As you all know, I have a thing for vintage van campers. And the Trans Van was one of the more enduring ones, although I’m not sure of their production beginning and end dates. It was probably the most popular Chinook imitation, although it made a rather grievous error by omitting the Chinook’s raised center roof. Which means it’s great for really short people, and rather sucks for anyone else. But its graphics were the best of the era.
I found a Dodge version a few years back, and my post on it has become a popular destination for Trans Van enthusiasts. I speculated that it might have a 440, but the owner found this post and informed that it has the 400. I love it when owners find their cars and trucks here, and leave some details that otherwise we’d never know.
This one is sporting California plates, so it’s doing what it’s was designed to be doing: being on the road.
So is this rear tail light assembly borrowed form another vehicle? I rather assume so, as RV makers don’t invest in the tooling for this sort of thing. One of you will know; it looks familiar. Has a Pontiac vibe.
Pretty plush seat; and that “console” is pretty impressive. Makes my Chinook look spartan.
I couldn’t get a shot of the back, but here’s one from the web, of a ’79 Chevy TV. Very vintage, right down to the textured carpeting on the roof. But definitely not as practical as the Chinook, with its low roof and no upper cabinets.
The galley and head is in the rear, but how one cooks without standing up properly is a bit of a question.
I’m guessing this one is from 1979 or thereabouts. It may not have put the emphasis on practicality, but its graphics were decidedly snappier than the Chinooks. It’s all a matter of priorities.
You just sent me back to my childhood. We had a Dodge one (not sure of the year) but it had graphics like the Chevy’s. Many a family outing in it, including camping at Disney World. Thanks for the memories.
Those look like late -70s to early 80’s B-body Pontiac tail lights.
The rear lights seem to be taken from a mid-70s Pontiac Catalina.
Taillights with “a Pontiac vibe” – I see what you did there.
That roof height for a camper is hard to understand. Camping for sedentary people, I guess. It would have been a really comfy family travel van, though.
Pontiac Catalina tail lights! Cool.
These bring back memories! Yes, those are Pontiac taillights, in keeping with the “Trans” van name.
Is Febreeze made in 5 gallon containers? I think that and a deck sprayer would go along way.
I used to see these everywhere, but time has taken its toll. I still see a lot of the GM motor homes of this era though – quite the fan base I have heard.
they look like pontiac parisianne tail lights from back in the day. 78 maybe.
I’m sure it’s hard for the younger here to quite comprehend how cool these were compared to other RVs. It was to the traditional Winnebago what a Camaro is to a Caprice. And, those graphics pretty much sum up the 80s.
And who else had this Trans Van inspired Hot Wheel?
I did! First thing I thought of…that it didn’t look anything like the real thing.
I thought I had a bit different one too with that name, but I can’t remember clearly.
Weird that Champion developed the predominantly blue interior but didn’t bother ordering the chassis with a blue instead of brown dash to go with it.
FWIU the Dodge chassis was Champion’s first choice, but a shortage sometime in the late ’70s led to the Chevy chassis as an alternative which allowed continued production after Chrysler dropped the cutaway chassis in the early ’80s.
The embedded “Curbside Clue”: 1977 Pontiac Bonneville taillights.
I won’t include a picture, per the rules with Curbside Clues.
Close, but no cigar. ’77 Bonneville tail lights have an eggcrate-style lens cover, and is longer. This one is from the ’78 Catalina
The Southwestern Palette was everywhere.
More “Southwestern Palette” but on a much larger vehicle.
This is a “tribute” livery on an American Airlines B-737-800, one of a series commemorating the heritage companies that were acquired and merged into the company. AirCal was acquired by American in 1987.
Love it!
A used car lot near me has a dodge version for sale.
These days, I don’t think it would be politically correct for a manufacturer to label anything a “Trans Van!”
Tail lights are from a 1978 Pontiac Catalina
1979 Catalina had only 4 horizontal strakes
There was a time period in the 70’s-early 80’s when I had a real desire to own one of these. I think my first encounter with a Trans Van was a new-vehicle display at the Lima Mall in Lima, OH.
Even now, I think they’re cool, although I know I can’t stand up straight in one.
Earlier in the 70’s, my dad came VERY close to buying a Discoverer. I still think these are cool too!
You are missing the point of the Transvan. It was designed more as a better traveling alternative than a conversion van. It’s layout is focused on making it a touring van to provide facilities enroute to your destination and not to go camping in the traditional sense of a couple of nights in the woods or a campground with the days spent fishing, hiking, ect. This is for going to see aunt Mable 7 states away or the true Family Truckster to take the kids to Walley World.
No I’m not missing the point. I got it, a long time ago.
Guess what: the uses you described are precisely how the great majority of Chinooks were used. In Texas, they were even popular as a mommy-mobile, as the kids could make snacks, watch tv, go to the bathroom, etc. Chinooks, and the great majority of these type of rigs are used these ways.
But the Chinook (and some others) have a raised center section in the roof, which does allow easier walk through and stand-up cooking. But the Trans Van probably fits in many garages, which the higher roof versions probbaly don’t. To each their own.
Hey Paul, you’d have to cook on your knees 😂
Those things were all over, and I too remember the low roof was one of Trans Van’s selling points. Less wind resistance, might fit in your garage, less low bridge/overpass/tree branch anxiety, and other somewhat dubious points. Probably fit through a Jack-In-The-Box drive-thru too. As I remember about 70% were on Dodge chassis, the rest Chevy. Never saw one on a Ford. Surprised the Dodge pictured had a 400 in it, the Trans Van was light enough a 360 would haul it around with ease.
I enjoy trying to figure out the source of headlamps and taillights on RVs, shuttle buses and the like. Amazingly creative in some cases. Saw an RV yesterday with circa 2000-2004 Cadillac DeVille headlamps.
How much interior space did these guys really gain instead of just dressing-out a normal van body?
At least here in Southern California, the entire fleet of UPS trucks are fitted with Alero headlamps. I don’t know who manufactures the bodies or chassis but they look ghastly… long peanut shaped lights on a large box-shaped front. I suppose those were the cheapest reproduction units they could find off the shelf that combined all the lighting features necessary.
I had a 1978 Dodge version as a project vehicle. I liked it, it had a 318 and would get 17 miles per gallon on the highway. My wife made me sell it and buy something she could stand up in after a few camping trips, though.
By the way, there was a 2’x’2 area just inside the door (and behind the rear axle) where the floor was dropped down enough so a normal-sized person could stand up.
Hello, I am the owner of the Blue Chevy Transvan pictured he in the article. It came from California and is now in upstate NY. I have gone thru it Mechanically. I did pull out the carpet on the floor of camper and put in new floor, but all of the other shag carpet is still in good condition.
Great article.
rocking a 78 Trans here in OKC area… mine is in very good shape for its age. Originally came from Northern Cali.
Love the thing, gets so much attention taking it on day missions across the state.
some very useful info in here, like Pontiac taillights, never knew!! actually need a replacement one currently.
anyone have any still on the road here in the Midwest area???
shoot me an email:
78Transvan@gmail.com
I just bought a 83 on a Chevy G30 frame with duly’s 72K miles runs strong. Replacing all running gear front end , breaks, shocks. I’m 5’7” and walk around fine can stand up straight. Although mine has a glass raised roof and a spoiler on the back. We pull an older horse trailer with my HD and gen . We love it, drive to where we want set up a base camp and ride
Lots of comments on the low headroom. What is the floor to ceiling height in the galley, which has the lowered floor? I know the roof has a curve to it. Highest and lowest points?
If I remember correctly, the fresh water capacity was pretty small, so not very practical as an RV, but then again that galley was tiny as well.
While I still think these are cool, I think the best use would be for a long road trip. Limited stops for the restroom, since you have one on board, and a galley useful enough for snacks or simple meals while on the road.
The measurement from the floor to the raised roof is 66″. The measurement from the dropped floor in the rear to it’s roof is approximately 73″ . I have had the drop replaced with a welded “box” to the frame.
Recently got this ’80 model. The only one like this I’ve seen with the raised roof. Absolutely love the thing!
Funny isnt it , you never see these until you buy one an then a few come out of the wood work. I got mine last july 2019 never saw one befor it is an 83 with a Chev 350 and a torbo 400. Updating the insides no my liking . I’m 5’7″ and can stand up just fine in sides. Love her and have great plans for play places