Riding In A Van Back To The ’70s

When Ben Vasquez bought his 1975 Chevrolet G10 van, its mural of an eagle soaring over a desert landscape was faded, and its plush interior, intended for amorous assignations, was shredded from years of neglect.

“It had been put through hell, just like most vans you find,” said Mr. Vasquez, 37, who builds hot rods for a living.

“I’ve returned it to what it was in the glory days, what they used to call a ‘boogie van,’ which is both a muscle car and a party vehicle,” said Mr. Vasquez, who has a tattoo on his right cheek of Elvis Presley’s insignia, a lightning bolt surrounded by the letters T.C.B. (for “Taking Care of Business”).

One of a new and growing generation of custom-van enthusiasts, Mr. Vasquez rebuilt the engine but didn’t touch the shopworn exterior or the lettering of the van’s bawdy name (The Stabbin’ Cabin). “Repainting a van that was built in the ’70s is kind of a sacrilege,” he said… read more >