Whats different?

I’m wanting to put a cheat-sheet together that can be used to identify the different years and models. Like, the 67 didn’t have reflectors on the side, but the 68 did. It would almost be like a field guide for identifying a van. What to look for to tell if it’s a Sport Van, Display Van, etc. And what years did they make them? And what size engines were offered on what years. Different wheel sizes, drum sizes, whatever. How to tell if it’s a 1/4 ton, 1/2 ton.

Just throw out what you know, even if it’s as little as an emblem that was only used on certain models, or years. It may be obvious to you, but not to a newbie.

How to decipher a VIN number, and is the plate in the same place on 1st and 2nd Generation G10 and G20s?

I know some of you could sit for hours writing it all out, just give me what you can. Maybe come back later to add more.

In the end I hope to have something I can post for anyone to use.

My 68 got the wiper squiters about in the middle of the van. I got 2 65 that don't have any squiters.(option)More 2nd gen info ,my 68 G -20 (3/4 ton) 108WB got 6 lug wheels & extra leaf springs.

Thanks for the great info, keep it comin..

I'll start trying to get this in some kind of order starting tomorrow.

Suppose this is too obvious, but 67 on have the curved windshield, 66 and earlier had flat windshields.

67-70 have red bow ties on front for 1/2 ton. Blue bow tie for 3/4 ton. This is just a personal observation.

Thanks Donivan, I'm slowly putting this together.

Theres been a lot of information posted, but I know theres more out there. Right now I'm trying to put it in order.

I think what started all this is seeing a 1st Gen, and not knowing what year it was..

Next time I want to be ready..

donivan65 wrote:Some stuff,,,,,,,the 1st Gen VIN,,,,G1255P106112,,,,,,G12 is 1/2 ton,,,4th digit 5 is panel,,,6 is SportVan,,, 5th digit is year. no SportVans in 1964,,,,1965 had early and late models,,,,early 65' used 1964 body and brakes,,,,,has the 5 slot grille and 2 latches on the Doghouse cover. 66 has the Chevy Van on the door and 6 slot grille and back up lights,,,,64 and 65 had 153, 194 and 230 engines,,,,66 could have the 250.

So the 1st Gen VIN number only uses the first five spaces, I guess the remaining numbers are the vehicle’s individual serial number?

You also listed that the 66 could have a 250, was the 153 and/or the 194 dropped in 66?

I'm guessing that the G stands for van since it does on the 2nd Gen VIN numbers, and since the 12 means 1/2 ton, all 1st Gen VIN numbers start with G12..

Some of this is asking, some of this is confirming..

The 153 was pretty small, cant image trying to get on the freeway with that between the seats..

This picture is from an old Nova..


Any of you ever find one of these in a van?

Can anyone explain why some Chevys had red bowties, and some had blue?

There something about that in another thread. G20's had blue and g10 had red bowties. I have a G20 and it has a blue bowtie. Also learn here G20's only came in the 108 models.

Not sure why, but my 68 G 20 108 got a red front emblem??? As far as I know its the one that has always been on it??

There are two styles of VIN numbers for 1970 first generation vans. I have seen the different tags. I believe the first 1970 vans (built in late '69) start with 700,000 like the '69's. In early 1970, the tag info changed. I can't remember what they changed to. I saw this about 10 years ago at a Truck-In.

savage wrote:My 68 got the wiper squiters about in the middle of the van. I got 2 65 that don't have any squiters.(option)More 2nd gen info ,my 68 G -20 (3/4 ton) 108WB got 6 lug wheels & extra leaf springs.

The G20 only came in 108s, and the Heavy Duty option added the extra leafsprings.

I haven’t see the vans that didn’t have squirters..

[img][/img] Heres a pic of Troy's 64 Nodoor. His doesn't have squiters & I think it has a single speed wipers,which I think go along with no washers. Both my 65's(NY & CA) have no washers

So the No Door vans were an option?

I guess the No Door, and Display Vans, were an option. I didnt see either one in the production counts for those years, they must have been an option for the panel vans.

So the No Door vans didnt have side doors, but did they have back doors?

And was the No Door or Display Vans only an option for certain years?

I "think" on the 1st gens the display was only 66 , only one I have seen so far. On 2nd gens I "think" they were any year(67-70)[img][/img]On the Nodoor(Pis of Troys 64 again) it was a opition($56.60) for the side doors. So the Nodoor was one of the cheeper vans. Most didn't come with pass seat (or jump seat-torture device) no arm rest or sun visor