Star Trek-Themed Van Sold

TrekVan022015

Several weeks ago, a unique Star Trek-themed 1978 GMC G15 van was listed for sale for almost $10,000 on Craigslist, and today comes word that the van has been sold.

In 1980, the van’s original owner had the van painted with Trek images by Toronto artist Gordon S. Roy.

“Not a vehicle for the shy,” said former owner Brian Geddes in his sales posting for the van. “You absolutely cannot go anywhere without many thumbs up, cheers, and people waxing nostalgic about custom vans and/or Star Trek.”

The fan features Star Trek images, such as the USS Enterprise, and (rather scary images of) McCoy, Spock and Kirk. There are stars, planets and space, exotic landscapes and some unclad women that wouldn’t have made it on the original series back in the 1960s or on non-cable stations today.

Inside, well, the best that can be said of the interior decor is that it is on the garish side, with red quilted velveteen-like material everywhere, making this van either a shag-mobile or perhaps the interior of a hearse. Don’t take our word for it, but have a look at the photos here at io9 and here at HuffPo.

At any rate, the Trek-themed van has sold, to Singer-songwriter Danny Michel. “I thought it would be a shame if someone bought this and it went into a garage and sat there for another twenty years,” he said. “It’s a vintage gem.”

“It’s so ridiculous,” said Michel.” That’s what I liked about the van…It kind of makes no sense.” He added that he was a “child of the seventies,” who “love[d] this stuff.”

Michel wasn’t the only bidder on the unique van, but he walked away with the prize. Once he takes possession of the van this summer, he plans to drive it across Canada, performing along the way.

But the van will see a few changes, according to Michel. He’ll put a “magnetic shirt” on the bare-breasted lady, and replace the interior bed with a mini-stage. In addition, the original artist who created the van artwork will add an image of the International Space Station.

“Life is short,” said Michel. “I don’t want to look back and go, ‘oh, 2015 — that’s the year that I made this much money.’ I want to look back and go, ‘no, that’s the summer we drove the Star Trek van across Canada.'”