Some of you may recall a story from last year involving the actual van this knock-off is based on. It generated a ton of comments and for background, you can check it out here. The Wild Cherry van is synonymous with both vanning culture and cult films of the 70s that celebrated the automotive lifestyle (and everything that came with it), and after the original van was stolen and restored, it was later vandalized and dumped as a stripped carcass on the side of the road in California. This 1977 GMC Vandura is clearly done as a homage of sorts, but it will never be the real thing – fortunately, there’s still a very nice specimen underneath the custom graphics and paint. Find it here on eBay where bidding is just over $3K with no reserve.
The seller doesn’t disclose when the graphics were applied, or if he was the one to make this Vandura into a copycat of the original. It doesn’t matter much, but it is interesting to consider whether this was whipped up when the original Wild Cherry met its unfortunate demise. The Vandura looks to have incredibly straight panels with period Cragar wheels, and while it has been sitting for some time, it’s said to start right up. The six-cylinder engine is the matching unit, and it’s a rare manual transmission example. Not necessarily much fun to drive, but definitely novel for a vehicle that is almost always equipped with an automatic transmission. Personally, I’d lose the Wild Cherry graphics and lower it a bit – and be done.
The interior is in nice condition, with lots of period “vanning” details that were all the rage back in the day. The dash mat, the wall-to-wall carpeting – these are all must-have details if you’re going to adopt the vanning lifestyle. The seller notes the interior was freshened up with new carpeting at some point, but hasn’t been used much – which is a very good thing if you’re considering buying a vehicle that the previous owner could have very well lived in. Door panels look to be in nice shape, but if you’re looking for some tunes, you’ll have to allocate for a new radio as the dash is without one at the moment. The manual transmission is a rarity, and while I can’t say whether it’s much fun to drive, it definitely makes this Vandura a stand-out in other ways than just the paint job.
The new carpeting out back isn’t necessarily luxurious, but the good news (to me, at least) is that this is still a blank canvas of sorts. There’s plenty of room for a bed, some storage, a mini-fridge – you get the idea. On top of that, this Vandura is a model that left the factory without any side windows or even a porthole, and makes for a very private interior if you’re into that sort of thing. I don’t think I’d use this one as a full-out rolling lounge if it were mine – the short wheelbase, manual transmission, and window-less sides speaks to me as more of a track support vehicle or mild performance build. Lower it, fit some more aggressive wheels/rubber, and maybe drop in a V8 but keep the manual, then add a side-exit exhaust. Would you modify this Wild Cherry replica or leave it as-is?
I wouldn’t go near any Wild Cherry clone. Due to the actions of the con artist that stole the original one the name is tainted. Better to buy a real one from that era.
Steve R
Better yet…get a 1975 Dodge Tradesman and recreate Uncle Rico’s van(the real one is available to rent…$125/hr)
I would get rid of the faux fur and drop in a LS/4L60E combo and enjoy the ride! I’d keep the Wild Cherry logo cause of its notoriety.
Calling Gus Grissom….bring the UV light
I REALLY wish that people would stop with the UV light comments on vans! I also REALLY wish that people would stop bringing up that STUPID movie about every station wagon that shows up here!
Who in their right mind would want to re-create that sad story on wheels?
Who wants to even remember it?
Someone who had a van and wanted to make a quick sale based on negative headlines.
The buyer will not have much to boast about.
Looks like a solid van. Shame the seller couldn’t spring for some more photos and bend down and get some underside shots, and pull the doghouse and get some engine shots. Everyone has a damn phone in their pocket and can’t be bothered to use it.
I’d quickly lose the Wild Cherry graphics and whatever it is that’s living on the dash and migrated to the margins of the roof and back doors, then turn it into a camping/kayaking support vehicle. Adding two more cylinders would probably be on the agenda at some point, too.
Wild Cherry graphics are the worst thing about it. Other than that, entire van looks like it was just thrown together. Doors fit poorly, average paint, cheap newer carpet, lame and ugly white fur. Modification to the grille looks horrible and ruined it.
Another “wild cherry” van in the movie GAS filmed in 1981 with Howie Mandel and Donald Sutherland using a mid 70’s dodge van.
Tan and beige do not go with wild cherry. Needs to be done in wild cherry velour or something equally disco-sexy. I suppose someone wanted to create a tribute to a movie van that they liked irregardless of the sad, twisted history of the original. Half measures don’t make it. Go big or go home!
To be reasonable about it I happen to like the idea of a 6 banger, 3 on the tree, short wheel-base candy-apple red van with Cragars. I would remove the name and gut that interior. Red velour or lots of diamond quilt black naugahyde. Genuine humanely harvested naugahyde.
I bet that old heifer tries to claim this one too!
Paolo’s got the right idea. Doors fit poorly? LOL! Stick to your Rustangs and hole filled Mopars so you don’t crash the van party with your resto tips. Mid 70’s vans in this condition are hard to come by. Van Nationals is getting bigger every year. 51 bids tells you all you need to know. This is a nice starting canvas for someone to go all out. I would definitely jump if it was a bit closer. Good luck to the new owner make us van guys proud!
Sorry, trying to pass of a poorly done wanna-be replica doesn’t work for most! As for your comment “don’t crash the van party with your resto tips”, isn’t that what Paolo is giving?? Gotta love the guy that appreciates poor body and paint, and overall shoddy workmanship, and then tops it off with a silly “LOL”!
My humor obviously fell flat. I was agreeing with Paolo. The poor hung door comment is not his and doesn’t really matter to someone with my skills that can fix that in an hour and probably everything else on it in a weekend. Everybody knows about the vans history and that’s not the appeal for me. The van itself looks clean, fun with a 3 on the tree and a bit rare and offers an opportunity for those who may want to turn it into something better.
If I had this just for $h!ts and giggles I’d put the words “ not the “ just above the wild cherry logo. I like the colour but I too would gut out the interior and start over.
Where’s the story about the original Wild Cherry being vandalized, stripped and abandoned? Not that I agree with the guy from Illinois, or wherever, taking/restoring it without the owners consent, but, it had to be better then that!