Vehicle: 1974 Chevy Custom 10 Sport Van
Island: Vinalhaven
Owner: Phil Roberts
Milage: Over 340,000 miles
Phil Roberts, who runs the Libby House Inn on Vinalhaven, wrote
“This van was first named Blue # 2. For the last 17 years it has been called Desert Storm. In its first life, it hauled music students up and down the East coast. During those years it also taxied pigeons to various flight sites to race home. Blue # 2 brought all of my belongings and needs to and from Vinalhaven.
“I have always been amazed by how much stuff you can cram into all it’s cavernous inner and outer space. When bringing people from the north end of the island, many have wondered if it will even make the nine-mile trip to town, much less hold together. At that moment, people sometimes question my sanity.
“Various workers have stayed at the Libby House Inn over the years, including state paving workers a few years ago. Desert Storm gained a hood ornament that was one of the center reflective pylons thanks to these creative state workers. The van is wrapped in ice and water shield to cover all the holes in the rocker panels and sidewalls so it would pass state inspection. Now that it has antique plates, it no longer needs to be inspected.
“A ride in this vehicle is a unique experience. An islander friend of mine told me that when he arrived at an island restaurant, his wife remarked, ‘What is that smell?’
” ‘Oh, Phil gave me a ride in Desert Storm.’
“One day, during John’s island tour to the basin, a friend from Phippsburg performed a two-and-a-half backwards summersault with a .07 degree of difficulty when the van went over a bump. At this point the van has no history in parades but who knows what the future holds for this van with over 340,000 original miles on the original engine.