What were old Chevy vans called?
They were known as Chevrolet’s G-Series full-size vans, with passenger versions branded Vandura; in more recent branding, GM replaced them with the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, which are still in production today.
This article traces how Chevy’s large vans were named from the late 1960s through the present, showing how the badge and style evolved across generations, and how the Chevrolet and GMC lineups relate to one another in old ads, fleets, and everyday use.
Naming history of Chevy GM vans
The following timeline highlights the major nameplates and what they signified for Chevy and its GMC counterpart.
G-Series vans (Chevrolet/GMC full-size vans; roughly 1967–1996): The original GM full-size van family, offered in cargo and passenger configurations and sold under both Chevrolet and GMC badges. In everyday talk, these were the classic “Chevy vans” you’d see in fleets and home conversions.
Vandura (passenger vans; late 1980s–1996): A passenger‑oriented badge used on Chevy and GMC vans within the G-Series era, commonly associated with the more upscale or family‑friendly passenger configurations.
Express/Savana (1996–present): GM’s branding shift that replaced the G-Series with the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, which remain the modern full-size vans for cargo and people‑moving duties.
The branding evolution—from G-Series to Vandura and, finally, to Express/Savana—reflected GM’s efforts to standardize its large van lineup across Chevrolet and GMC while keeping distinct model identities for each brand.
Related models and notes
Beyond the full-size vans, GM’s van family included other body‑style lines. The Chevrolet Astro (introduced in the 1990s) was a smaller front‑wheel‑drive minivan, with the GMC Safari serving as its counterpart. These minivans complemented the larger G-Series/Express/Savana lineup and served different needs—fleets, families, and commercial users alike.
Today, if you’re researching vintage ads or shopping for a beacon of classic utility, you’ll most often encounter Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana as the modern successors to the old Chevy van lineage, while the older G-Series and Vandura names remain a familiar part of automotive history.
Summary
From the original GM G-Series vans of the late 1960s to the Vandura passenger variants of the 1980s and 1990s, GM’s van branding evolved into the contemporary Express/Savana lineup. The terms you see in old ads and discussions trace these branding shifts, but the vehicles’ practical mission—versatile, capable full-size vans for work and family use—remained constant.
