Our Cars--1997 Chevrolet Express Van
Submitted by Ann Stetson for Our Cars Week
Here is my 1997 Chevy Express parked in a road-side rest area in Kansas, on my way to New Mexico in 2001. I had two dogs along (if you look close you can see a water dish on the ground by the rear wheel), a friend, and mounds of stuff for two weeks on the road--I was on the way to a huge Golden Retriever dog show.
I live in NY, and this van has carried me, my dogs, my friends, and my husband all over most of the United States, in truck-like comfort. It's not at all comfy like my 2006 Mercedes R-class, nor is it especially cool-looking, but when it comes time to load 'er up and hit the road, you can't beat it. I've carried three dogs in crates, two humans, a lawn mower, assorted stuff, and still had room to fit in books, cassettes (it is a '97 model!), and all sorts of other things.
One of my favorite memories is driving back down to New York from my husband's grandparents' old farm house in Connecticut. We stopped at a Dunkin' Doughnuts and afterwards my old dog fell asleep with her head inside the bag, probably dreaming of sugar. The dog passed away a few years ago, but the van keeps moving on.
We bought the aforementioned Mercedes to replace the van. Yet for some reason I still have the Chevy, funky electrical system and all. I'll keep it until the only folks who want it have a 1-800 number and a tax write-off receipt.
--Ann Stetson
That Car Guy on September 02, 2009 at 09:34 AM
I really like how Chevy/GMC stretched the wheelbases of these vans along with their overall lengths. Rather than just tacking on sheet metal behind the regular wheelbase and adding unsafe and unbalanced weight behind the rear axle, they seem to be better designed than other models, especially from other truck builders, that preceded this generation of full-size vans.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on September 03, 2009 at 06:53 AM
It's reliable and it does what you need it to do. Can't ask for much more than that.
Steve M on September 03, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Chevy had an in-line-six, that couldn't be beat.
Simple as an avil, reliable, economical; the motor would outlast two-and-a-half truck bodies here in the northeast.
Then along came the V-6? Why fix what wasn't broken?
Kirk Z on September 03, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Thats exactly what I did with my 1989 GMS Starcraft Van.
You will miss it when its gone...except for the fillups..........
I've had three full size Vans and one old VW Bus, so far in my car buying history.
Took my first full size Van all the way to Alaska and back, in 1987.
Special days indeed.....Special days indeed.........