I inherited my grandfather’s van. Over the years I have been a collector of various classic cars and boats but have never owned a van. I never got the opportunity to meet my grandfather, he passed away before I was born. He bought this van new in the late 70’s and did all the costume interior work himself. He passed in 1980 and it has been in storage ever since.. Currently siting at my aunt’s house. When the time is right ill bring the old girl home and do all that’s necessary to bring this old motor back to life after sitting for so many years. The goal is to get it back on the road, cleaned up, and take it to shows. I also have a vintage jet boat of the same year and this will be its new tow rig. Pictures are of it in its current state. Going to need a lot of love! Thanks for letting me share.

 

That's fantastic. The only change I would make is installing period correct wheels.

 

The interior is amazing.

 

Very cool van! What engine and transmission does it have? It looks like it's in great shape!

It reminds me of my old 1978 E100 shorty I use to own. Mine had the same bubble windows. Mine was red with black and silver stripes. And had the old style turbine mags and a little grille guard. It had a 351W with a 3spd/OD ( 4spd ) manual transmission.

 

Thanks everyone! I have only seen it long enough to take those quick photos for the van was not the purpose of the visit. I don't know what engine or transmission it has but will find out soon. Hopefully I'll grab it in a week or two of things work out. I really want to out side pipes on it but part of me is torn because it's not how my grandfather had it.

 

Let us know when find out more info on it. And post more pictures!

From what I can tell from the interior pictures ( shifter on the column ) . It looks like the transmission is either a C6 automatic or a 3 on the tree ( 3.03 3spd manual transmission with column shift ) .

I can understand wanting to keep it the way your grandfather had it. But it is your van now too. So it's ok to make it your own. Add some of your flavor/taste to it. And the exhaust system can be easily changed back. So if you decide you want to change it back to the way it was, you can.

If it was mine I would also change the wheels. The ones that are on it really scream the 90's instead of the 70's. Some aluminum slots, turbines, Cragar SS's or Keystone Klassic's or even steelies with dog dish hub caps would all be a little more fitting to the era of the van. And like the exhaust, the wheels are easy to change and change back if you want to.

Anyways you've got a great van there! And I think your grandfather would be proud to see you get it put back on the road.

 

Sidepipes look cool but are a nightmare, they are chrome not stainless steel, so they rust away rather fast, and they are extremely loud, I have a hatred for chrome as it requires constant attention when it gets damp, I got tired of having to get out the turtlewax chrome polish, my hands cramp thinking about it. FYI the steel with baby moon caps, they don't make them thick like they used to, installing them you'll wind up denting them, I pushed on by hand, my thumbs left places, go for an aluminum rim and avoid chrome, the bead lip traps water, will surface rust the second they get damp from so much as a heavy frost.
That interior looks amazing, get all that junk out of it, hope it's not damaged it inside like leaving dents in the vinyl, will be either a 302, 351, or the 300 I6, hopefully a fluid change and fresh gas will get it started, be careful with the fuel tank, it could be trashed due to what was left in it, may require dropping to flush it out.

 

Will have either the 300 I-6 or 351W .. 302 not available until 1979.

 

WOW that interior!!!!!! I'm in Love! Gotta keep that porne red padded vinyl!

Needs better wheels tho, like turbines or factory slotted mags.

 

Nice Van