Chevrolet van
The Chevrolet and GMC G-series vans were made by General Motors for North America. They are in the same vehicle class as the discontinued Ford E series and Dodge Ram van.
The term Chevrolet van also refers to the entire series of vans sold by Chevrolet. The first model was released in 1961 as part of the Chevrolet Corvair line. The rear-engined Greenbrier Van was manufactured until 1965.
The front-engine vans in G10, G20, and its counterparts were introduced in 1964 and the model line evolved in two-generations until it was replaced in 1996 by the Chevrolet Express.
First generation (1964–1966)
The first General Motors van was the Chevrolet Corvair-based Chevrolet Greenbrier van, or Corvan introduced for 1961, which used a flat-6 opposed rear engine with air cooling, inspired by the Volkswagen bus. Production of the Chevrolet Greenbrier ended during the 1965 model year.First-generation Chevyvan refers to the first G-10 half-ton production years 1964 through 1966. General Motors saw a market for a compact van based on a modified passenger car platform to compete with the already successful Ford Econoline and Dodge A100. The 1964 Chevyvan had a cab forward design with the engine placed in a "doghouse" between and behind the front seats. The implementation of situating the driver on top of the front axle with the engine near the front wheels is called internationally a "cab over" vehicle. Engines and brakes were sourced from the Chevy II, a more conventional compact car than Chevrolet Corvair.
This model was also sold by GMC as "Handi-Van". The 1st Gen vans were available in only the short 90-inch wheelbase and were only sold with the standard 90 hp 153-cubic-inch straight-4 or Chevrolet Straight-6 engine. A first gen is identified by its single piece flat windshield glass. The first 1964 Chevyvan was originally marketed and sold as a panel van for purely utilitarian purposes. Windows were available as an option, but were simply cut into the sides from the factory. In 1965, Chevy added "Sportvan", which featured windows actually integrated into the body. GMC marketed their window van as "Handi-Bus". Air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes were not available in the 1st generation vans.
Updates
1964
The original "classic" flat windshield van. The 90 hp 153 cu in four-cylinder engine was standard equipment with optional 120 hp 194 cu in Chevrolet Straight-6 engine available. The straightforward construction and a boxy design was for hauling cargo, tools, and equipment around town. The base cargo model was the Chevyvan, available with or without windows and side cargo doors. Even the heater and right front passenger seat were optional.The Warner 3-speed manual transmission was standard with column shift. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was available as an option.
1965
For 1965, the van remained largely unchanged. The grille openings were widened, and received one additional slot just above the bumper to increase cooling. Seat belts were added.The 1965 model year introduced the Chevy Sportvan and GMC Handi-Bus. Sportvan was a passenger friendly van with windows molded into the van body. A retractable rear courtesy step for the passenger side doors was used on the Sportvan.
The 194 6-cylinder engine was now standard equipment, with an available 'Hi-Torque' 140 hp 230 cu in six-cylinder
1966
This was the last year of the flat glass front end on the Chevy Vans. Changes for 1966 include the addition of back-up lights, the side Chevyvan emblems were moved forward and now mounted on the front doors, and the antennae location was moved from the right side to the left side. The base model "Sportvan" now had two additional trim packages available: Sportvan Custom and Sportvan Deluxe. These featured available upgrades such as chrome bumpers, two tone paint, rear passenger seats, interior paneling, padded dash, chrome horn ring.Second generation (1967–1970)
In 1967, Chevy Van received a major facelift, including moving the headlights down to a new redesigned grille, larger, rectangular tail lights and a curved windshield. The forward control cab design was retained, but the doghouse was lengthened, widened and slightly relocated in order to fit an optional Chevrolet Small-Block engine. Engine cooling was improved with the addition of an optional larger cross-flow type radiator and a redesigned front that included a low-profile tunnel allowing more fresh air to the radiator. The 2nd gen vans were available in either the 90-inch or the longer 108-inch wheelbase. Power steering and "conventional" air conditioning were never available on the second-generation van.1967
The "second-generation" Chevy Van began with the 1967 model, with a whole new look to the van and offering a longer 108" wheelbase and V8 power to buyers for the first time. GM designers moved the headlights down to a new grille, added longer, rectangular tail lights and a rounded glass windshield. 1967 was the only early 2nd generation that did not have side marker lights. The forward control cab design was retained, but the doghouse was widened and lengthened in order to fit the optional V8 Chevrolet Small-Block engine. Engine cooling was improved with redesigned doghouse, the addition of a larger optional cross-flow type radiator and a redesigned front floor tunnel more fresh air to the radiator. The 2nd gen G-10 vans were available in the original short wheelbase or the new optional long wheelbase with 5 on 4&3/4" lug bolt pattern. Another feature in 1967 was the availability of a new G-20 heavy duty 3/4 ton van. The G-20 featured heavier suspension, a 12 bolt rear axle and increased hauling capability with a 6 lug bolt pattern. The G-20 model was available only on the 108 long wheelbase.For 1967, the 140 hp 230 cu in six-cylinder was now standard, with the optional 155 hp 250 cu in six-cylinder or the 175 hp, 283 cu in 2-barrel, V8. Brakes were now upgraded to a safer split system including a dual reservoir master cylinder.
1968
This was the first year that Chevy vans had side-marker lights, mandated by federal government regulations. The front lights were located towards the front in the middle of the front doors, while the rear marker lights were located about a foot inward of the very back edge just below the vertical middle of the van.The optional V-8 engine was upgraded from the 283 2-barrel to the larger, more powerful 307 2-barrel V8.
A column shift 4-speed transmission was now available as an option, and you could get power brakes on the G20 3/4 tons vans.
1969
For the 1969 model year, the 3-speed TH-350 Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission was an option."Body-integrated" air conditioning was an offered on the Sportvan models. This was not your typical AC setup with dash vents and controls, but rather a roof-mounted unit with a single blower duct that had adjustable louvers to direct air flow. The AC unit was independent from the cabin heater. It was operated by a single knob on a roof control panel that turned on the AC and allowed you to select the fan speed. With no actual temperature control, fan speed was the only way to adjust for desired comfort level.
Up front, the Chevrolet bowtie emblem changed in color from red to blue this year.
1970
1970 was the last year of the square styling, front drum brakes, and I-beam front axle. The 250 CID 6-cylinder was now standard equipment. In addition to the 307-2-barrel V-8, a 350-4-barrel V8 engine may have been available as an option for the first time in 1970. It is referenced in the owner's manual, but not mentioned in the dealer brochures. The 3-speed automatic and manual 4-speed column shift continued to be available as transmission options.Air conditioning may not have been available in 1970. It's not listed as an option in a detailed 12-page brochure, and unlike 1969, there is no mention of it in the owner's manual.
Third generation (1971–1996)
In 1971, Chevy Van received a major redesign, moving the engine forward of the driver with a short front clip and hood. Its UK-built counterpart, the Bedford CF, had a similar design and look, but with different specifications. The van was constructed of a solid frame and thicker floor pan steel. GM also employed stronger truck style hubs and brakes with dual A-arm independent front suspension. The major restyle followed the engine-forward design of the competing 1968 Ford Econoline. Suspension and steering parts came from the Chevrolet C/K. GMC now marketed their vans under the VanDura name, while the Chevrolet equivalent vans were now given a "G" designation.The 1964-70 G20s came with six-lug wheels, while the 1971–1995 generation came with the 5 lug - 5" bolt circle.
For the 1996 model year, the Chevrolet and GMC vans were replaced with the next-generation Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana with more aerodynamic styling. These vans were built on a stronger truck frame versus the previous generation's unibody construction. A left-side door was made available for the passenger van market.
Engines
The third generation GM van was fitted with a variety of engines over its lifetime. A 4.1L straight six was the base engine, this was replaced by the 4.3L V6 in 1985. The 4.3L initially used a four-barrel carburetor; this was updated to TBI fuel injection in 1987. 5.0L and 5.7L small block V8s were the mainstay engines, these were also updated to fuel injection in 1987. A 7.4-liter V8 was added in 1990, exclusive to the G30. The transmission choices were a three-speed manual, three-speed automatic, four-speed manual, or 4-speed automatic, depending on the model year. Chevrolet also offered, in 1982–1995, the Detroit Diesel V8 engine.Updates
1971
All new bodystyle was introduced this year, which continued until the end of the 1995 model year. The Vandura and sister Chevy Van replaced the earlier flat front end model. The GMCs were introduced in April 1970; interior components such as the steering column and steering wheel were sourced from the Chevrolet C/K pickups. The short wheelbase vans measured, while the long wheelbase was wheelbase. Clear blinker housings were used on early models, along with blue grille ornaments Chevrolet models.1973
For 1973, the dashboard was redesigned, steering wheel and side fender badges became similar to that used on the new for 1973 pickups and the Chevrolet bowtie grille emblem was changed from blue to yellow. In these 73-77 Chevy Van years you could order a custom van of your dreams, complete with shag carpet and side pipe exhaust from the comfort of the Chevrolet dealership, through a company called "Van-Tastic" owned by Hop Cap Inc. in Bremen, Indiana. During the same period, GMC offered cutaway versions called the MagnaVan, while Chevrolet offered a similar version called the "Hi-Cube Van." In 1975 the Chevy G20 series had a Surveyor line of class B motorhomes offered by Futura. The Surveyor came equipped with a bathroom, refrigerator, stove/oven, hot/cold sink and sleeping for four. The Surveyor is almost identical to the Open Road line of class B coaches offered by Chevrolet but the production numbers are significantly fewer.1978
The front sheet metal was updated. Changes include a new, built-out plastic grille with integrated blinkers, different fenders, round headlamps on lower-end models and square headlamps on higher-end models. The dashboard was redesigned and would remain mostly unchanged until the end of production in 1995. Front and rear bumpers were enlarged. Chrome grille required square headlamps.1980–1983
All 1980 vans were given new rear-view mirrors on the driver and passenger doors. Some models got electronic spark control.Chevrolet offers Bonaventure trim for 1981 and 82 with chrome bumpers, chrome side marker lights and trim around the tail lamps. Also, the only G-series vans that had chrome grille and round headlamps from the factory. Any other G van with a chrome grille from 1978-1982 required the rectangular headlamp option. For 1982, the locking steering column was introduced; the ignition switch, dimmer switch and wiper switch were relocated to the steering column.
After 1982, 3-speed manuals would be relocated to the floor and base models will no longer have round headlamps, which would make Manual Transmission 1982 G vans rare and collectable as 1982 was the only model year with column shift manual transmission and ignition switch on the steering column. Also, 1982 was the only year with the left rear glass as an option on one side only.
The 6.2-litre Diesel was first available and four headlamps, stacked in pairs, were introduced, along with a revised grille. Base models continued with two headlamps. All van models now had rectangular headlamps. From this model year on, tilt steering was available with a manual transmission, because the steering column was retilted to be similar to the C/K trucks and all manual transmission levers wee now on the floor. New steering wheels were introduced as well to be similar to the Monte Carlo/Malibu. Automatic overdrive was introduced. 4-speed manual 117M transmission was introduced. This version was made famous by the American television series The A-Team.
1984–1989
New swing-out side doors were introduced to go with the standard sliding side door. The doors were a 60/40 split. It was the final year for chrome trim side marker lamps and chrome trim around tail lamps options. For 1985, the taillight and side marker lenses were redesigned. New grille treatment similar to the pickups. Front doors were redesigned with raised body line. For 1986 and 1987, most engines were fuel-injected and a 4.3-liter V6 replaced the old 4.1-liter inline six 115 hp. A 6.2-litre Diesel engine was available in 165 hp. A carbureted 5.7-liter 152 hp V8 engine was also available in the 49-state version, with fuel injection for California-emission vehicles only. In 1989, a TBI 454 C.I. G30 was introduced.1990
Unlike the Dodge Ram Wagon and Ford Econoline vans, which had a welded-on body extension, a extended wheelbase was introduced. This was done to accommodate an extra bench seat, finally giving GM a 15-passenger van. GM was the last American automaker to produce such a van, with Dodge introducing the genre in 1971 and Ford joining them in 1978.1992–1995
In 1992, there was a facelift using the front grille from the former Chevrolet/GMC R/V-series pickups and SUVs, previously phased out of production in 1991.G30 models getting the 4L80E transmission as standard. The 4L80E/4L60E automatic transmission was introduced, replacing the TH400/TH700R4. Brake-shift interlock became a standard, new-for-1993 feature, which required the brake pedal to be depressed in order to shift from park. A 4-wheel antilock brake system was also a standard, new-for-1993 feature. For 1994, a driver's side airbag and center high mount stop lamp were made standard, as well as CFC-free refrigerant in models equipped with air conditioning. For 1995, a new longer nose and four-headlamp design was introduced, which became a popular school bus conversion. The engine was also revised, with the 4.3L V6, now labeled the "Vortec". Engine sizes remained about the same. Several versions of the van were available for purchase depending on the buyer's needs. The base trim was essentially a stripped down model, with no frills, a limited interior, and no rear seats. The "Sportvan" had all the features of a full conversion van, but lacked rear seats and a fiberglass roof extension. Finally, the "Conversion" models were sent from the factory bare-bones, to have the interior and exterior upgrades added by third-party companies such as "Mark III, Tiara, Coach, Starcraft, etc."