Here’s how the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari twins became known as “Mid-i-vans”
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- 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.
I had an 87 Safari. Took the seats out and went camping in it every weekend for years. Great vehicle.
They were okay!
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
This is the most classic bangin' little Chevy van! I swoon when I see a well kept Astro.
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😊
Have you changed the intake manifold gaskets yet?
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
@@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.
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
The transfer case is actuallly worse than the earlier model other than that I agree
They're still so popular the prices are higher than any other older minivan
To this day I'd LOVE an Astro/Safari AWD high top conversion!
I'm driving a 98 with over 200K miles on it. I bought it 10 years ago for $100! Best $100 I ever spent!
I believe this!
omg 100! Amazing! I been trying to get one for less than 3000 with less than 300k miles on it lol.
Drove the Safari and the Astro, and they were awesome.
Since GM & Ford both left the minivan market in 2009, that left Chrsyler the only American automaker to offer a minivan
I think it's quite ironic that Chrysler introduced the minivan concept and when the chips fall they're the last(American) standing.
Was the Mazda MPV ever considered a domestic product?
Ford still has a minivan technically (Transit Connect)
And now it’s quite literally the only car in Chryslers line up, they are killing the 300 this year.
@@SayAhhNot when Mazda is a Japanese company.
These vans were tougher than a bucket of nails. Probably one of the best vehicles General Motors ever made.
The chevy Corvair Greenbrier deseves a shoutout as it pre-dated the Astro by 20 years to compete with the vw bus!
loved this episode
Best minivan ever!!! 😍
I have a 97 Astro.
206k miles. Runs and drives fine. About 21mpg.
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.
I remember simple times when suvs were rare and mini vans were exactly how suvs are today. Cars, minivans, and wagons ❤
in those times, SUVs were just trucks with shorter beds that came with rear seats and a removable top
@@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
I drove an Astro van as a Courtesy for Riley Chevrolet for customers, the Astro was a really good choice.
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.
The Astro name was also used for one of GMCs Cabover Semi trucks.
I would love to have another one. I had an 87 lowrider on Daytons and a 94 with a 350 conversion and cragar SS
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.
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
AWD Astro van with a gen4 5.3 and one of them Chinese whistling hair dryers would make a hugely awesome sleeper
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
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.
I have an 02 I'll sell you.
These were TUFF!
It'd be so cool if the Astro made a comeback as a hybrid minivan.
I still see Chevy astros driving around as work vans
I just bought one $500 run amazing 140,000
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.
Astro-Astro! These cans were so unreliable! Love it!!!
The Caravan and Transsport always struck me more as the mom car and the Astro was more likely to be a dad.
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.
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.
They were assembled near where I lived in MD
The most manly minivan built!
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.
1995 is a special year....1996 front end with 1994 interior
Así es. También es mi año favorito.
Just for FYI, the 1984 Sheepdog van at the end of this episode was actually based on a Ford Econoline van.
Yes I know that wasn't a GM van, I just loved that scene and figured I could borrow it here
@@MyOldCar CHEVY CHEVY ASTRO ASTRO
What you have you done to me
The Astro name came from the class eight diesel truck section of GMC. GMC Astro/Chevrolet Titan starting in 1969
CHEVY! CHEVY! ASTRO! ASTRO! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! 😂
🤣🤣🤣 even at the end of the video
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....
I was born in 1980, these were all I saw! Then worked on then drove. Great Video!
Definitely a cool van
It's weird seeing that van again, it's because the same shape and size as a normal SUV now
Wow the memories....I remember being enthralled by that jingle as a little kid..."Chevy, CHEVY, Astro, ASTRO!"
Hey I dig those little vans. I wouldn’t mind have a conversion one today.
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
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.
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.
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.
We still have our 2000 Astro awd that was bought in 2001. 320,000 miles and still going.
We rented an Astro for a mother's day roadtrip. I recall it was a very nice vehicle.
I see you are headed for 100,000 subscribers Pat. Keep up the good work.
Hey deserves it and much more!
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.
it was the only mini that looked like a real an and was and still is popular with vanners
What an ending!!
An Astro comeback would definitely work as an EV for GMs portfolio. Possibly out sell the traverse 7:1
CHEVY chevy ASTRO astro!
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
They build what the market wants, stop being such a little tyrant.
Tell your hero Joe biden to sell his gas guzzling V8
Best mini van ever produced
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
We had an 89' Astro in Maroon then a 99' Astro in Green. Those were the days.
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.
Actually I did mentiion its popularity in Japan near the end.
@@MyOldCar oh wow. Gives me an excuse to watch again. 😁 I was waiting on it but was also multitasking at the same time.
Thanks 😊
Man I was getting mad nostalgic for these lately, the epitome of 2000s family transport in Santa Ana
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!
Take the 4.3 V6 AWD and turbo it. It'd be like Syclone van! I'd drive it!
One of the best mini vans out there.
I wish they still made it, perfect work van
These vans are among the most reliable vehicles ever made . They still popular on the road after so many years .
I have a 1990 gmc safari absolutely love it best car ever my dad had a 1986 gmc safari
I have one of these and still love it
Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi Diamante
What’s that? Never heard of it
@@42luke93it's a full size sedan larger than the Galant
I still see the cargo/work versions of the Astro everywhere, must be because of the 4.3 V6 or the Iron Duke
It's the 4.3 Vortec And the towing capacity.😊
These astros are great damn vans, got a few right now myself, 2 2000s, and a 99. One of the 2000s is a teal awd, with a now blown motor, which thankfully, is easily swapable to a 5.3l v8. I also want rwd and Awd or 4x4, so thats being swapped out. Originally looked into doing similar to another van of mine, and it was going to be a lot of work, however, I was very happy to see that its very easy, and chevy literally makes all the parts. Most I may need is driveline. Engine literally falls out
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
I wanted an Astro van bad in the mid 90s. Another great video!
Had a ‘91 AWD for about 2 years but had a lot of issues so we went to a Camry and kept it for 8 yrs.
Please do a Buick riviera video when you get a chance thank you
My''94 has 123K on the cluck, where my '95 has 326K on the clock. both have a rebuilt tranny. Neither have e rebuilt motor. the 95 got a master gasket set installed last trans build. doesn't tick at all. I had a bunch while building a service business. Only one was destroyed because of a drunk driving it after hours into a tree. Parts are almost unobtanium for series one. Love these vans...
Great video as always
Really? It's been out for what about 1 minute and it's great? You have to watch it first you know?
@@JSFGuy'Cuz he has to be the FiRsT
@@JSFGuy and how do you know that I haven't seen the video already?
@@Kvietosh seriously? Because you commented one minute into it and I commented 2 minutes into it that's how. Look at the timestamps pretty easy to figure out.
They didn't use a GM fullsize station wagon suspension front or rear,the Astro, Safari used rear leaf springs GM wagons used 4 link rear coil springs.Astro , Safaris used a sub frame with A arm control arms front suspension that was Astro to itself, although the front rotors were the same,as the GM wagons.
I personally prefer the Astro/Safari over the front drive minivans and absolutely prefer them over the Ford Aerostar.
2:02 I probably never would have dared to drive into that garage with the van 😬
0:50 🚨Dad Joke Detected 🚨 "Dedicated Van Base"😂😂🤣
I had an Astro and a Safari. They were both great and trouble free.
Can do a vid about the Oldsmobile Achieva? These vans were awesome I knew a guy who would only drive them because he liked the short nose. It was easier to see. I know they suffered from an issue with a component that handled steering and braking.
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.
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.
The later interior (the dash) was an improvement that made it feel a little more modern but still very clunky/truck like overall.
SUV has so much less room than Midivans and cost more. Why everyone switched driving SUVs instead vans is quite the mystery.
I signed on that campain in 2020 hoping gm would figure something out
Got a driver's license in a '93 Astro EXT.
Me too!
CHEVY CHEVY ASTRO ASTRO
Astro...Astro...
Damnit. 😂
*♫ ♪ ♪ ♪ Chevy, Chevy! Astro, Astro! ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪*
I want to see a video on the Nissan 240sx. I had a 1990 fastback in high school.
I think the Astro is more comparable to Vans like the VW Vanagon and Eurovan and something like the Mitsubishi Delica/L400
Loved the sharp crease in the middle of the front fascia !
Please do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup
Keep asking and see what happens.
Here in georgia usa, i fairly frequently see these on the road. I always liked them.
Do a video on the Chevy Caprice from the 80s and 90s
Using the truck plan is why they were the best.... im currently looking for a 2005 awd
Former Astro owner here.
The V8 swap greatly improved this vehicle’s shortcomings.
5.3 or?
@@nicklikesradio
5.7 vortec.
This was three years before LS variants.
The Heartbeat Of America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Lee Iacocca introduced the Chrysler minivan 40 years ago. He thought the minivan would replace the station wagon
It did.