Astro in sport compact mag

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Topic author
Cobra
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
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Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
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Astro in sport compact mag

Post by Cobra »

so i was reading some of the back issues of Performance auto and sound (which i have a subscription to) and they mention "the lowly chevy astro from the mid-80's inspired the scion craze we have today" wth do they mean lowly........ anyways they go on to talk about how the astro became a cult hit.... in japan...? but not here (except in SPL competitions). They also state "the popular theory is that, the imfamous scion xB box is a scaled-down silhouette of the mundane Astro Van"
So if a little astro is in production and a big hit at that why did the really one get scarped did i miss something?

anyways i just though it was intresting that out vans got any mention in this magazine other then the SPL coverage.what do you think?
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
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11" drums
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ihatemybike
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Re: Astro in sport compact mag

Post by ihatemybike »

Common belief is that the main reason for killing the Astro was the redesign/tooling costs to incorporate new government mandated safety features on an aging platform.

Apparently nobody survived accidents before side curtain airbags.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

Topic author
Cobra
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1750
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Re: Astro in sport compact mag

Post by Cobra »

ihatemybike wrote:Apparently nobody survived accidents before side curtain airbags.
lol i guess that means we have some ghosts here?
what do you think a updated Astro/Safari would look like and include... other then the obvious on-star, gps/dvd 2 din nav system, high def sound system rear entertainment system and head rest monitors
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
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GnarliSafari
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I sleep in my van
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Re: Astro in sport compact mag

Post by GnarliSafari »

Cobra wrote:
ihatemybike wrote:Apparently nobody survived accidents before side curtain airbags.
lol i guess that means we have some ghosts here?
what do you think a updated Astro/Safari would look like and include... other then the obvious on-star, gps/dvd 2 din nav system, high def sound system rear entertainment system and head rest monitors
I thought some of the later models were equipped with onstar, actually I think my moms 00' may have even had it, could be wrong though. I would like to imagine they would have used the same rear end as they always had but with another new front end like those who have done the "colorastro" front end swap or similar to what they did with the express's even, just updated and toughened up a bit. while we're on the body an optional rear wiper and push button key mechenism delete would be sweet. maybe bring back the half panel!! other than that i really dig the bodies on our vans as is. seeing as how they are selling more 4.3 full size express vans these days i doubt the factory V8 option would have ever happened but this is all just a dream anyways so why not? and then to the interior they could have outfitted it with all of todays "almost" standard goods i.e. gps, onstar(?), back up cameras and sensors, power slider, side airbags whatever else thee spaceships have today. and viola your looking at a $40,000+ investment so might as well throw a Denali package option in there for another $5,000 or so.
99 SLT Safari AWD, G80/GT4 rear, Burgundy, 196,000 and counting (strictly AMSOIL) flowmaster 40series muffler no more cat, K&N Kone Filter, roll pan, 255/60/15 rubbers mounted to 15x8.5 inch American Racing Tailgunner wheels, billet grille, CB Radio, Alpine Deck, Shag carpet, the list goes on....
03 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, LB7 Duramax Diesel, 5 speed Allison Tranny, Crew Cab Long Bed, no muffler or cat, 4 inch turbo back and side piped. not too many other mods yet, also addicted to AMSOIL.
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tbhager94
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Re: Astro in sport compact mag

Post by tbhager94 »

GnarliSafari wrote:
Cobra wrote:
ihatemybike wrote:Apparently nobody survived accidents before side curtain airbags.
lol i guess that means we have some ghosts here?
what do you think a updated Astro/Safari would look like and include... other then the obvious on-star, gps/dvd 2 din nav system, high def sound system rear entertainment system and head rest monitors
I thought some of the later models were equipped with onstar, actually I think my moms 00' may have even had it, could be wrong though. I would like to imagine they would have used the same rear end as they always had but with another new front end like those who have done the "colorastro" front end swap or similar to what they did with the express's even, just updated and toughened up a bit. while we're on the body an optional rear wiper and push button key mechenism delete would be sweet. maybe bring back the half panel!! other than that i really dig the bodies on our vans as is. seeing as how they are selling more 4.3 full size express vans these days i doubt the factory V8 option would have ever happened but this is all just a dream anyways so why not? and then to the interior they could have outfitted it with all of todays "almost" standard goods i.e. gps, onstar(?), back up cameras and sensors, power slider, side airbags whatever else thee spaceships have today. and viola your looking at a $40,000+ investment so might as well throw a Denali package option in there for another $5,000 or so.
Gnarli idea where do i buy one .
2000 chev blazer 4x4
If its got tits or wheels, its gonna give you problems!
im sure we all know the #1 junk yard rule if it fits in your pocket its free.
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