1957 Chevrolet Step Van in LA is the product of a brilliant backstory
- The 1957 Chevrolet Step van isn’t most people’s idea of a classic
- However, this particular example may just change your mind
- Jay Leno has just featured it on his YouTube channel – and it has a fantastic story
Published on Feb 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Feb 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The Chevrolet Step Van isn’t most people’s idea of a classic vehicle.
In fact, compared to the ordinary definition, the Step Van is probably just plain weird.
However, a 1957 Chevrolet Step Van has just been put under the spotlight.
And it is seriously cool.
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Step Van starting story
This particular Chevrolet Step Van has a very cool origin story.
This van, featured on a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, is extremely unique.
Diosely Pino, the owner, is from Cuba.
He emigrated to the United States five years ago, taking a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles.
Having learned to work on cars in his Cuban homeland, he brought his experience with him.
He opened up his own car restoration shop, and this Step Van is the mascot vehicle for his shop.
Restoring Chevrolet Step Van to its former glory
Diosely explains to Jay Leno how unsure he was about taking the truck.
“My face was scared, because the truck was all rusty…a lot of rust!”.
“But it’s rare, it’s rusty – I don’t care, I want to keep it!”.
When asked by Jay what he was looking for, Diosely offers this response:
“I was looking for something cool…chistoso!”. Chistoso roughly translates from Spanish as ‘funny’, or ‘cool’.
Ambitions for the vehicle
Diosely tells Jay that the van started life as a bread delivery truck.
He also explains that he wants to make it look better, but also wants to maintain it’s original condition.
He also humorously explains the ‘Policia’ decal on the side of the truck.
“I wanted people to notice me!”, Diosely says.
Certainly an interesting approach to getting attention in Los Angeles.
Diosely explains that the Step Van will serve as a transporting vehicle for parts.
He then proceeds to show Jay Leno around his van, as well as giving him a look at the engine.
After that, Diosley shows off the coolest feature – a functioning police light and siren on the top of his Step Van.
1957 Chevrolet Step Van hits the streets of L.A.
Jay takes Diosley’s van out for a test drive, and he seems to love it.
What’s fascinating about this story is how much Jay Leno resonates with Diosley’s immigrant experience.
Jay’s grandparents emigrated at the turn of the century from Campania, Italy.
His mother was born in Greenock, Scotland.
“I love that America is worth a three-month trip here to somebody”, he observes.
Outside of this reflection, he remarks at how much he enjoys the Step Van.
“I really like this thing…if it was me, I’d maybe put a Hellcat motor in it”, laughs Jay.
Make sure to check out the video, as well as Diosely’s shop if you happen to be in L.A.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
