Van of the Week: Rollie's 69 Chevy

For this installment I am going to do somewhat of a 2 parter. One of my favorite vans this one here "Hot and Nasty". This radical custom started off as a typical cargo van, and has undergone many changes over the last 33 years.



Some of the features of Rollie's van include a chopped top over the driver seat, and a roof from a Vista Cruiser wagon over the rear. An etched design borders the front windows, and the side doors have been replaced by a fiberglass gullwing door.
The front end was changed to that of a 1970 Bonneville to increase cooling. I like it as it gives the van a unique look.




Rollie, as you can see is a fine wood worker, and has made the interior of his van reflect that nicely.
Finally here is an shot form the early 80's before he changed the front end to feature the Bonneville grille.

Here is the list of mods made to the van*:
Originally purchased in Virginia Beach Virginia in 1974 and owned for the
past 30 years! First National award "2nd Place Most Radical" 1976 Bowling Green, Kentucky numerous National awards since.

Body
Roof: Front Roof Chopped 6"
Raised Rear Roof 10"
1968 Olds Vista Cruiser Roof Installed w/Vinyl
Doors: Rear Doors removed
Gullwing side door installed
Taillights: 1967 Pontiac Firebird, Installed Vertically
Flares: Handmade fiberglass, molded from Early 70's Dodge front flare!
Grill: 1970 Pontiac Bonneville sectioned 6" each side & 3" on the wrap-arounds
Headlights: 1976 Cadillac
Rear Window: 1969 Ford Fairlane Station Wagon
Gas Cap: 1968 Dodge Charger
Running Boards: White Ash Hardwood

Suspension
Springs: 3/4 ton
Steering Column: 1967 Olds Toronado
Shocks: Lowered 6" Front
Wheel Openings: Enlarged to accommodate 15" tires
Front Sway Bar installed with 7/16" stainless down-links & polyurethane
bushings

Engine
Engine: 1969 Chevy 327 cu. in.
Cam: Crane "Street/Strip"
Valve Covers: Aluminum
Heads: Shaved .015"
Intake: 1978 Chevy 350 w/ 4BBL
Exhaust: Headers
Starter: "Hamburger" drag strip starter
Radiator: 5 core Griffith
Trans: 350 Turbo
Alternator: 80 Amp

Wheels & Tires
Wheels: 1979 Cragar Limit Edition Gold & Chrome w/ Knockoff Spinners
Tires: B.F.Goodrich T/A Radial

Electronics
Alarms: Custom Designed Security Systems (Quantity Classified!)
2 Power Distribution Systems
110 volt Charging System
3 Deep Cycle Auxiliary Batteries
Power Windows All Around
Power Antennae
Gauges: All Digital, Split to be powered from separate power sources.
Proton combo radio/cassette/CD player, Front
Proton combo in rear also
Amplifiers: Proton 30 watt amp
Proton 75 watt amp
Speakers: 4 Boise front seats
2 120 watt Pioneers in Gullwing Door
2 180 watt Pioneers in rear couch
2 200 watt Blue Thunder Sub-woofers
Proton Graphic Equalizer in front dash
Proton Graphic Equalizer in rear overhead console

Interior Woodwork
Wainscoated walls and ceiling
3/4" tongue & groove Cherry Hardwood Floors
Custom Designed Dashboard
Hand-carved Overhead Console
Hand-carved side door panels
Custom designed spare tire compartment, under rear couch & hidden from view
Wood covered engine compartment cover, cut-down 3" to allow easier access
to rear.

*from showtrux.com










Here are a couple of Vantoon's I did for Rollie. He has been a great supporter of my art and I thank him very kindly for this.

The trunk on the rear of the van is a 1920's era touring trunk from a Packard, and was handed down in the family from his grandfather.