VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans when did the first vans come out??

Do's anybody know when the first Chevy vans came out???,,,I'm not talking panel vans,or anything like that,,You know Vans,,like today's Vans,,,Was it the greenbriar van(like the Corvair),,this has been buzzing around in my head and i gotta let it out,,,While we are on the subject,,,when did GM quit making panel trucks---72???,,(i know curiousity killed the cat),,,Dave

In 1955 the series 3600 shows a 3/4 ton Van like vehicle. The body looks like the Vans to come, but the body was built by an independant manufacturer (maybe Grumman). Dido in 1960, only 60 years of Chevrolet says they were manufactured by "Airvan". This book also lists a delivery Van built by Chevy and called the "Stepvan", which was also a 3/4 ton. In 1961 the Corvair "Greenbrier" made it's debut. Then in late 1964 the Chevy "Carryall" came out. Sometimes this true Van was classified as a 1965 vehicle. This Van was built on a Chevy II chassis and used a 167.6 inch wheelbase. It also had removable seats. All this info is from 60 years of Chevrolet, by G.H.Dammann.

What we are talking about here is the 1964 G10 ChevyVan that was available with the 153CID 4cyl engine or the 194CID 6cyl engines. It had a I-Beam solid front axle and was introduced to compete with Fords early Econoline Vans. None of the actual chassis parts came from the Chevy II, only the engines and transmissions.

Thanks WDoftexas for setting it straight. 60 years of Chevrolet also adds the popularity was do to the flat cargo floor and removable seats. The greenbrier was doomed from the start due to the rear mounted engine and poor handling.
However, I remember the early vans and the handling was just about the worst I ever encountered. :eek:

For a detailed answer to your question about vans with pictures, look at web page < http://la.znet.com/~t1937/Dubl.htm >. A quick answer is, "always thru silver book or out side manufacturer". GM pirated Boyertown's design in 1940 and called the milk truck style vans "Dubl-Duti Package Delivery". The 1948 - 62 style had immense front windows.
Panel trux were always availble thru outside manufacturers. See website < http://la.znet.com/~t1937/Panel.htm > for photos and details. In 1927, Chev offered a panel truck body on one ton chassis (not half ton). They discontinued this body in 28. In 32, GM offered a full line of truck bodies for half and ton & half chassis.
A Van was considered a large truck cab and chassis with an enclosed box on back.

cool sites, :cool2: