Vannin' Home Forums Chevy General Discussion My search for a 71'-75' G10 May turn into a 1995 G10

"Vanning Mike" has done a pretty good YouTube series on swapping the grille as well. This can be done in a few ways, as mentioned swapping the whole core support etc. or just the grille while modifying the core support like Mike did. He has a thread here, but hasn't posted about his van in a while. It's looking really nice these days though with fresh blue paint etc. He has some great videos on gullwing door, regular driver and passenger door issues, etc. so I would highly recommend checking out all the videos on his YouTube channel.

If it were me, I’d hold out and get what you want. Unless that 95 looks like Dreamweavers econoline, I’d shy away from paying 12k.

As for prices, if you look hard enough you'll find a deal, just takes patience and time. I've seen a few sell online around $100, but most I've seen range from $300-400.

I lucked out bigtime and saved a grille off my friends van after he sold it to a guy that sent it to the crusher. The guy only bought it for the 400 SBC, but thank goodness, still had the grille sitting beside his workshop where he had pulled the motor. I grabbed the cherry chrome grille and headlight trim for $40!

I also bought a complete front clip with bumper, even a dash, but no grille for $300. I was planning on using the core support for my swap and saving whatever I didn't need like fenders and hood for spares in case I ever get into a fender bender. Grabbed that at a local scrap yard.

Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace for RVs which 71-77 will also have the same from clip and grille. Junkyards, Craigslist, etc. Good luck on your hunt.

I hear you Deathorvictory. I'm getting so bummed out looking for my "Dream Van". The guy with the Primo 1973 ( 4,233 original miles ; Immaculate condition with inline six w/3 on the tree ) says his bottom dollar is $20K and I still have to register it. I'm going to post both vans on Craigslist Forum and give the website out for the 1973 later today. The 73' is not on Craigslist.

If I won the lotto I would buy the 1973 in a Heartbeat. By the time I bought ; Did a motor and trans swap and interior; exhaust; side pipes; New Mickey Thompsons "N50's" in the rear with American Rims like my 1971 I had in the day: I have 30K to 35K Investment !!!!!

Being on leave from work doesn't help not knowing when they will call me back or if I have to look for another employer.


To kursed........................Bro Thanks for the encouragement. In my heart I want the 1971 to 1975; but know the ride in the 1995 with all the creature comforts is nice. I keep forgetting I'm not 16 years old; but 64 years young ! The search for the right van is challenging and these times make it more difficult.

I know you and Deathorvictory are right with your thinking.

I wish I had a HOT TUB TIME MACHINE. I miss my 1971 G10 Shorty so much. I have so many Good memories with that van.
Thank you both SDMickey

I probably know the answer, but are you a Chevy only guy? Tradesman and Econoline (both 2nd gen and first year of 3rd gen) vans are pretty bitchin as well.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/san-anselmo-1974-ford-econoline-200/7104444140.html for example...

The only reservations I had on '95 G vans were the airbags, side moulding, plastic push-buttons on the door handles, and 3rd brake light.
Other than that, they seem fine, and my friends don't know the difference anyway.

Wait... $12,000 for a '95 with 258,00 miles?
Sounds $10,000 too high to me.
Is it already finished out like a show van?

I know that impatient pain all too well. I sold my 76 G10 LWB and regretted that decision every day afterward. It took a few years, but I found my dream shorty locally. Just be patient and keep an eye on Facebook groups like "Van List .. Classifieds" frequently. Super nice vans come up there all the time for great deals. Everyone all over the country shares them as they find them.

I wanted a 71-76 so I wouldn't have the side trim, but I did keep my options open up to 95 as I knew with the right van I wouldn't really mind the side line trim. When I originally spotted my 82 shorty a few years ago it was only a few miles from my house, sitting with flat tires and you could tell it hadn't been loved in a while, but it was mostly solid. It moved across town to the guys new shop, but still had flat tires and sat in the same spot every time I rode by.

I finally stopped a couple years ago and talked to the guy, but he wasn't ready to sell. Needed head gaskets and he admitted he may never get to it, but I didn't want to pressure him. I was patient and when I was on a serious hunt for a shorty about a year ago I stopped by again. He was ready to sell this time and I walked away with the keys to a 95% solid 82 G10 shorty that RAN (smoked like a freight train due to blown head gasket) but for $1,000 I was SUPER stoked.

My point is don't jump the gun on that 95 because you're wanting one so bad. I almost did, and today I know I would have regretted it as the one I almost bought for $8,000 turned out to be a rotten turd with all the rust covered up. I recently passed on a $600 local shorty that another local vanner swiped up quickly. He drove it home and has been driving and working on it steady ever since. The smoking deals are still out there, you just have to be patient but ready to pull the trigger when you spot them.

Good write up on cut and mod of the later grill.

https://www.vanning.com/threads/ubbthreads.php/topics/718869/2.html

I forgot he did this, I’ve seen others replace all the sheet metal and do a swap that way. I personally prefer OEM parts since it’s all meant to fit together but it’s getting a lot less simple to find complete part outs.

You guys are right.
To Deathorvictory............funny you should mention if I'm a Chevy guy. In the day I owned a 65' ; 71' and 74 '...........All G10 Shorty's........................My 71' was my favorite and I invested every penny I earned for two years to make it my Dream Machine . After a fire in my sisters place a few years back........all the pic's burned down in the fire. I believe somewhere in my garage I have a photo album from the 70's with a few "poloroids" of exterior shots. They don't do it justice. I'll try to find and post.

Although being a Chevy guy in my heart; I appreciate all vans and would lean towards a Ford ( Your Dodge is Rad Bro; My buddy Sal; had a cool "lime green" : 72 ).
It's funny because my plumber has a 69' Ford with a 302 he may sell. It' be pretty cool; however it would keep me busy till I found the right G10.

With my luck I'd have no $$$ when the right G10 came up like "kursed" said would eventually happen.

To kursed :you're a Good man and I know what you say makes sense. I actually sold my 71' to a good friend and bought it back 2 years later !

To Rusty : when I spoke to the owner; he swears the air bag is in steering wheel. No side airbags for sure. He seems to be in the know and works at a shop that does classics and current vehicles w/good reviews.*** 258K on the van and the motor and trans were rebuilt 60k ago from previous owner /... (CA Van) .................................unfortunately no documentation. He seems legit. I agree though it's priced high and the interior is so different; it's cool...however I would re-do it to look like my 1971 I had. Check out craigslist.......i will post the 1995 and the website link to the Immaculate 1973 G10 that's in the Clouds price wise.

Thanks guys..................................I really needed the pep talk and advice. Some people just don't get it. Not working is driving me crazy and the yard work/home projects are cool' but not the same. You guys get it.
SDMickey