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

1987 Rare 4x4 Straight Axle Astro Van 1 Of 12 Factory Ordered on 2040-cars

Year:1987 Mileage:239000
Location:

Conowingo, Maryland, United States

Conowingo, Maryland, United States

 You are bidding on an extremely rare factory ordered 4x4 (straight axle) Astro Van. This van was originally ordered by Jack Demsey owner of Demsey Chevrolet in Ohio. The story is that when an Astro was ordered with 4x4 by Jack, the new van was shipped directly from GM to Quigley Motors who did the conversion. The van was then dropped shipped directly to the dealer. This was the only way that GM would honor the warranty. I was told by Quigley that there were only 12 Astros done this way from the factory and this one one of them. You can call Quigley and give them the vin number to verify. I absolutely love this van and hate to part with it but as a daily driver the time and attention it deserves as a true classic is more then I am able to keep up with. WARNING - this van turns heads where ever it goes. People stop me all the time asking where i got it and if its a straight axle. So if you are the winning bidder prepare yourself for all this attention and stopping to explain. I drive this van every day and even take it on vacation. It runs on the beach in the mud and snow with ease. When the GM rear went up years ago I replaced it with a 9" Posi rear so all 4 wheels are the same lug pattern (ford).  I have a mountain of paperwork from Quigley and from maintenance and repairs over the years. Most recently - new fuel tank, new sending unit with pump, new AC compressor and condenser, R700 Transmission was rebuilt about 4 years ago, both heads were completely rebuilt about 3 years ago, just had both rear freeze plugs replaced last month, all rocker panels were replaced last year, new water pump last year, new power steering pump last year. Most of the problems with the van are not serious see the list above. The biggest problems shes having is RUST! I have been trying to keep up with the body rust. She is also developing frame rust that will soon need attention (see pictures). If you have any questions or need more photos feel free to ask.
NOTE: this auction does not include the fishing rods or rod holders inside and on the front in one of the photos.

RE-LISTED WITH LOWER RESERVE

Auto Services in Maryland

The Body Works of VA INC ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Body Repairing & Painting, Automobile Parts & Supplies
Address: Burtonsville
Phone: (866) 595-6470

Sarandos Automotive Technology Inc ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Auto Oil & Lube
Address: 818 York Rd, Fort-Howard
Phone: (443) 377-3517

Safety First Auto Repair ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service
Address: 52 Main St, Bentley-Springs
Phone: (717) 235-2203

Quick Lane ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service
Address: 1415 W Patrick St, Keedysville
Phone: (301) 668-8650

Prestige Automotive ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Automotive Tune Up Service
Address: 200 W Padonia Rd Unit D, Glencoe
Phone: (410) 561-9696

Preferred Automotive Assoc ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Diagnostic Service, Brake Repair
Address: 12356 Wilkins Ave, Colesville
Phone: (301) 881-8530

Auto blog

GM Recalling Another 2.7 Million Vehicles In Five Separate Campaigns

Thu, May 15 2014

The recalls keep rolling in from General Motors, evidently keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the ignition-switch debacle and clean house. This time they're all coming at once, with five separate recalls announced together covering approximately 2.7 million vehicles. The largest of the five actions involves over 2.4 million units of the previous-generation Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura in order to fix brake light wiring harness, which have been found to be susceptible to corrosion. The recall is separate from the 56k Aura sedans which GM recently recalled over faulty shift cables, not to mention the previous massive recall of 1.3 million vehicles – some of them the same models – but appears to have resulted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation that started with the G6 almost a year ago. The second-largest campaign involves the 2014 Chevy Malibu, specifically those fitted with GM's 2.5-liter engine and stop/start system, approximately 140,000 examples of which has been found to have problematic brakes. The issue does not appear to be connected to the recall of 8k Malibu and Buick LaCrosse sedans (also involving brake woes) which we reported upon last week. Four crashes have been reported in such models, but GM admits it's not yet clear if the problem was a contributing factor in the accidents. A further 112k Corvette models from the 2005-2007 model years are being called in for problems with their low-beam headlamps resulting from a flexing relay control circuit wire that's not meant to bend. GM says it is "aware of several hundred complaints" about this issue, but notes that there have been no reports of related accidents. In addition, over 19k examples of Cadillac CTS from the 2013 and 2014 model years are being recalled over windshield wipers that might not work after a jump start. Finally, GM is also bringing in 477 examples of its 2014 Chevy Silverado, Tahoe and GMC Sierra (though not the Yukon) to fix a problem with a tie rod in its steering rack. As ever, all recall repairs will be performed free of charge, and GM is now estimating that recall-related actions this quarter will result in an estimated $200-million charge against its second-quarter earnings. Read the full announcement from GM below for further details.

Buick Encore, Chevy Trax earn Top Safety Pick from IIHS [w/video]

Thu, Feb 12 2015

The Buick Encore has been a massive sales success practically from the moment it debuted, and Buick recently decided to increase production to keep up with demand for the premium compact crossover. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently put one to the test again, and the Encore earned a Top Safety Pick award. It's the first model from the brand to score the nod since 2013, according to the IIHS, and the rating also carries over to the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The 2015 Encore scored a Good rating in all of the IIHS' evaluations, including the 40-mile-per-hour, small overlap front crash test. That was a big improvement over the previous model the institute tested, which scored a Poor result in the overlap test. In the first test, about 13 inches of the lower door hinge pillar came into the passenger compartment, and the steering wheel airbag moved too far to protect the dummy's head. Improvements for the latest model year showed six inches of intrusion this time, and the airbags caught the dummy's head well. The dummy's sensors also indicated a low risk of injury. The two CUVs missed out on the full Top Safety Pick+ because the IIHS scored the Encore as only having a basic front crash prevention system, and there was no such equipment for the Trax. To earn the highest mark, models need at least an advanced rating by the institute for this technology. Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax earn 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK award ARLINGTON, Va. - A small SUV is the first vehicle from the Buick brand to qualify for a TOP SAFETY PICK award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety since 2013. The Buick Encore's newly introduced, lower-priced twin, the Chevrolet Trax, also qualifies for the honor. The Encore's award follows improvements to the SUV's structure for better small overlap front protection. The 2015 model earns a good rating in the small overlap test. In contrast, the 2013-14 Encore rated poor in the test. The driver's space was seriously compromised with intrusion measuring as much as 13 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. The dummy's head barely contacted the front airbag before sliding off the left side, as the steering column moved to the right. The side curtain airbag deployed too late and didn't have sufficient forward coverage to protect the head. In the latest test, the driver space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of 6 inches at the door hinge pillar and instrument panel. The dummy's movement was well-controlled.

GM recalling 118K Colorado, Canyon pickups over missing hood latches

Thu, 20 Dec 2012

General Motors has announced a recall of 118,800 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks due to the possibility of secondary hood latches not being installed at the time of manufacture. The affected vehicles are from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 model years, all of which were built between November 9, 2009 and August 28, 2012.
According to the official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, these trucks fail to "comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, 'Hood Latch System.' The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch." In other words, owners of these trucks could find their vehicles' hoods opening unexpectedly while driving.
The official recall campaign is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Dealers will inspect the affected pickups and if a secondary hood latch is not present, one will be installed free of charge. Scroll down to read the official NHTSA report.