DanTheVanMan's new 1965 Sport-Van

good looking van,fits in the garage nicely

Thanks everyone. Yeah, very happy with it. Tomorrow I will spray her down on the inside with Simple Green, let her sit for 10 min and pressure wash her out.

Plan on just getting the inside done on this one and make her my new daily driver... Leaving the Eldorado in the driveway!

Going to cleanup the window molding I got from the JY two weeks ago, Shoot them and do the lower panels in Diamond plate (Since I have sooo much of it) and work on getting the new seats in and call it good until I finish the panel....


Dan

Front seats:


2nd row:


3rd row:

Like already said,your pics are far better than what was in the ad.Ya did dern good Dan.Looks great inside its new Home.Got ya seats all ready to mount,all the kids have their own window to look out too.Don't poke a hole in the floor w/left foot,or forget to use it on the other van.Proud for ya bud!

Thanks Moe,
Funny when you called, the truck was just coming around the corner and I was seeing the van for the first time...... I will clean it out today and go over the whole van (Weather Permitting) and give you a call tonight if your going to be around. Still dark out and on my third Cup O' Coffee. can't wait for it to get light out!!! Hopefully it will be dry today..

Later,
Dan

Damn that things sweet. Definitely not an east coast,swiss cheese van. you done good son.

All righty! Took her out this morning and it's a nice day. Pulled those 14" 70's sport wheels off and put on the 15" Centerlines... Ahhh! Much better!

Took her to the car wash to blow out the inside. Not to bad either. I feared what I might find under the carpet in back but was very surprised! Also managed to get the front floor mat out in one piece so I can use it as a template. Typical rust under the mat, no surprises there. I didn't even get a chance to pop the doghouse lid last night and again, very surprised..... Feeling really good about what I found today (No bad surprises). She runs a bit rough but once I get an HEI, rebuild the carb and a new fuel filter she should run smooth. And she runs clean too. not even a puff when you start it. Did get water in the radio.... Poor 20 yr old "Kraco" didn't have a chance.....

Ain't it purdy !

Looks great dan!!! Congratulations

The Centrelines are perfect with the body paint! And yes, looks very solid and clean inside!

OK, Going to play a little catch-up Here.

Painted the doors, Dash & guage cluster. Rebuilt the carb and put in a HEI Distrib. Cut all that junk passing as Bumperettes off the front end and working on rebuilding a functioning bumper. That cool rake the van has is due to both front springs having #2 leafs broken so looking at options for that. Made brackets for the Equinox seats and got the Pass seat in today. Spent a few hours grinding all the old chrome off the 66 panel bumpers to put on the 65.

And picked up a brand spankin new 8-track!! Yes, I have lots of tapes......

Dan

Sweet!!! Nice looking Dan... What inline is that powering the Chevy??? just curious... I know quite a bit about the Fords but very little on the Chevies... the bumper turned out nice and I love the paint job.... again, one more time..... SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Dan, I'm a big Sportvan fan. Yours has got real personality! And you're making some real good progress.

I too have thought of beefing up the front bumper with some steel tubing behind it. The first thing everybody says when they first see our snub-nose vans is, "Sure wouldn't want to be in a head on collision in one of these." I'm not worried about it but strengthening the bumper seems like a good idea.

My Sportvan came with the turquoise floor mat like yours, almost as good of shape. What did you use to clean yours?

Lectricman,
It's got the 250 in her with a 2spd powerglide....

VANagain,
Just used "Fantastic" and power washed it. Came out pretty clean.

Dan

AHHHH looks comfy!!!

Dan you've been busy and your hard work has paid off Looks GREAT!!!

I am a big fan of the diamond plate... It looks good... I have a lot of it in my '66 F-250 Slick..... I also like the miata seats... they look comfortable... Keep up the great work and get to feeling better....

Looks very nice ! I like the filler behind the frt bumper to.

comming along nice.....................

Great work Dan! Very nice!
B.W.

I really don't update this enough..... Here's some more "Catch-up" photo's since the last time I posted to this thread.

New Shocks & Springs all around....


Heater cut-off vaulve.. (Uses the Choke-Pull in the cab)


Diamond-plate panels & Kick-plates in the side and rear doors.


Installed Fiberglass windshield visor.



Little bit of dash-work....



And I just like this pic!


Put in one Pop-out window as a test.


Installed the bumper guards and swapped out fog lights with the new (Old) set. Lenses a slightly different colors but it gives it some character.

Lookin' good Dan, lookin' real good!

Looks great Dan!!!

Very nice!!

That is looking very sharp !! I finally noticed the lights on the sides. Are those a sportvan thing or have they been added on?