzg

    Free puppies

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Sherminator

    Nice enough for a motivational speaker to live in…down by the river.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar Mark

    Looks like something the bad guys would drive in chips/kojak/tj hooker/Rockford files etc lol.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Rosco

    Good looking van and price seems pretty reasonable….so far. I do disagree with the author’s comment of “these short wheelbase models are the ones to buy if you’re in the market for a cheap collector vehicle you can actually use”. The longer wheel base models are easier to find, more affordable, and there isn’t a huge difference in the overall length. Not quite as desirable, but still a lot of interest in them and they are very usable.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Johnmloghry

    Yeah, I went down that road back in the mid 80’s. The one I had was a Dodge short wheel base. 318 automatic. It was given to me minus the engine. I rounded up necessary engine and missing throttle linkage and got it back on the road. I had a 2200 Honda generator lights and tools in the back and drove highway 41 between Miami and Naples Florida helping people who broke down on the weekends. Amazing how many I would find who were very happy to see me. I worked as a mechanic M-F at a shop in Hialeah Gardens and lived in a shack on the old loop road in the Everglades. Very independent and fun life. Life has cycles and that was a good time for me.
    God bless America

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Mark

    I’ve said this before….in the future the Astros and Safari’s are going to be in demand just as these because the days of the van are gone….

    Like 2

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