Motors & Me: Damien O’Brien and his 1985 Chevy G20 DayVan
My current drive is a 1985 Chevy G20 DayVan.
Oh, love at first sight. I had looked at a couple of them, but they were all scrap. I saw this online and loved its look and stance straight away, so I contacted Peter, the owner, of V8 van.com for a meeting. First impressions were good and Peter was a cracking fella to deal with, and has since become a good friend. Itâs sort of a rolling project, improving bits as we go. The van got a respray this year in a nice retro colour.
Under the bonnet is a V8 5-litre with automatic transmission. Sweet machine to cruise all day. Sort of chills you out when youâre driving it.
A bit of a petrol head. Love stuff from the â70s and â80s. Bikes, pick-ups, and vans.
My first car was a 1.1-litre Mark 1 Fiesta. My first vintage was a 1971 Morris Van. I restored the 1971 Morris Van and sold it three years ago.
Along with the Chevy, at present, I have a few motorcycles. My favourite being a Harley Bobber Rigid. Great fun to drive, bar the back ache, but it looks the biz! I also have a 1968 Bushman trials, a Yamaha CTI trials 1973, a 1980 SP 400 trials, a 1981 IT 175, a 1980 Z500 Gamma 250 1983 Mark I model, a 1985 GSXR750 custom streetfighter, and another half-a-dozen basket cases.
Has to be the west of Ireland on a fine day. Canât wait to take my van up the coast on the Wild Atlantic Way and chill with the family.
As long as they can drink beer and have a laugh Iâm easy.
Jim Carrey, Iâd say. He just wrecks my head.
I love to listen to Neil Young and Bob Dylan during the day. Relaxing. I also like AC/DC and really a bit of everything.
