1985 Chevy Astro / GMC Safari | Retro Review

It's a brown van.

[ghostspectre]

This is probably the only van I'd ever want to own. It's damn sharp looking.

[JL-pqrl]

The sound when he slid that door open just too me back to my entire childhood

[zyxzyx]

These little beasts were assembled in Baltimore from the very first to the very last one.

[lolsharkb]

My parents had a ‘94 EXT LT, amazing vehicle, two huge road trips out west, could haul 7 friends, awesome. So good that when it finally died of transmission failure and rust, they got a used ‘04 AWD one

[FraggleRagaraga]

Oh yeah give me that retro juice daddy motorweek

[montecarloss]

Wowzers, this brings back some memories. Our family had two of these when I was growing up. A 1989 Astro CS and a 1995 Astro LT. Lots of family vacation memories in those. Thanks for sharing!

[landyachtfan]

I have to confess that I have always had an "It's Complicated" relationship with the Astro/Safari. I LOVED how roomy & comfortable they were, how smoothly they rode, & how quiet they that 4.3-liter V6 is a TORQUE MONSTER, but fit & finish left A LOT to be desired. I will NEVER forget that it was an Astro which brought me to see Home Alone for the first time, however. I will NEVER forget cruising to Showcase Cinema in Woburn, MA in a blue 1986 Chevy Astro full of kids, BLASTING C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance THE CASSETTE PLAYER (Man, I'm

[ljoelmchanley]

I still have my '91 astro and it's still running strong, drive it when it rains & keep my car in the garage so I rarely have to wash the car. It is reliable as a hammer to this day...still running the original starter. Had to replace the OE radiator a couple years ago because it was too clogged up for good flow and wasn't cooling well enough when the AC was on in 90+ degree weather. The thing is a tank.

[cruisertechgt]

We had a gmc safari and the thing was so reliable ...lasted so long eventually transmission was dying as some gears were not shifting into smoothly ...so spacious though and felt so comfortable. Great engine too

[xitgrocgetter]

Didn't these have an almost 20 year production run with minimal changes?

[PhilOsGarage]

Had an 89 LT short wheel base, fantastic vehicle, really miss it.

[OnTheReelFishing]

I wanted one of these so bad when I was a kid. But a conversion van with the high roof, TV and all the rope lights and wood inside.

[CJDiecast]

It's funny because it basically looks like a baby version of the Chevy Express Van that came out in the mid-90s which they still make to this day with minimal changes. The current design dates back to the 2003 refresh but still retains the upright boxy shape of the original 80s Astro vans. So basically, it's a new van with a 35 year old design! Good job GM!

[armelind]

They are the perfect band vehicle when you tint the windows. I still love my 1994 Astro van even though I just lost the transmission 2 weeks ago. I paid $1200 for it in 2012 and I will gladly pay to get the transmission fixed. My only issue with them is the spark-plugs. They are nearly impossible to replace.

[vapecatt]

Love my 2002 all wheel drive GMC Safari.

[DDM]

These are classics. There’s a whole subculture of m-van enthusiasts in japan who collect them and modify them. Really cool vehicles

[reallyrandomrides]

I always loved the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, even though I was only 12 years old when these came out in 1985. Loved the snub nose look for the earlier vans. Eventually I got a 2005 Chevy Astro, the last year they were made and benefitted from years of refinement and upgrades, though admittedly, it was miles behind other vans in the early 2000s. And fuel economy was horrendous. But I'm glad I had a chance to own one.

[Jorge-Tamacas]

I know, it's an old minivan but, It's perfect for the weekend trips with my family. It's old, but it has something I like: "RWD"

[Accrd]

I love me some minivans!! So much room in those things to toss everything you want in them and still have tons of room to stretch out in:)

[BoneHoofMusic]

It's not just "a brown van" it's a way of life lol. I have a '91 Safari XLT Sidewinder (not a wheelchair thing) conversion and it's awesome. It's going to live forever. Digital dash, alloys, custom side steps, front sports chin with fog lights (they don't work), purple shag carpet, it's own unique scent. We won't talk about fuel economy but I wouldn't swap it for a thing.