Buying the van!

After a month searching for a van around San Francisco, then taking a risk and heading to LA to continue looking, we finally found one and have started our road trip! We ended up buying a 1986 Chevy G20. The last owner, Randy, renovated the big baby and helped with the final repairs and fixes before we hit the road. The van has a v8 5.0L carbureted engine and was converted into a camper from new by Contempo, a Canadian company that doesn’t exist anymore. We had the van inspected and the mechanics advised us not to buy it as it might have issues being old and carbureted.

Meanwhile we were also looking at a Roadtrek (a Dodge van fully fitted as an RV with microwave, tv, toilet, shower…). These newer vehicles, compact in size, are highly desirable (read: expensive). We put it through an inspection, but it had its own issues so we put in a low offer we felt comfortable with but it wasn’t accepted. After careful consideration we went back to Randy with the Chevy van where we were sure of the repairs and more confident in the older mechanical style (less electronics)!

By this point we thought we’d soon be on the road, but no! Besides the repairs, including the AC system, we had to get cash out to pay for it. It took three days withdrawing $400 at a time and walking miles to different ATMs. Then we needed to pass the smog test, which failed first time but passed a few days later when we could use their better technician. We could then register it to our name using Randy’s address, but were blocked again as the DMV was still processing the registration renewal Randy filed a few days earlier. And let’s talk about the insurance! It is close to impossible to find an insurance with foreign licenses and a desire to travel a long time across states. The only option is RV insurance, three times more expensive and requiring the van to be qualified as an RV (req. kitchen, living quarters, fresh storage and toilet! The insurance needs pictures as proof, so Randy landed us a port-a-potty (portable toilet) for a couple of pictures.

Anyway, all is -hopefully- sorted, and we were very lucky to have bought the van from such nice people who even let us watch the Superbowl at their place!

Van specs:
Manufacturer: CHEVROLET
Model: SPORT VAN
Fuel type: PETROL
Engine capacity [ccm]: 5000
Country of manufacturer: UNITED STATES
Model year: 1986
Version: G20
Engine: 5.0L V8 OHV 16V
Drive type: RWD