Curbside Find: 1979 Chevrolet Trans Van – #VanLife In The Late ’70s

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:

CC Capsule: 1978 Dodge Trans Van

Auto-Biography: 1977 Dodge Chinook 18 Plus (Concourse) – The Beginning and End of a 15 Year Love Affair  by PN