Flame-Painted 1995 Chevrolet Shorty Van Seeks a Buyer at $30,000

A custom van is one of the purest forms of automotive self-expression, and few builds wear their intentions as openly as this 1995 Chevrolet short-wheelbase van. Painted bright red and wrapped in flames, the shorty is listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Jackson, Georgia, with an asking price of $30,000. It carries the nickname “Love Machine,” a nod to the 1975 Miracles hit of the same name, and the theme is carried through from the bodywork to the cabin.

From the outside, the Chevrolet reads as a classic old-school custom rather than a modern cruiser. There are no rear windows and no small side glass, a choice that gives the van a sealed, private look. The red base color is broken up by flame graphics that cover more of the body than not, while staggered big-and-little Cragar S/S wheels fill the arches and chrome side pipes route the exhaust out past the rocker panels.

The interior is where the Love Machine earns its name. Shag carpeting covers the surfaces, red bead strands hang from a carved wooden ceiling rail, and heart-shaped details run through the cabin. The result is a mobile tribute to 1970s custom-van culture, one that leaves little doubt about the mood the original builder was going for. For anyone who remembers the van scene of that era, the look will be instantly familiar.

Mechanically, the seller says the Chevy runs a V8 backed by an automatic transmission with overdrive, and describes the van as ready to start and drive. That is the extent of the mechanical detail provided in the listing. The body, paint and cabin appear to be the focus of the build, so a buyer would want to inspect the drivetrain, suspension and exhaust in person before committing.

The $30,000 ask puts this shorty in the upper range for custom vans of its generation, and reaction to the listing has been mixed. Some readers appreciate it as a well-executed throwback, while others question whether a van with this much personality can be driven comfortably in public. Either way, the Love Machine is a reminder that the custom van never fully disappeared from American car culture, and that a 1995 Chevrolet remains a blank canvas for builders who want to make a statement.