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1972 Chevy Balboa Motorhome - 18ft fiberglass vintage camper van - Rare and Unique

 

Originally built in Costa Mesa, CA. This is #767 of 950 ever made between 1968-74.  This unique camper van has huge windows, doesn’t rattle or rust or leak.  It received a renovation and remodel by the world’s only specialized Balboa Motorhome renovator, Freedom Vessel, based in San Diego.  This Chevy G30 van, originally from Arizona is dialed in and ready for the new owner to enjoy, and answer everyone’s smiling questions about it.   “Wow, that is van is so awesome, where did you find that!”  CA title and registered in my name.  Here are just some details:

 

The Van:

  • Built on a 1972 Chevy G30 1-ton van chassis V8 5.7L 350 3- speed Automatic

  • Odometer reads 00495 - Power steering, power brakes (google Chevy G30 for more specs)

  • New steering wheel, new brake Master Cylinder, new turn signal unit, new belts, new water pump, new radiator hoses, new thermostat, radiator flushed, new ignition switch, new alternator, new spark plugs, oil changed, new fuel lines, new fuel filter, new battery, tuned up and gone thru by a mechanic

  • New Firestone tires - all 4

  • New Bluetooth Hands free Bluetooth Stereo w remote , 4 new speakers

  • New Carpet kit in chassis area, new seat covers, vintage window shades

  • Lights, gauges work, locks work, cleaned up, new seat covers, even smells new!

  • Exterior access locking hatch door rebuilt, (originally generator was in here) no generator, but great storage spot

  • Cruise control was removed, 50 yr old factory AC was removed as it was not in working order

  • Van has an auxiliary gas tank, so it has two working gas tanks!

 

The Camper:

  • Exterior all New LED running lights, tail lights, reverse bullet lights, and license plate light

  • Windows were removed, cleaned, and re-sealed with butyl tape and RV lap sealant, new screens

  • Rear Door fully rebuilt with FRP panel to withstand weather, new lock and door hardware w keys

  • All chrome polished, cleaned and washed, bumper painted, new spare tire cover

  • New Roof vent with 3 speed reversible fan and interior light, and new plumbing vent covers

  • 100w Renogy soft roof panel with 30amp solar controller and new solar battery, USB charger

  • 110v rv plug in for shore power 

  • Power inverter installed to make outlet work for charging laptop or small apparatus 

  • New countertop stained and sealed, all interior trim re-stained and 

  • New Water pump, new farmhouse sink faucet, 40 gallon onboard water tank

  • Wet shower/toilet room in rear, new shower head faucet, flush toilet, new seat

  • New TrafficMaster vinyl plank flooring and base trim

  • Interior freshly primed, and painted, new cabinet hardware and handles painted, new latches

  • Upper cabinets lined with carpet

  • New upper puck lights with dimmers, option to change the tone from soft white to cool white

  • Interior ceiling painted with marine fiberglass paint

  • Dinette table and it becomes a bed (74” long), with 2 custom table options

  • Sofa bench also pulls out to be a bed, upper bunk area could be a child bed area also

  • Upolstery is nice, has a vintage feel, clean and no major rips

  • New screens on the windows, all screws switched to stainless, 

  • Probably more new stuff to mention but I did so much I can’t remember everything!

 

Needs:

  • Well, that depends on each persons needs, I am happy to talk about and share all I know about the van, and I personally own a Chevy Balboa, so I can share how we use ours, but here are some things to mention: there is no curtains, there are curtain slides, but you can choose/design your own, the van is ready for you to “make yours” with interior style, ect. The original hot water heater was junk and removed, the rear shocks are adjustable by air, and the hoses aren’t working, so you can’t adjust them, front shocks could be replaced, the propane that works the stove/oven and is connected via a small propane tank at the rear when in use. Spare tire is flat and needs to be replaced.  Please don’t ask me if it will make it to Alaska or across the USA ….that’s up to you, it’s currently running and driving fine and has been tuned up, but you buy it, you can do/or go wherever you want, but thats not on me to tell you.

 

More research and info on these unique vans and me:  @balboamotorhomes @freedomvessel Youtube FreedomVessel www.freedomvessel.com  I build, renovate, travel in vintage campers, trailers, and new van conversions. 

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