I recently switched to a Transit... and yes, it's "just a work van"... but it's the nicest driving, best MPG work van I've owned... That's why I clicked this video.
@@DeadKoby yes they are brilliant vans. Everyone bangs on about the VW transporter but for me your just paying for that VW badge. I have a 19 plate transit custom and it’s by far the best van I’ve ever driven. Comfortable, powerful, handles well and is more refined like a car than a van. My work colleague has a VW transporter and it’s no where near my transit Custom?
This is one of the ONLY people who makes videos of this type who isn’t intensely irritating. Packed with interesting facts, with nice splashes of humour (without trying to be “funny”), he is unfailingly entertaining; he simply has a real flair for this type of video. I hope we have many more videos ahead to watch and should he read this, I wish him the very best of health. Health is everything and needs cherishing. You’re a video star in my eyes, Sir, and I’m sure you’re appreciated by many people. I wart a Transit Mk. 1 now. Paul Westcott or
No matter what you do, there's always going to be some self-righteous perfect embodiment just waiting to shoot you down. Leave the sad gits to it, and carry on with the great videos :o)
I am shocked that people would say such a thing. It's just sad for them. I love these stories, the simple narration and the occasional "dry British humour" I've been isolated at my work desk due to covid measures for a year now and you have given me human contact during lunch break. I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you.
@@davidhealy4534 Not really, Sabine was an exceptional driver on a different level to Clarkson just as he would be to a lot of other drivers by virtue of his job and experience. Also, the fact that Sabine was passing out everything including large motorbikes and supercars in a van:)
I’m self-employed and drive a Renault Trafic. I advertise my business as having a Transit van. It’s more or less the same payload as the Transit but when you say “Ford Transit” the customer has an instant understanding. It’s like when we instinctively call our vacuum cleaners “Hoover” irrespective of the make. It takes huge iconic status to achieve that and the Transit has achieved that. Well deserved too 👏👏👏
@@johnob1824Someone in an industry whereby the customer needs to know the van size perhaps? By the way, it’s “what” with a capital ‘W’, ‘laugh’ instead of “laff”, ‘their’ instead of “there”, one comma not two. Oh, and don’t forget when asking a question there needs to be a question mark at the end. Your acronyms were correct though, which is quite appropriate as you certainly did make me laugh out loud. Fitting the stereotype too that someone who drives a van didn’t do very well at school. Congratulations, that’s quite a set. Have a great day.
Sadly my dear old dad is no longer around to show this to, as he was part of the product planning team at Ford and worked on the Transit design. (I believe he was responsible for the drive train.)
@@richardbest577 Phil Ives, worked with Terry Beckett late 50's through to mid 60s at Dagenham and Alex Trotman was there somewhere too.(can't remember much more of what he told me.)
Stuie2210 Terry Becket ended up as Dagenham Plant Manager I think. Alex Trotman was very senior sure he was VP for Trucks at some point. Phil Ives...Name is familiar. Like so much these days its hard to remember. 1970s/80s were certainly the glory years. Great people making great products and enjoying doing so.
When I was growing up one phrase was drummed into me, "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all" I find it sad and difficult to understand why anyone would watch a car history video and comment on your looks. I hope you are thick skinned enough to laugh it off which it seems you are going by the fact you mentioned it at all, theres something wrong with those people, I think you know that. Keep the content coming, I've watched and enjoyed them all, even on cars (or vans) I was never that interested in.
Andrew, I absolutely agree. Another thing that was drummed into us was the "golden rule". Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (for some reason it never transitioned to modern english). The anonymity afforded by the internet is seen as a licence to vent bile and to deal with people without any apparent empathy or courtesy. When I was a boy (I'm middle aged now) politeness was seen as an essential quality for the smooth running of society and a very desirable quality in anybody. Sadly, not so much any more. And it shows :(
@@hugebartlett1884 Yeah. Everywhere I go. Everybody is developing such animalistic characteristics every which way I turn. And they always have something to say. It is getting rediculous.
I was in a collision on the M1 whilst driving a Mk2 and found myself actually aquaplaning sideways past other vehicles at around 60 mph. Astonishingly, the vehicle remained upright and I was able to instinctively steer into the skid and bring the vehicle back almost into line before the tyres bit and it catapulted onto the hard shoulder. Even without a windscreen, I was able to drive home with my motorcycle cargo still tethered and intact. Nothing but respect for these vans ever since...
I don't care about your looks. But I will say, I love the fact that I can see a face and not just hear a voiceover. So, kudos for your videos and don't mind idiots that much.
I would love to see face and whole body all these mfos which are complaining about other people look. I would love to say few things of judgment to them.
I can well remember seeing (and sitting in) my first Ford Transit 'pig' in a Nairobi showroom as a schoolboy in 1965. Their engines made such a distinctive whine that you could hear them coming without looking. Great video again, BC. Thank you.
Was I surprised to see my old transit 8 minutes in. The black space 6 wheeler transit. I've still got the write up to it, and its history as to how it came about, thanks for the memory, Bob.
I was 11 when the first Transits arrived to the Ford dealership beside my school. I loved to see all the variatons, and now, 55 years later, I still do.
I drove a brand new Transit workbus for Sleemans Construction in Exeter. Loved it,very easy to drive,and could certainly carry a formidable load of bricks,the springs down on the stops! Great van,happy days!
I always feel the Ford Transit is one of the great choices of name, a marketing triumph. They found a word that rolled off the tongue and gave the impression of movement and effective delivery of goods. So when it was a success because of good basic design, like the Escort, Cortina or Capri, the name easily became iconic. Nothing said here about how it was chosen.
@@danb.3397 i dunno if diarrhea is a common thing with covid-19, but if it was I could see it. If it's anything like the chest cold I had in january, I would stockpile KLEENEX instead. I ended up using up a lot of toilet paper after I was out of kleenex...
What a fascinating video!!! As a driver of Transit vans for many years, and now the proud owner of a Ford Transit Trail, this really opened my eyes to the history of one of my most beloved vehicles. Ditch the bag mate. No one should be so shallow as to judge someone on their looks. You look like my father in law, and he's great. Keep up the good work.....
As usual, great video, excellent content, and very well presented. I am from Australia and have a 97 Transit work van for my classic wheel business. The thing just goes and goes and you can't kill it with a stick. The 78 update Transit we received here did get the Falcon's mighty 4.1 straight 6, but it was petrol not diesel powered as you stated. We didn't get the diesel version until my model. Great work, keep those videos coming
I've loved all your videos and subscribed and love it when a new one pops up in my UA-cam recommendations. You've got a great friendly face and a great voice that I could listen to all day! Ignore the trolls and keep up the great work!
Thank you very much for taking the time, really interesting as my dad drove this van for a prolonged period of time, I even drove the first time in my life in a Transit 1989 2.5d. It pulled uphill, loaded to the brim with construction stuff like it was nothing.
Most of the time I love the backstories it's just a shame that sites like Hoovies Garage and Tavarish have more followers than someone who actually has some intelligence. Bravo !
Dan B. I agree with you, however I also enjoy both Hoovie and Tavarish and feel they also work very hard. Big Car is a favourite of mine, I’m sure the subscriber base will continue to rise.
Peter Emery correct. Also his map is incorrect. It shows Sydney as a manufacturing place but instead of also showing the Melbourne factory, it incorrectly shows New Zealand.
@@foxxster3565 May be incorrect as regards Melbourne Australia. But definitely not incorrect for New Zealand. Since Transits were also built at Fords Seaview, Lower Hutt (Wellington area) factory.
Interesting, I have been a transit owner driver for 3 generations of the transit ..I am surprised there was no mention of corrosion....as I would still be driving around in my mk11 transit if it wasn't for rust ..the later models seemingly rotted if you said the word rain next to it . I guess the rust is a form of planned obseletion? It certainly kept the market moving ..
I have had Mk4, Mk5 and Mk7 Minibuses. I still have the Mk5 and intend to restore it. The Mk7 was a great drive but had too many electronics faults but gave good service. Mk4 and 5 have great engines. Despite my best efforts, the Mk5 has rotted and the Mk7 was sold whilst still good.
Totally agree i have had 5 transit vans dating back to the 95 smiley face and had them all blown in and filled because they rotted around the bottom .Probably because i work on building sites .Got a sport transit now and my life is complete 😁
Toyota Hiace much the same. The fleet we had it didn't matter which keys you grabbed they all worked. I even drove one of the vans using the door key from my Lancia HPE
I was able to unlock my mate's Vauxhall Astra Belmont with my Mk 2 Escort key. Used to drive him mad when he left for work and found his HT leads or plugs had been swiped and hidden around the car 🤣
Great video again! I love the fact you cover a lot of normal cars or vans like in this video. I hope you go on for years to come and I like the face too!
I started my driving career in a Mk1 Tranny, V4 petrol back in the 60s. I also used the first automatic transmission as a demonstration trial. The first commercial truck (lorry in the old days) I used was the Thames Trader and we had the Thames 400 15cwt van. I moved on to the D series artics. I started with Ford in my blood and have stayed with them and even built them in the Dagenham factory. Great memories for me.
I’ve got a 2015 Tourneo Connect with Amdro boot jump which folds out into a double bed with gas stove and storage. Effectively a great 5 seater car which easily turns into a camper van
the one thing that you do that stands out is the endless knowledge of each individual car ever manufactured which i enjoy listening to, a lot of info you come out with i never knew about, you even include the outtakes at the end of each vid which is entertaining & as for the negative comment which wasnt called for
I hate that there are people out there that feel the need to make nasty comments. This is the first video of yours that I have seen and thought it was great. I love that your delivery is calm but with a subtle passion / excitement. Your a handsome chap and thanks for the video
The Transit is great!....In the U.S. we don't have the older ones, but the newer ones are here in significant numbers. According to this video the Transit conquered the world, and that testifies to the soundness of it's original design. ~ The paper bag is very chic, next time I shop, I'll wear one, I wonder if it's CDC approved, it certainly looks better than the regular face masks! ~ As always excellent work, thanks and blessings.
I've enjoyed your videos but this was a whole new level of excellence. All the details, especially the evolution from get away vehicle to grand theft auto target, were so very good. As an older USA viewer, thought it worth mentioning that the early 60s Chrysler push button transmission shifter, for many reasons, ruined that design idea forever in this country. Thanks for all your work, it's top notch.
There is no reason for people to say something bad when they can choose to say nothing at all. Your appearance at the end of the video with your expressive eyes is something i look forward to always. Thanks for all the great work.
Love the videos ! Well presented factual and correct ! Great delivery ! Ahhh the Transit ! My father worked on a fleet of them for Dohertys Butchers in the 70s and 80s ! I practically grew up with them ! The boss had a thing that he never ordered heaters with them as he reckoned it would spoil the meat !! One however slipped the net and it was an open secret at the time ! The drivers would all be fighting for that particular one ! We got one of the retired vans and my father fitted it with a pinto from a totalled RS2000 it had an updated cam and head ! I remember the noise it made was fantastic but mpg let's just say suffered badly!! The Transit is a legend that will never die !!
Scarlett Johanson actually looked hideous, especially as a teenage kid, google it. Ugly duckling in world of super pretty teenage girls. Her beauty was later improved.
My ol' man still has his mk2 (1983) transit. Was an ambulance at one point so it has the essex 3.0 engine. keeps up with motorway/town traffic surprisingly well
I had a twin wheel 35cwt in 1967, it was a fifteen seat bus with the side door on the wrong side for the UK. I did the best part of 170,000 miles in this. Great van but prone to kingpin wear which was a difficult fix. The 2 litre V engome was very easy to fix. I rebuilt 3 engines in my time, dead easy. I love the wheeee of the 3 fibre gears in place of the tioming chain. All in all the greatest van ever.
I remember the minibus I rode to school in when I was in secondary school was a Ford Transit. When I started going to college with my school in 2016, we went there in a Transit minibus. And my dad currently has a Transit Custom work van.
I've driven just about every type of van because of my work. The Ford Transit has always been the best. Comfort, power, handling, everything. They always look the best as well.
another awesome video! I was expecting the transit song to come in, I think it was from advertisements in the 90’s ‘we build for the countries needs, wheels turn, power at your feet’ or something like that. Anyway, enough with that. Have to say with content like this (and a few other awesome youtube creators), some Netflix and maybe a bit of Prime (to a lesser extent) I genuinely don’t know why people bother with buying TV licenses anymore, this content is far better than most of the drivel on terrestrial TV these days!
Don't care what your face looks like, great vid, my fave looking transit is still the 78 version, but hey I love most 70's fords classiks before the Bubble cars lol
In about 1969 I worked for an East Barnet furniture removal company. They had a Transit chassis which was a tractor unit for a 1000 cubic ft artic trailer. At 19 yrs of age I drove this as it came well under the 3.5T limit. Great memories.
I drove a 2018 transit custom rental (limited spec) and I was amazed at how nice it was to drive. The interior was lovely to sit in too with heated seats and a great infotainment system. Just a shame that the company i work for will never buy transits. Oh well!
Another fantastic Big Car video - can't tell you how much I enjoy these little documentaries !!! I have a request though ! I have no statistics or evidence whatsoever but I would be willing to wager that after the Transit and the smaller Transit Connect, the most prolific van on British roads would be the Peugeot Partner/Citroen Berlingo. I'm on my third in 17 years and would absolutely LOVE to know how these little vans came into being !! Hoping this might be the subject of a future video and please keep up the good work !!!
Neil Aspinall “VW” will start manufacturing transporters at the same plant. I think that plant is one of the most successful and efficient at van production. Politics and politicians are boring to discuss.
Neil Aspinall - actually Ford made the Mk. 1 Transit Connect exclusively in Turkey, even the US-spec ones (first for a Turkish-made vehicle) for a while. Now their production switched to Valencia, Espana.
I read/watched somewhere that the Transit load area width was designed to take wooden pallet , which at the time were becoming very popular. No other van could do that.
The wooden pallet has its origin in the size of French winebarrels The french vans from the 20's where the first with enough room between the wheel wells to rol winebarrels into the cargobay. The transit was the first non French van who also could load easier bigger cargo.
My mother owns a 1985 LWB Transit campervan. Being the 2.5 DI, the performance is something akin to riding a glacier, but despite the lack of speed, the old bus just keeps on chugging. Awesome, old van. Will be a sad day when the rust finally claims the thing
Your videos and research are fantastic. Your voice is also perfect for the narration. You should have your own T.V. show. Most people are quite nostalgic, when it comes to motoring history.
Well done as usual BG. I have driven the brand new Transit Custom and what a vehicle it is. So many safety features and drives pretty much like a car I want one! A major problem FORD seemingly refuse to fix is the very poor door lock which can be forced easily with pliers making it the most stolen van in the UK and Europe today.
Tremendous ending. How much more indispensable to attractiveness is humour than is appearances.And how much harder it is to make those who value appearances over substance understand,when weakness of character allows them to write insulting remarks so casually.
As a designer (not in automotive industries) i like your vids a lot. They are fantastic and i like your voice over. As I'm not 25 anymore, you are looking for me like a friendly person and not at all hideous. So don't care what youngster beauties think :). Again a great job!
You sir tell me the stories of my childhood and you tell it so well! Ford cars, Volvos, Citroen bits, weirdo cars of 90s... and now long waited Ford Transit!! I was born in Turkey and i rode those Ford Transits so many times during my childhood. My cousin had an early 90s 2.5 Direct Injection 5-speed... Very loud but it was amazing work horse. Before then, he had an older gasser model... There were many variants of these and they were used as a minibus for public transport a lot. There are a few very famous movies completely written around Ford Transit. (UA-cam Cicek Abbas). Transits left a big but pleasant mark in Turkey. Oh, never mind them motherfuckers about your appearance. To be honest, i was shocked when you mentioned it and went back and looked at you just to see if i missed anything about your appearance... Well, of course nothing! You are just another man who lost his hair to daily life endeavors :) Keep up the amazing work and keep up the spirit. Thank you so much.
I honestly can't believe people sometimes. Ignore them and their disgusting comments! We enjoy a face to go along with the content! Keep up the great work you do.
4 роки тому+43
You missed the main feature it was the first van to hold an 8 x 4 sheet of plywood or drywall standing up or lying down.
THANK YOU for all the wonderful videos! I'm in the USA and unfortunately we don't get the cars the UK and the rest of Europe can have and enjoy. It's great that you go into details about the history of each make and model. Please keep on producing content! BTW... I drive a Mini, BMW and VW!
People are ridiculous online. Love the channel and your passion for what you do. Your a regular human being - let the haters hate! How about a video about the Opel Rekord and Holden Commodore?
Yep and I drove a the old 200cu straight six with a manual LWB transit went like the clappers Then i drove the 250cu I6 with the auto in it camper style body with seat a stuff was a bit of a slug but I think it was suffocated by pollution gear by then
Jeff Ewing , an Uncle in JAMAICA, BWI, had this odd looking car,,it was some AUSTRALIAN FORD, if I recall the front looked FALCON &rear looked FAIRLAINE ? Anyhow as it went EVERYBODY, on BOTH sides of the family ALL drove FORD cars mostly from ENGLAND, from the OLD PREFECT, up, all from the WORLDS OLDEST FORD DEALERSHIP KIG, KINGSTON INDUSTRIAL GARAGE , recently sold . Natch all RHD & ALL MANUAL, until later in life , I never drove an AMERICAN car , until I came to USA in1959. You got it MOSTLY. FORDS too !. Cheers FROM NJ USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I'm most certain those who judge harshly, are likely harsher yet within their own, diminished facades ! Great presentation, made me appreciate the evolution of the Transit, and for that matter, all Vans inspired globally by it. Peace & Light ~ Shawn
Greetings from North America! I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy the Big Car videos. I really don't get people with there ridiculous comments about how a video presenter looks. Does that really matter in the end? Its really all about the content of the videos. I greatly appreciate the effort that goes into these videos and I enjoy the stories behind the vehicles you highlight on your channel. Thank you for producing the videos for this channel.
No need for bag! Your presentation voice and style and look is excellent; a touch of humour also is very good. You manage to get some real depth into the background of each model; it’s a true history of the design and development as well as the sales of each model. Don’t change anything.
I know several people who work for the Claycomo plant. My grandfather was was a senior line inspector and I think that he would have loved the Transit. Glad you did a story about the van. It's one I've always been curious about. Keep up the great work. I enjoy your content on this channel and the Small Car story as well
Haters will hate, no matter what. They are just jealous that they can't produce such a quality video, which is so well researched and presented. Really enjoyed this one. Keep up the excellent work. Look forward to the next.
'De first ting me do me fling a van inna gear De second ting me do me reach a Spanish Town square' Great history of this great van, finally we have a modern version in Canada!
Slight correction: Ford Australia never offered the Transit with a 4.1 litre diesel engine. It did offer a 4.1 litre petrol engine which was updated in 78 to the "Crossflow" engine.
@@BigCar2 Could you maybe consider bags with various facial expressions so that we know your emotion better without looking at the face? That would be of great service, thank you! (and just kidding of course!)
Great vid and information! I love the joke about the bag and there are always people with way to much time on their hands and screaming for attention so they just need to find someone to try to annoy. Keep up the great work! :)
Hahaha, that’s a funny end. That story is amazing! It’s a surprise it didn’t do well in America with the van craze from the 60s to the late 80s. Great video.
Because it is. Looks retro and can haul ass? Epic. In case you're curious, it's called the Ford Turbine Truck, nicknamed "Big Red". Edit: Sauces below. ua-cam.com/video/tODsl0-oW0Q/v-deo.html dyler.com/posts/311/ford-s-big-red-a-super-transporter-nearly-30-metres-long
@@noaht2005 To be frank, it looks like a retro version of the Tesla Truck, due to the aerodynamics, big front window, and huge side doors. Such a shame Ford didn't pull it off, but yet again, gas turbine engines made like two miles a gallon, lol.
Yep! I had 91 plate for a fencing,slabbing etc business I had back then .I abused it to an inch of its life but was so easy to swap parts out on when something gave up the ghost. The gearbox failed in reverse which was fun! Not.Cheers!.Great content thank you .
You would have hated it. Ford Canada imported these in 2000 built on the Ford Fasteva chasses under the name Transit Metro from the Turkey factory. Horrible vehicles, unreliable lemons, can't haul more than 400 lbs in the back without the suspension getting all soft and gushy. Electrical and power train problems were serious and chronic. A lot of tradesmen and companies got suckered into buying these worthless hunks of junk and they ended up costing their owners a mint in frequent repairs. There's a reason why pickup trucks and full sized vans are still king to the tradesmen as a light commercial vehicle. Durability and reliability rules.
@@ph11p3540 N.Americans have always been immensely proud of their own vehicles and I have never heard them say a good word about any vehicle imported (other than from Japan) to their shores. The Transit has done well around the rest of the world ( so it must have something going for it) and don't know why they bothered with N.America after all this time (with all the associated hassles and moans) and let them stick to their 'Econoline' things or whatever.
@@Witheredgoogie We've been spoiled over here by being able to dump a ton of whatever (or about seven Americans) into our vans and just get on with it at 70 miles per hour. And 12ish MPG, if I'm honest. The proper Transits weren't made for that. The US-spec Transit pretty much shares only most of the body panels. The US-spec commercial vehicles that make it over astonish the most jaded tradesmen with what they can do. Until it comes time to feed it, of course.
@@stanwbaker Ha ha I suppose you think in little quaint old europe we fill vans with balloons and poodle along with a man waving a flag at the front down a cart track?.
I like the way this guy can make the most mundane vehicles interesting
Most cars seem to have interesting bits in their history!
Transit van mundane....How dare you, sir?
I recently switched to a Transit... and yes, it's "just a work van"... but it's the nicest driving, best MPG work van I've owned... That's why I clicked this video.
@@BigCar2
I remember seeing our local Old Bill chasing an Austin Montego in a couple of Transits!
Nothing mundane about a (moderate speed) pursuit 😆
@@DeadKoby yes they are brilliant vans. Everyone bangs on about the VW transporter but for me your just paying for that VW badge. I have a 19 plate transit custom and it’s by far the best van I’ve ever driven. Comfortable, powerful, handles well and is more refined like a car than a van. My work colleague has a VW transporter and it’s no where near my transit Custom?
This is one of the ONLY people who makes videos of this type who isn’t intensely irritating. Packed with interesting facts, with nice splashes of humour (without trying to be “funny”), he is unfailingly entertaining; he simply has a real flair for this type of video. I hope we have many more videos ahead to watch and should he read this, I wish him the very best of health. Health is everything and needs cherishing. You’re a video star in my eyes, Sir, and I’m sure you’re appreciated by many people. I wart a Transit Mk. 1 now. Paul Westcott or
So true! Well delivered and straight to the point!
No matter what you do, there's always going to be some self-righteous perfect embodiment just waiting to shoot you down. Leave the sad gits to it, and carry on with the great videos :o)
Eh, how did you do that?!
Weird how come you r comment is 6 days old?
As a patron we get access to the videos before everyone else
Can't believe some people, how rude saying that to him.
Oh, ok. Sorry for my excessive inquisitiveness.
I am shocked that people would say such a thing. It's just sad for them. I love these stories, the simple narration and the occasional "dry British humour" I've been isolated at my work desk due to covid measures for a year now and you have given me human contact during lunch break. I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you.
Sabine Schmidt. The greatest driver of the Transit. God bless her.
Shows what a crappy driver Clarkson is.
No such thing as gods.
@@Locutus i disagree, the only god to exist was Sabine schmidt. Such a underrated driver not only in the transit but in general.
@@davidhealy4534 Not really, Sabine was an exceptional driver on a different level to Clarkson just as he would be to a lot of other drivers by virtue of his job and experience. Also, the fact that Sabine was passing out everything including large motorbikes and supercars in a van:)
I really hate to be "that guy" but the name is Schmitz.
I’m self-employed and drive a Renault Trafic. I advertise my business as having a Transit van.
It’s more or less the same payload as the Transit but when you say “Ford Transit” the customer has an instant understanding.
It’s like when we instinctively call our vacuum cleaners “Hoover” irrespective of the make.
It takes huge iconic status to achieve that and the Transit has achieved that.
Well deserved too 👏👏👏
Generic trademarks is the term
what..lol..you having a laff..who tells there customer what van they have,,lol
@@johnob1824Someone in an industry whereby the customer needs to know the van size perhaps?
By the way, it’s “what” with a capital ‘W’, ‘laugh’ instead of “laff”, ‘their’ instead of “there”, one comma not two. Oh, and don’t forget when asking a question there needs to be a question mark at the end.
Your acronyms were correct though, which is quite appropriate as you certainly did make me laugh out loud.
Fitting the stereotype too that someone who drives a van didn’t do very well at school. Congratulations, that’s quite a set.
Have a great day.
Sadly my dear old dad is no longer around to show this to, as he was part of the product planning team at Ford and worked on the Transit design. (I believe he was responsible for the drive train.)
Stuie2210 who was your Dad? I worked at Dunton on the 78 1/2, 84 and VE6 transits ( truck development)
@@richardbest577 Phil Ives, worked with Terry Beckett late 50's through to mid 60s at Dagenham and Alex Trotman was there somewhere too.(can't remember much more of what he told me.)
Stuie2210 Terry Becket ended up as Dagenham Plant Manager I think. Alex Trotman was very senior sure he was VP for Trucks at some point.
Phil Ives...Name is familiar. Like so much these days its hard to remember.
1970s/80s were certainly the glory years. Great people making great products and enjoying doing so.
@@richardbest577 Terry Beckett went on to be Chairman of the CBI and Alex Trotman became CEO of Ford worldwide.
My dad would have loved this channel.
Another great video. Factual, interesting, no time wasting, and no irrelevant irritating background music!!
When I was growing up one phrase was drummed into me, "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all" I find it sad and difficult to understand why anyone would watch a car history video and comment on your looks. I hope you are thick skinned enough to laugh it off which it seems you are going by the fact you mentioned it at all, theres something wrong with those people, I think you know that.
Keep the content coming, I've watched and enjoyed them all, even on cars (or vans) I was never that interested in.
Andrew, I absolutely agree. Another thing that was drummed into us was the "golden rule". Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (for some reason it never transitioned to modern english). The anonymity afforded by the internet is seen as a licence to vent bile and to deal with people without any apparent empathy or courtesy. When I was a boy (I'm middle aged now) politeness was seen as an essential quality for the smooth running of society and a very desirable quality in anybody. Sadly, not so much any more. And it shows :(
Sign of the times,discourtesy and rudeness,familiar these days, everywhere.
I always thought he was kinda cute.
@@hugebartlett1884 Yeah. Everywhere I go. Everybody is developing such animalistic characteristics every which way I turn. And they always have something to say. It is getting rediculous.
Andrew Bowie You can’t fix stupid and mean.
I was in a collision on the M1 whilst driving a Mk2 and found myself actually aquaplaning sideways past other vehicles at around 60 mph. Astonishingly, the vehicle remained upright and I was able to instinctively steer into the skid and bring the vehicle back almost into line before the tyres bit and it catapulted onto the hard shoulder. Even without a windscreen, I was able to drive home with my motorcycle cargo still tethered and intact. Nothing but respect for these vans ever since...
I don't care about your looks. But I will say, I love the fact that I can see a face and not just hear a voiceover. So, kudos for your videos and don't mind idiots that much.
Great comment! Would’ve been much funnier if you’d just ended it after the first sentence but how you chose was a lot nicer.
I would love to see face and whole body all these mfos which are complaining about other people look. I would love to say few things of judgment to them.
Your a Bike Rider.....or?
I can well remember seeing (and sitting in) my first Ford Transit 'pig' in a Nairobi showroom as a schoolboy in 1965. Their engines made such a distinctive whine that you could hear them coming without looking. Great video again, BC. Thank you.
Was I surprised to see my old transit 8 minutes in. The black space 6 wheeler transit. I've still got the write up to it, and its history as to how it came about, thanks for the memory, Bob.
I'm here for the cars. Glad you can ignore the snide comments and continue with the quality content!
I was 11 when the first Transits arrived to the Ford dealership beside my school. I loved to see all the variatons, and now, 55 years later, I still do.
I drove a brand new Transit workbus for Sleemans Construction in Exeter. Loved it,very easy to drive,and could certainly carry a formidable load of bricks,the springs down on the stops! Great van,happy days!
I always feel the Ford Transit is one of the great choices of name, a marketing triumph. They found a word that rolled off the tongue and gave the impression of movement and effective delivery of goods. So when it was a success because of good basic design, like the Escort, Cortina or Capri, the name easily became iconic. Nothing said here about how it was chosen.
March 2020 additional signage on transits. "No Toilet rolls left in this vehicle overnight."
Also hand gel! Don't forget the hand gel!
Same here in SoCal with people panic buying toilet paper ! Do they expect to defecate that much ?!
; Spot on, I just wish I had shares in Andrex .
Not any N95 masks or sanitizers as well.
@@danb.3397 i dunno if diarrhea is a common thing with covid-19, but if it was I could see it.
If it's anything like the chest cold I had in january, I would stockpile KLEENEX instead. I ended up using up a lot of toilet paper after I was out of kleenex...
What a fascinating video!!! As a driver of Transit vans for many years, and now the proud owner of a Ford Transit Trail, this really opened my eyes to the history of one of my most beloved vehicles. Ditch the bag mate. No one should be so shallow as to judge someone on their looks. You look like my father in law, and he's great. Keep up the good work.....
Thanks for another great feature. These must take a lot of time to research and make. Your face is fine.
As usual, great video, excellent content, and very well presented. I am from Australia and have a 97 Transit work van for my classic wheel business. The thing just goes and goes and you can't kill it with a stick. The 78 update Transit we received here did get the Falcon's mighty 4.1 straight 6, but it was petrol not diesel powered as you stated. We didn't get the diesel version until my model. Great work, keep those videos coming
I've loved all your videos and subscribed and love it when a new one pops up in my UA-cam recommendations. You've got a great friendly face and a great voice that I could listen to all day! Ignore the trolls and keep up the great work!
:) Thanks Rob!
Thank you very much for taking the time, really interesting as my dad drove this van for a prolonged period of time, I even drove the first time in my life in a Transit 1989 2.5d. It pulled uphill, loaded to the brim with construction stuff like it was nothing.
Most of the time I love the backstories it's just a shame that sites like Hoovies Garage and Tavarish have more followers than someone who actually has some intelligence. Bravo !
I've actually never heard of them
Dan B. I agree with you, however I also enjoy both Hoovie and Tavarish and feel they also work very hard. Big Car is a favourite of mine, I’m sure the subscriber base will continue to rise.
7:05 Not a 4.1 litre diesel in Australia: Transits had either a 200 ci (3.3 lit) or 250 ci (4.1 lit) petrol engines from the Falcon car range.
Peter Emery correct. Also his map is incorrect. It shows Sydney as a manufacturing place but instead of also showing the Melbourne factory, it incorrectly shows New Zealand.
@@foxxster3565 May be incorrect as regards Melbourne Australia. But definitely not incorrect for New Zealand. Since Transits were also built at Fords Seaview, Lower Hutt (Wellington area) factory.
Don't forget the Bedford which used the holden 202 petrol 6 cylinder engine.
Interesting, I have been a transit owner driver for 3 generations of the transit ..I am surprised there was no mention of corrosion....as I would still be driving around in my mk11 transit if it wasn't for rust ..the later models seemingly rotted if you said the word rain next to it . I guess the rust is a form of planned obseletion? It certainly kept the market moving ..
I have had Mk4, Mk5 and Mk7 Minibuses. I still have the Mk5 and intend to restore it. The Mk7 was a great drive but had too many electronics faults but gave good service. Mk4 and 5 have great engines. Despite my best efforts, the Mk5 has rotted and the Mk7 was sold whilst still good.
Totally agree i have had 5 transit vans dating back to the 95 smiley face and had them all blown in and filled because they rotted around the bottom .Probably because i work on building sites .Got a sport transit now and my life is complete 😁
Excellent documentary, as always ! Each time I'm impressed by the video archives that are used. You should be broadcast on TV !
and by the way I'm french and really appreciate your clear diction that make every word easy to get
Thanks. I think I slur words a bit, so it takes multiple takes and lots of stops.
The screwdriver, fords second key
Toyota Hiace much the same. The fleet we had it didn't matter which keys you grabbed they all worked. I even drove one of the vans using the door key from my Lancia HPE
@@GSimpsonOAM VW T2 Wesfalia, push up the sliding window of the sliding door and you're in! Never stolen one but owned one.
Ford keys are easily shaved, heck you could start a mk 3 Corrina with the windshield wiper
I was able to unlock my mate's Vauxhall Astra Belmont with my Mk 2 Escort key.
Used to drive him mad when he left for work and found his HT leads or plugs had been swiped and hidden around the car 🤣
lol on the E series van we had at work you could start it just by gripping the little wings where the key goes in. No key required.:D
Great video again! I love the fact you cover a lot of normal cars or vans like in this video. I hope you go on for years to come and I like the face too!
I love how well researched and presented these uploads are. Keep them coming!
I started my driving career in a Mk1 Tranny, V4 petrol back in the 60s.
I also used the first automatic transmission as a demonstration trial.
The first commercial truck (lorry in the old days) I used was the Thames Trader and we had the Thames 400 15cwt van.
I moved on to the D series artics.
I started with Ford in my blood and have stayed with them and even built them in the Dagenham factory.
Great memories for me.
I’ve got a 2015 Tourneo Connect with Amdro boot jump which folds out into a double bed with gas stove and storage. Effectively a great 5 seater car which easily turns into a camper van
Great. Thanks for sharing.
the one thing that you do that stands out is the endless knowledge of each individual car ever manufactured which i enjoy listening to, a lot of info you come out with i never knew about, you even include the outtakes at the end of each vid which is entertaining & as for the negative comment which wasnt called for
Thx 4 the vid ! At 8.20 u see "my" Ghia Bus. Here in Norway, only 1 was ever sold in 1985, and I got it :)
I hate that there are people out there that feel the need to make nasty comments. This is the first video of yours that I have seen and thought it was great. I love that your delivery is calm but with a subtle passion / excitement. Your a handsome chap and thanks for the video
And now I live fulltime in a Transit Hightop Extended. Love it so much. (In America)
The Transit is great!....In the U.S. we don't have the older ones, but the newer ones are here in significant numbers. According to this video the Transit conquered the world, and that testifies to the soundness of it's original design. ~ The paper bag is very chic, next time I shop, I'll wear one, I wonder if it's CDC approved, it certainly looks better than the regular face masks! ~ As always excellent work, thanks and blessings.
I've enjoyed your videos but this was a whole new level of excellence. All the details, especially the evolution from get away vehicle to grand theft auto target, were so very good. As an older USA viewer, thought it worth mentioning that the early 60s Chrysler push button transmission shifter, for many reasons, ruined that design idea forever in this country. Thanks for all your work, it's top notch.
There is no reason for people to say something bad when they can choose to say nothing at all.
Your appearance at the end of the video with your expressive eyes is something i look forward to always. Thanks for all the great work.
Love the Transformer taillights in the latest model..
Someone at Ford was having some fun with this one.
Love the videos ! Well presented factual and correct ! Great delivery ! Ahhh the Transit ! My father worked on a fleet of them for Dohertys Butchers in the 70s and 80s ! I practically grew up with them ! The boss had a thing that he never ordered heaters with them as he reckoned it would spoil the meat !! One however slipped the net and it was an open secret at the time ! The drivers would all be fighting for that particular one ! We got one of the retired vans and my father fitted it with a pinto from a totalled RS2000 it had an updated cam and head ! I remember the noise it made was fantastic but mpg let's just say suffered badly!! The Transit is a legend that will never die !!
Great videos, you are no Scarlett Johansson but you don't look hideous.
Scarlett Johanson actually looked hideous, especially as a teenage kid, google it. Ugly duckling in world of super pretty teenage girls. Her beauty was later improved.
@@arkadiusztrzesniewski4237 Just like me 😉
@@arkadiusztrzesniewski4237 Most people who are beautiful as adults were quite awkward as teens
@@BigCar2 HAHAHAH I LOVE THAT YOU CAN TAKE COMMENTS LIKE THAT SO LIGHTLY
@@AdamG1983 yeah almost everyone looked weird as a teen
My ol' man still has his mk2 (1983) transit. Was an ambulance at one point so it has the essex 3.0 engine. keeps up with motorway/town traffic surprisingly well
Love the Ford Transit vans! Cannot beat them for functionality/features & durability! They are great for personal use as well. #Ecoboost #Powerstroke
I had a twin wheel 35cwt in 1967, it was a fifteen seat bus with the side door on the wrong side for the UK. I did the best part of 170,000 miles in this. Great van but prone to kingpin wear which was a difficult fix. The 2 litre V engome was very easy to fix. I rebuilt 3 engines in my time, dead easy. I love the wheeee of the 3 fibre gears in place of the tioming chain. All in all the greatest van ever.
I remember the minibus I rode to school in when I was in secondary school was a Ford Transit. When I started going to college with my school in 2016, we went there in a Transit minibus. And my dad currently has a Transit Custom work van.
I've driven just about every type of van because of my work. The Ford Transit has always been the best. Comfort, power, handling, everything. They always look the best as well.
My favourite van.
I would actually love to have a Thames van in mint condition though, I loved the sliding doors on the vans of the 60s and 70s.
another awesome video! I was expecting the transit song to come in, I think it was from advertisements in the 90’s ‘we build for the countries needs, wheels turn, power at your feet’ or something like that.
Anyway, enough with that. Have to say with content like this (and a few other awesome youtube creators), some Netflix and maybe a bit of Prime (to a lesser extent) I genuinely don’t know why people bother with buying TV licenses anymore, this content is far better than most of the drivel on terrestrial TV these days!
I’ll always see them as Mr. Whippy vans playing Greensleeves!
M Border that’s funny. Pink too
I drove a Transit van when I worked for BT back in the 90s, it was fantastic
Don't care what your face looks like, great vid, my fave looking transit is still the 78 version, but hey I love most 70's fords classiks before the Bubble cars lol
In about 1969 I worked for an East Barnet furniture removal company. They had a Transit chassis which was a tractor unit for a 1000 cubic ft artic trailer. At 19 yrs of age I drove this as it came well under the 3.5T limit. Great memories.
I drove a 2018 transit custom rental (limited spec) and I was amazed at how nice it was to drive. The interior was lovely to sit in too with heated seats and a great infotainment system. Just a shame that the company i work for will never buy transits. Oh well!
Another fantastic Big Car video - can't tell you how much I enjoy these little documentaries !!! I have a request though ! I have no statistics or evidence whatsoever but I would be willing to wager that after the Transit and the smaller Transit Connect, the most prolific van on British roads would be the Peugeot Partner/Citroen Berlingo. I'm on my third in 17 years and would absolutely LOVE to know how these little vans came into being !! Hoping this might be the subject of a future video and please keep up the good work !!!
Transit is number one in Turkey too. Great video by the way thanks
Ford make their European Transits in Turkey. ( I wonder how that will pan out with Erdogan provoking Greece with war? )
Neil Aspinall “VW” will start manufacturing transporters at the same plant. I think that plant is one of the most successful and efficient at van production. Politics and politicians are boring to discuss.
Çok doğru söyledin👍🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷
Neil Aspinall - actually Ford made the Mk. 1 Transit Connect exclusively in Turkey, even the US-spec ones (first for a Turkish-made vehicle) for a while. Now their production switched to Valencia, Espana.
@@syxepop Spain
I have been a Ford Fan for about 40 years. Liked the story. And I liked how you put it all together. Keep up the good work
Lol ..the paper bag joke .... man I’ve learnt a lot from your series, others are just jealous 🇦🇺
Superb videos.Nothing flash,just pure information.Thank You Big Car!
I read/watched somewhere that the Transit load area width was designed to take wooden pallet , which at the time were becoming very popular. No other van could do that.
Ribierasacra 8’x4’ sheets of wood, metal, or plasterboard.
The wooden pallet has its origin in the size of French winebarrels
The french vans from the 20's where the first with enough room between the wheel wells to rol winebarrels into the cargobay.
The transit was the first non French van who also could load easier bigger cargo.
@@obelic71 I thought pallets are that size (4ft by whatever) so you can fit them side by side on a lorry (max 8ft wide)
@@whatyousaidbud that came from railway lorry's
My mother owns a 1985 LWB Transit campervan. Being the 2.5 DI, the performance is something akin to riding a glacier, but despite the lack of speed, the old bus just keeps on chugging.
Awesome, old van. Will be a sad day when the rust finally claims the thing
it would be interesting for you to do a similar one for the mark one sherpa up to the convoy...
Your videos and research are fantastic. Your voice is also perfect for the narration. You should have your own T.V. show. Most people are quite nostalgic, when it comes to motoring history.
I think I sound awful, but then I’m sure many people feel the same way.
@@BigCar2 We all think the same haha
The trolls were well dispatched with a mere paper bag. Good on you! Now to toss them in the bin...
Well done as usual BG. I have driven the brand new Transit Custom and what a vehicle it is. So many safety features and drives pretty much like a car I want one! A major problem FORD seemingly refuse to fix is the very poor door lock which can be forced easily with pliers making it the most stolen van in the UK and Europe today.
This was a great video. I loved driving the Transit over the old Econolines (E-series). Take care, love your videos.
For the record. I think you're great and so is the channel. Love these informative, interesting and quality car show's.
Tremendous ending. How much more indispensable to attractiveness is humour than is appearances.And how much harder it is to make those who value appearances over substance understand,when weakness of character allows them to write insulting remarks so casually.
As a designer (not in automotive industries) i like your vids a lot. They are fantastic and i like your voice over. As I'm not 25 anymore, you are looking for me like a friendly person and not at all hideous. So don't care what youngster beauties think :). Again a great job!
You sir tell me the stories of my childhood and you tell it so well! Ford cars, Volvos, Citroen bits, weirdo cars of 90s... and now long waited Ford Transit!! I was born in Turkey and i rode those Ford Transits so many times during my childhood. My cousin had an early 90s 2.5 Direct Injection 5-speed... Very loud but it was amazing work horse. Before then, he had an older gasser model... There were many variants of these and they were used as a minibus for public transport a lot. There are a few very famous movies completely written around Ford Transit.
(UA-cam Cicek Abbas). Transits left a big but pleasant mark in Turkey.
Oh, never mind them motherfuckers about your appearance. To be honest, i was shocked when you mentioned it and went back and looked at you just to see if i missed anything about your appearance... Well, of course nothing! You are just another man who lost his hair to daily life endeavors :)
Keep up the amazing work and keep up the spirit. Thank you so much.
I honestly can't believe people sometimes. Ignore them and their disgusting comments! We enjoy a face to go along with the content! Keep up the great work you do.
You missed the main feature it was the first van to hold an 8 x 4 sheet of plywood or drywall standing up or lying down.
Good point! Another way Ford was thinking of how their vans were actually used.
So could an HQ Holden Station Waggon.
@@rinunculartoo3006 The Transit came out 6 years before the HQ mHolden Station Wagon which was frdt made min 1971 mand the Transitn in 1965.
@@rinunculartoo3006 Not available, apart from in Australia.
@@rinunculartoo3006 style over substance. For a work vehicle, nothing beats a Transit & I say that as someone who’s worked in Australia.
Excellent potted history, thanks. The video has good pace, it's well researched and engaging, and you are a pleasure to listen to.
Glad you enjoyed it Dave!
Transits rule, I have the truck 2017 and I love it!!!!
THANK YOU for all the wonderful videos! I'm in the USA and unfortunately we don't get the cars the UK and the rest of Europe can have and enjoy. It's great that you go into details about the history of each make and model. Please keep on producing content! BTW... I drive a Mini, BMW and VW!
The Mini is Mrs. Big Car's car of choice! Glad you like the videos.
I truly enjoyed the video and I learned something because I'm an American and we didn't get the early transits oh and the bag great jokes mate
I have owned. Loved and worked them hard. Every model from mk 1 to my mk7..... Saving my pennies for a mk8.. Love the Transit....
Transit still rules the UK roads and always will 👍😉🇬🇧
People are ridiculous online. Love the channel and your passion for what you do. Your a regular human being - let the haters hate! How about a video about the Opel Rekord and Holden Commodore?
The 4.1 litre for Australia was a petrol not diesel (7:05). I have this engine in my 40 year old 1979 Falcon, original and still going strong
Yep and
I drove a the old 200cu straight six with a manual LWB transit went like the clappers
Then i drove the 250cu I6 with the auto in it camper style body with seat a stuff was a bit of a slug but I think it was suffocated by pollution gear by then
Jeff Ewing , an Uncle in JAMAICA, BWI, had this odd looking car,,it was some AUSTRALIAN FORD, if I recall the front looked FALCON &rear looked FAIRLAINE ? Anyhow as it went EVERYBODY, on BOTH sides of the family ALL drove FORD cars mostly from ENGLAND, from the OLD PREFECT, up, all from the WORLDS OLDEST FORD DEALERSHIP KIG, KINGSTON INDUSTRIAL GARAGE , recently sold .
Natch all RHD & ALL MANUAL, until later in life , I never drove an AMERICAN car , until I came to USA in1959. You got it MOSTLY. FORDS too !. Cheers FROM NJ USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I'm most certain those who judge harshly, are likely harsher yet within their own, diminished facades ! Great presentation, made me appreciate the evolution of the Transit, and for that matter, all Vans inspired globally by it. Peace & Light ~ Shawn
Fond memories of driving on a hot day with the sliding doors wide open.
Atheist Orphan what an idiot “atheist orphan”. Oh Tips fedora M’lady
4 Windows Open at 40 kmh! 4x4 Ac.
Greetings from North America! I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy the Big Car videos. I really don't get people with there ridiculous comments about how a video presenter looks. Does that really matter in the end? Its really all about the content of the videos. I greatly appreciate the effort that goes into these videos and I enjoy the stories behind the vehicles you highlight on your channel. Thank you for producing the videos for this channel.
Thanks Chris!
Love that you screen shot named the morons who can't cope with watching you. Screw them, I like the vids as they are. Don't change.
No need for bag! Your presentation voice and style and look is excellent; a touch of humour also is very good. You manage to get some real depth into the background of each model; it’s a true history of the design and development as well as the sales of each model. Don’t change anything.
The Ford Transit van story:
- They made a van.
- People and Pokémon trainers bought it.
- Becomes the backbone of the Galar Region.
Good old the backbone of Turkey f... the UK
Lmao
I know several people who work for the Claycomo plant. My grandfather was was a senior line inspector and I think that he would have loved the Transit. Glad you did a story about the van. It's one I've always been curious about. Keep up the great work. I enjoy your content on this channel and the Small Car story as well
Your line up the vans, my first tought was Carwow gonna drags the cars.
Haters will hate, no matter what. They are just jealous that they can't produce such a quality video, which is so well researched and presented. Really enjoyed this one. Keep up the excellent work. Look forward to the next.
'De first ting me do me fling a van inna gear
De second ting me do me reach a Spanish Town square'
Great history of this great van, finally we have a modern version in Canada!
Another excellent video - thanks! And the head and shoulders commentary is great, too. Don't change anything 👍😁
Slight correction: Ford Australia never offered the Transit with a 4.1 litre diesel engine.
It did offer a 4.1 litre petrol engine which was updated in 78 to the "Crossflow" engine.
Yes I did think that myself as diesel back then in Australia was exclusively for trucks and other big commercial vehicles only.
Great video and research as always. Love the old school cars and their history.
Wow, that bag looks amazing on you!
I'm rockin' the bag!
@@BigCar2 Could you maybe consider bags with various facial expressions so that we know your emotion better without looking at the face? That would be of great service, thank you! (and just kidding of course!)
Great vid and information! I love the joke about the bag and there are always people with way to much time on their hands and screaming for attention so they just need to find someone to try to annoy. Keep up the great work! :)
4:03, amazing how everything was designed without computers or CAD.
Hahaha, that’s a funny end. That story is amazing! It’s a surprise it didn’t do well in America with the van craze from the 60s to the late 80s. Great video.
2:52 why does that truck look so cool?
Because it is. Looks retro and can haul ass? Epic.
In case you're curious, it's called the Ford Turbine Truck, nicknamed "Big Red".
Edit: Sauces below.
ua-cam.com/video/tODsl0-oW0Q/v-deo.html
dyler.com/posts/311/ford-s-big-red-a-super-transporter-nearly-30-metres-long
@@ClassiqueMotors sources not sauces, but thanks for the info!
@@whatyousaidbud I know it's "sources", but it's funnier to say "sauce".
"Gimme the sauce."
Classique that’s fascinating. A 60’s turbine truck with a tv and a fridge inside! Thanks for telling me about it
@@noaht2005 To be frank, it looks like a retro version of the Tesla Truck, due to the aerodynamics, big front window, and huge side doors. Such a shame Ford didn't pull it off, but yet again, gas turbine engines made like two miles a gallon, lol.
Yep! I had 91 plate for a fencing,slabbing etc business I had back then .I abused it to an inch of its life but was so easy to swap parts out on when something gave up the ghost. The gearbox failed in reverse which was fun! Not.Cheers!.Great content thank you .
Shame it never showed up in USA until recently, the Econoline series were fine but often gas hungry!
Those Econolines look cool imo ✌️
You would have hated it. Ford Canada imported these in 2000 built on the Ford Fasteva chasses under the name Transit Metro from the Turkey factory. Horrible vehicles, unreliable lemons, can't haul more than 400 lbs in the back without the suspension getting all soft and gushy. Electrical and power train problems were serious and chronic. A lot of tradesmen and companies got suckered into buying these worthless hunks of junk and they ended up costing their owners a mint in frequent repairs. There's a reason why pickup trucks and full sized vans are still king to the tradesmen as a light commercial vehicle. Durability and reliability rules.
@@ph11p3540 N.Americans have always been immensely proud of their own vehicles and I have never heard them say a good word about any vehicle imported (other than from Japan) to their shores. The Transit has done well around the rest of the world ( so it must have something going for it) and don't know why they bothered with N.America after all this time (with all the associated hassles and moans) and let them stick to their 'Econoline' things or whatever.
@@Witheredgoogie We've been spoiled over here by being able to dump a ton of whatever (or about seven Americans) into our vans and just get on with it at 70 miles per hour. And 12ish MPG, if I'm honest. The proper Transits weren't made for that. The US-spec Transit pretty much shares only most of the body panels. The US-spec commercial vehicles that make it over astonish the most jaded tradesmen with what they can do. Until it comes time to feed it, of course.
@@stanwbaker Ha ha I suppose you think in little quaint old europe we fill vans with balloons and poodle along with a man waving a flag at the front down a cart track?.
Nothing wrong with how you look , very good !!