This 1974 Chevy G20 van supposedly sat in a garage for more than 10 years before being exhumed, and while not perfect, it’s running fairly well for being left to stand for a decade. The seller notes a few watch areas, both cosmetically and mechanically, but this otherwise a running/driving project you can use while it’s restored. Find it here on eBay with a $4,859 Buy-It-Now.
Love the Budweiser shift knob. The seller notes the G20 is equipped with a manual 3-speed column shift, paired to a 350 that runs and drives. Some improvements have been made to make it driveable, and the seller notes the engine turns back solid compression numbers. In his time with the van, the original Quadrajet manifold and carburetor has been swapped out for a 1962 square-bore 4V manifold and Carter 625 AFB carburetor.
The front swivel seats appear to be in nice shape, as the seller had them reupholstered. He does note that the rear cargo space is covered primarily in wood grain vinyl or painted, but that it does need some work: “The rest of the interior plywood is either covered in wood grain vinyl or painted. The interior is very usable, but not the best. I would use what is there for patterns and redo it.” Frankly, I would just go full-70s and outfit it with the requisite couch and mini-bar, and some curtains if you’re going to be needing privacy. There’s lot of glass to cover!
The flaws seem pretty manageable, maybe even the kind of items you could address over a few weekends: there are some holes in the exhaust system and it all should be replaced; the weather-stripping and window channels are tired and need replacing; the side markers/reflectors are starting to crack in places; and finally, the gas pedal is missing. All in all, not too much heavy-lifting for a cool, period “shorty” van.
That has a lot of needs for that price.
A buddy in school had a dark blue one of these. It was a 350 with the 3 on the tree.
The clutch was so hard to push in, the whole bracket bent towards the left so the brake pedal would scrape on the column and stay down.
It just became a habit to lift up the brake pedal with his foot when he wanted to go.
I do remember, I know urban myth, that we were racing on Van Nuys Blvd, back when you could, and the van lifted the front wheels off the ground enough to see it when he popped the clutch.
That van was a lot of fun and it is definitely on the wish list, but in an automatic.
@ miguel
I use to cruise van nuys bl also.
You can email me at racefanwfo@hotmail.com.
I would love to have it to convert it into a two person “day camper” with a bed and minimum of fluff…
It appears that this “shorty” has had one repaint. The SPID label lists the color as beige. The metallic brown is a good upgrade, imo, but I wonder if there is any hidden body work lurking underneath…
I never knew these vans had the CAR bolt pattern (?) Can anyone verify?
Also, it appears that although a Carter square bore carb has been swapped on, the intake IS NOT a 1962 intake, which is determined by the lack of the oil filler tube in the front, and the fact that there is a square flange to spread bore adapter present under the carb. I would bet it still has the original intake. Personally, I would swap a q jet back on. The carter is a good carb, but you can’t beat the “WOOOOO!!!” when the big secondaries of the q jet open up!
😲have 72 shorty, no window’s very rare 3/4 ton😎
Already sold!