Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Crazy mods
by frscke1 - March 18th 2024 10:14 pm
Who else enjoys watching Van Videos
by Wedgy - March 18th 2024 10:57 am
Condensation above the headliner??
by BVRPLZR - March 15th 2024 12:53 pm
Western NY Van Association
by vistacruiser - March 14th 2024 10:24 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 19 1 2 3 18 19
My 1997 Express
#719728 February 10th 2017 10:02 am
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
pooh-bah
OP Offline
pooh-bah
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
Well guys and gals, I've finally gone and done it.

We've had a pretty rough time up here in Michigan for the last 6 months at least (a large part of why I have not been on the forum as much as I used to be). Unfortunately, that includes the loss of both of my parents in the last 3 months.

This 1997 Express was my Mom and Dad's van. They ordered it new through Midwest Conversions, using my (then GM) employee discount on the chassis. They had the chance to meet the owner of Midwest Conversions, sit down with him, and order just what they wanted for options and colors. Dad owned a lot of nice vehicles over the years, and this was his favorite (it was his 5th van).

The van was stored indoors all of it's early life, used primarily for pulling their 28-ish foot travel trailer. Later, when they traded their last trailer for a motorhome, it became strictly a pleasure vehicle.

As the years passed, and old age took their health and ability to travel, the van saw less and less use. Even when they moved into assisted living homes, Dad kept the van close at hand. Finally, they moved to a small house without a garage, and as a second vehicle, it sat in the back yard, and was not driven or started for many years. Still, he could give it up.

With their passing, the van had to go. The reason I joined this form (sans-van) was that I had hoped to have a chance to buy it some day. Well, that day is here. I'd rather have my folks with me, but the van and it's many happy memories will have to do.

As this is yet another daily driver for me, and I have 4 old cars (IE: "classic"), and a meager budget to spend on toys, don't expect to see much in the way of outlandish or wild mods. But a have a few changes in mind.

She's in really nice shape, about 75k miles.

1997 Chevrolet Express 1500
255 H.P. 5.7L Vortec V8
4L60E OD Automatic Transmission
8.6 rear axle with 3.73 gears (I don't think it has G80, but I'm not sure)
Midwest conversion with grey interior, alcantara headliner, leather FlexSteel seating.

I took this picture last weekend, but won't take possession of the van for a little while yet.

I'm pretty excited about this!

[Linked Image]

Last edited by Dyno_Dave; July 16th 2017 9:20 am.
AdSense long
Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719729 February 10th 2017 11:06 am
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 18,522
Likes: 135
Supreme Master
Offline
Supreme Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 18,522
Likes: 135
Sorry to hear of the loss of your parents. Enjoy your van. Ponder on the old memories and make new ones.


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro
Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250
Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20
The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon
Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter
Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van)
Outcast Vanners van club
Support your local 2%
Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719736 February 10th 2017 1:02 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Sorry for your loss Dave. I also lost both my parents, Mom in Feb '14 & my dad in May '14. Cant tell ya how much it hurts not to see them anymore. Cryin right now thinking about them & you losin yours.

There not totally gone as long as they are in your heart.

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719753 February 10th 2017 1:41 pm
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
pooh-bah
OP Offline
pooh-bah
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
Thanks guys.

I have no idea what an Expresswell is! LOL I'm seeing if a mod can fix that title for me. One of the problems of typing with 2 fingers.

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719760 February 10th 2017 2:19 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Well ... its fixed .... lol

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719761 February 10th 2017 2:20 pm
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
pooh-bah
OP Offline
pooh-bah
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
Well thank you sir!

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719763 February 10th 2017 2:21 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,279
Likes: 552
Your Well come ..

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719764 February 10th 2017 2:31 pm
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 152
W
veteran
Offline
veteran
W
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 152
Dyno Dave, Sincerest Condolences on the passing of your Mom and Dad.

Standing shoulder to shoulder in Solidarity right between you and frscke1. Good you were there with your parents.

Vanned out here to Texas to see Mom, realized I wasn't going anywhere. But we had a ton of fun, busting her out of rehab to live at home for a few more years, the last wild ride in her Cadillac.

Thanks for sharing the story of the Family Express Van. Cool history. Nice Van Dave!

Re: My 1997 Express
Dyno_Dave #719766 February 10th 2017 2:36 pm
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
pooh-bah
OP Offline
pooh-bah
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 32
Thanks Wedgy. They had a lots of great trips in the van, many of them up here to Michigan to see us. As I mentioned, this was Dad's 5th conversion van, and I have a lot of good memories of those earlier trucks as well.

I can't wait to get it here. We want to take it to Florida this year, so she will need some work before a long road trip.

Page 1 of 19 1 2 3 18 19

Moderated by  Astro 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 11 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Rich11304, Maggpratt89, theGiggityGig, B150 SHIFT head, Gruff
12716 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 175
frscke1 38
CatFish 33
Reed 18
Wedgy 14
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,703
Posts537,740
Members12,717
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4