Curbside Classic Outtake: Chevy VanUp

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

The Mitsubishi Vanup turned out out to be surprisingly popular: Fark picked it up and gave our servers a bit of a workout. Well, we have more where that came from. Here’s a very well executed domestic version on the same theme, right down to the “Chevy Vanup” tailgate logo and VANUP vanity plates. But unless the owners (UO students) do something about it quick, this thing is headed for the impound yard. And how will it be described by the police?

I didn’t catch the tailgate and plates until I looked at these shots, otherwise I would have bothered to walk across the street and get a better shot.

I saw this vanup in a frat parking lot last spring several times, but didn’t make the effort to get close to it. And when I realized that the school year was up this summer, I suddenly got regretful, given the odds that the frats would not be returning. But there it was on the street the other day, obviously parked there for some time, because the police have gotten pretty aggressive with it. It rarely goes to this stage with a boot. There’s some evidence underneath the rear end that perhaps the vanup is ailing, and won’t drive away under its own steam. Well, it’ll get help with that real soon.

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Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • DaveA DaveA on Sep 13, 2010

    Remeber the big 5th wheel RV hauler conversions from the 80's? Back before crew cab pick ups were popular, some of the van conversion companies took E-350 dually cuttaways and added an extended cab and fiberglass p/u bed. There is one down the street from me - clean yet gawdy as ever....

  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Sep 15, 2010

    I've seen some fullsized pickups with a cover just over the front of the bed. Looks almost like they added a rear seat under a fiberglass cover. What the heck is that? Extra cab space for stuff? Just honestly curious. Seen them in traffic, never up close.

  • Master Baiter The new Model 3 Performance is actually tempting, in spite of the crappy ergonomics. 0-60 in under 3 seconds, which is faster than a C8 Corvette, plus it has a back seat and two trunks. And comparable in weight to a BMW M3.
  • SCE to AUX The Commies have landed.
  • Arthur Dailey The longest we have ever kept a car was 13 years for a Kia Rondo. Only ever had to perform routine 'wear and tear' maintenance. Brake jobs, tire replacements, fluids replacements (per mfg specs), battery replacement, etc. All in all it was an entirely positive ownership experience. The worst ownership experiences from oldest to newest were Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai.Neutral regarding GM, Honda, Nissan (two good, one not so good) and VW (3 good and 1 terrible). Experiences with other manufacturers were all too short to objectively comment on.
  • MaintenanceCosts Two-speed transfer case and lockable differentials are essential for getting over the curb in Beverly Hills to park on the sidewalk.
  • MaintenanceCosts I don't think any other OEM is dumb enough to market the system as "Full Self-Driving," and if it's presented as a competitor to SuperCruise or the like it's OK.
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