The first generation ChevyVan does have a few things in common with that Honey Bucket, starting with the fact that they’re both shitboxes. Ok, I can think of some other things too. But one thing it doesn’t have in common is the number of holes. Honey Buckets are pretty exclusively singles. But the ChevyVan came either as four-holer or six-holer. Yup, the little Chevy II 153 CID (2.5 L) four was available in these, but I wonder what the take rate was. And if any still exist.
The ChevyVan appeared in 1964 as a rude and crude replacement for the very different Corvair Greenbrier/Corvan. Strictly speaking, there was a bit of overlap with the Corvair vans, but the writing was on the wall (as it was with the Corvair). The ChevyVan was in the Ford Econoline mold, meaning a tinny unibody box with the engine between the seats in its box, and with primitive cart axles on both ends suspended by leaf springs. And GM had the gall to call the passenger version “SportsVan”. Yup, real sporty indeed, especially with the 90 hp four. I’m surprised there wasn’t an SS version. ActuallyMike posted this at the Cohort, so we can assume it was in the Seattle area. And we’ll also assume it has a six; either the 194 or 230.
Oh, feel the love. Why is it, all the vehicles I’m drawn to, bring out the profanity-laced graffito-artist in Paul?
Okay…must have been those drugs in my younger days; or how my big brother dropped me on my head so often. But I’m drawn to that thing; and to put a Chevy II four in it…PERFECT!
Of course it would be no freeway runner. But that era of van never was; as aerodynamic as a brick (literally!); too light; no driver protection. But having had a few flat-front vans; and having learned to drive a bus on a GMC New-Look fishbowl…the place I like to sit, is right up front.
A Chevy II four would make it the perfect in-town gofer car. I was never wild about the styling of the Gen1; the lower headlights make the later models easier on the eye. But there are compensations, chief of which: that flat-glass windshield can be replaced anywhere. Try that with the blown-bubble windshield of the Gen2.
Put this in the LIKE category for me.
You got to drive a fishbowl bus? I’m jealous 🙂
As much as Cheverolet was known for its styling back then, this is amazingly bland. The Dodge has those huge headlight surrounds, and the Ford has its unique teardrop grilles around the lights. This is just – uh – like a Port-O-Let (now that you mention it).
I have seen one of these running around here, but it has not sat still long enough for a picture.
I would say it was a rush job. Just as the Corvair was going to lock up the compact/VW market with flash and gee-whiz technology, so, too, was the Greenbriar going to eat Econolines for lunch.
The Chevy II was a hurry-up, once the McNamara model was shown more correct. Likewise, the (then unnamed) Nova-based van was probably off-budget, and likely penned on a Friday afternoon against a close-of-business deadline. It was only later that actual aesthetics could be considered.
I remember seeing one of these at Super Chevy Sunday in Memphis a long time ago. The reason that one was etched into my memory was because it had a Toronado engine and transaxle right in the middle of it. I had the feeling the guy had put together too many models as a kid.
I think If I where around back then I would have ordered it with the four. I think my life would have been a much more relaxed one If I where around back then. Not hippy relaxed but still more relaxed than current me. If I could find one now I think Id still have it with a four maybe a ecotec 2.0 turbo just to have a bit of umphh and of course to be different.
I always liked these, my dad had a facelift model that I don’t remember as a runner but I remember playing in the cab area of as a 4-5 year old (the tires were flat so no risk of it running away with me!)
@JustPassinThru: this one’s two-tone does its’ face no favors. It looks its’ best in non-white (dad’s was light green, it seems like most were that or light blue) with the headlight doors and grille area picked out in white with black on the low ridges for a full-width grille effect. That’s not necessarily how GM did it, though, it must’ve varied year to year.
Yes it seems that it would look a lot better if the low areas of the grille were painted black.
My beloved Dodge A-series was even uglier, but this thing is homely. We had a Dodge “Sportsman” as well as the cargo version. Split windshields went out a decade earlier. Didnt the original Isuzu Trooper have flat glass like this Chevy?
As for the four, it would still outrun a VW at the time.
1st Gen Trooper had all flat glass including the windshield. I had one for quite a while and it stood up so straight and flat that rocks would always crack it instead of grazing off of it. Had that trooper windshield replaced two times in 6 years.
Stationed with a guy that had this with the six. Still put Mr Exxons kid thru college. The mileage I got with my Nova made me gag at his 12-14mpg. I love the looks of the flat face van but unless he was a total aberration I think I have to go with another brand.
Open pit privies are a little before my time. To me, a four holer is a top of the line used Buick.
Yup four hole’r means top of the line Buick to me too.
Isn’t anyone else noticing the juxtaposition of the red subie behind it? I don;t even know where to begin. color, utility, blandness. similarities of purpose, and they are like a matching set.
They coulda just Americanized the CA Bedford but it was probably too small, same blindman styled the N series ford.
As an equal opportunity buyer, I have owned a so-called “doghouse” van from each of the big three manufacturers. A 61 Econoline in blue, a ’66 Dodge A-100 short wheelbase in orange, and one of these, a ’69 second gen, with the same first gen body as the feature, but with curved windshield and lower headlights, 90″ wheelbase, in dark red.
The Dodge suited me best, the Chevy least.
Perhaps I would have liked it better if it had retained those raised headlights so that I could name in Edna or Moe.
I didn’t get a chance to talk to the owner of the van, so I don’t know about the engine. The grill on this generation of Chevy van has always looked like an angry frown to me, which works perfectly for these pictures. “Why the Hell did he park me next to a Honey Bucket?”
Well…when ya gotta go, ya gotta go…
My dad had one waaaaaayyyyyyy back when… it was faded red, he had it repainted white with a spray-painted-on pseudo black vinyl top… my dad was a bit odd.
Oh, and it was the 4 cylinder/stick…
What is with the “cute” names for port-a-pots? One of the companies here call them “hiney huts.”
Oh, the van. Never seen one in person (I think) but I like the facelift version better. There was a top-trim passenger version in Hemmings a while back that was really cool. Two-tone orange and white, inside and out.
Every region has their names…it’s abscessed creativity over at the sludge-pumping companies that lease these.
Where I grew up…there was a company supplying “Red Heads” to jobsites. I didn’t get that until I was much older. Another was “Johnny On The Spot” and in yet another town, “Here’s Johnny.”
Curbside classics of a different, uh, nature…
Always had something of an irrational longing for these vans. Sadly, though, it seems most of them got crushed 25 years ago – same as plain-Jane Chevy vans from the 80s and early 90s are being tossed over both shoulders by junkyards today. One of those things where they seem worthless until the last one’s gone… then suddenly they’re rare.
There’s one for sale locally on craigslist. Suffice it to say I’ve been kicking the idea around…