Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

Star Trek Muraled Gmc G15 Vandura Van. Survivor, Custom Van, Amazing Paint. on 2040-cars

US $12,000.00
Year:1978 Mileage:24000 Color:
Location:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Advertising:

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

Auto blog

GM's labor deal with UAW union on verge of ratification

Thu, Nov 16 2023

Nov 15 (Reuters) - General Motors' tentative labor deal with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union closed in on ratification as the votes were counted on Wednesday. Following the approval earlier in the day by more than 60% of union members at the Detroit automaker's large Arlington, Texas, assembly plant, additional votes in favor have the deal close to clinching majority approval. The number of union locals, most of which are smaller, still to report vote totals is not large. After several large assembly plants voted against the deal earlier on Wednesday, some media had reported the deal was heading toward failure. But Arlington's support, followed by strong voting in favor by smaller warehouse and parts facilities, has put the deal on the brink of approval. This would mark the first ratification of a deal, which runs through April 2028, with one of the Detroit Three automakers. Ford and Stellantis voting is still under way, and workers at both companies were favoring ratification by comfortable margins. The UAW's GM vote tracking site currently shows approval of the contract leading by a 54% to 46% margin with almost 32,000 workers having cast votes out of about 46,000 UAW-represented GM workers. The Arlington plant, with about 5,000 UAW members, has the most of any GM plant. Voting officially ends on Thursday at 4 p.m. EST, although most votes will be cast on Wednesday. The UAW went on strike for more than six weeks against the Detroit Three, seeking better wages, working conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. All three companies agreed to tentative agreements about two weeks ago. Workers at other GM assembly plants voted against the deal, including 60% of workers at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, truck plant, 53% at its Wentzville, Missouri, plant, 58% of workers at GM's Lansing Grand River plant and 61% of workers at the Lansing Delta Township plant. Seven of GM's 11 assembly plants rejected the deal. In addition to Arlington, workers at plants in Detroit, Fairfax, Kansas; and Lake Orion, Michigan; approved the agreement. Only nine facilities are still listed without vote totals on the UAW vote tracker, including GM's Lockport, New York, components plant with about 1,200 members. Those voting in favor of the agreement have a lead of almost 2,500 and many of the facilities still to come include workers who stand to receive large pay increases upon ratification.

2015 Chevy Silverado Custom Sport is subtle in black

Mon, Jan 12 2015

In a world where trucks are growing bigger, bolder grilles and more muscle-bound looks, Chevrolet is trying something a bit different with its recently revealed Custom Sport edition for the 2015 Silverado at the this year's Detroit Auto Show. The edition leans on being understated, instead of screaming about its abilities. The design is supposed to be a throwback to the Chevy Custom Sport Trucks of the late '60s that brought a touch of elegance to these usually utilitarian vehicles at the time. The heart of the package is its monochromatic body-color touches for the bumpers and grille surround. The one on display at the show is especially attractive with a chrome-accented black grille that fits perfectly with the rest of the body. The edition does get a bit more shine with chrome covering the 20-inch wheels, door handles, mirror caps and side moldings. In addition, buyers get projector beam headlights, tow hooks and heated power mirrors. The custom package is available on the LT trim in black or white and on the LTZ in black or White Diamond Tricoat. Take a look at this monochromatic take on the Silverado as it sits in the Motor City. 2015 SILVERADO OFFERS CUSTOM SPORT PACKAGE Inspired by Chevy Custom Sport Trucks that helped launch personal-use pickups DETROIT, 07/01/15 – With the new 2015 Silverado Custom Sport special edition, Chevrolet pays homage to one of its most iconic pickups, adding a sophisticated monochromatic look to double- and crew-cab Silverados. The Custom Sport package features body-colored front and rear bumpers and a body-colored grille surround with a chrome-accented black grille. Other accents include 20-inch chrome wheels, chrome door handles and mirror caps, and chrome body-side moldings. The package also includes projector beam headlamps, tow hooks and heated power-adjusted mirrors. "The Custom Sport special edition was inspired by Chevy Custom Sport Trucks of the late 1960s," said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks marketing director. "Those CST models added a touch of elegance to a great all-around truck, just like the Custom Sport package for the new Silverado." The redesigned 1967 Chevrolet pickup entered the market at a time when trucks were starting to move off the jobsites and into the driveways of cities and suburbs. The 1967 Custom Sport Truck, with its bright trim, plush carpet and bucket seats, helped launch a wave of personal use pickups that continues today.

GM to restore legendary Corvette damaged in sinkhole accident

Fri, Dec 5 2014

Car lover's hearts' sank when they saw images of bent and destroyed classic Corvettes at the bottom of a sinkhole last February after the floor of the National Corvette Museum gave way. General Motors announced Wednesday it would restore the one millionth Corvette ever produced to its former glory. The 1992 convertible was heavily damaged when a 40-foot deep sinkhole opened beneath a bevy of rare cars at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Since then, GM has been slowly restoring the classic cars, though five of the eight that caught in the sinkhole were determined to be too damaged to repair. This November, the 2009 Corvette ZR1 Blue Devil was the first car to be returned in mint condition to the Museum, according to Autoblog. It suffered significant damage but was still drivable after being pulled out of the debris. The one millionth Corvette is still in bad shape. The automaker is estimating six months worth of work to restore the car, which sustained paint scratches, rear-suspension damage and a mangled front fender. Related Gallery Consumer Reports Most Loved Cars 2014 Chevrolet GM Automotive History corvette famous cars sinkhole corvette museum