Chevrolet Van
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chevy Van/Sportvan/GMC Handi-Van | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet GMC |
| Production | 1964-1970 |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier |
| Successor | Chevrolet G-series Chevy Van/GMC Vandura |
| Class | Compact van |
| Body style | 3-door van |
| Similar | Ford Econoline Dodge A100 Volkswagen Bus |
| GMC Vandura | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1970–1996 |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Sportvan/GMC Handi-Van |
| Successor | Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana |
| Class | Full-size van |
| Body style | 3-door van 4-door van |
| Related | Chevrolet C/K/GMC Sierra Chevy II |
| Similar | Volkswagen Vanagon Ford Econoline Dodge Ram Van Dodge A100 Volkswagen Bus |
| Chevrolet Express | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called | GMC Savana |
| Production | 1997–present |
| Assembly | Wentzville, Missouri |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Van GMC Vandura |
| Class | Full-size van |
| Platform | FR/AWD |
The Chevrolet Van was one of several vans made by General Motors for North America. The term also refers to the entire series of vans sold by Chevrolet. It has proven to be popular, first released in 1961 on the Corvair platform, and is still in production as the Express. Its strongest competition is the Ford Econoline series of vans.
Contents |
[edit] History
The first General Motors van was the Chevrolet Corvair-based Greenbiar van, introduced for 1961, which used a flat-6 opposed rear engine with air cooling, inspired by the Volkswagen bus.
The ChevyVan (1964-1970) was, like the competing Ford Econoline and Dodge A100, a compact van based on a modified passenger car platform. The engine was placed between and behind the front seats with a flat nose. Both engines and brakes were sourced from the Chevy II, a more conventional compact car than Corvair. This model was also sold as the GMC HANDI-VAN.
The second generation ChevyVan/Vandura introduced for 1971 followed the engine-forward design of the 1968 Ford Econoline. The engine was placed forward of the driver with a short nose and hood. Suspension parts and engines came from the Chevrolet/GMC C-series pickup trucks.
The third generation Express and Savana of the 1990s adopted aerodynamic styling, without exposed hinges on the rear doors. Taillights were placed high on the rear pillars. The extended 15 passenger version rode on a longer wheelbase, rather than just an extended body, and a left-side door was made available. for the declining passenger van market.
[edit] Updates
[edit] 1971
The Vandura and sister ChevyVan replaced the earlier flat nosed model. The GMCs were introduced in April 1970; interior components such as the steering column and steering wheel were sourced from the Chevrolet/GMC C/K pickups. The short wheelbase vans measured 110 inches, while the long wheelbase was 125 inches (the previous generation had either a 90 or 108 inch wheelbase).
[edit] 1978
The front sheetmetal was updated. Changes include: new plastic grilles, round headlamps on lower-end models and square headlamps on higher-end models, new steering wheel similar to the 1973-87 pickups, and new dash layout.
[edit] 1980
All 1980 vans were given new rear view mirrors on the drivers and passenger doors.
[edit] 1982
For 1982, the locking steering column was introduced. It was the last model year for a 3-speed manual transmission on the column, and was the first model year for rectangular headlights.
[edit] 1983
Stacked headlights introduced, alongside with a flatter front grille similar to the one used on Chevrolet C/K trucks, replacing the previous year's 1978 vintage eggcrate design. The shifter for all manual transmissions were on the floor. All vans models now have square headlamps. From this model year on, tilt steering was available with a manual transmission because the steering column was retilted to be similar to the C/K trucks. Four speed manuals were available as well as the older three speed. New steering wheels were introduced as well to be similar to the cars for that time.
[edit] 1984
A 4-speed automatic transmission was available for the V8-powered models, while the six-cylinder models retained the 3-speed automatic transmission.
[edit] 1985
The taillight lenses were redesigned, along with the introduction of traditional swing-out side doors alongside the standard sliding door (the previous generation had 50/50 split doors). The swing-out doors were a 60/40 split. New Grille Treatment similar to the pickups.
[edit] 1986/87
Most engines are fuel injected and a 4.3 litre V6 replaces the old 4.1 liter inline six.
[edit] 1990
Unlike the Dodge Ram and Ford Econoline vans which had a welded-on body extension, a 155-inch wheelbase was introduced (about the same length as a Chevrolet/GMC crewcab truck).
[edit] 1992
Facelift using the front grille from the former Chevrolet/GMC R/V series pickups and SUVs (Blazer, Suburban, Crew Cab/Dually), previously phased out of production in 1991.
[edit] 1993
4L60E automatic transmission introduced, replacing the 4L60/700R4.
[edit] 1994
A driver's side airbag was made standard.
[edit] 1995
A new longer nose and four head light design was introduced, a very popular school bus conversion.The engine Also received a facelift now labeled a "Vortec" and sporting a throttle body, ABS Brakes with hydroboost, Catalytic converter, Cruise control. Enigine sizes remained fairly the same e.g. 4.3L, 5.7L, 7.4L "Vortec" engines. Several versions of the van were available for purchase depending on the buyers needs. Base model was basically a stripped down model no thrills very limited interior and no rear seats. The "Sportvan" Had all the features of a full conversion van, But no rear seats, And no fiberglass roof extension. Then finally the "Conversion", These models were sent from the factory bare bones to have the interior and exterior upgrades added by third party companies such as "Mark III, Tiara, Coach, Etc."
[edit] Third Generation (Current)
The GM G-Series (Rear wheel drive) and H-Series (All Wheel Drive) vans, the Chevrolet Express and its twin the GMC Savana, are full-size vans from General Motors. They replaced the GMC Vandura and Chevrolet Van in 1997. The Express and Savana currently hold 44.8% of the full-size van market in the United States, just behind rival Ford's E-Series. The Express outsells the Savana by more than 3 to 1.
After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated sheetmetal similar to the GMT800 light trucks and SUVs, and at the same time, fitted with the LS engines.
The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and others needing to haul a variety of large items. In this way, it is the North American equivalent of the ubiquitous white vans in the UK.
The Express/Savana is also available as a passenger van, seating 8 to 15 passengers (depending on the model), and is often used as a very capable tow vehicle, ambulance or as a shuttle bus.
Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as cutaway versions often serve as the basis for conversion vans and motorhomes.
There was a limited edition model of the Chevy Express passenger variety, named the LT. This type was a GM factory made conversion that included a Bose sound system, two flip down flat panel television monitors, a VCR, leather seats, aluminum wheels, extra trim, and an advanced GM stereo system with CD and cassette. This model was discontinued around the year 2003 and was meant as a trail sale.
The main competitors for this model are the Ford E-Series, the Dodge Ram Van, and its successor, the Dodge Sprinter.
[edit] External links
| Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, light truck timeline, United States market, 1980s—present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Mini SUV | Geo Tracker | Tracker | HHR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Equinox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | S-10 Blazer | Blazer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TrailBlazer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| K5 Blazer | K5 Blazer | Tahoe | Tahoe | Tahoe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suburban | Suburban | Suburban | Suburban | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | S-10 | S-10 | Colorado | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C/K | C/K | Silverado | Silverado | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| El Camino | Avalanche | Avalanche | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SSR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Lumina APV | Venture | Uplander | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Astro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
