This is a Chevrolet Express 1500 Explorer Limited conversion van. It is based on the 1996-2002 Chevrolet Express 1500, and converted by an American outfit called the ‘Explorer Van Company’, and that is a great name.
The company still exists today. So what did they do to convert the Express 1500 into a Explorer Limited? They basically redid the whole van from the B-pillar onward to the rear; adding a luxurious rear compartment, two large darkened windows, and a high roof.
The exterior was dressed up with extra wide fender flares, side boards, ultra cool brown striping, and wide tires with sporty multi-spoke alloys.
The interior got a makeover too, with sofa-like leather seats, lots of wood, and a tray table between the front seats. Sadly, I could not take a good pic of the rear compartment because the windows were totally blacked out, but most of these cars would have a setup with two captain seats in the middle row and a three-seat bench on the third row.
The beautiful alloy with the Explorer logo in the middle, and the company’s hometown printed on the outer hub.
The Chevrolet Express 1500 was powered by a massive good old American 5.7 liter Vortec V8, good for 255 hp and 447 Nm. The engine was mated to a four-speed automatic, sending horses to the rear wheels.
The Chevrolet Express 1500 Explorer Limited was not officially sold in China, but there was a lot of gray-market trade in these and similar conversion vans, especially in the early 2000’s. Sadly, many of those great vans are gone today, scrapped by the crazily strict anti-pollution laws.
May some survive!
[table id=154 /]