The seventies were the first golden age for vans; they were everywhere, although their use and function was typically a bit different than when we think of #VanLife nowadays. They were more of a car-substitute for a bit of weekend partying at the beach or lake than boondocking in a remote desert spot. For those that could afford it, genuine Class-C mini-motorhomes were also popular. But there was a niche in between that a few companies exploited, Chinook being a prime example.
Thee Trans Van was one of the more enduring ones, although I’m not sure of their production beginning and end dates. With its wider and taller rear body it offered more room inside than the regular conversion vans; in fact it was essentially a small motor home, like the popular Chinook. But it lacked the Chinook’s raised center roof, which means it’s great for really short people, and rather sucks for anyone else. But hey, 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: still being on the road.
So is this rear tail light assembly borrowed from 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 definite Pontiac vibe, although it doesn’t quite match up to a ’70s Catalina. Maybe it is unique.
Pretty plush seat; and that “console” is pretty impressive. Makes my old 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.
note: an updated version of an older post
Related CC reading:
Remarkably good shape ! .
-Nate
Somebody else can probably narrow it down more, but I think the taillight is from a circa 1979 Pontiac Bonneville. The black “metal” bits were originally chrome or argent silver, I believe.
Around 2002 I did some support work for a vintage Volvo race team. The owner/driver had a Trans Van as a tow rig and “mobile break room”. It was pretty good for that.
Saw a couple Chevy Chinook vans in Seattle a couple of years ago. Alas, it would appear they are now popular with the home-disadvantaged crowd…
That stripe and port window look like blatant rip-offs of those on the Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/pinto-day-finale-1977-78-cruising-wagon-the-most-desirable-pinto/
Taillights are 1979 Catalina parts. If they’d flipped them upside down and switched sides they could have integrated them into the coach bodywork much more smoothly and disguised the random parts bin appearance.
I remember seeing a number of Trans-Vans, and there was similar unit made by Brougham. I like the porthole window and stripes, it does convey a 70’s custom van vibe and makes the T-V look less like an R-V!
I’ll second Evan Reisner on the Bonneville taillights.
Yes the tail lights are Pontiac Catalina. I’ve seen many Dodge Trans vans, but this is the first Chevy. The Dodge mentioned would have only the 318 or 360, next step up the 440, I don’t think Dodge had a 400 that year. I’ll double check though.
Yes my mistake there was a 400 in the Dodge vans.
Yes, the 400 was available in Dodge pickups as well from ’72 to ’78. Rumor is a handful were built in ’79 too.
Wonder if it has the 454 big block??? I know trucks and vans(classified as trucks) didnt have near the same strigent emissions requirements as passenger cars. Especially when you got up into higher GVWR like dually chassis cab van. Just saying it probably had A LOT more horses under the hood than say a late 70s 425 Cadillac, 400 Pontiac Trans Am or 403 Olds 88.
Probably has a 350 or small block 400. GM didn’t start offering the 454 in the G vans until 1990 or so. It was a tight fit.
This looks like it was built by the Mobile Traveler company out of Junction City, Kanas.