Chevrolet · 1964–present

Chevrolet Van

The Chevrolet van is a range of vans manufactured by General Motors since the 1964 model year. Introduced as the successor for the rear-engine Corvair Corvan/Greenbrier, the design not only shifted from to a forward-mounted engine, but adopted mechanical commonality with the Chevrolet C/K light truck line. Alongside a passenger van, the model line has been sold as a cargo van (replacing the Chevrolet Suburban panel truck) and as a cutaway van chassis (serving as the basis for a variety of custom applications). Designated as the G-series, the Chevrolet van has also been sold by GMC since 1964. The Chevrolet Van name applies to the cargo variant, with both Chevrolet and GMC using multiple other names for passenger versions. Four generations of the model line have been produced: the first two generations (1964–1966, 1967–1970) used a front mid-engine layout (placing the engine between the front seats); since 1971, the model line has had the engine forward of the front seats. Currently in its fourth generation, the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana became the first version of the model line to use a single nameplate to use a single nameplate (for each brand).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Chevrolet Express

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Background

In 1950, Volkswagen introduced the Volkswagen Transporter as a forward-control variant of the Beetle. In North America, the Microbus was marketed as a station wagon (a precursor to the minivan) and as a panel van/sedan delivery alternative, making it a precursor to the modern full-size van. As with the Beetle, the Microbus was a rear-engine vehicle with an air-cooled flat-four engine. In response to the VW Microbus, both Ford and GM introduced their first van designs for the 1961 model year. Ford introduced its Econoline and Falcon Club Wagon, using a Ford Falcon chassis (placing the engine between the front seats); this style would be used by the Dodge A100 in 1964. Chevrolet launched the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair 95 model line, which included the Corvair 95 panel van and pickup truck and the Corvair Greenbrier passenger van (marketed as a wagon). Though the Corvair 95 shared a nearly identical wheelbase with the VW Microbus and also used air-cooled engines, it was fitted with the powertrain of the Corvair car line, which was fitted with a flat-six engine, offering substantially more power than the Microbus (along with an optional automatic transmission - a feature not seen in the Volkswagen until 1973). Following the introduction of the G-series van, Chevrolet ended production of the Corvair 95/Greenbrier during the 1965 model year; the Corvair pickup truck was largely replaced by the return of the Chevrolet El Camino.

First generation (1964–1966)

For 1964, GM released its compact van developed to replace the Corvair 95. Internally coded the G-10, the half-ton van adopted a design closer to the Econoline and A100 (sharing their 90-inch wheelbase), moving the engine from behind the rear axle to between the front seats (the body remained a forward-control design, placing the driver above the front axle). In a larger change, the model line was marketed by both Chevrolet and GMC, with both divisions marketing passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the Chevy Van sold for cargo, Chevrolet also sold the Sportvan passenger version; GMC marketed the Handi-Van and Handi-Bus, respectively. In line with its predecessor sharing components with the Corvair, the G10 shared mechanical commonality with the Chevy II. The standard engine was a 153 cu in (2.5 L) High Torque 153 inline-4, producing 90 hp; a 194 cu in (3.2 L) High Torque 194 inline-6 was optional. A 3-speed column-shifted manual transmission was standard, with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic offered as an option. Though sharing its powertrains with the Chevy II, the chassis was designed with a full-length unibody and used an I-beam front suspension and much heavier-duty rear leaf springs than a sedan (similar in design to GMC trucks). While visually similar to its Corvair predecessor, the Chevy-Van was distinguished by its larger, flat windshield, twin headlights (instead of four), and the relocation of the grille to above the bumper (providing an air intake for the engine). From the rear, the lack of a rear engine allowed the cargo doors to extend down to the bumper. 1964. For 1964, the model line was offered solely as the Chevy-Van cargo van; though assigned as part of a half-ton payload series, the model line was capable of up to 2000 pounds of payload. To maxim

Second generation (1967–1970)

For 1967, the second-generation G-series vans were introduced by Chevrolet and GMC. In a central part of the redesign, the ½-ton G10 was joined by the ¾-ton G20, with a 108-inch wheelbase body offered as an option for both passenger and cargo vans. Sharing a strong visual resemblance to the first generation, the second-generation G-series underwent a redesign of the front bodywork to improve aerodynamics and engine ventilation; an enlarged windshield was fitted with curved glass. In addition to expanding the commonality of the line with the C/K-series, the introduction of the G20 followed the retirement of the Suburban panel van The G-series vans again continued the use of a uniframe platform, integrating full-length frame rails into the structure of the unibody; to upgrade the structural integrity of the body, the body was assembled with single-piece body-side stampings. G10 vehicles were produced in both 90-inch and 108-inch wheelbases; G20 examples were available only in the longer 108-inch version. The G10 is externally visible by its 5-lug wheels (5x4.75" pattern); along with its 12-bolt rear-axle, the G20 uses 6-lug wheels. 1967-1968. Under the internal G10/G20 coding, the model line was again offered as the Chevy-Van and Sportvan (with 90/108 suffixes, denoting their wheelbase), with GMC retaining the Handi-Van and Handi-Bus nameplates, respectively. Alongside the upgraded "Custom" interior option for both the Chevy-Van, the Sportvan received a "Deluxe" option with further upgrades to its interior; both the Sportvan 90 and the Sportvan 108 were offered with two optional rear seats, again expanding capacity to 8. While air conditioning and power steering were never offered for the second generation, the redesign standardized previously optional features includi

Third generation (1971–1996)

In April 1970, GM introduced the third-generation G-series vans as 1971 model-year vehicles. In a complete redesign of the model line, the vans adopted a front-engine configuration (adding a hood to the body). While using a unibody chassis, the third-generation vans derived mechanical components from the second- and third-generation C/K pickup trucks. Initial advertising in 1970 emphasized interior space, with the tagline "Chevrolet launches the space vehicle." It is a nod to the U.S. space program, with the vehicle appearing vertically on page, imitating a rocket launch. In production for 25 years, the third-generation G-series vans became one of the longest-produced vehicle platforms designed by General Motors. Chassis. In line with the two previous generations, the third-generation G-series vans again used unibody construction, integrating the frame rails into the floorpan; the side panels were constructed of a single-piece stamping. The model line was offered three wheelbase lengths: 110 inches, 125 inches, and 146 inches. From 1971 to 1989, the 146-inch wheelbase was used for cutaway chassis; for 1990, a single-rear-wheel version was introduced for an extended-length van body. The front suspension underwent an extensive design change, deleting its leaf-sprung front axle; in line with C-series pickup trucks, the vans received independent front suspension with coil springs and control arms (allowing for much wider spacing of the front wheels). The rear axle suspension largely remained the same, retaining a leaf-sprung solid rear axle. The four-wheel drum brakes of the previous generation were abandoned, as the third-generation G-series vans adopted front disc brakes. The front disc/rear drum configuration remained unchanged throughout the entire production of the mod

Fourth generation (1996-present)

For 1996, General Motors released the fourth-generation Chevrolet van on the GMT600 platform (with GMC introducing the Savana). Derived loosely from the GMT400 light trucks, the Express (initially reserved for passenger vans; expanded to cargo vans for 1999) was an all-new design, moving to a separate frame; the front axle was moved 10 inches forward, moving the front wheels (and the engine) out of the passenger compartment. Far more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the Express adopted its styling from both the GMT400 trucks and the smaller Chevrolet Astro; the high-mounted taillamps were derived from the Lumina APV minivan (allowing the rear doors to be hinged nearly 180 degrees). Following the success of the Astro/Safari, the Express was not developed in a short-wheelbase form, with GM only replacing the 125-inch and 146-inch wheelbase configurations. As a fourth generation of the G-series, the nomenclature was retained primarily as a VIN designator. For 2003, the chassis underwent a revision, becoming the GMT610 platform, sharing engineering commonality with the GMT800 light trucks. Eclipsing the longevity of its predecessor in 2022, the Chevrolet Express is the longest-produced vehicle ever manufactured by General Motors in a single generation, entering its 30th model year for 2026.

Concept vehicles

In 1966, General Motors developed the concept vehicle Electrovan, based on the GMC Handi-Van. The vehicle used a Union Carbide cryogenic fuel cell to power a 115-horsepower electric motor. It never went into production due to cost issues and safety concerns.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chevrolet/GMC van

Production

1964–present

Predecessor

Chevrolet Corvan/Greenbrier, Chevrolet Suburban panel van

Manufacturer

Chevrolet/GMC (General Motors)

Body style

Full-size van

Layout

Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive (1964–1970), Front engine, rear-wheel drive (1971–present)

Platform

General Motors G-series truck

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1071318CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_vanCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374825272 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chevrolet_Sport_Van.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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