Some folks take their cars very seriously. And that’s fine, but sometimes you gotta lighten up a little and have some fun, which is exactly what this wild LSX-powered 1990 Chevy Van is all about.
Dubbed the “Shaggin’ Wagon,” this 1990 Chevy Van was built by Dennis McCarthy, the same brain behind the cars of the Fast and Furious franchise, among other movie vehicles. Right from the off, it’s clear there’s something weird and wild about this Chevy Van. The exterior is covered in white paint complemented by gold and red stripes, with a floral pattern set into the gold, and a looping white stripe in the red. Sixteen-inch American Racing wheels in a classic five-spoke design fill the corners, wrapped in tires staggered at 245 in front and 275 in the rear.
The exterior will definitely get you noticed, but the interior is on a whole other level. Open the door, and you’re met with an insane orange and white combo that mates orange shag carpet on the floors and roll cage with white upholstery for the seats, roof, and sides. A quartet of Sparco racing bucket seats with racing harnesses keep passengers in place, while a pair of coolers were installed in the rear for your beverage of choice. The interior also features an upgraded stereo, a Holley digital dash, and diamond-shaped port windows in the rear.
The cherry on top has to be the powertrain. Under the hood, this Chevy Van is running a 454 LSX V8 engine, which includes a reworked fueling system highlighted by Holley Sniper EFI and Holley injectors. Output is a claimed 700 horsepower, which is nothing short of ridiculous in a vehicle like this. It’s also kind of incredible to see the LSX crammed into the nose of the Chevy Van.
Output is sent to the rear wheels through a built Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission and 12-bolt rear end with posi. Wilwood disc brakes help to slow it down. Interestingly, the suspension is relatively stock, although the front end was recently rebuilt.
Pretty wild. Check out the full feature on this 1990 Chevy Van and what it’s like to drive in the video below:
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Comments
I would love to go back to Vans and the 70’s for one weekend! The world was a much better place. My van provided more fun than any vehicle I’ve ever owned. Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!
If this Van’s a rockin’…come on in
Nice mix of new style engine & box van.
Wow, I love it. Kinda reminds me of my old ‘55 Ford Panel truck. 352, auto out of a T-bird. That was a fun vehicle to drive! Ah, to be young again. Or to have the ’55 for pure fun.
Hopefully, nobody ever plants their foot to the floor. The 4.3 V6 might over power that chassis. I like the vehicle though. I just hope that they keep it in low.
That 454 LSX engine could twist anything that’s not strengthened. There’s an 80s short Chevy van out there with an LS engine that is pretty cool
I built that van. Sold it to a guy in Los Angeles in 2017. I painted it, cut in porthole windows and did a lot of the other work. When I sold it I was hoping it would go more towards the 70s theme and not the hotrod theme but that’s what happens when you sell something. I had started to build a 70s style bedroom in the back with a bed platform and wanted to build a show van out of it. I’m not sure what happened to that front fender on it? When I sold it the paint was showroom. The white is a Mercedes Alabaster white, gold is pagan gold candy with a lace underlay and fine metal flake added and the red I can’t remember the exact color name. It had a 305 v8 in it when I sold it and if I remember it was pretty low miles as well on drivetrain. I had a set of era correct Cragar SS WHERLS FRONT AND BACK WITH 15X7 UP front and 15×8 in back. I imagine they switched to these torque thrust style wheels because they needed larger diameter brakes and Cragars don’t come in larger than 15s. Cool to see it again. Not my direction I would have taken it but everyone has their own opinion of cool and I respect that.