1969 Chevy P10 Van Build

When was the last time you heard about a 1969 Chevy P10 van build? The vast majority of this YMM spend their final days rusting in an old junk yard lot. Many fail to see the cool factor in the 1969 Chevy P10 van, but owner Tim Jenks is enamored with its appeal. And he saved this one from its presumptive fate with the crusher.

“These vans are really getting attention in California and Arizona. This one in particular was built in the 3rd quarter of ‘69 and has a serial number of 49,000. Union City body company made these in many many different configurations. Very few of them had the short roof, swing rear doors and super shorty body,” said Jenks. It’s the build of a lifetime to be tackling with his son Brandon, owner of Street Image, a truck accessories shop located in Spearfish, SD.

The father and son duo have completed other P10 projects, but none of this magnitude. “We were lucky enough to see the Windy City tower P10 that’s all over the net and in the rags. That is an unbelievable build by The Roadster Shop. It took a long time to find the ‘69 that we are building, two solid years of searching to find a decent carcass to start. We were lucky enough to find it right here in Rapid City while cruising around the salvage yard area of town one day. It was sitting in tall grass and, again, fortunate for us the owner was available and he had the title,” said Jenks.

Build Progress

“Right now we pretty much have the frame mods done and soon there will be a trial fit of the body onto the highly-modified frame. The goal is to lay the rockers on the ground and the van will have a Texas Speed 400 HP LS motor ahead of a Bowtie Overdrives 700R4 transmission,” said Jenks. Expect to see some name brands featured on the build, including Gibson headers, Edelbrock Performance intake manifold and valve covers, Air Lift Auto Pilot V2 with Firestone bags, MSD ignition and a Holley LS Swap Pol Pan.