Starcraft conversion with raised roof and plush leather and wood upholstery
Electric folding rear seats enable camping
The Appeal
With so-called ‘van life’ becoming more and more popular of an idea, kitted out vans are growing in numbers on the roads with the likes of the Ford Transit and VW Transporter being the favoured choice for many to convert.
This Chevrolet Astro Starcraft conversion van however is certainly one of just a few on British soil and is sure to be a unique model in any campsite. With great space inside, a poky American V6 engine and styling to stand out from the heard, this Japanese import is ready to provide the freedom in bucket loads.HS74XwOVYl24s4Oj0cQ1KBtg4sgoHay6B5ChnRSw.jpeg1.29 MB
History and Paperwork
First registered in Japan in 1997
3 owners from new
Imported in 2019
Used as an airport transfer vehicle in Saint-Tropez for yacht charters since importation
Thanks to the Starcraft conversion, this Chevrolet Astro is far from being any regular van. Step inside and you’ll notice large grey leather seats for the first two rows that would look equally at home in your living room. The third row of seating is made up of one large bench that electrically folds into a flat bed.
The Starcraft van conversion also raises the roof giving plenty of headroom and enables the vehicle’s occupants to move around inside with ease. Furthermore, the so-called captain’s seats in the front rows can swivel round. This Astro van is seemingly perfectly suited for day camping.
Elsewhere, the whole cabin is very well trimmed with wood trim filling the interior from the dashboard to the many cubby holes to be used for storage and the curtain pole in front of the rear doors.
Starcraft conversion: Higher than standard roof line
Stylish pinstripes and Starcraft emblems
American retro chunky wheels
The Chevrolet Astro is certainly not a model we typically see on UK roads. The boxy van shape with a low stance enhanced by thick, chunky wheels and tyres is far from the standard van style we’re used to. As such, you’re almost guaranteed not to come across any other examples of its kind.
The standard Astro shape is modified slightly due to the Starcraft conversion which adds a raised roofline, more curvaceous bumpers and the smaller, more privative window design. Along with the physical modifications, the van comes with elegant pinstriping along the side of the van and Starcraft emblems painted throughout the bodywork.
Having been briefly used as an airport transfer vehicle for a yacht chartering company in Saint Tropez, some of the body panels are showing their age. Cracks in the rear bumper and offside wing mirror are the bulk of the damage while a few marks can be seen on the bumpers. Overall though, the vehicle looks ready for its first road trip.dkcs58nX7OKNYmkZ4MyHqLgmzjPnZi5z6stsr10J.jpeg1.34 MB
The Mechanics
4.3-litre Vortec V6
Three-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive
Come 1997, the Chevrolet Astro van came with very few options available under the body. Both the 4.3-litre Vortec V6 engine and three-speed automatic transmission were the only available options on the all-wheel drive model.
From what we understand, the vehicle drives very well with no particular issues raising their head with the owner mentioning it still “has lots of life in it.”
For the most part, the underside of the van backs up its positive mechanical state, though there are a few areas where it’s showing its age. The exhaust in particular seems to be cracking on the rear section.
In very presentable condition inside and out, this Chevrolet Astro Starcraft van conversion looks ready to be enjoyed by its next owner for years to come. With a brilliantly put together cabin perfectly adept at ‘van life’ there’s no doubt it will soon be travelling around the country and beyond in style.
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