You would’ve had to have been blindfolded to miss Madelyn McCracken’s awesome Chevy Astro at the 49th Van Nationals in Stanthorpe over the Easter long weekend. But as we discovered, there’s more to this mobile Easter egg than just a lairy paintjob.
First published in the June 2024 issue of Street Machine

I feel like I’ve walked into a Fatboy Slim video from the 90s! What exactly am I looking at here, Madelyn?
It’s a 1985 Chevy Astro. It still runs the factory 4.3-litre V6 and four-speed auto, but yes, it’s seen some work to the interior and exterior!
It looks so period-perfect; how long have you owned it?
I bought it two years ago from one of my uncle’s friends in Childers, but it was imported here about 10 years ago. It was originally built in the 1980s as a promotional vehicle for the late singer Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville café, which opened in ’85 in Key West, Florida.


That helps explain this paintwork and interior!
Yep, his fans were long called ‘Parrotheads’ due to the bright and lairy clothing that many would wear to his concerts, so that whole concept became deeply associated with Jimmy and also the Margaritaville café chain.
Do you know much about its history?
It was basically bought as a brand-new van, then airbrushed by Kent Ford Auto Art Studio in Florida to reflect Jimmy’s love of tropical colours, and it’s thankfully been very well cared for in the decades since.

Have you made many changes to it since buying it?
No, I’ve just mainly been driving and enjoying it. It has received some minor upgrades over the years, like the wheels and more modern headlights, along with being made to look quite a bit cooler with a five-inch lowering kit.
I can’t imagine there’d be many of these in Australia, so it must be nice to have something truly individual.
Most definitely. Half the fun with owning this van has been learning about its history and that of Jimmy Buffett. He passed away in September last year, but his legacy will live on through his music and his fans for sure.


I see that you’re a first-time Van Nats attendee; how have you found the event so far?
It’s been fantastic, and we’ve made a full-on family weekend trip out of it also – of course enjoying the vans, but also getting out and about around Stanthorpe and seeing the cool things and places this area has to offer. It’s been a great time.


Girls — wanna be famous? Become an Iron Maiden! Email car details, pics (2MB+) and contact deets to [email protected]. You and your ride could appear in the mag!
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