Here’s how the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari twins became known as “Mid-i-vans”

In this episode I provide the history of the Chevrolet Astro and its GMC twin, the Safari. Both vans were GM's quick response to the success of Chrysler's minivans that debuted in 1983. The 1985 Astro and Safari differed from Chrysler in that GM's vans were rear-wheel-drive and based on a truck chassis, making them taller, and able to tow and carry more cargo. However the Astro/Safari never became seriously competitive with Chrysler, leading GM to introduce their dustbuster minivan trio in 1990. The Astro and Safari stayed true to form for their second generation in 1996, still very square and only one sliding door, and although they had many loyal fans, they weren't enough for GM to continue production after 2005. However there are still some out there who wish GM would bring them back someday.

[@curtiscf1986]

These vans were tougher than a bucket of nails. Probably one of the best vehicles General Motors ever made.

[@colbywalsh4610]

I am the proud and happy owner of a 2005 Chevrolet Astro L S passenger all wheel drive with about 250,000 miles. As far as I know, it is all original. Original engine and transmission and everything. The 03 to 05 was the best😊

[@lawnmowerdude]

Have you changed the intake manifold gaskets yet?

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

The 4.3s are a really good engines,as long as the coolant is changed and the intake is tightened as routine service as well as oil changes with filter and the transmissions seem to hold up well if taken care of.overall a pretty decent little van

[@colbywalsh4610]

@@lawnmowerdude it was a school van before I purchased it. Service record show that was done at around 217,000 miles or so. I am currently at just under 246,000.

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

I have an ‘04 with 212,k mikes now and counting and I drove it to Philadelphia to visits some friends and I urban camped in it for a few days. It was quite a scene

[@edwardaustin740]

I had an 87 Safari. Took the seats out and went camping in it every weekend for years. Great vehicle.

[@johnmaki3046]

They were okay!

[@davinp]

Since GM & Ford both left the minivan market in 2009, that left Chrsyler the only American automaker to offer a minivan

[@Rascofresco11]

I think it's quite ironic that Chrysler introduced the minivan concept and when the chips fall they're the last(American) standing.

[@SayAhh]

Was the Mazda MPV ever considered a domestic product?

[@CarringtonHollister]

Ford still has a minivan technically (Transit Connect)

[@FiregemGaming]

And now it’s quite literally the only car in Chryslers line up, they are killing the 300 this year.

[@carexpertandy]

@@SayAhhNot when Mazda is a Japanese company.

[@rtcturnemup7028]

I remember simple times when suvs were rare and mini vans were exactly how suvs are today. Cars, minivans, and wagons ❤

[@MrOiram46]

in those times, SUVs were just trucks with shorter beds that came with rear seats and a removable top

[@rtcturnemup7028]

@@MrOiram46 most suvs I remember were 2 door mostly just like the trucks. Only a few super long suvs with the main one obviously being the suburban

[@davidking3311]

I worked at the Baltimore assembly plant making these in the early 1990s there was a whole lotta drinking going on to get these beauties manufactured

[@2coolwheels139]

I'm driving a 98 with over 200K miles on it. I bought it 10 years ago for $100! Best $100 I ever spent!

[@johnmaki3046]

I believe this!

[@Lilmiket1000]

omg 100! Amazing! I been trying to get one for less than 3000 with less than 300k miles on it lol.

[@carexpertandy]

The most manly minivan built!

[@averyparticularsetofskills]

To this day I'd LOVE an Astro/Safari AWD high top conversion!

[@joshriles84]

They're still so popular the prices are higher than any other older minivan

[@Mr19thcenturyman]

I've had a Safari passenger model and currently have a Safari cargo version. AWD and anti-lock brakes. The boxy design is what makes them perfect for cargo , boxes or bicycles.

[@agy234]

I still see Chevy astros driving around as work vans

[@Shuckey5]

I just bought one $500 run amazing 140,000

[@Lon1001]

Drove an awd one from the late 90s often for work, to pick up customers and drive people around and the 4WD was awesome in them, they went everywhere in all weather. 18 inches of snow was barely a problem even on some pretty steep grades, and the rear bias made them fun to powerslide when it was slippery out.

[@RIVERSIDEREVIEWS]

Literally LIVED in a one of these for 2-3yrs. It was a 1980s era class-B+ allegro camper conversion with the V6. Thing ran strong with zero issues. Uncle had a standard van version. Basically, the S-10 of mini-vans. Good times and shame theres nothing on the market like it today.

[@Henry_Jones]

The chevy Corvair Greenbrier deseves a shoutout as it pre-dated the Astro by 20 years to compete with the vw bus!

[@19chucki74]

I'd been looking for an Astro cargo van for a while, and almost bought one, if it hadn't been so roughed up on the inside. I still want an Astro though. Great vans.

[@CrazyHorse420]

I have an 02 I'll sell you.

[@johnmaki3046]

These were TUFF!

[@georgemartin1436]

Drove the Safari and the Astro, and they were awesome.

[@aliendeer1294]

Wow the memories....I remember being enthralled by that jingle as a little kid..."Chevy, CHEVY, Astro, ASTRO!"

[@citizenblue]

I have one of these and still love it

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

I have an ‘04 Astro for work. I paid $900 for it with 167,k. It was in great shape but had an electrical problem. I fixed that, put some wheels from a ‘22 GMC Sierra on it & it’s still a great van with over 220,k miles on it now.

[@daveunknown01]

The Astro name was also used for one of GMCs Cabover Semi trucks.

[@indee105]

I used to have an Astro with the Vortec V6. Thing made it to 310,000 miles before I sold it, only ever did basic maintenance. Before I moved I would still see it being driven around by the new owner from time to time. Was an amazing machine.

[@RobsNeighbor]

I was born in 1980, these were all I saw! Then worked on then drove. Great Video!

[@TheHelado36]

Loved the sharp crease in the middle of the front fascia !

[@sergeipohkerova7211]

The Caravan and Transsport always struck me more as the mom car and the Astro was more likely to be a dad.

[@dave900575]

We rented an Astro for a mother's day roadtrip. I recall it was a very nice vehicle.

[@DarknessViper99]

Man I was getting mad nostalgic for these lately, the epitome of 2000s family transport in Santa Ana

[@nesianhoney94]

This is the most classic bangin' little Chevy van! I swoon when I see a well kept Astro.

[@rickc6028]

Best minivan ever!!! 😍

[@AN-cw6yg]

We had an 89' Astro in Maroon then a 99' Astro in Green. Those were the days.

[@XqeDiosxqe]

One of the best mini vans out there.

[@FriedOkraPickles]

0:50 🚨Dad Joke Detected 🚨 "Dedicated Van Base"😂😂🤣

[@James-sir]

I always wanted a Astro Van because when you saw them lowered with actual nice wheels they looked so good I might have to buy one and fulfill that teenage me dream minivan

[@joshriles84]

1995 is a special year....1996 front end with 1994 interior

[@pablochavezsalas7615]

Así es. También es mi año favorito.

[@Danthehistoryman]

It's amazing GM hasnt changed the look of those commercial vans in decades, they've made their money on those. The ASTRO was neat, nothing really like it these days.

[@billdursa4976]

I had an Astro and a Safari. They were both great and trouble free.

[@ThatPatriot]

I wish they still made it, perfect work van

[@jmc6000]

Just for FYI, the 1984 Sheepdog van at the end of this episode was actually based on a Ford Econoline van.

[@MyOldCar]

Yes I know that wasn't a GM van, I just loved that scene and figured I could borrow it here

[@rushnerd]

@@MyOldCar CHEVY CHEVY ASTRO ASTRO What you have you done to me

[@robertcamble3543]

These vans are among the most reliable vehicles ever made . They still popular on the road after so many years .

[@lobolj53]

We still have our 2000 Astro awd that was bought in 2001. 320,000 miles and still going.

[@heffedirte6243]

I would love to have another one. I had an 87 lowrider on Daytons and a 94 with a 350 conversion and cragar SS

[@bobhill3941]

That's awesome! I've always loved Crager SS mags! I watched a show where some guys took a second gen Safari AWD like we had and turbo'd it as a what if like the Syclone and Typhoon.

[@jeremyanderson1139]

The Astro and Safari were more so aimed at commercial buyers than at families. The M-Body platform that these vans was actually different from the Chevrolet S-10 platform

[@sharedknowledge6640]

The bad news is even the S10 was basically bean counter cost reduced junk. So the M body was doomed to be even worse in most ways. These were mostly the dark years for GM.

[@padroooo]

I see you are headed for 100,000 subscribers Pat. Keep up the good work.

[@DUNEATV]

Hey deserves it and much more!

[@tenczaandfriends]

I currently got a 1990 Chevy Astro 4.3L V6 RWD Cargo with 290k and I love it, I lived in it and now I live with it. It's so juiced for just a Van. It's got some quirks but it still starts up and drives every time.

[@Minivan_Operator]

CHEVY! CHEVY! ASTRO! ASTRO! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! 😂

[@xraider927]

🤣🤣🤣 even at the end of the video

[@ryurc3033]

The transfer case / front differential of the AWD models has been known to withstand 800hp launching with drag radials. With only upgrades to the cv axles. Still a sought after setup for street racing

[@ryurc3033]

AWD Astro van with a gen4 5.3 and one of them Chinese whistling hair dryers would make a hugely awesome sleeper

[@nurseelliott4256]

Hey I dig those little vans. I wouldn’t mind have a conversion one today.

[@charlie_nolan]

I still see the cargo/work versions of the Astro everywhere, must be because of the 4.3 V6 or the Iron Duke

[@landonbenford8369]

It's the 4.3 Vortec And the towing capacity.😊

[@ghoffmann821]

I learned to drive in an '86 manual Astro. By age 14, I was a grizzled stress veteran with a 100,000 mile stare.

[@highwayman1218]

Great vans and wrenched on them alot as a mechanic through their runs. The 4x were more wotk, but solid platforms. Unfortunately alot of buyers didnt understand what made them great was the truck inspired bones and complaints from soccer mom type buyers....

[@danhenson7366]

Best mini van ever produced

[@timothydurkan]

I wanted an Astro van bad in the mid 90s. Another great video!

[@donalddday7741]

it was the only mini that looked like a real an and was and still is popular with vanners

[@brandbryce]

loved this episode

[@SeymourBalz]

I have a 97 Astro. 206k miles. Runs and drives fine. About 21mpg.

[@dalesmth1]

Former Astro owner here. The V8 swap greatly improved this vehicle’s shortcomings.

[@nicklikesradio]

5.3 or?

[@dalesmth1]

@@nicklikesradio 5.7 vortec. This was three years before LS variants.

[@carlbuschman]

I drove an Astro van as a Courtesy for Riley Chevrolet for customers, the Astro was a really good choice.

[@danhenson7366]

Using the truck plan is why they were the best.... im currently looking for a 2005 awd

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

It'd be so cool if the Astro made a comeback as a hybrid minivan.

[@pbmc_]

I saw the thumbnail and had to watch. We had the same color one as in thumbnail. I waked up at 4:30 every morning in high school and delivered newspapers by throwing them out the windows of the ASTRO. Such great memories with this awesome vehicle.

[@icillay]

If you think that the Chevy Astro theme is annoying, then playing the Ford Aerostar song (an adaptation of Age of Aquarius from the musical Hair) would most certainly be a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

[@evanscott7578]

GM actually had a prototype for a minivan before Chrysler, called the Nomad II. If you look it up, it looked very similar to what Chrysler came out with. Another GM van fact is they had a trim package for their full size Chevy G vans called Caravan well before Dodge used that name.

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi Diamante

[@42luke93]

What’s that? Never heard of it

[@xraider927]

​@@42luke93it's a full size sedan larger than the Galant

[@bk_goatkim679]

Astro-Astro! These cans were so unreliable! Love it!!!

[@Rascofresco11]

An Astro comeback would definitely work as an EV for GMs portfolio. Possibly out sell the traverse 7:1

[@Brian-li5up]

Great ending!

[@j.r.warren5794]

I used to work in the satellite company that produced the Liteflex composite springs for them. We called them M-vans.

[@davidpistek6241]

The awd system was used on the syclone, Tony Angelo is building a clone and used the awd settup and 4.3 from it

[@dosgos]

I drove an earlier Astro on a long trip. It seemed a bit crude, truck-like, and unfinished. It was incredibly practical with tons of space. Maybe the later versions were more refined.

[@iluvcamaros1912]

The later interior (the dash) was an improvement that made it feel a little more modern but still very clunky/truck like overall.

[@hrayrstanboulian5270]

I used to own 1990 buick century i had custom dual exhaust on it from same generation grandprix but now rarely seen one for years still. Road worthy

[@albear972]

*♫ ♪ ♪ ♪ Chevy, Chevy! Astro, Astro! ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪*

[@chosenone101]

The Astro name was used the 80s production of the GM/Chevy heavy truck cabover division...the GMC Astro and Chevy Titan. They stopped production in 1987 and formed White/GMC

[@DUNEATV]

Great video…as usual! 🍻

[@Raatokalle]

had a good laugh at the end. Should have seen that coming.

[@davinp]

Currently GM only wants to offer big expensive gas-guzzling SUVs so that they can make more profit. Also, Ford. They care more making higher profits instead of making affordable, fuel-efficient and reliable family cars and minivans

[@piggy310]

They build what the market wants, stop being such a little tyrant.

[@piggy310]

Tell your hero Joe biden to sell his gas guzzling V8

[@kclefthanded427]

Still has unmatched towing to this day at 6700 lbs. Love the useful Dutch doors before the Ford Excursion trying to claim they're the first to offer it

[@edefelic]

I thought it was 5000lbs.

[@kclefthanded427]

​@@edefelicyeah, it is 5000lbs.

[@member57]

The Astro/ Safari had a higher towing capacity GVWR than a half ton C1500 with the 4.3L. Simply because of the weight of the vehicle which was lighter than the pickup because of the unibody therefore could tow more on the trailer. The van was listed as a half ton van with the same combined weight rating as the pickup.

[@4BillC]

Take the 4.3 V6 AWD and turbo it. It'd be like Syclone van! I'd drive it!

[@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr]

Loved ❤ it. Thanks so much.

[@joellamoureux7914]

Here in georgia usa, i fairly frequently see these on the road. I always liked them.

[@EDT123]

You keep it up man good job very informative citipointe I love it

[@fgeiger41]

Great video. You forgot that the AstroO was HUGELY popular in japan and inspired a while segment of vehicles that even Kia started emulating like the Soul.

[@MyOldCar]

Actually I did mentiion its popularity in Japan near the end.

[@fgeiger41]

@@MyOldCar oh wow. Gives me an excuse to watch again. 😁 I was waiting on it but was also multitasking at the same time. Thanks 😊

[@jelanimclean6326]

The Heartbeat Of America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Mintman83]

They were assembled near where I lived in MD

[@TheJaymon1962]

Thanks for this!

[@idajane1974]

If they made one of those new today I would buy one

[@jonzo22]

It's weird seeing that van again, it's because the same shape and size as a normal SUV now

[@markfierke8565]

The Astro name came from the class eight diesel truck section of GMC. GMC Astro/Chevrolet Titan starting in 1969

[@JohnnyN-ml3te]

I had a 2001 Astro hi top conversion that I bought in 2014 with 125k. In 7 years I put 90k on it and the only thing the engine ever needed was a distributor cap but I gave it plugs and wires too. Of course I did an alternator, water pump, power steering but that's any vehicle. I think it was the most dependable vehicle I ever owned, and I'm a Ford van guy! My Astro still ran great when I sold it with 216k I kinda miss it

[@PrydeWater901]

What an ending!!

[@furiouhuzzah]

Even as a kid I always thought they were the coolest vehicles. I was a teen in the early 2000's during the SUV boom, so to fit in I got a Grand Cherokee. I wish I would've gotten an Astro, probably would have had a lot fun with it.

[@tonybrown6775]

I drove a shorty GMC Safari one of the first Buick Pontiac dealership parts runner van. The Southside of Indianapolis I worked for

[@anthonyrivera4735]

Please do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup

[@JSFGuy]

Keep asking and see what happens.

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

I had a couple of Dustbuster U Bodies, the '02 Astro I rented once had a softer quieter ride but higher from the full frame.

[@puresweetnessyo]

I want to see a video on the Nissan 240sx. I had a 1990 fastback in high school.

[@JSFGuy]

We've been waiting for this.

[@jimbo5728]

💀💀💀💀💀 Wanna hear the most annoyong sound? You caught me way off guard. 😂😂 Love this channel!!

[@davinp]

Lee Iacocca introduced the Chrysler minivan 40 years ago. He thought the minivan would replace the station wagon

[@MrMenefrego1]

It did.

[@johnmaki3046]

I owned an '87 Chevy Astro (2.5 4 cyl.) cargo van and a '90 G.M.C. Safari Waldoch conversion in '09! They were both "okay", but the MoPars were MUCH BETTER in EVERY CATAGORY!

[@roysmith6118]

GM missed one big feature: the van was just a few inches short of the capability to allow a 48"x96" panel of plywood to be carried. Ditto for the Lumina.

[@melvinmcfly4498]

I’d love to see a video about the Lincoln ls, very under appreciated cars imo.