The best custom vehicles lead multiple lives. The outrageous 1966 Chevrolet G20 4x4 surf van recently offered on eBay Motors is a case in point.
Twenty years ago, a Vietnam vet customized the van in a 1970s-era style. He fitted a G20 van body - opens in new window or tab. on a mid-1970s GM SUV frame and drivetrain. With a seven-inch chop and gull-wing doors - opens in new window or tab., it was beauty right from the pages of Truckin’ magazine or Custom Vans.
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Enter the van’s current owner, Jason Talevi, of Wells, Maine. Talevi, a campground manager and art director, purchased the 4x4 van on eBay a few years ago. As a lifelong surfer, he had a completely different vision for the van’s theme.
Talevi said:
I bought the van for the body, gutted it, and had it repainted. And I reworked the interior. I wanted to make it light and bright.
Paintworks - opens in new window or tab., a full-service custom shop in Dover, N.H., applied its current gorgeous blue shade.
Grass Wallpaper and Cork Floors
The audio system includes a JVC head unit, Blaupunkt amp, Polk Moma speakers, and a 12-inch subwoofer.
The interior is open and airy, despite the chopped top. Grass-textured wallpaper lines the walls, while the cork floors are soft on the feet. Unique architectural tiles cover the ceiling.
Talevi describes the trippy vibe:
The ceiling tiles look like bubbles, like you’re in the tube. With the low back front seats, it’s a free flow that bounces the light around.
The custom-built rear bench seat and front buckets feature robust marine leather upholstery that’s easy to clean.
The low back front buckets are reupholstered office chairs.
A running board makes it easy to enter the cabin. But climbing into the cockpit requires a bit more effort.
Talevi says:
It’s a small door opening compared to a regular car. Step on the tire and slide on in there. If you’re a tall dude, you’re going to be hunched over.
Blazer Parts Usually Fit
The 4x4 van rides high on Mickey Thompson wheels - opens in new window or tab., wrapped with beefy 33-inch General Grabber AT2 tires. - opens in new window or tab. Talevi has a second set of even larger tires that go with the truck. Unfortunately, they extend too far outside the fender flares - opens in new window or tab., attracting attention from the local authorities.
A set of two-inch spacer/blocks provide the lift, with custom ladder bars on the rear axle. A dual-shock stabilizer tightens up the steering.
Talevi told us:
While the body is highly customized, the drivetrain isn’t too far from stock. The 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 has a mild cam and an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor - opens in new window or tab.. The headers route exhaust gases through a pair of straight pipes.
Great car stories have a way of going on and on, developing new chapters. Jason was selling his 4x4 surf van on eBay to make room for a new project. His 1972 International Harvester Scout - opens in new window or tab. will soon get rebuilt with a surf theme.
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