• Chevy Van meets treehurricand dammage to family van image by nTripp from Fotolia.com
  
  The Chevrolet Astro was produced between 1985 and 2005. The vehicle offered various sales values including its use as a passenger, panel and cargo van variant. Although the Astro was considered mini-sized, the van was really mid-sized offering a wheelbase between Chevrolet's Venture and its full-size van line. The Astro carried common driveline components with GM's light truck mix, and as a result could pull up to 5,500 pounds, while the typical minivan of the day could only handle up to 3,500 pounds. As a result of its product longevity and popularity, a host of trim options were available.
  
  

1985 Astro

• The 1985 Astro offered a basic color palette of white, off-white and metallic blue. There was also a two-tone variant based on the blue motif, and the vehicle could be bought with 15 inch aluminum wheels in place of the stock components. The van offered a range of trim variants from the basic metal box to an upgraded LT interior offering various accessory appointments including leather seats. The van offered two engines, a 145 or 190 horsepower V6 mated to either a five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic.
  
  

1995 Astro

• The 1995 Astro continued with its bland color palette, although the vehicle was outfitted with chrome bumper molding, plus over-sized rear-mirrors, and further upgraded aluminum wheels. The van again offered a range of interior appointments ranging from the basic bare-bones metal interior, to a luxury version carrying leather everything. The Astro offered only the 190 horsepower V6, mated to a four-speed automatic.
  
  

2005 Astro

• The 2005 van offered a slight improvement with the introduction of a metallic maroon color palette, along with the requisite white/blue options. The Astro body was also re-styled although the boxy van was still what it was - a box. The re-styled shape did offer more brightwork appointments including chrome side-cladding, in addition to carrying on the last generation's shiny bumper molding, along with the venerable brushed aluminum wheels. The van carried either a 190 or 250 horsepower V6 engine, mated to a four-speed automatic.