Chevrolet Lumina APV

1991 Seems so recently. But according to the rules, a Chevrolet Lumina APV from that year is a classic. Yet?

Lumina as a family name

Chevrolet Lumina is a type designation used between 1990 and 2001 used by the General Motors Chevrolet division. Because the Chevrolet division tried to capture its middle class under one name, the Lumina was offered as a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. A mechanically unrelated minivan was made and sold under the Chevrolet Lumina APV. And that was in the Netherlands in 1991. And APV stands for All Purpose Vehicle. In 1991, the time of the standard mounted 5,7 liter V8 blocks was long gone with General motors. But with 3,1 liters of engine capacity, the Lumina was still seriously motorized.

Just like the Espace

The Lumina APV, with its body of plastic panels over steel supports and with a sliding door over the right, was the counterpart of the well-selling Chrysler Voyagers. And where did they all go? By the way, GM made a broad commitment. Because the same car was also put on the market as Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette. The biggest competitor of the Lumina was the Renault Espace.

The nearly five-meter-long Chevrolet Lumina APV was a striking appearance in appearance. Inside, in the typical 'lousy' interior, things were calmer. Only the sport steering wheel was a lively exception. And on board there was room for seven passengers. Despite the then modern looks, such a Lumina was a true American. The transverse V6 from 122 (SAE!) Pk from 3,1 liters was a calm power. The block had to get it mainly from his couple. Later messages also regularly reported engine problems.

A strong drinker

The top was at something of 165 km / h (where the scale on the counter stopped at 140 km / h). But driving really fast? The Lumina was not made for that. Despite the fact that the all around independently sprung, empty 1.600 kilo weighing Chevrolet was tighter for European use and muffled, it remained a somewhat idle car with a characteristic numb power steering. Driving a Lumina is a bit like sailing with a tjalk. The soft suspension provided a lot of driving comfort. The cruise control also contributed to this. The turning circle of the Lumina was in accordance with its size. Fuel consumption also: think of 1 on 5. Fortunately, 75 liters went into the tank.

Incorrectly optimistic

In 1991 the press was cautiously optimistic about the opportunities of the Lumina APV in our market. A search on the Internet revealed that very few Lunima APV (And early Chrysler Voyagers) are left. Apparently they are gone and forgotten. Because they were bad, right? Because they drove up? New, such a Lumina APV cost between 62.500 and 72.500 rock-hard guilders. For lovers of more recent classics it must be festive that the value of such a real American Chevrolet is now about what the fool gives for it. And about the difference in purchase price between a Lumina APV and a comparable Renault Espace? You can use a lot of liters of petrol for that. And GM parts have always been cheaper than Renault parts.

But after the question from the readers we are also curious about driving such a Chevrolet, Pontiac or Plymouth.

So if you have one ...

Even in the folder he needs the full two pages