Shorty vans will always make for an interesting project, as they represent a segment of classic vehicles that hasn’t ever been duplicated. The short wheel base and frequency with which they were customized in any number of ways will keep vehicles like this 1978 Chevy G20 a fixture at any car show or swap meet for years to come, and this one is a nicely preserved barn find that is well on its way to becoming someone’s home on wheels. Find it here on eBay with no reserve.
Fender flares and wide wheels look good on practically any vehicle as this Chevy shows. Sure, it puts some added stress on the axles and you’ll probably chew through wheel bearings fairly regularly, but who cares? It’s a custom van from the 70s and it needs fat turbine wheels! The Chevy’s cosmetics are mostly fair; far from perfect but just right for using daily without worrying about door dings or scratches.
The front driver and passenger area look quite tidy, with none of the obvious funk going on that so many of these old-school vans suffer from. It actually looks quite clean and comfortable, likely due to no one living in it for the last several years. The seller mentions the van is a one-owner specimen that has been stored for 28 years with just under 50,000 original miles. The 350 V8 is said to run great, but the van will need “fluids changed and brakes adjusted.”
The Chevy is – to use a cliched phrase – a blank canvas. Really, as cool as the period-modified vans are, finding one that has the exterior style but leaves the inside untouched for the next owner is quite ideal. And if you’re worried about getting good traction with all the added weight of beds, sinks, stoves, and more, don’t – this G20 has a limited slip rear end. Style, affordability and usefulness make this one worth a look, or at least finding out what a folding sofa bed would cost.
As I mentioned on the previous van these big wheels with deep off sets are also hard on balljoints they put added leverage / load on the BJ’s they wear the bearings for the same reason added load do to a levering effect. If I could see up close I’d bet there is rust under those flairs so be prepared for some metal work and reinstallation of the flairs. Other than that this would be a great travel van. To short to be a practical camper van. I’d do up the walls add some side windows, a sofa bed across the back and 2 high back chairs in the middle. If you want to go camping pull a medium sized light weight holiday trailer behind it it should have plenty of power for that. Oh one last thing a 700r overdrive transmission would be a good idea too. The slower you run an engine the less fuel it needs mostly cruising flat highways.
Would like to buy a chevy shorty and just keep it right. Not decking it out. I miss those things. If you can get me pointed in the right direction much appreciated. Name is Dennis my email is dennisalan8887@gmail.com
Boogie Van. Shaggin Wagon. Lock up your daughters!
(Could use an armored amazon woman on a flying tiger mural)
A wizard.
Viking mural
A bad airbrushed knock off of a Boris Vallejo painting.
I gave a girl a ride in my wagon
She crawled in and took control
She was tired as her mind was a-draggin’
I said get some sleep and dream of rock’n’roll
‘Cause like a princess she was laying there
Moonlight dancing off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me
Her young face was like that of an angel
Her long legs were tanned and brown
Better keep your eyes on the road, son
Better slow this vehicle down
‘Cause like a princess she was laying there
Moonlight dancing off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me
I put her out in a town that was so small
You could throw a rock from end to end
A dirt road main street, she walked off in bare feet
It’s a shame I won’t be passin’ through again
‘Cause like a princess she was laying there
Moonlight dancing off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
We made love in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me
RIP Sammy Johns.
It’s a life I never got to experience, and am to old to enjoy now. But it would be nice for a day.