Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of RS)

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bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
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Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of RS)

Post by bowtie262 »

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My Astro"88" LT-RS. (an LT with a hint of RS)
I've always loved the look of the shorty Astro RS,
but they're rare (if not extinct, correct me if I'm wrong) here in the U.K.
This is the third Astro I've owned,

I rescued this LT to create my own 'RS'ish' version,, The LT-RS !!
It's my daily runner.

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I'm going for a slightly 'retro' look.
The mirrors need changing to the early 'metal arm type',
,, if you have an old pair to 'donate' !! :)
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the garage, it's better than being out in the rain !
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Searching for cheap gas !
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Older Vanners might think this picture is just a bit familiar !

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Still Vannin' after all this Time !
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by doyoulikeithere »

:partyman:
She's Purdy !!
:supz: :supz:
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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HPbyStan
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by HPbyStan »

I'm usually not a fan of the Gen 1s but I DO like that one.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....
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T.Low
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by T.Low »

Prefer 1st Gen body style. Like the "Cheap Gas" pic.
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AstroLander Build Slideshow
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Great thing about GEN-1 is the availability of a "Shorty" !
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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Smiliesafari
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by Smiliesafari »

Love the shortys. If I didn't already have too many vehicles I'd own one. You did a nice job on this one. :supz:
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by WoodButcher »

I saw a cut full size chevy van when I was a kid, early '70s IIRC. I wanted it. When Chevy made the astro they built my dream car but left out the V8. Over the years life always seemed to keep the toys just out of my reach until I got my '97 and that poor thing I beat on for work every day since 2000.
This past year I finally got a '93 shorty and while they are not "extinct" here in the US I treat her as if they were.
Keep up the good work bowtie262, let's keep these beauties on the road forever.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by doyoulikeithere »

I wish GM would have made a StroFari RS/GT: with AWD, the 1994 200HP brains (or a V8), a 5 speed, and of course - a shorty.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Topic author
bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by bowtie262 »

Thanks for your posts, everyone.

I had wondered how my van would have been received by U.S. AstroSafari'ers.

My baby is pretty rough compared to many on your side of the Atlantic,
,,but I love her !!

Of course I'd be down the JY every weekend searching for bits and pieces
to make her look and feel more proud,,,
But the JY's here are like our roads, full of rusting VW's BMW's Audi's etc.
And most of them are less than half the age of my trusty :usa: Astro !

My '88' is the third Astro I've owned since 1992.
& I can't see myself ever wanting any other type of van.

When I win the Lotto, she'll receive a full, professional, makeover, re-build.
( that's just a small hint to any U.S.TV producers out there ! )
Still Vannin' after all this Time !

Topic author
bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by bowtie262 »

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Still Vannin' after all this Time !
Still Vannin' after all this Time !

crazyvanman
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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by crazyvanman »

Don't you guys have to move the steering wheel in the UK? Looks like in the one photo the wheel is on the yank side.
Just curious cause i lost my butt when a friend talked me into taking a boat load of US muscle cars to the OZ.
91 Astro EXT; never liked GM till i stumbled into this van. Free just for dragging it out of a field. Ran like a scalded cat, had 53K miles and completely rusted out brake lines. Been all over North America, lots of fire roads and no roads; fully loaded and towing constantly. Average 21 mpg. I recently (by accident) found out she now has 265,886.4 miles without so much as a tuneup, and only 1 oil change. And still no leaks. MAN I LOVE THIS VAN !

!994 Safari AWD

Topic author
bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by bowtie262 »

No, We don't change the steering to RHD. With a bit of practice driving LHD isn't much of a problem. Some insurance companies like the driver to have previous experience tho'. I'm not sure about in Oz, there might be rules about it. I understand even lowering suspension isn't allowed down there! So left hand driver might be a problem legally. I have no idea!!
Still Vannin' after all this Time !

Topic author
bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by bowtie262 »

UPDATE,
My first go at a DIY Astro Van Wrap.

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Still Vannin' after all this Time !

Topic author
bowtie262
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Surrey. England. U.K.

Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by bowtie262 »

Still Vannin' after all this Time !

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Re: Astro"88"LT-RS 262cu.in. Surrey U.K. (LT with hint of

Post by Captn. Crunch »

NICE SHORTY DUDE!!!
And don't worry bout what we think. Remember we're the wretched refuse you threw out of your country. Keep up the good work and stay in touch. Maybe we can set up a small parts life line if you really get stuck
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s
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