"This ought to be taught in school, with the way kids are turning out today!"

Here is my story as to my 1969 Chevy 90 Van:

Back in 1974, I was stationed in Virginia Beach, VA, while in the Navy. While driving down Virginia Beach Boulevard one day, in early May, I saw this beautiful canary yellow van for sale with orange and red flames down the sides, and instantly fell in love with her!

After negotiating with the car lot, I purchased and drove her home. I could not imagine how much attention I would get, while driving her around! Some good, and some bad. Police loved to stop me, and the public loved her style!

One of my friends suggested that I take her to a local show in Hampton, and enter it in the competion. I placed 3rd in the small show, and was hooked on the competion, knowing that I could ultimately do much better.

Attending Bowling Green in 1975, I spotted "Yosemite Sam" and her chop set me in motion to do the same with "Hot & Nasty"! 18 months later, she came out of the shop with a new body style, (chopped 6-1/2 "s), Vista Cruised rear roofline, and a numerous amount of other changes. I kept the same flame pattern on the sides, but this time I changed the base color to black with a silver metal flake in it. Imron for the clear. Since seeing the trunks on the backside of a lot of California vans, I decided to locate one for mine. Fortunately, I found it in the family, and it turned out to be my grandfather's "Packard" touring trunk. 1929!

Having been trained as an Aviation Electrician in the Navy, I set out to design and install an electronic cockpit unseen in the van movement! This turned out to be quite a challenge but well worth it! I since have won 2 National awards for "Best Electronics" with it!

Since the manufactures were mostly designing fiberglass for the newest vans, I had to modify a "mid-Dodge" front flare for the flares on my Early. We did this by making a mold of the original flares, then adding to the leading edge to fit the Early. This worked quite well and we did all four flares this way. Total cost at that time, $25 dollars.

The 6-1/2" front top chop dramatically added to the "aerodynamics" unheard of at the time, as adding a digital computer, I found that I was getting 24 MPG, (normal cruising) as long as I kept all of the glass closed, including the skylights and kept my foot out of the pedal. That 4 barrel really guzzles the petrol when floored! (8 MPG then)!

We did the engine swap to a V-8, and made the mistake the first time of installing a 307! Later that was changed out to a 327 and I have not ever regretted that one!

The cooling problem was solved with the adding of a 5 core custom designed radiator from Griffith Racing Radiators in Townville, South Carolina! (1988) They were of such big help! I have never overheated since!

Since the weight of the van has changed dramatically, suspension was next in order! Front and rear were both recurved and two more leafs added! Total cost @ $160, at 70 's prices.

I'm still in the process of locating someone who point me in the right direction with the braking! 5,000 lbs. rolling down the road needs a GOOD braking system! I would like to do discs but still have not located the right individual!

My seats are from a wrecked Fiero. They have just the right spacing for these "Early" beauties and can be found at quite a reasonable price! I paid $50 bucks for them both, and got them reupholstered for $280!

I was told by the Van House, (VA Beach VAN customizing shop) back in 1974, that my vehicle previously had hauled dry cleaning around Washington, D.C. and had 160,000 miles on her when purchased! That was back then, and I had removed the odometer in my "Digital Retro Fit" and really don't have a clue as to the miles now, but who cares, cause she just keeps going and goingand going! It's a Chevy, what more can I say?

I wish that I could locate some of the old pics from the '70s, but I have had difficulty locating these elusive photos! I was not real good at "keeping" a camera then! Anyway, 7 sets of wheels and tires, 7 different "interiors", 2 different Front ends, 4 different rear end styles, and 5 different paint schemes and this is how she turned out! Not too bad for a little "country kid" from rural Ohio! Backyard van design, and staying out of trouble! This ought to be taught in school, with the way kids are turning out today!

I have been "Vannin" since 1974 and help form "Virginia Beach Van Association" the summer of 1974. I was also involved with the forming of "Cleveland Van Association" in 1975. Later to become a founding member of my current club, "Beaver Valley Vans, Ltd.

Currently, I am designing my garage, to be both an "Entertainment" area, with "Vanner Memoriabilia", signs, logos, and artwork for this neat lifestyle, and a work area. Problem is, I'm running out of room for all of the Van Signs! (Club Logos)

I have found this lifestyle to be both satifying, meeting and becoming friends with so many interesting and friendly people! Nothing can ever take it's place! If I ever had to do it over again, I'd not change a thing, except mabe have a larger garage!

Rollie Eldred
Vanning...... it's more than a passing fad!