Ø  apx. $3,500 of new and recent mechanical care: see details below

Ø Incredibly RARE AND HELPFUL FEATURE: power ramp is capable of loading/unloading on either side of the van ! This is the only van I've seen with this super versatility in the past 4 years.

Ø Another RARE AND HELPFUL FEATURE: has two individual middle row seats, which only a few percent of such wheelchair vans have

Options and Equipment

THE VAN: This began as a long-body (all wheelchair access minivans are this length) with fancy LS package including many options.  It has a 3.4 liter 6 cylinder, which gets about 10%-20% better MPG (this achieved nearly 25 mpg on my 1200 mile trip!) than the  common wheelchair vans, which are Caravans and related cousin-brands.  This van prior to conversion had a long list of features and options, such as: Alloy wheels; front and rear heat and A/C; fancy stereo with CD and cassette;  power drivers seat; overhead console with trip computer and other indicators; front and rear seats which fold flat and also recline; common power and convenience featur5es such as windows, locks, cruise, etc; 

GOODIES: Dark tinted windows; custom pin-striping

MOBILITY:  First, it is very notable that this Chevy Venture is larger in useful/functional dimensions as a wheelchair van than the very common Chrysler-company vans.  It is bigger in several key dimensions. For ex: a man I know had recently tested a similarly equipped Caravan and he had to tilt his head to get in, plus his chair barely fit through the door, but with this van he went in with no tilting his head...and he had a hat on, plus he had 1-2 inches  door-width to spare!  As for the conversion: this was converted when brand new by a company in Arizona which was converting many hundreds of vans per year, including for their own network of wheelchair van rental facilities in urban areas.  This van is superior in several ways to the very common Chrysler vans, to the degree that it is not practical to explain it all here in print.  I would be happy to talk at length about this very unique van, if you would like to call me.  For the purpose of this page of information, please read here where I will mention the primary features, with some info comparing to the Chrysler-brands of wheelchair minivans, which are what about 70-80 of all minivan wheelchair vans are. 

* Deeply lowered floor: similar to other lowered floor minivans, the floor is level and lowered from rear seat up to the dash area.  But in this van, due to its special design, this creates an exceptional clearance of 55 inches at the entry and 59 inches once inside. (this is at least a couple of inches more than other low-floor  minivans)

* Removable seats, including rare and useful middle row: also similar to other lowered floor minivans, front seats are easily removable, allowing for parking wheelchair in either front location.  However, what is super rare and useful is that this van has two separate and removable middle-row seats.  This feature allows this van to accommodate up to 7 passengers, or 6 with a wheelchair parked in the in middle, passenger side location.  These middle seats take less than 5 minutes to install or remove. 

* Kneeling suspension:  air shocks with extreme travel allow for decent ground clearance when driving, and allows for lowering the body to a point where the ramp angle is very gentle and easy for loading/unloading.  And there is an auto-leveling feature which keeps the van at a certain height no matter how much or how little of load.

* Power sliding passenger side door: In this van unlike Chrysler brand vans, the power door is a factory feature from Chevy. Plus, the door opening has been modified to create a couple inches of extra door opening width, and thus a wider ramp.

* Wireless remote controls:  This has optional features which provide remotes for operation of the power sliding door and power ramp.  Therefore, there is no requirement for an assistant or to hassle with the process of getting into the van.  Just push a button or two and you are in.

* EZ-Lock wheelchair anchor system: This nifty system is an accessory which is found on about 1/3-1/2 of all wheelchair vans.  This allows for 'docking' of wheelchair into a simple device which securely holds the wheelchair, with no need for straps or other devices.  There is much I would be happy to explain about this if you have questions.

* Extra-long and heavy-duty power ramp, CAPABLE OF ENTRY/EXIT ON EITHER SIDE OF VAN:  This is a most awesome feature, as it allows for loading/unloading the van from either side, at the push of a button.  This is the only van I have ever seen that has this feature.  It seems as though this would be how folks would want all wheelchair vans to function, but they don't. Therefore, the user is normally (always, with other vans) required to have a free-space on the passenger side, or they are blocked from loading/unloading.  However, with this van, if you are blocked on one side you can simply use the other!  I can imagine the value of the convenience and peace-of-mind this feature brings to a wheelchair van.  And yes, you read correctly, this is a feature I have never seen on any other van on the used market.

Dimensions, capacity and specifications:

Please feel free to email or call me with any such questions. I will gladly assist with anything you wish to know. I have discovered that due to the unique way each person evaluates, measures and expresses their needs, I can be most helpful regarding this subject if we communicate directly.

  History of Ownership

Has had only two owners since new.  It was bought new in the same approximate area of Arizona where it was converted.  The original owners sold it to their neighborhood friends when their son, who they bought the van in order to transport, passed away after five years. 

History of Care

It is obvious when seeing the gleaming original paint on this van, that it was garaged during its life.  And having been an Arizona van, it is always obvious when vehicles have not been garaged, as the paint usually fails once more than a few years old.  In addition to the paint being sharp, the interior shows no fading or deterioration, also due to having been garaged since new.  As for records, I do have a written history for some of its care. Certain aspects of that are included in the information below. 

Certified

This vehicle is 'CERTIFIED': There are a combined 76 mechanical and cosmetic aspects  included in the Wheelchair Van Oasis "Certification" process.   A foundational step of the rejuvenation process is when each vehicle receives an extensive inspection by an objective, independent  third- party service and repair facility.  Suggested service, repairs and improvements are then performed by various professional specialists.   The  result is your assurance  that each of the 76 aspects  meets  or exceeds the condition level of good, or satisfactory

Each van does of course have various elements which exceed the promised level of good, or
satisfactory, which the "Certified" program assures.  Some are brand new improvements performed during rejuvenation.  And others are obvious service or repairs performed recently, prior to my ownership.  As for those, I only list here those positives which are certain, based on my either having a receipt, and/or due to being obvious to the inspecting-mechanic.  I refer to these as  "NEW OR RECENTLY SERVICED ASPECTS".  As for this vehicle:

New:  oil and lube; windshield washer system; A/C service; HD Allstate battery; Accessory belt/s: coolant hoses; water pump; service cooling system; transmission service; Steering tie-rod ends; Alignment; service/repair of special mobility systems; misc diagnostics and repair of accessories;

Recent: Front and rear brakes (currently 95% remain); air suspension leveling valve; rear air shocks

Approximate retail value/cost of above-listed items: $3,500

Carfax Report Summary

(Carfax is a widely used database which indicates the history of a vehicle including accidents, prior owners, etc.) 

Nothing derogatory, no accidents, only two owners

You Might Like To Know...

* Each of my vans has a superb paint sealant as the final step of the extreme detail. If you were to have a professional apply a treatment the cost would be several hundred dollars.

* Chevy Venture is a cousin (virtually the same vehicle) to these other GM models: Pontiac Transport and Oldsmobile Silhouette.

* For folks who prefer General Motors products, this van is a desirable discovery, because about 75% of all lowered floor wheelchair minivans are Chrysler products.  And of the remaining 25% very few are from GM. Therefore, in addition to having certain very special feature's, this is rare because it is a GM van. 

* load and unload from either side due to power ramp which extends out either side. This is the only van I have ever known of on the used market with this feature.

Summary of this Gem

This is an extra-special van....here's why:  in addition to having low miles and now being rejuvenated cosmetically and mechanically, leading to being "Certified", it has two special features, one of which I have never seen before. (1) it has a pair of individual seats in the middle of the van which can easily be removed or installed, as desired (2) The power ramp in this van has the ability to be positioned on either the driver or passenger side of the van for loading and unloading. I have never seen this feature on any van before. 

Look close and see that at the very bottom of this photo there is a rocker-switch which is one of several switches and options for operating the power ramp.
(Click on Picture to Enlarge)

Note:  there are 4 bolt-heads which are visible in the front floor area.  Those are easily removed in a couple of minutes when not using the seat.
(Click on Picture to Enlarge)

* I apologize for any unclear photos. At times, the conditions make a clear photo impossible.

If you would like more information or to see and drive this vehicle,
please call Rick at 541-973-7377.