Want to be on the cutting-edge of the Next Big Thing? Vans! No, not the cheesy '70s shagmobiles (although they seem to have a pretty strong following) but honest old haulers like this 1970 Chevrolet G10. A strong 383 stroker motor, a blue-collar vibe, and plenty of practicality make these old boxes on wheels lots of fun today and you certainly can't argue with the price! You remember these G10s being just about everywhere back in the... day, but when was the last time you saw one? The look is so familiar that your eyes just glide over it without registering any of the cool details, but there are plenty. Check out the way the leading edge of the hood trails down into a body line, the round headlights, and the fairly radical (for a van, anyway) windshield angle. When you're not busy working, this could be a pretty good looking truck! The primer gray paint obviously isn't original, but it's cool-looking and has plenty of character and somehow it just works. Leave it as-is, or coat it with a bright shade that fits your personality. From the weathered roof to the painted trim and bumpers, this is a look people are now paying painters big money to achieve with new paint jobs. Not that it makes it more valuable, but you can't argue that the look isn't very much in fashion right now. There's no critical rust, so the scuffs and surface scars can be worn proudly, not as if this is some rust-belt reject, and all the doors still fit well too. The interior is basic, no two-ways about it. The original seats are replaced by a set of comfortable captain's chairs upholstered in black vinyl, and it's a nice fit. Add a matching bench or two out back and you'll have something that really looks right. The upright steering column is still more bus than automobile, but that's the whole point, and the plain steel floors is how you get a job done with minimum fuss. The factory gauges were replaced with black-faced Auto Meter gauges that really look like they always belonged, and the Lokar shifter jutting out from the floorboard is an easy reach away for the driver, and it capably manages the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission below. It's a stripped down interior, there's no escaping that, but the canvas is blank and ready for updates or can be used as it sits with plenty of cargo room for all your needs. Although you can't see it without sitting inside the cab, there's plenty of power on tap from a 383 cubic inch stroker V8 tucked under the "dog house" between the seats. With a 2-barrel carburetor, HEI ignition, and aluminum radiator keeping it cool, it's reliable and plenty torquey to make the relatively lightweight G10 feel quick and there's enough muscle to pull a trailer or a van full of supplies, tools, or whatever you want. Not much point in talking about how it looks, since it's mostly buried, but you can see under the hood that there's Chevy orange paint on the block and valve covers, a black snorkel air cleaner to complete the look, and decent service access for the main stuff. This unique van also offers a TCI pan cover for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission, newer brakes, newer shocks, a newer gas tank, and a very solid underbody that shows no signs of ever being in the snow or salt. The dual exhaust system features chambered mufflers that provide a great, low-rumbled soundtrack, and the heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end is more than capable of handling the added horsepower of the upgraded engine. Primer-painted steel wheels carry 235/70/15 blackwall radials all around to finish the uniform look. Consider this a blank slate for something amazing, or just get in and get to work. At this price, whatever you want to do seems like a smart idea and you can be on the leading edge of a van renaissance. Call today!
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