Wild Cherry 1975 Chevy Van. Rescued. The Story.

Wild Cherry at the Van Nationals.
Chris Carter tells the story on his adventure to resurrect this 1975 Chevy Van found abandoned in the desert. This van made its debut in the 1979 movie called Van Nuys Boulevard. A rescue of love. Filmed at the 46th Van Nationals. rensselaer,In. by John Koterba, VansOnVideo.

[@bobbybeaver5029]

70's vans are the coolest!!!!!!!

[@aaroncarricato7997]

Great job brother .... seeing those vans takes me back to a much much simpler time . Thanks for the memories ...

[@douglascampbell3008]

That’s a sweet Chevy!

[@Michiganderman71]

A real piece of American muscle when a van was a van all steel no plastic half of cars today are made of plastic give me a classic any day

[@ChrisBrown-fs6kl]

Amazing heartwarming story! Thanks for the hit of nostalgia!

[@chrisneverforget9117]

I have had many "hotel on wheels". We had some very nice party vans. Amazing memories. This van is awesome.

[@Ballenxj]

Tenacity and hard work payed off.

[@TC-eo5eb]

We need more feel good stories like this. Class of 1976.

[@brianrussell1565]

Now we need the Re-rescue video

[@al-mj4kp]

Very cool. I bought a new '75 van and customized it back in the day. Those were good times.

[@stevenwy]

I was born in Van Nuys and cruised the boulevard thru the 70's until it was shut down and I absolutely remember this van. We used to park at a Bank of America parking lot and hang out close to Van Nuys Bl and Chandler. Good times and thx for making an old man relive his youth in memory. PS Im looking for something to get back into the Van life, wish me luck!

[@BillSmith-ku1tp]

that is kool brother I'm 62 you know we had fun back in the day s

[@joevrabel7374]

Ahh to go back and relive my vanning days. A 1976 B150 Dodge Tradesman, Green and all decked out. A member of the Tricky Truckers Bridgewater, NJ Van club.

[@mendozaconsultation]

Beautiful...great job.

[@bookrokodil]

He ended up going to jail because the actual owners who abandoned it in the desert said he stole it and wanted the van back after he restored it. Pretty sad

[@randyhoepker5528]

It’s wild!

[@jaylongton]

I grew up in the 60's and 70's as a kid and can remember the van craze like it was yesterday. Great times in America!

[@frankmcgrath5539]

My ex wife destroyed the van that I worked so hard to build. She used it to screw her boyfriend. She got what she deserved.

[@RedfishInc]

Sex, drugs, and rock n roll.

[@monmixer]

oh yea , 70's and 80's for me and I had a couple of nice ones. they are very comfortable and it wasn't hard to get chicks to come in. all you needed was a rolling apt, weed and a few bucks if you wanted something to drink or eat.

[@tbray02]

The van life is strong right now it has just morphed

[@TK-oe1xm]

Love ut bri! LONG live Retro mad flame baby makers and occasional stone and beers around the ole days

[@stlpinstriping7772]

It was so cool doing the lettering and pinstriping on this van. Watching Chris resurrect it step by step was absolutely inspiring.

[@clarkkent2913]

Piece of history. And a nice one.

[@r.j.s.kierkels2218]

Hello Chris, thank you for introducing your lovely, LOVELY Van. It inspired me to choose the only right size rims and tires for my own G20 Chevy Van. So thank you for that. Keep on truckin'!

[@shieldsjohnjr]

Those doors are works of art. They had me fooled.

[@jewelsog423]

AWESOME STORY !!

[@kuehnel16]

Just saw you in Cottage Hills . ✌️🇺🇸

[@caliman5547]

I had a 65 Ford Econoline Van in High School. It wasn't tricked out or anything but sure as hell made me popular with the chicks at the beach or drive in !!!

[@OscarPerez-ts6vh]

Awesome van and history.

[@MS-ou5vd]

I Love my 1994 Chevy Van G10 5.0 . Good video. Mine is back in the making a new engine is going in and then body work and paint.

[@tommymcdonnelljr1582]

I have to give you props brother for saving that van that was the year I was born 1975 I love it

[@pilott7435]

Vantastic Keep it Going

[@cptdavidwebb]

That is awesome. I love that you didn't paint the fenders.

[@jeffalo6680]

Great story!

[@johnsheetz6639]

Remember when I was little finding stacks of Van life magazines out in the shed they seemed like ancient history even though they were only about 10 years old super cool Vans with mirrors on the ceiling hahaha 😂

[@robjones6689]

I grew up in st louis mo. Back in the 70s and 80s my folks used be members of St louis Trucking Association, I remember going to a lot of weekend van party's. I always had a blast!

[@aquaticamigo6439]

Wow what a great story of this van .. super dope

[@kenstrain4366]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing

[@WildCherryVan]

Thank you for doing the video. the van will be rebuilt again. And cruised everywhere. Long live wild cherry

[@randymarsh5088]

Any updates ? Hope all is well .

[@artdurden2621]

We were members of (Brotherhood of Vans) from Fairfield California. Boy this brings back very good Memories.

[@elterrible2007]

I grew up in Fairfield!!

[@vincevides637]

I grew up in Van Nuys, I live two blocks from the mid point and hung out at Bobs Big Boy and i sat as a kid every Wednesday night glazing at all the rides, dreaming of one day cruising myself!! This is great stuff

[@Chicago611]

That’s one sweet piece of machine

[@gerlandkent6377]

Nice looking van

[@jimmycarter9099]

Thanks man I am so impressed I like as close to original as possible so cool . Best video ever

[@jamesmathers9294]

Great job 👏

[@deanware6063]

Great story, well done Chris and good luck

[@GTX1123]

SHWEET. Love the paint. This van is CHERRY inside and out. Well done. T'would be really cool if Chevy went back to the shorter nose design of the 70's and also offered customization options. I had a 68 in 1981 and then a 73 in 1983. Late 60's vans are really cool looking but not nearly as comfortable and practical as 70's vans.

[@chrissnodgrass2705]

I love the interior

[@kuehnel16]

I've seen you Driving around wood river ,up and down 255. Love to have a van like this. 🤟🤟👍. I grew up in Bethalto.

[@joshandthejam7806]

This guy is my hero. Amazing job in such a short amount of time. Truly inspiring.

[@masterchief586]

What a great restoration of an icon. My uncle drove a '32 5 window in that movie cruise. Very cool brother.

[@sunspiral79]

32..Now theres the icon of american hot rod

[@premiumblue1637]

A true gem! Glad you saved this classic piece of history! The van clubs meets back in the late 70's were huge and owners were so creative with interiors it was amazing!

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

LOL @ all the comments saying he "saved the van" when he absolutely DESTROYED IT!!!!

[@ronwasser4852]

Very cool. Hope I get to see it sometime. I’m south of you down in Collinsville / Caseyville area.

[@terrylikens3183]

That's what the American dream is all about. Thank you for sharing it. Keep up the great restoration work.

[@jscarnucci2636]

Except now he is being extradited to California and charged with felony theft for taking the van off private property

[@chiefvino7139]

I love this van Illinois tags representing 💪🏽

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

Great job!

[@dennislafond394]

Man, That brings back lot's of memories, of cruising in my "77 Ford Van. First new car i ever bought. I was 18 drove it home and my parents were MAD ! I bought a "Sin Bin". LOL

[@kenmunoz8517]

Dennis Lafond That’s a great story buddy... I’m sure that was worth every minute of being chewed out for a lifetime of memories!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

WTF is a "Sin Bin"? Like we needed vans for that... But it sure made it easier and was cheaper...

[@ryanweveryday1352]

Dennis Lafond a sin bin!! Hahahaha

[@jayallen408]

Master Chief 00117 no buddy Vans just made it easier

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

I loved my van... and loved always having someplace to get laid just a few feet away... I think indeed another van.

[@josephcivita1450]

Wild Cherry was also a band back in the 70s. Thier big hit was "Play That Funky Music"

[@rickyaeger5862]

Wild Cherry !! In the 60s and 70s if something is desirable. It is CHERRY !! That van Is Cherry !! The Color .The pinstriping. The wheels. The bf Goodrich tires. The gold leafing. The stereo and lighting. Thanks for sharing the pictures and story. If it's Cherry. It's Cool.

[@pirruripirruri4731]

Sweet 🍒👌my dad had a 78 chevy van baby blue color sound system bed in the back i remember sleeping on it on long trips Good memories

[@bluesharp59]

Cool story and Nice Van. Thumbs Up for you also.

[@NatureSoundsandSights]

Wild, just saw some clips from the Van Nuys ride, noticed this very van :)

[@nojnoj3069]

Hi Chris Carter. You have a beautiful van. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into this bus. We love to see cherished vehicles like this. That's a really special ride to have. I wish you many many years of fun together. God bless you sir for all those endless hours of hard work you've poured into 'Wild 🍒 Cherry'.

[@robertwhite9898]

Outstanding restore job . It’s sad that there’s no more good looking body styles like that . Your van has got a lot style & class . I’ve Owen two full sized Chevy van s . The first one was a 1985 G 20 / w/ a 305 engine . & I had a 1995 Chevy G 20 /w/ a 350 cu engine . Both where coustomized !

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

Very cool van... in 1983 i was 8 yrs old. My dad bought a brandnew 83 GMC vandura 1500. It was blue with the white center strip 2 tone. He customized the inside. White fold n buttom pillowed ceiling and rotating front chairs. Over head console.. clarion sterio.. 3 inch stainless dual exhaust with cherry bombs. Eng was a 305 4 barrel. It had a deep tone with was cool cuz every one was running the 2 inch pop pop sounding pecker pipes he called them... lol. I miss the old van. Funn times as a kid.

[@dojocho1894]

great job

[@hellojuneau8917]

Beautifully restored! Chevys are just so groovy.

[@636ASH]

Hey Chris! Aaron again! Haha! Great meeting you!!!

[@daveryan9338]

Sweet Chevy Shorty Van Man!!! My Dad has a BadAss 77 Chevy Shorty Van!!! So im A Big Van Fan!!!

[@daved3948]

Wow! Brings back memories of my dad and uncles custom tradesman vans. Beautiful restoration 👌

[@1955Cal]

Great job on the restoration, I hope it works out for you. It's pretty obvious if he thought he stole it he wouldn't be posting videos on KZbin and advertising it. I bought a new 1980 Dodge van for my new business and converted it and drove it from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break in 1981. This van brought back some nice memories of my youth. Good luck Chris!

[@deedler5687]

This is what it means to be a hot rodder ~ making dreams real through perseverance. Glad that in this case the stories of cruising in this beast didn't die. Hell yeah

[@footballgeorgiebest]

Good on you man for bringing this amazing van back to life. 👍🏻

[@rickycavazos6965]

Wow very nice

[@flathead59]

Very cool , love that era

[@kricklasalty8599]

Luv da Craigers and the flairs.

[@doca8792]

Awesome!

[@kevdonew1412]

I was too young to drive but had friend who had a van done up it was cool but stank but those were fun days nice job on the rebuild well done sir

[@wheatifer]

Love it!

[@wesharlow6339]

I love it ; as a child my dad had a few of them and always liked riding in them ,and tell my kids someday I will have one ;and hats off to you Chris nice job bringing it back to life!!!

[@billyrayvalentine7972]

I tried to buy a custom Chevy van in 1976. I needed my parents approval. My Dad laughed and my Mom said hell no.

[@shanebo1979]

That sir, is one beautiful van!

[@1967KID]

Love it I loved that live my dad had a badge 1974 van 318 3 gears Hurst on the floor we build it from scratch he paid New $7,000. We we're in a van club in New Jersey he had the van until 1995 the for a van his older love the old vans .

[@tomholley5464]

Dont change a thing i love the old Chevy

[@IDCrisisDesign_dot_com]

Great job with that resto!

[@LoserwinS1]

Even has the fuzzy dice valve stem caps. Absolutely amazing.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Love the “ trick “ rear door. Would prefer windows but still great

[@stevenwallace5990]

Simply outstanding......the amount of time and effort and craftsmanship involved in the way you did the sliding side door.......and unbelievable job on the back door is just beautiful workmanship.......and I love the White fender flares..... bottom line........ simply outstanding.......keep on keeping on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrmichaelthomasortizyesiam8725]

Reminds me of Wild Cherry from FLorida & Ohio

[@adibee88]

I REALLY dig the Van Styles from the late 60's-80's; so much STYLE! Although I appreciate ALL OLD SCHOOL Whips, Vans are RARE for me to spot! MUCH RESPECT for keeping THIS an OG Build, the photo documentation, Rescue & Restoration of this Gear heads' History Piece!🏁🛠️🇺🇸

[@robertalexander7661]

KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!!!

[@tommyjackson6216]

Great story love your dedication thumbs up for keeping it original

[@bigblocklawyer]

Good for you. Great to see a classic preserved. Born and raised in Riverview Gardens by the Chain of Rocks. I live in Florida now, but cool to hear someone talk about the area. Best of luck.

[@blaing3354]

I was following this on NSAbook for some time before i logged off for the last time, glad to see the van got done. A real inspiration to get started on my 77.

[@wayneb5054]

My first home was a 78 dodge tradesman....I was 17...the lovedog

[@darthsynchronic]

Amazing story and restoration...🇺🇸🇺🇸👍😄🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@VwRosstorations]

Great van, great resurrection...nice one

[@JohnLee-ui5gd]

Man that's awesome. Brought it back from the dead. Verry cool ride. Enjoy it

[@albertbrooks8652]

WOW! What an Awesome story indeed.. My early adult life consisted of working in a Custom van shop with my brother, the shop name was called Bozo Van's. My brother started there working under a airbrush artist by the name of "Rattler" after he worked there for a couple of years he got me in wet sanding the vans for rub out. Later the owner John Bozo changed the name to Eagle Couch Custom Van's... I tell you those were some of the best years of my life back then.. Thanks for sharing the story of "Wild Cherry" brought back some good memories..

[@ec3489]

Love stories like this. Keep the history alive

[@BelindaTOV]

Shes beautiful!

[@robt5818]

Thanks for bringing this piece of history back to life!

[@KindCreature1]

I think this is the coolest van story I have ever heard!

[@SupercarGarageUSA]

One of my fave vans, thumbs up!