Great thread, I love this stuff!!! Keep it going...
Just found this online...
First Generation/Origins (1964-1966)
The first General Motors van was the Chevrolet Corvair-based Chevrolet Greenbrier van, or CorVan introduced for 1961, which used a flat-6 opposed rear engine with air cooling, inspired by the Volkswagen bus. Production of the Chevrolet Greenbrier ended after the 1964 model year.
The 1st generation ChevyVan refers to the first Chevrolet G-Series vans G-10 1/2 ton production years 1964 through 1966. General Motors saw a market for a compact van based on a modified passenger car platform to compete with the already successful Ford Econoline and Dodge A100. The 1964 ChevyVan had a cab forward design with the engine was placed in a "doghouse" between and behind the front seats. Engines and brakes were sourced from the Chevy II, a more conventional compact car than Chevrolet Corvair. The forward engine design allowed a flat rear floor with low deck heights in the rear of the van for loading/unloading cargo. This model was also sold by GMC as Handi-Van. The 1st Gen vans were available in only the short 90 inch wheelbase and were only sold with the standard 90 hp 153 cubic inch straight-4 or Chevrolet Straight-6 engine. A first gen is quickly identified by its single piece flat windshield glass. The first 1964 ChevyVan was originally marketed and sold as a panel van for purely utilitarian purposes. Windows were available as an option, but were simply cut into the sides from the factory. In 1965, Chevy added Sportvan which featured windows actually integrated into the body. GMC marketed their window van as Handi-Bus. Air conditioning, power steering and power brakes were not available in the 1st generation vans.
Updates
1964
The original "classic" flat windshield van. The 90 hp (67 kW) 153 cu in (2.51 L) four-cylinder engine was standard equipment with optional 120 hp (89 kW) 194 cu in (3.18 L) Chevrolet Straight-6 engine engines available. The straightforward construction and a boxy design was ideal for economically hauling cargo, tools and equipment around town. The base cargo model was the ChevyVan, available with or without windows and side cargo doors. Even the heater and right front passenger seat were optional. The Saginaw 3-speed manual transmission was standard with column shift. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was available as an option.
1965
For 1965, the van remained largely unchanged. The grille received one additional slot just above the bumper to increase cooling. Seat belts were added. The exciting news for the 1965 model year was the introduction of the Chevy Sportvan and GMC Handi-Bus. Sportvan was a passenger friendly van with windows molded into the van body. A retractable rear courtesy step for the passenger side doors was used on the Sportvan. The 194 6 cylinder engine was now standard equipment, with an available 'Hi-Torque' 140 hp (100 kW) 230 cu in (3.8 L) six-cylinder
1966
This was the last year of the Flat glass front end on the Chevy Vans. Changes for 1966 include the addition of back-up lights, the side ChevyVan emblems were moved forward and now mounted on the front doors, and the antennae location was moved from passenger side to driver side. The base model "Sportvan" now had two additional trim packages available: Sportvan Custom and Sportvan Deluxe. These featured available upgrades such as Chrome bumpers, two tone paint, rear passenger seats, interior paneling, padded dash, chrome horn ring.
Second generation (1967–1970)
In 1967, ChevyVan got a facelift, including moving the headlights down to a new grille, different tail lights and a rounded glass windshield. The forward control cab design was retained, but the doghouse was widened and slightly relocated in order to fit an optional Chevrolet Small-Block engine. Engine cooling was improved with the addition of a larger cross-flow type radiator and a redesigned front floor which allowed more fresh air to the radiator. The 2nd gen vans were available in either the 90" or the longer 108" wheelbase. Power steering and "conventional" air conditioning (with dash vents & controls) were never available on the 2nd generation vans.
1967
1967 begins the "Second Generation", ChevyVan with a whole new look to the van and offering long wheelbase and v8 power to buyers for the first time. GM designers moved the headlights down to a new grille, added longer, rectangular tail lights and a rounded glass windshield. The forward control cab design was retained, but the doghouse was widened and slightly relocated in order to fit the optional V8 Chevrolet Small-Block engine. Engine cooling was improved with the addition of a larger cross-flow type radiator and a redesigned front floor allowing even more fresh air to the radiator. The 2nd gen G-10 vans were available in the original short wheelbase 90 inches (2,286 mm) or the new optional long wheelbase 108-inch (2,743 mm). Another feature in 1967 was the availability of a new G-20 heavy duty 3/4 ton van. The G-20 featured heavier suspension, a 12 bolt rear axle and increased hauling capability. The G-20 model was available only on the 108 long wheelbase. For 1967, the 140 hp (100 kW) 230 cu in (3.8 L) six-cylinder was now standard, with the optional 155 hp (116 kW) 250 cu in (4.1 L) six-cylinder or the 175 hp, 283 cu in (4.64 L) 2 barrel, V8. Brakes were now upgraded to a safer split system including a dual reservoir master cylinder.
1968
This was the first year that Chevy Vans had side-marker lights. The front lights were located towards the front in the middle of the front doors, while the rear marker lights were located about a foot inward of the very back edge just below the vertical middle of the van.
The optional V-8 engine was upgraded from the 283 2-barrel (175HP) to the larger, more powerful 307 2-barrel V8 (200HP @ 4600 RPM).
A column shift 4-speed transmission (Warner T10) was now available as an option.
1969
For the 1969 model year, the van remained relatively static.
The 3 speed TH-350 Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission and power brakes were now available. "Body-integrated" air conditioning was available on 1969 Sportvan models. This was not your typical AC setup with dash vents and controls, but rather a roof-mounted unit with an single blower duct that had adjustable louvers to direct air flow. Up front, the Chevrolet bowtie emblem changed in color from red to blue this year.
1970
1970 was the last year of the square styling, front drum brakes, and I-beam front axle. The 250 CID 6 cylinder (155Hp @ 4200 RPM) was now standard equipment. In addition to the 307-2 barrel V-8, a 350-4 barrel (255HP @ 4600 RPM) V-8 engine was available as an option for the first time in 1970. The 3 speed automatic and manual 4 speed column shift continued to be available as transmission options.
by Scott Thu Oct 25, 2018 8:21 am
