Older US conversion vans aren’t rare in the Netherlands, let alone European camper vans. But seeing them parked side by side is exceptional, so there’s that.
The American is a 1992 Chevrolet G20 van, registered as a Chevy Van 20 Globemaster. Powered by a V8, most likely a 350, running on LPG. It says TankZilla on the small rear window sticker. Appropriate for sure, although it turned out to be a rock group, once I looked into it.
The Euro-van is a 2014 Fiat Ducato 2.0 MultiJet 115 (as in 115 DIN-hp). I can’t possibly tell which specialist did the camper conversion, as there are numerous companies that build panel van-based recreational vehicles. Note the solar panel on the Fiat’s roof.
Also, no surprise whatsoever that it’s based on a Fiat Ducato van, as the Ducato has been the market leader in the European RV-business for many years.
Camper vans are a perfect mixture of ample interior space and manageable size and weight. And then there’s the price difference between such vans and the bigger (semi-) integrated motorhomes. No wonder the whole continent is littered with them, by now.
Somewhat further down the road, I also came across this 2006 Citroën Jumper 2.8 HDi, resting way back in the river forelands. Long wheelbase (370 cm~145.7”), short rear overhang. Mounted on the rear cargo door, the obligatory bike rack. The camper conversion job was done by La Strada.
La Strada is an Italian a German company, they offer a full range of panel van-based campers. Let’s be honest, somehow La Strada sounds a bit more relaxed than Die Straße.
Related reading:
A Guide To Build Your Own Ram Promaster /Fiat Ducato Camper Van
It’s funny how lot of people assume that American vehicles from the past are too big for the European roads. One look at the first photo does dispel the myth.
You’d be surprised at how adept the Europeans can squeeze the big vehicles through the streets and manouevre them into the parallel parking spaces.
The biggest and heaviest straight trucks and combination vehicles also drive on the narrowest back roads, often with very tight turns. Not to mention today’s massive farm equipment, frequently rolling through small towns and villages.
And then an old American car or van wouldn’t fit? Nonsense. Maybe with the exception of really ancient town-/city centers.
Those are vans though. Most people don’t want to daily drive something that size. Yes big trucks and buses fit on many/most roads, but people are being paid to drive them.
Obviously it depends on where you are, in the same way that driving a big rig is easier in Iowa than Maryland.
I’ve seen massive wind turbines being moved on tiny roads in the Scottish Highlands, and also lost count of the number of Americans who’ve seen the road network and said “Wow, you really wouldn’t want a big car here, would you?”.
I love this. 2 of my favorite vans in 1 pic. I have always loved G20 conversion vans, feel they ride smoother than an Econoline, even though yes the BOF Econo is considered to be a sturdier ride and I like the 5.0/5.8 engines and c6/e4od trans choices. However a 305/350 TH350 would be no brainer anyway. Solid platform.
And a (US) Promaster? Look no further than Mr. Niedermeyer’s own for a great conversion. These vans are wonderful.
I have a line on a budget priced 1986 G20 that I have built out in my head a dozen plus times. While I’d love a Promaster, I could do a G20 easily on my current budget and I already own a 1986 C10 so me and SBCs go hand in hand.
I actually said out loud the other day “Building a Promaster on a G20 budget…” along the lines of the old champagne on beer budget trope.
GM s dinkly little Astro vans did well in the UK as day vans imported from Japan of all places.
115 hp in that Ducato seems a wee bit modest. That’s only about ten more than my xB. One would need to row the six speed manual pretty vigorously, I assume. But I’m sure it gets the job done, as long as one has realistic expectations in the mountains.
I did a bit of searching, back then, the 2.0 turbodiesel came with a 5-speed manual. Torque rating: 280 Nm/207 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm.
Still, most Ducatos have the bigger 2.3 liter engine.
Aha. The only diesel that was sold here for a couple of years in the Promaster was the 3.0, combined only with the manumatic 6 speed. That power train has a poor rep here, due to emission issues and otherwise.
Of course the new smaller diesels have higher outputs now, so I think the 3.0 isn’t even offered anymore on the Ducato.
I had to look into that too. The latest Ducato has a 2.2 liter turbodiesel. Power ratings: 120, 140, 160 and 180 hp.
A 6-speed manual is standard, a 9-speed automatic is optional on the 140/160/180 hp versions.
And there’s also a Ducato BEV, these days.
I’m curious: What’s a Globemaster?
At first I figured it was a conversion van company that I was unfamiliar with (not surprising since there’s tons of them), but a web search for Globemaster vans brings up only images of vans from the Netherlands. Beyond that I can find little information.
To me, this Chevy looks like a conversion done by Explorer, based on the windows and the high-top, but I’m by far not an expert on these.
It is, though, odd for me to see these 1980s/90s conversions vans without extensive stripes & graphics. It looks so bare compared to most of our conversion vans.
I checked out the La Strada website too – they have some great, and very practical configurations.
The fog is getting thicker (and Leon is getting larger).
Indeed, “Globemasters” are all in the Netherlands. As a matter of fact, many Dodge conversion vans in my country are also designated as Globemaster.
At a Chevy Van forum, I just read that it might have something to do with the official registration by our authorities. They measure the wheelbase, what comes up in their systems is Chevy Globemaster…something went wrong, once upon a time, apparently.
But that still doesn’t explain a Dodge Globemaster conversion van.
Surely you can’t be serious!
So I guess “Globemaster” is Dutch for “American Conversion Van?” It’s a fitting name… seems like it would be a generic Midwest-US conversion company from about 1985. Plus, Explorer Vans uses a globe (albeit showing only the Western Hemisphere) as their logo.
Right, Ford included. It says so on the hood:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rutgervandermaar/25031588572
I am. And don’t call me Shirley.
Great vans!.
The Chevy seems older (80’s), the Ducato is one of the most reliable vans in Europe.