Russell's '66 Sportvan Deluxe

I drove it down to the auto swap meet today, farthest it's been since I got it running.
It ran really nice on and off the freeway, plenty of power and a smooth power band.
The front end will need some work, new bushings, shocks and alignment.
It was really loose feeling but drivable.



I ran into several people I knew there and found a few small items I can use on the Van.
I also sold a set of 14' wheels with tires after I looked around a bit, made a couple bucks and have a little more room in the garage.
Don, Rich and Pam came by, always fun to run into other vanners.
Don and I had the only early vans there I think.(besides a few VW"S)

Ah, it feels so good to get it out of the driveway, especially early on when it's finally drivable!

I remember when my longest trip was to the DMV to get the van actually in my name and with legal license plates! This was August of 2010.

I bought a pair of used "Hooker" pipes for a Harley, I knew I could cut out the center part to use as exhaust tips.



Stuck it back together to show which part I used.

A MAN WITH A SAWSALL AND A WELDER CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING!
The pipes cost me $8
I also found a "SS" emblem for $1 and put it on the back door,

Now I have a "Super SportVan Deluxe"

Nice touches, especially the SS emblem. I think you'll start a new trend...or at least get someone to scratch their head and say, I didn't know the vans came with an SS package?!

I've always thought a Sportvan with a big block V8 would be a Super Sportvan! And some of the Super Sport emblems use a script that is very similar to our Sportvan emblem. It seemed very easy in my head. It's sort of easy in Photoshop. Not sure if it would work in real life, but here's how some of the emblems look together!



The lighting was different on all of these, so in real life they would probably match better.

I started with a photo of a 2nd Gen 108, not realizing that 2nd Gens put the Sportvan emblems lower than 1st Gens. So we 1st Gen owners would not have has as much room above and to the left of our emblems.

Cool Rich, I think the white "S" 's would look sharp if the Super were centered over the Sportvan...Great ideas, all of them!

The first pic looks good..

I like the forth one, but I think it would look better with the "uper" from the first one.

Vanny, I think you're right about getting the stacked ones more centered.  With most of these, I positioned the "Super" to run into the Sportvan "S" the same way as the Super Sport emblem I took it from. But we don't have to adhere to that.

Seth, I'd say you nailed it! The two white-filled S's are so iconic. That's from a 67 Chevelle. And that "uper" is a close match for our Sportvan script. I will definitely try that next!

I like the letter style of the second one but I think above Sportvan and more in the center.

The top one would only fit on a 108.



So Russ, is it too late to switch to a big block?!!

Great progress since you saved this van!~  For the rear door emblem on Vantasia, I used a '66 Impala trunk lid script since my original was long gone, looks period correct Chevy anyway!  I wasn't too concerned about finding the correct one since my van is customized.  BTW, I was lucky enough to find an original master cylinder hole cover with supple rubber from a bone yard in Oklahoma, but I like how you fabbed yours! (oh, and that's am aftermarket small trailer replacement back-up light, about the same size as the originals if any one needs a replacement, any RV/trailer shop sells them or online).

Some Great tips, Vantasia! Thanks for sharing! I think those backup lights would look nice on an Econo as well...Or a Dodge too!!!

vanny wrote:Some Great tips, Vantasia! Thanks for sharing! I think those backup lights would look nice on an Econo as well...Or a Dodge too!!!

Yes, and they are inexpensive and look old school. There are newer LED versions.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200580745_200580745?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Shopping.com&utm_campaign=Trailers%20%2B%20Towing%20%3E%20Trailer%20Lighting&utm_content=18340

VANagain wrote:

So Russ, is it too late to switch to a big block?!!

Yes!!!!!!

Vantasia wrote:Great progress since you saved this van!~  For the rear door emblem on Vantasia, I used a '66 Impala trunk lid script since my original was long gone, looks period correct Chevy anyway!  I wasn't too concerned about finding the correct one since my van is customized.  BTW, I was lucky enough to find an original master cylinder hole cover with supple rubber from a bone yard in Oklahoma, but I like how you fabbed yours!  (oh, and that's am aftermarket small trailer replacement back-up light, about the same size as the originals if any one needs a replacement, any RV/trailer shop sells them or online).

I love those custom touches, that's a big part of making the Van your own.
The "Chevrolet" Script is a nice touch.

I've been driving the Van around and really didn't want to take it apart again but it's been getting really hot onside while driving, it had several holes in the doghouse letting the heat from the engine into the Van and no insulation.
I pulled the seats and doghouse and finished off welding the floor, I welded up all the holes in the doghouse and painted everything with POR 15.




I also started putting the insulation inside the doghouse.

I should have it all back together by this weekend without the heat and less noise inside.

Nice job Russell! What type of insulation did you use on the doghouse?

That's an interesting view looking at the van through the doghouse like that...when I first looked at it, I said what am I looking at???

The insulation came from a RV supply, rather generic, foil on both sides with something like bubblewrap in between.
I used spray glue to attach it and some foil tape around all the edges and low spots etc.

I was able to get the Van back together and driveable again after welding up the Doghouse and floor.I covered the doghouse and tunnel and wheelwells with material like they use for speaker boxes, it stretches pretty easily and shows the lines of the doghouse well.

I also put 2 layers of different types of insulation under the lid with a couple pieces of aluminum to help hold it in place and also shapes the inside for better air flow through the doghouse.

I added a door to access the oil dipstick.


The side panel I removed had a black circle on it as if someone had the spare tire behind the drivers seat at one time, I thought that was a good idea since the spare really doesn't fit where GM put it so I made a bracket and added a piece of angle for support.


I also found some step plates at the swap meet for $10 I knew I could cut down and use in the Van.



With some carpet and some trim the Van is starting to look more like a real driver again. It is Sooooooooo! much quieter and the lid doesn't get hot to the touch anymore.



Just a couple of before pictures.

Nice work!  Also, I like the pic of your "copilot"

Jim

Viva La Differance!!!
Lots of Nice Work done in a short period of time!
Those Step Plates look Fantastic!!

Well done!

Shows what a lot of hard work and effort will get you. Nice job.

jrdunn96 wrote:Nice work!  Also, I like the pic of your "copilot"

Jim

She is the official inspector.
Thanks for all the nice comments, I like the fact this Van was dying in a field last year, forgotten for years but now it's back out on the roads where it belongs.
(I think it's happy too)