AMAZING SURVIVOR CUSTOM
STAR TREK VAN
1978 GMC G15 Vandura Van.
I have reluctantly (we would like to shrink the family
vehicle stable a bit as we now have two small boys and no time) decided to sell
my 1978 GMC Vandura custom van.
The van was built up from stock in 1979-1980, paint was done
by G.S. Roy, a well known Canadian artist.
I contacted Mr. Roy, who remembers painting this van as well as another
for the owners cousin (that one was ‘mermaid’ themed…wish I knew where it
was!). The van is a survivor and sat for
years in storage owned by the same family from new to 2012 (33 years)…I
purchased it last summer from Ontario and shipped it out to the west coast here
in Vancouver where I have enjoyed every day of owning it. NOT a vehicle for the shy, you absolutely
cannot go anywhere without many thumbs up, cheers, and people waxing nostalgic
about custom vans and/or Star Trek. The
van currently has a little over 24,000 KM’s (15k miles) on it showing on the
odometer. I can’t verify for sure this
isn’t 124,000km’s but looking over all aspects of the van I would not doubt if
it is true…it isn’t perfect, but is a true survivor of an era gone by and I
wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere.
I’ve replaced the tires with period correct BFG T/A’s , installed a new
heater core, brake master cylinder, tuned her up, installed a back up camera, and
done all required to pass a BC (ridiculously strict and silly) provincial
inspection. I’ve spent $3500 on the Van
in the past year to make it mechanically excellent and drivable every day if
someone wanted to.
I’ll outline the good and bad below in each category to the
best of my ability, and will take as many pics as I can to show the condition
of items. Anything I missed or any
questions just askJ. I don’t really need to sell the Van but as I
mentioned could use the room and free time…you don’t find something like this
every day and I realize it takes a special (read as a little off…like me lol) person
to own something like this…I do guarantee you will enjoy the smiles it brings
to faces all around as you drive down the road and the vehicle (paint alone)
could not be replicated for even close to what my reserve price is here, which
is I think fair. Custom van’s are making
a comeback.
EXTERIOR –
GOOD - The exterior is completely covered in custom
airbrushing, it is Star Trek themed in general with a LOT of small images of
faces, creatures, etc that seemingly never cease to stop appearing. Overall the paint
itself has held up incredibly (stored indoors).
The vehicle was treated new to the full ‘Zeibart’ rustproofing package
and has ZERO rust. Honestly, the body is
in amazingly clean shape. Zeibart
plugged, filled, closed all areas that may have someday allowed water ingress. Has original custom windshield visor. Bumpers are in great shape and rust free/pitting
free as is custom grill. Van has a
‘split’ sunroof that does work, though I siliconed it shut as it had a small
leak on the drivers side when I wash it.
Still has the original custom thrush sidepipes that sound awesome.
BAD - The clearcoat technology in 1980 wasn’t as good as
today and it has dried and is peeling in places. Most notably on the hood and horizontal faces
of the fenders. Also the clear ‘rear
arch’ protection is peeling badly. I
thought about wet sanding with 2000 and respraying the clear but got scared to
do it myself. There is a small dent
behind the rear wheel on the drivers side which I took a few pics of and should
appear in the set. I didn’t know it was
there when I bought it, it isn’t really noticeable but I believe in full
disclosure. The fiberglass fender arches
have paint chips and a bit of light rash on some (I didn’t do it). The thrush pipes should be rechromed at some
point…they were pitted and surface rusting in places. I touched them up with chrome paint but they
aren’t perfect.
INTERIOR –
GOOD – Two words ‘Red Velvet’. Diamond quilted red velvet to be exact. This covers the door panels, wall and ceiling
panels, and visor area. The flooring is
red carpeting with thick soft underpadding in rear. Original red dash and console are crack free
and in excellent shape. Incredibly cool
octagonal wood steering wheel. Period correct cassette player and equalizer
with power antenna. All gauges work,
wipers work (including intermittent), horn, all lights operational. Heater works great and is new. I installed a backup camera to help with
parking. Front captain’s seats are
swivel and again covered in quilted red velvet, both have lap belts. Sliding door actually works. Currently I have a bench seat with quick
release function installed behind the captain’s chairs (for my kids; the
original swivel ‘buckets’ did not have seatbelts). I do have the ‘buckets’ and they will be
included as well as the mounting brackets…once again, more red velvet! There is also a pump sink, icebox, and bed in
back with curtains…you guessed it…red velvet.
BAD – Drivers door velvet has a small tear. A few of the upholstery ‘button’ covers are
missing, I do have replacements which will be included…I just haven’t had the
time to install. The van was wired up
for interior lighting above the rear seating area and in the bed area. The wiring is still there but the lights are
not. I would want to trace all the
wiring and re-set it up and install new lights…but again, I don’t have the
time.
MECHANICAL –
GOOD – As mentioned in the description, I have done a lot of
work to get this vehicle to meet our strict provincial inspection last
year. As with most vehicles that are
stored long-term, I had to refresh some items.
The heater core was removed for some reason so I purchased and installed
a new one. The brake master cylinder was
replaced, a new horn was installed, new front ball joints, and the van was tuned up.
BAD –
As far as I know the van needs nothing mechanically done to
it right now (according to my mechanic).
It starts, runs, drives fine with no issues and is happy to cruise along
at 120km/h (70mph) all day. I drove it
up to Whistler twice last month and had a blast.
WHEELS/TIRES
GOOD – I replaced the tires less than 1000kms (600 mls) ago
with period correct BFG T/A’s. Rears are
245/60/15, fronts are 225/70/15. Has
original Cragar SS wheels.
BAD – Cragar SS wheels are pitting/peeling and should be
refinished.
All in all this van is in excellent condition, especially considering it was built nearly 35 years ago! Ready to roll, cruise, holiday, show...whatever you like:). Please remember your bid is a binding contract, do not bid if you really don't want to own this. As I mentioned, any questions or more pics...just ask.
Cheers,
Brian