Awesome ‘80s conversion van in fantastic condition. Wonderful color combination with beautiful interior. Recent 350 cubic inch crate motor, new exhaust, rebuilt transmission. A vintage cruiser that can do everything well!

Before SUVs were the default vehicle of choice, full-sized conversion vans like this were the family workhorses of the well-to-do. With room for seven, the ability to pull big trailers, and enough stretch-out space for comfort on long road trips, they could do it all and do it well. Then they fell out of favor when everyone wanted the more rugged look of and SUV, but maybe it’s time to revisit the full-sized conversion van. Looking at this very attractive 1987 Chevrolet G20 conversion van, it’s easy to see why they were so popular. The red and gray striped bodywork looks sporting, not frumpy, and the flared fenders and running boards only enhance that look. This particular van has led an easy life and shows what we believe to be 41,130 original miles (there’s a fairly obvious mileage discrepancy on the CarFax where someone added 100,000 miles in the span of about two weeks). It has been painted and the intricate stripes you see are all painted on, not tape, so it wasn’t some cut-rate job. All the weather seals were replaced at the same time, and given the luxury-oriented theme of these conversion vans, it’s shockingly quiet inside. A few details like the chrome luggage rack with ladder, large panoramic windows, and rear-mounted spare (the original spare tire has never been down!) only add to the big van’s appeal. I can’t imagine many 40-year-old vehicles nicer than this.

The interior is particularly special on this van. Beautifully preserved with a few bits having been restored, it shows you what top-of-the-line luxury might have looked like in the ‘80s. Almost like it was inspired by a private jet, there are captain’s chairs for the first two rows, and a 3-person bench in back that folds flat into a rudimentary bed. The gray cloth upholstery is in excellent condition, accented by red piping that complements the exterior paint scheme. The driver gets a few notable upgrades, including that fat Grant steering wheel on a tilt steering column, as well as a bunch of real wood appliques tow arm up the interior. Most of these vans came loaded with options, and this one is no exception: it includes cold A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control, and a modern Alpine AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo with a subwoofer under the back seat. There’s also a Uniden CB radio in an overhead console, which is kind of a cool throwback to a pre-cellphone era. In back there’s huge stretch out room for everyone involved, and there’s a sense of comfort from the plush carpet and matching curtains and venetian blinds on the windows. Other thoughtful touches include a clothing rack in back, individual reading lights for the captain’s chairs, and a few extra 12V power points throughout the interior. If you’re heading out on a road trip with your family, this is a great way to travel!

Admittedly, most of these vans came with wheezing ‘80s era small blocks, but this awesome G20 neatly solves that problem with a fresh Chevrolet Performance crate motor. It fits perfectly, of course, thanks to the small block’s universality, and has under 1000 miles since it was installed. There’s a 4-barrel carburetor on top and a set of long-tube headers to bolster the torque curve a bit, and the result is a van that’s considerably more muscular than it was 40 years ago. There’s not much to see through the hood opening, but underneath you’ll find a super clean van that has never been out in winter weather and has no rot or structural issues. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission has been rebuilt and uses a slightly higher stall torque converter to give it a bit more pep, and the entire front suspension has been rebuilt. Additionally, the brakes are new, the shocks were replaced, and the stainless steel exhaust system features a great V8 sound that quiets down on the highway for easy cruising. Those flashy wheels are from a Chevrolet 454SS pickup and carry fat 255/70/15 white-letter radials with less than 1000 miles on them.

Extras include a hard-shell tire cover painted to match the truck and a fairly large folder of receipts, photos, manuals, and brochures.

This is a heck of a lot of vehicle for the money, and you wouldn’t believe the attention it attracts out on the road. Flashy, fun to drive, and still eminently practical, this awesome G20 sport van embodies everything that’s great about conversion vans. If you can have only one hobby vehicle, there aren’t many that can do it all better than this. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.