2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steve Hafner · 11-03-2012, 02:39 PM

. . . .

I've searched on the internet and learned a few things about the Chevy and GMC Handi-van, mostly from the link below:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...0sfyl78y4RVztw

The most interesting thing about them to me is the fact that they could be ordered with a COLUMN mounted 4 SPEED MANUAL transmission !!!

Has anyone owned one like that in the past ?

Do you have any pictures or knowledge on what the shift pattern was ?

. . . .

Steve Hafner · 11-03-2012, 02:40 PM

. . . .

The paragraph below, mentions the 4 speed manual column shift:

. . . .

Steve Hafner · 11-03-2012, 02:42 PM

. . . .

A 1964 version can be seen in the 1969 Movie: " Midnight Cowboy "
( if you look REAL FAST )

. . . .

71gmcburb · 11-03-2012, 02:58 PM

I used to own a 65 Ford Falcon Supervan (Econoline with windows) with a 4-spd column shifted man trans. I loved it. pattern was just like on a floor shift. It had the 240 I-6 and got over 35mpg, my 66 Econoline supervan with the same 240 but a 3spd only gets about 26-28mpg . hated to sell it but it went to a collector who restored it

71gmcburb · 11-03-2012, 03:05 PM

if you look on the bottom half of this pic you will see the 4spd option listed it was only available through 65

CMH77 · 11-03-2012, 03:10 PM

My dad had a few of different years but they were all 3 OTT's.

Guy locally has two '67s for sale, but they're both window vans and I want a SWB non-window model. Still... I really want to get one but with the '69 LWB Stepside and my Ironhead project I just can't see doing one right now much as I'd love to own one.

Steve Hafner · 11-03-2012, 03:28 PM

. . . .

Chevy and GMC had a 4 speed column shift through 1970.

That would be a pretty cool truck to drive !!!

It also looks like the same 350 that's in my 70 C-10 was " SQUEEZED " in there somehow too !!!
( I bet that just might have had an overheating problem on hot days )

. . . .

71gmcburb · 11-03-2012, 03:37 PM

I ment to say Ford stopped offering them after 65. In 68 they redesigned the vans to a front engine layout. Moving the driver back so a floor shifter would work. I have seen a few early 70s Econolines with floor shifted 4spd man trans, but not many

GM probabaly ended the 4 on the tree around the time they did their redesign on the vans

**special-K** · 11-03-2012, 09:58 PM

Check these out. I believe the Chevys were called "Chevy Vans". Handi-Vans were only GMC

www.vannin.com

www.vcvc.org

PAWS 72 · 11-03-2012, 10:24 PM

It kinda funny, the other nite I had a brain f... and was thinking how I would like one of the old chevy or ford van. Dad had 2 of the old fords and my grandad had a old chevy.I learned to drive on an old ford van.Manual Trans.

PanelDeland · 11-03-2012, 10:29 PM

I have heard of them but dismissed them from being actual fact.I had not seen the lit you posted.I've probably driven a couple dozen of these vans over the years but all were 3 ott.I think I've seen one with an auto.I've also driven quite a few of the Econolines from this era but never seen one of them with any but 3 ott unless it was swapped in.

cleanfreak · 11-03-2012, 10:35 PM

I can't say that I drove it , but a buddy had one , warner 4spd was on the build list , maybee 300hp327 also? The van also had no side cargo doors from the factory , 4:10 posi. Sat in his yard for years , finally scrapped it out.

**Already Gone** · 11-03-2012, 10:38 PM

In 1967 my first job was that of a truck helper with the Montreal Star. They had a fleet of 50 or so newspaper dellivery truck and a 1/2 dozen of them were these Chevy vans. The regular wheelbase ones were called Handi Vans and we had 2 of those but ten they got in some new ones and he were called Chevy Van 108 for thevlonger wheelbase. They were also equipped with 283's and 3 speed auto transmissions, and because they were so light they were rockets when empty.
Posted via Mobile Device

pritch · 11-03-2012, 10:59 PM

There was a 99% complete '67 Chevy Sportvan at a local pick and pull a couple of years ago. I shoulda bought the whole thing-been kicking myself ever since. It was in pretty good shape, too. I think I was the first one to see it, it hadn't been messed with at all. I got the bucket seats out of it, which were (are) in great shape:

They were having a "Any Bucket Seat $15" sale that day, so I picked them up. I figured as good a shape as they were in, I could flip them, but I never could find any takers. So I put them in my green 68:

Now I know why no one wanted them. They ain't the most comfortable seat, by far. But they're a whole lot better than what I had

I also got this out of it-a windshield washer tank that is identical in every way to the ones in our trucks, but is molded in black:

I would guess they were all black like that in the vans, maybe because they were in the cab and somewhat visible. I think it's cool.

I couldn't say what shifter that van had, but if I ever find out it was a 4 on the tree, I'll be double bummed that I didn't grab it up.

**special-K** · 11-04-2012, 09:17 AM

I'd like to have one

Sideways · 11-04-2012, 12:58 PM

I do remember driving a Falcon van in the 70's that had a four on the tree,I believe they were produced by Mercury in Canada.

These vans are real easy to work on,the one I had (fargo) you could pop out the seats with quick release pins and then remove the doghouse sides for easy access.
The one I had came with a 273 which I pulled and put in a '70 340 with a purple shaft. I must say I did suprise a few at the stoplight!

nobolt · 11-04-2012, 01:34 PM

my dad got a chevy van in 1964 or 1965. column shift...straight 6 cyl. windows all the way around. grey and white 2 toned paint. i grew up riding on the motor box.
he had $1000 offers for it in the mid 70's but my grandfather whined so much about "keeping it in the family" that he gave it to him for $300.
then the SOB sold it for $1100 a few months before i got my license in 1980. i was all geeked up because i was under the impression that i was going to buy it for the $300 that my grandfather paid......WRONG!

i had to watch it around town for years after that...but the guy wouldnt sell it.

i will see if i can find out if it was a 3OTT or 4OTT.........

71gmcburb · 11-04-2012, 04:26 PM

the 4OTT trans are vary rare. with the Fords they added ~$600 for the option.

As I stated earlier they added alot to the mpg as 4th was only good for overdrive. My 66 runs aprox 3000 to 3500rpms at 65mph in 3rd. My 65 would only turn at 2000 to 2500rpm at 65mph in 4th.

Vintage Windmills · 11-04-2012, 08:00 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RE...item27cc7df96a

nobolt · 01-08-2013, 07:14 AM

in answering the original question....my dad says that his was the same shift pattern that a floor shift has, an H.

RANDY COX · 01-08-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71gmcburb

if you look on the bottom half of this pic you will see the 4spd option listed it was only available through 65

Those things were cool,my dad's friend used to have one of those like the truck version,he used in the mountains to cut wood back when I was a kid my dad had his ole 71 GMC 4x4,and he got that ole THING stuck in a creek,that's what we called it the THING.and was up in the bed of that Thing cooking on a grill,you talk about funny we laughed about that for years,Another one of his friends accidently cut a tree and it went the wrong way and landed on the top of his cab,it was a FORD,luckily it was a small tree and didn't do too much damage,Ah that was the good ole days....

trac209 · 01-08-2013, 12:02 PM

When I was a kid my friends dad had one of those with the 3 ott and a 6 and that thing would scoot. He used to drive that thing down crazy roads to get us to those magic fishing spots. Wish I could find or even see another one.
Posted via Mobile Device

11-03-2012, 02:39 PM	#1
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 . . . . I've searched on the internet and learned a few things about the Chevy and GMC Handi-van, mostly from the link below: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...0sfyl78y4RVztw The most interesting thing about them to me is the fact that they could be ordered with a COLUMN mounted 4 SPEED MANUAL transmission !!! Has anyone owned one like that in the past ? Do you have any pictures or knowledge on what the shift pattern was ? . . . . Attached Images

11-03-2012, 02:40 PM	#2
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 . . . . The paragraph below, mentions the 4 speed manual column shift: . . . . Attached Images

11-03-2012, 02:42 PM	#3
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 . . . . A 1964 version can be seen in the 1969 Movie: " Midnight Cowboy " ( if you look REAL FAST ) . . . . Attached Images

11-03-2012, 02:58 PM	#4
71gmcburb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: everett washington Posts: 382	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I used to own a 65 Ford Falcon Supervan (Econoline with windows) with a 4-spd column shifted man trans. I loved it. pattern was just like on a floor shift. It had the 240 I-6 and got over 35mpg, my 66 Econoline supervan with the same 240 but a 3spd only gets about 26-28mpg . hated to sell it but it went to a collector who restored it __________________ a wise man once said "There are only two real rules to life... 1 - Don't sweat the small stuff 2 - Everything is small stuff

11-03-2012, 03:05 PM	#5
71gmcburb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: everett washington Posts: 382	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 if you look on the bottom half of this pic you will see the 4spd option listed it was only available through 65 __________________ a wise man once said "There are only two real rules to life... 1 - Don't sweat the small stuff 2 - Everything is small stuff

11-03-2012, 03:10 PM	#6
CMH77 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Springfield, IL Posts: 71	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 My dad had a few of different years but they were all 3 OTT's. Guy locally has two '67s for sale, but they're both window vans and I want a SWB non-window model. Still... I really want to get one but with the '69 LWB Stepside and my Ironhead project I just can't see doing one right now much as I'd love to own one.

11-03-2012, 03:28 PM	#7
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 . . . . Chevy and GMC had a 4 speed column shift through 1970. That would be a pretty cool truck to drive !!! It also looks like the same 350 that's in my 70 C-10 was " SQUEEZED " in there somehow too !!! ( I bet that just might have had an overheating problem on hot days ) . . . . Attached Images

11-03-2012, 03:37 PM	#8
71gmcburb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: everett washington Posts: 382	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I ment to say Ford stopped offering them after 65. In 68 they redesigned the vans to a front engine layout. Moving the driver back so a floor shifter would work. I have seen a few early 70s Econolines with floor shifted 4spd man trans, but not many GM probabaly ended the 4 on the tree around the time they did their redesign on the vans __________________ a wise man once said "There are only two real rules to life... 1 - Don't sweat the small stuff 2 - Everything is small stuff

11-03-2012, 09:58 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 Check these out. I believe the Chevys were called "Chevy Vans". Handi-Vans were only GMC www.vannin.com www.vcvc.org __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-03-2012, 10:24 PM	#10
PAWS 72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sheffield, ALA Posts: 2,472	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 It kinda funny, the other nite I had a brain f... and was thinking how I would like one of the old chevy or ford van. Dad had 2 of the old fords and my grandad had a old chevy.I learned to drive on an old ford van.Manual Trans.

11-03-2012, 10:29 PM	#11
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I have heard of them but dismissed them from being actual fact.I had not seen the lit you posted.I've probably driven a couple dozen of these vans over the years but all were 3 ott.I think I've seen one with an auto.I've also driven quite a few of the Econolines from this era but never seen one of them with any but 3 ott unless it was swapped in. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-03-2012, 10:35 PM	#12
cleanfreak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: port robinson ontario canada Posts: 401	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I can't say that I drove it , but a buddy had one , warner 4spd was on the build list , maybee 300hp327 also? The van also had no side cargo doors from the factory , 4:10 posi. Sat in his yard for years , finally scrapped it out.

11-03-2012, 10:38 PM	#13
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,171	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 In 1967 my first job was that of a truck helper with the Montreal Star. They had a fleet of 50 or so newspaper dellivery truck and a 1/2 dozen of them were these Chevy vans. The regular wheelbase ones were called Handi Vans and we had 2 of those but ten they got in some new ones and he were called Chevy Van 108 for thevlonger wheelbase. They were also equipped with 283's and 3 speed auto transmissions, and because they were so light they were rockets when empty. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

11-03-2012, 10:59 PM	#14
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 There was a 99% complete '67 Chevy Sportvan at a local pick and pull a couple of years ago. I shoulda bought the whole thing-been kicking myself ever since. It was in pretty good shape, too. I think I was the first one to see it, it hadn't been messed with at all. I got the bucket seats out of it, which were (are) in great shape: They were having a "Any Bucket Seat $15" sale that day, so I picked them up. I figured as good a shape as they were in, I could flip them, but I never could find any takers. So I put them in my green 68: Now I know why no one wanted them. They ain't the most comfortable seat, by far. But they're a whole lot better than what I had I also got this out of it-a windshield washer tank that is identical in every way to the ones in our trucks, but is molded in black: I would guess they were all black like that in the vans, maybe because they were in the cab and somewhat visible. I think it's cool. I couldn't say what shifter that van had, but if I ever find out it was a 4 on the tree, I'll be double bummed that I didn't grab it up. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

11-04-2012, 09:17 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I'd like to have one Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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11-04-2012, 12:58 PM	#16
Sideways Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Left Coast,Canada Posts: 294	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 I do remember driving a Falcon van in the 70's that had a four on the tree,I believe they were produced by Mercury in Canada. These vans are real easy to work on,the one I had (fargo) you could pop out the seats with quick release pins and then remove the doghouse sides for easy access. The one I had came with a 273 which I pulled and put in a '70 340 with a purple shaft. I must say I did suprise a few at the stoplight! Attached Images Last edited by Sideways; 11-04-2012 at 03:16 PM.

11-04-2012, 01:34 PM	#17
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 my dad got a chevy van in 1964 or 1965. column shift...straight 6 cyl. windows all the way around. grey and white 2 toned paint. i grew up riding on the motor box. he had $1000 offers for it in the mid 70's but my grandfather whined so much about "keeping it in the family" that he gave it to him for $300. then the SOB sold it for $1100 a few months before i got my license in 1980. i was all geeked up because i was under the impression that i was going to buy it for the $300 that my grandfather paid......WRONG! i had to watch it around town for years after that...but the guy wouldnt sell it. i will see if i can find out if it was a 3OTT or 4OTT......... __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

11-04-2012, 04:26 PM	#18
71gmcburb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: everett washington Posts: 382	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 the 4OTT trans are vary rare. with the Fords they added ~$600 for the option. As I stated earlier they added alot to the mpg as 4th was only good for overdrive. My 66 runs aprox 3000 to 3500rpms at 65mph in 3rd. My 65 would only turn at 2000 to 2500rpm at 65mph in 4th. __________________ a wise man once said "There are only two real rules to life... 1 - Don't sweat the small stuff 2 - Everything is small stuff

11-04-2012, 08:00 PM	#19
Vintage Windmills Vintage 4x4s Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Prior Lake, MN Posts: 4,305	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RE...item27cc7df96a __________________ 67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades) 67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore ) 86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW 71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck) 71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project) 72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker) 01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue ^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either '86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649 '71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642 '72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6

01-08-2013, 07:14 AM	#20
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 in answering the original question....my dad says that his was the same shift pattern that a floor shift has, an H. __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

01-08-2013, 12:02 PM	#22
trac209 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: winnipeg Posts: 1,107	Re: 2nd Generation HANDI-VAN - 67-70 When I was a kid my friends dad had one of those with the 3 ott and a 6 and that thing would scoot. He used to drive that thing down crazy roads to get us to those magic fishing spots. Wish I could find or even see another one. Posted via Mobile Device

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