Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

My buddy crm318 and I towed and dismantled his 1978 Chevy SWB Sport Van. This was the death of a beautiful vehicle with a laundry list of great stories and memories tied to it. Some interesting finds along the way...

1978 Chevy SWB Sport Van - In it's prime...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...loadfile-5.jpg

The Tow...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/021.jpg

The tear down...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/025.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/027.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/056.jpg

The Engine Block... WTHeck?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/035.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/031.jpg

Many salvageable parts...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/054.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...%20Van/053.jpg

We also kept the driveshaft, 10 bolt rear axle, 4 core radiator, and so much more. This thing sits as an empty shell that is going to be handed over to a scrap yard for metal.

SO SAD TO SEE IT GO...:waah:

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

wow those girls are HOTT

what happened to the block?

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Texas Freezing temps and water only in the block/radiator. This block was a GM Goodwrench Crate 4 bolt main high nickel content block. Would have made a great core for other sbc builds. I'm glad this van wasn't mine, i would have been heartbroken. crm318 (owner) seems to be taking it well.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

lol you could have rebuilt the ole shaggin wagon again!! i have many fond memories of the vans i had back in the day!

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

This van had rust issues (floor rotted out) and many major items to rebuild. It was in need of... everything. It had a good run. I still have my '76 SWB Sport Van. I fully intend on keeping it on the road... Correction... I fully intend on getting it back on the road.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/stripes5.jpg

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

That van is sweet! It needs a heart shaped plexiglass window at the rear of the quarter panel, though.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Right On !!! :metal:

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

and the pop up vent on the rear roof, or maybe a roof wing! yea, that would be cool!

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Now that would be RAD !!! :lol:

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

What year was the picture of the van in its "prime"? I'm trying to paint a mental picture of what those chicks would look like today.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Are the background pictures of Austin? I think I recognize the first photo location.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Did you keep the sidepipes and are they for sale???

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

They would look exactly as they do in the picture. That picture was only taken 2-3 years ago.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

The picture with the women is in South Padre Texas for Spring Break, the others are in San Marcos, TX.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

I kept the sidepipes, yes.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

I'm sorry to post so many times today, but I wanted to let you know... The scrap yard only paid $263 for the van. Is that all my friend's dreams are worth? This whole process has made me want to restore my '76 even more. I can't imagine letting mine go like this.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

You need to get the Shaggin' Wagon back on the road, pronto. Start with a "god Bless Johnny Cash" sticker, and go where that leads you. I know you have it in you.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

This is one of the best motivational speeches I have ever received. I'll get started right away. Post pictures and updates here? Or are vans a huge offense on this forum?

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

Love the vans.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

I'm not offended. I really want to see it. There are a few vans I see that really make me want one. If I did bring one home, I would have to sleep in it.

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

vans are cool
love to see them

Re: Productive / Destructive Weekend
 

If I complete my van resto as I see it in my head, I would probably prefer to sleep in it... Although having a choice to do so is nice. LOL