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The Chevrolet van or Chevy van (also known as the Chevrolet/GMC G-series vans and GMC Vandura) is a range of that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1964 to 1996 model years. Introduced as the successor for the rear-engine Corvair Corvan/Greenbrier, the model line also replaced the panel van configuration of the Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle was sold both in passenger van and cargo van configurations as well as a cutaway van chassis that served as the basis for a variety of custom applications.
Produced across three generations (1964–1966, 1967–1970, and 1970–1996), the model line was sold under a wide variety of model names under both the Chevrolet and GMC brands. The first two generations were forward control vehicles (with the engine placed between the seats); the third generation adopted a configuration placing the engine forward of the driver. The second and third generations shared powertrain commonality with the C/K pickup truck model line.
After the 1996 model year, GM retired the G-Series vans, replacing them with the GMT600-platform Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.
First-generation Chevrolet van refers to the first G-10 half-ton production years 1964 through 1966. General Motors saw a market for a compact van based on a modified passenger car platform to compete with the already successful Ford Econoline and Dodge A100. The 1964 Chevrolet van had a cab-forward design with the engine placed in a "doghouse" between and behind the front seats. The implementation of situating the driver on top of the front axle with the engine near the front wheels is called internationally a "cab over" vehicle. Engines and brakes were sourced from the Chevy II, a more conventional compact car than Chevrolet Corvair.
The model was also sold by GMC as the "Handi-Van". The first-generation vans were available in only the short 90-inch wheelbase and were only sold with the standard 90 hp straight-4 or a Chevrolet Straight-6 engine. A first-generation is identified by its single-piece flat windshield glass. The first 1964 Chevrolet van was originally marketed and sold as a panel van for purely utilitarian purposes. Windows were available as an option, but were simply cut into the sides from the factory. In 1965, Chevrolet added the "Sportvan", which featured windows integrated into the body. GMC marketed its window van as "Handi-Bus". Factory-installed air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes were not available in the first-generation vans.
The four-cylinder engine was standard equipment. Optional was the Chevrolet Straight-6 engine.
The Warner 3-speed manual transmission was standard with a column shift. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was optional.
The original short-wheelbase and the new long wheelbase vans came with a 5 × 4-3/4" lug bolt pattern. An addition for 1967 was the G20 heavy-duty 3/4-ton version. The G-20 featured heavier suspension, a 12-bolt rear axle, and increased hauling capability with wheels having a 6-lug bolt pattern. The G20 model was available only on the 108-inch wheelbase version.
For 1967, the inline-six was now standard. Optional were the inline-six or a 2-barrel V8 producing . Brakes were now upgraded to a safer split system including a dual reservoir master cylinder, and power brakes were optional on the G20 3/4-ton vans.
The optional V8 engine was upgraded to a 2-barrel V8 producing at 4600 rpm and 300 lbs-ft torque at 2400 RPM), and a column shift 4-speed transmission (Borg-Warner T10) was now available as an option. The gas tank was capacity was increased from 16 gallons to 24.5.
Initial advertising in 1970 emphasized interior space, with the tagline "Chevrolet launches the space vehicle." It is a nod to the U.S. space program, with the vehicle appearing vertically on page, imitating a rocket launch.Newsweek, 18 May 1970: page 86
In production for 25 years, the third-generation G-series vans became one of the longest-produced vehicle platforms designed by General Motors.
The front suspension underwent an extensive design change, deleting its leaf-sprung front axle; in line with C-series pickup trucks, the vans received independent front suspension with coil springs and control arms (allowing for much wider spacing of the front wheels). The rear axle suspension largely remained the same, retaining a leaf-sprung solid rear axle.
The four-wheel drum brakes of the previous generation were abandoned, as the third-generation G-series vans adopted front disc brakes. The front disc/rear drum configuration remained unchanged throughout the entire production of the model line; heavier-duty vehicles received larger brakes. For 1993, four-wheel anti-lock braking was added as a standard feature.
For 1974, the 307 was discontinued, replaced by a two-barrel 350 V8 in -ton vans. For 1976, the powertrain line was expanded, with the 292 inline-6 becoming the standard engine in -ton and 1-ton vans; a 305 V8 replaced the 350 two-barrel in -ton vans (becoming an option for both -ton and -ton vans in 1981) and a 400 cubic-inch V8 became offered in and 1-ton vans.
As part of the 1978 model update, the powertrain line underwent further revisions, with the 292 six dropped from G-series vans entirely; GM began the use of metric displacement figures. In line with its use in the C/K trucks, the 400 V8 was dropped from the G-series for 1981.
For 1982, a 6.2 L V8 became the first diesel engine option offered in the (-ton and 1-ton) G-series. Shared with the C/K pickup trucks, an overdrive version of the Turbo-Hydramatic was introduced, adding a fourth gear.
In line with the C/K pickup trucks, a 4.3L V6 replaced the long-running 4.1L inline-6 as the standard engine for 1985. For 1987, the four-barrel carburetor for the V6 was replaced by throttle-body fuel injection (TBI), with the 5.0L and 5.7L V8s following suit. Alongside three-speed and four-speed manual transmissions, the G-series vans were offered with three-speed and four-speed automatic transmissions.
For 1988, a fuel-injected 7.4L V8 was introduced as an option for the 3500 series, becoming the first big-block V8 offered for the model line. For 1990, manual transmissions were discontinued and the four-speed automatic became standard equipment on nearly all body configurations; for 1992, the 4L60E and 4L80E four-speed automatics replaced the three-speed automatics entirely.
While the gasoline engine offerings would remain largely unchanged after the 1988 model year, the 6.2 L diesel was enlarged to 6.5 L for 1994, with only a naturally-aspirated version offered for the G-series vans.
For 1996, offered only as a 1-ton G30 payload series, the "G-Classic" van continued the use of non-Vortec engines. The 5.7L V8 was now standard (dropping the 5.0L altogether), with the 4.3L V6 as an option only on standard-wheelbase vans. The 7.4L V8 and 6.5L diesel V8 remained options.
Prior to 1995, the G-series cargo van was sold with only a driver's seat (with an optional passenger-side seat). Through its production, passenger vans were sold in multiple seating configurations (dependent on wheelbase), ranging from 5 to 15 passengers. Alongside a windowless rear body, the cargo van was offered in several window configurations.
For 1973, a minor revision changed the color of the Chevrolet "bowtie" emblem from blue to gold.
For 1974, the steering column and dashboard were updated (to more closely match the introduction of the "Rounded-Line" C/K pickup trucks).
For 1976, the rear bench seats were redesigned in passenger vans, allowing them to be removed without tools.
For 1977, a horizontal body line was introduced past the front doors, while fender and rear door badging were updated to match the design of the C/K pickup trucks.
Offered on a longer wheelbase, a cutaway-chassis conversion of the G-series was marketed through Chevrolet and GMC as a cargo truck, as the Hi-Cube Van and MagnaVan, respectively.
For 1980, the grille saw a minor revision, adopting larger side-view mirrors for the doors. A locking steering column (with column-mounted ignition switch) was introduced for 1982, with the model line relocating the dimmer switch and wiper controls on the turn signal control stalk. As a one-year-only option, GM offered window glass on the left-side rear door (in place of both rear doors or neither).
While retaining the dashboard from 1978, a new tilt steering column was introduced (sourcing the steering wheel from Chevrolet mid-size sedans), moving the manual transmission shifter from the steering column to the floor.
For 1984, the model line introduced a second side-door configuration, with swing-out side doors (in a / -split) joining the sliding side door as a no-cost option. For 1985, the exterior underwent an update with larger taillamps and side marker lenses while the horizontal body line was added to the front doors; the grille design was derived from the C/K pickup trucks.
For 1990, GM introduced an extended-wheelbase version of the G-series van (on 1-ton series vans). Sharing its 146-inch wheelbase with the Hi-Cube Van/Magnavan, the extended-wheelbase van was the first version of the model line offered with a fourth rear bench seat (5 total rows of seating including first-row driver and front passenger bucket seats), expanding capacity to 15 passengers (previously, the maximum seating capacity was 12 on 4 total rows of seating). While trailing Ford and Dodge by over a decade, the design was the first produced on an extended-wheelbase design. In a minor interior revision, the vans adopted the four-spoke steering wheel from the R/V trucks.
Several safety features were phased in during the production of the final model update. For 1993, a brake-shift interlock (requiring the brake pedal to be depressed to shift from park) was introduced. For 1994, a driver's side airbag was added to all vehicles (under 8,500 lbs GVWR); the new steering wheel coincided with the introduction of an updated instrument panel. Center high mount stop lamps were added for 1994 as well, as mandated on light trucks for the model year. In another change, the -ton passenger van was withdrawn (largely overlapping the Chevrolet Astro van in size).
For 1993, to bridge the gap between the G-series and the P-series stripped chassis, a heavier-duty version of the G30 cutaway chassis was introduced. Known as the G30 HD/G3500 HD, and distinguished by its forward-tilting nose, the variant was effectively a hybrid of the two model lines, mating the P30 chassis with the G30/3500 bodywork; the model line was developed primarily for recreational vehicle (RV) and bus production.
For the 1996 model year, the third-generation G-series van was renamed the "G-Classic" and was pared down to versions with a GVWR above 8,500 pounds; sales were ended in the state of California. Produced concurrently alongside its GMT600 successor, the final G-series van was produced in June 1996.
From 1977 to 1981, the G-series van carried the Chevrolet Nomad nameplate (for the final time). A hybrid of the cargo and passenger vans, the five-passenger Nomad combined the interior trim of the Beauville with a large rear cargo area, finished with a paneled interior. The two-seat Caravan variant (produced from 1977 to 1980) was a trim package developed for van customization, fitted with a paneled interior and rubber floor mat, along with a rear roof vent.
were outfitted on a second-party basis. Derived from the cargo van, such vehicles were badged using the Chevy Van/GMC Vandura nameplates.
Alongside the Chevrolet Nomad, the GMC Gaucho was a five-passenger van with a large cargo area; the GMC Gypsy was a two-passenger package intended for owner customization.
Derived from the cargo van, cutaway van chassis were badged as Vanduras (and Chevy Vans). Based exclusively on the 1-ton payload series, the variant was fitted with either a single- or dual-rear-wheel axle.
Several Chevrolet G10 vans have been recreated into real-life Scooby-Doo Mystery Machines, including one from 1989 that is in the Warner Bros Corporate Archive.
"Chevy Van" is a 1975 song by Sammy Johns about a Chevrolet van.
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