My ex mother-in-law had one. She was an artist and photographer in the 1990's doing airbrush and pinstripe/ lettering on semi trucks and also glass etching. It looked like a wreck but always ran good. She had a bumper sticker on it that said "don't laugh, it's paid for." She was an American original and an oddly loveable lady once you got to know her.
When American car makers started putting the dimmer switch up on the steering column there were a lot of jokes going around about recalls to put the switch back on the floor. Seems some folks were getting their feet hung up in the steering wheel trying to dim the headlights.
Takes me back. I drove my father's 1964 Econoline window van when I was in High School (early 1970's). Cargo van with windows. A dozen people could fit back there, sitting on the floor. Panic braking was very exciting.
I Currently am Van Life in a 1977 Ford Econoline E-250 fully converted and restored camper on the inside :) bought the van for $3500, thos 351 W engines are solid when all the parts are working ! I bought a new Carb which cost around $1200 and she Runs like new with 200,000 original km shes a pig on gas , but after i isnatlled a new carb , fuel economy has gotten a noticeably better just need to do outside paint and body work
Armstrong steering, an engine cover console, and high-beams on the floor. The way American vans used to be. The suspension isn't stock, they didn't sit that high when they were new. I met a guy who was building one of these out to be a small ice cream van. He also had a '71 'Cuda with a 440 Six-Pack that he let me ride in, cool guy. He ran an ice cream shop out of an old gas station and used the garage to house his collection. The floor high beams are nice in an automatic but really annoying in a manual. Almost without fail, whenever I need to turn the high beams off in my classic I'm about to shift. I have to slam the shift so I can slip my foot off the clutch and dim the lights so I don't burn out the oncoming driver's eyes. During the day I have to leave the switch on high so I can flash the high beams by turning all the lights on and off. If you want bright AF headlights that still look like stock-ish sealed beams, get Hella Vision Plus if your state checks for DOT compliance or Cibie E-codes if your state doesn't care. The stock incandescent sealed beams on my ride were two tiny points of light in front of me, the Vision Plus is like modern halogen projectors on low and the Sun on high. Plug and play with replaceable bulbs like a modern car.
I own and drive a 66 econoline panel version...this video made me laugh...great to see someone hop in and drive one and his experience! Terrifying but so fun and lots of thumbs up....that pretty much sums it up!
Learned to drive in a 66 Econoline van. That van can do a U-turn on just about any street and could easily haul half-ton of cargo (I delivered meat in one from 66 to 68). It was my college transportation and could be quite a challenge to drive in cross winds. All in all the only vehicle I have had as much fun in is my CJ-5. . . Note: The CJ-5 can’t do as tight a U turn as the old Econoline and it’s way easier to sleep in the Econoline!
The speedometer that goes up to 100mph is not only very optimistic but 100mph in a 66 econoline would be terrifying lol. Love these vans tho. they look so cool and are super practical
Nice shagging wagon, I am 55 and I remember when Van's and CBs were the rage, unfortunately by the time I got my license to drive vans were out and the Chrysler K car and mini vans became the rage, not to mention the SUV craze was beginning. I would love to go back in time. Great video
These were work trucks. They were put into service and used until they were totally worn out, then off to the crusher they went. That's why you see so few today.
Spotted at 2:49, is the gauge cluster that was very popular of the early 1960s. The design was also popular on the B model school bus chassis Ford has built. That design for the gauges stuck on the school buses. In the mid 1960s, they redesigned the gauge cluster scooting this arrangement off to the right a little to make way for the air/vacuum gauge. Right where the Alternator and Oil lights are at were sometimes actual gauges instead of indicator lights.
If you want the exotic version of 60s Forward Control Vehicles you need to look at the 1961-65 Chevrolet Corvair 95/Greenbrier. Rear engine, air cooled, flat 6, with independent coil spring suspension :D Love the video man
@DJkirakira GM specified different tire pressures for the axles. Service station attendants would fill all the tires equally, adding to the handling issue. The VW Beetle had similar suspension but the Corvair had twice the power. By the time GM redesigned the Corvair to not have swing-axle suspension it was too late to save its reputation. It's a shame because Corvairs were pretty good. Whenever GM gets something right they kill it off almost immediately.
A 1966 Supervan (15 passenger) model was my wheels grades 11&12 1973-75. This was also the vehicle I originally learned to drive on. 240CI 3 on the tree. I was extremely careful knowing the consequences of any front end impact, occasionally drawing criticism from peers for slow and defensive driving in my mid teens ....LOL
I put seats out of new ford van, they bolted in no modification and the small sized back bucket seats fit in every way. Built-in retractable seat belts. Someone was giving them away at a thrift shop. I love my SUPERVAN!
My next door neighbour in Pennsylvania had a late 60s Econoline in the mid 70s,he traded it in for a new 1978 Red Ford Fiesta Sport! Bit of a difference!🤣🤣🤣🤣
The 240 was a common engine on many fords of this time. No speed demon, very reliable, easy to service, brakes somewhat poor. Easy restomod: 1989 Jeep Cherokee engine and 4x4 trans. Same engine block. The Jeep instrument panel fits perfectly. Fabricate mounts for the Ford leaf springs, or use a CJ front axle. Definitely need electric radiator fans, mounted on the front. Certainly many other items to fabricate. Point is, Jeep drivetrain fits without cutting the "dog house", has 190 HP, minimal computer to fuss with.
I've got one on the go that's being 4x4 swapped with 1st gen Bronco parts. It's actually pretty straight forward as the stock axle is just a straight bar anyways, and the engine and trans are the same. Just need to fab up a really weird steering linkage. Mine, as this one is too, is really rusty behind the body/roof reinforcement ribs. They're glued in from the factory before paint! Then it traps moisture and the unibody just rusts away in nice even tiger stripes. Fixing that has been the biggest issue with my build.
You should really do more research on the 240 before you make statements like they were mainly industrial power plants, I personally had 8 pickup trucks with the 240
.. just lift the engine cover between the seats & you'll have all the heat you can Stand..I even ran a Rope across on my '67 to slide in to hold that Cover up.. 🔥
Oh my god a Ford Thames 400E on steroids, despite its wheezy lacklustre straight six twirling the same number of gears as Mr Ford,s Model 'A', it is a really cool van. How difficult is it to convert one to right hand drive, drop in a 5 litre V8 from a late model Mustang twirling a 6 speed Getrag or ZF automatic with a dash mounted Hurst selector?.
Had a 1962 Econoline and the fun thing to do is stop at a normal distance behind the car in front of you. With no hood it scared the daylights out of your passenger!
Thinking those seats are from a 70's Camaro?.. but red? Man, maybe like a Berlinetta!? It's painted a 'black cherry' sorta color. and it's got a Ford shaker hood scoop for the vent on top which is pretty damn cool! Them steely rims are workin too baby!! Lol!
The 240 was the optional 'big' engine. 240/300 ford I6 was designed for truck use, although some ended up in the larger cars. 240/300 are legendary for their reliability and longevity.
My dad has one, that’s unfortunately in worst shape than this one.. both front seats are red, but not that red. Still is definitely the highlight of my dad’s yard tho😅
Ford UK had a much better van when they introduced the Transit in 1965(or maybe it was 66??). Had the engine up front under a hood/doghouse like more modern vans, no more forward control nonsense. Your legs/feet were not the first thing to arrive in a crash, wasn't as hot inside the van. Also the Transit sat on a pretty wide track and noted for its superior/safer handling vs all other vans at that time. Wish they had been sold in the USA, they were a legit "One of Ford's better ideas" as the marketing line went.
I think '65 is when they started making Transits! The present gen,& perhaps the prior one,are actually sold in North America now....EuroVans,as they refer to them,have become a thing there in the past decade. Even little Transit Connects are sold over there now...I think built in Türkiye.
These were basic work vans pure and simple. No real amenities were offered like with later vans. You could get an automatic transmission, but not too many did. No power steering offered nor A/C. The 240 engine is the same family as the 300, which both are known for running forever with bullet-proof bottom ends. Also, unlike later vans these were unibody construction- no separate frame. The 3-on-the-tree was a problem as aftermarket floor-shift conversions weren't possible as could be done with later vans. You learned fast how to shift from first in a "U" pattern going past the gate then dropping the lever before pushing into the 2-3 slot. Chevy has a similar design but IIRC you could get a V8 with them which prodded Ford to come out with the 2nd gen Econoline.
My ex mother-in-law had one. She was an artist and photographer in the 1990's doing airbrush and pinstripe/ lettering on semi trucks and also glass etching. It looked like a wreck but always ran good. She had a bumper sticker on it that said "don't laugh, it's paid for." She was an American original and an oddly loveable lady once you got to know her.
When American car makers started putting the dimmer switch up on the steering column there were a lot of jokes going around about recalls to put the switch back on the floor. Seems some folks were getting their feet hung up in the steering wheel trying to dim the headlights.
🤣👍
Takes me back. I drove my father's 1964 Econoline window van when I was in High School (early 1970's). Cargo van with windows. A dozen people could fit back there, sitting on the floor.
Panic braking was very exciting.
hahaha sounds like a good time
...especially in the rain squeeeeeeeeeeelllllllll ssssstop....
I Currently am Van Life in a 1977 Ford Econoline E-250 fully converted and restored camper on the inside :) bought the van for $3500, thos 351 W engines are solid when all the parts are working ! I bought a new Carb which cost around $1200 and she Runs like new with 200,000 original km shes a pig on gas , but after i isnatlled a new carb , fuel economy has gotten a noticeably better
just need to do outside paint and body work
Armstrong steering, an engine cover console, and high-beams on the floor. The way American vans used to be. The suspension isn't stock, they didn't sit that high when they were new. I met a guy who was building one of these out to be a small ice cream van. He also had a '71 'Cuda with a 440 Six-Pack that he let me ride in, cool guy. He ran an ice cream shop out of an old gas station and used the garage to house his collection.
The floor high beams are nice in an automatic but really annoying in a manual. Almost without fail, whenever I need to turn the high beams off in my classic I'm about to shift. I have to slam the shift so I can slip my foot off the clutch and dim the lights so I don't burn out the oncoming driver's eyes. During the day I have to leave the switch on high so I can flash the high beams by turning all the lights on and off. If you want bright AF headlights that still look like stock-ish sealed beams, get Hella Vision Plus if your state checks for DOT compliance or Cibie E-codes if your state doesn't care. The stock incandescent sealed beams on my ride were two tiny points of light in front of me, the Vision Plus is like modern halogen projectors on low and the Sun on high. Plug and play with replaceable bulbs like a modern car.
I own and drive a 66 econoline panel version...this video made me laugh...great to see someone hop in and drive one and his experience! Terrifying but so fun and lots of thumbs up....that pretty much sums it up!
These are very kool rides .. good times! Fun fact .. a big iron plate is above the gas tank in the rear to keep it from flipping forward. 🤙
Learned to drive in a 66 Econoline van. That van can do a U-turn on just about any street and could easily haul half-ton of cargo (I delivered meat in one from 66 to 68). It was my college transportation and could be quite a challenge to drive in cross winds. All in all the only vehicle I have had as much fun in is my CJ-5. . . Note: The CJ-5 can’t do as tight a U turn as the old Econoline and it’s way easier to sleep in the Econoline!
Some wood paneling and shag carpet and you got you a nice shag'n wagon.
I have found memories driving on the highway on a windy day with both hands in a death grip
That's a convenient design if your engine starts to overheat, you can just pour your cup of ice water over it while on the go!
You already surpassed some videos about this van in views that have been out for years keep up the good work Zack. I corrected Zack
The speedometer that goes up to 100mph is not only very optimistic but 100mph in a 66 econoline would be terrifying lol. Love these vans tho. they look so cool and are super practical
Wow!! My father had the same truck when I was a kid! He was a house painter
Nice shagging wagon, I am 55 and I remember when Van's and CBs were the rage, unfortunately by the time I got my license to drive vans were out and the Chrysler K car and mini vans became the rage, not to mention the SUV craze was beginning. I would love to go back in time. Great video
Nice video, I have had more than12 of these since 1972. Right now have 63 Eco SWB Panel from Cali, Orig. Paint. Seats look like 80s Camaro. Cheers!
My Dad drove one of these in the early 1970’s. Brings back a lot of memories 😊
A rare sight today!
These were work trucks. They were put into service and used until they were totally worn out, then off to the crusher they went. That's why you see so few today.
Built in the town where I was born and still live
Spotted at 2:49, is the gauge cluster that was very popular of the early 1960s. The design was also popular on the B model school bus chassis Ford has built. That design for the gauges stuck on the school buses. In the mid 1960s, they redesigned the gauge cluster scooting this arrangement off to the right a little to make way for the air/vacuum gauge. Right where the Alternator and Oil lights are at were sometimes actual gauges instead of indicator lights.
Awesome looking van. I had one just like it. I wish i still do.
I got a 72. It's a 302, straight pipes, loud as heck.
If you want the exotic version of 60s Forward Control Vehicles you need to look at the 1961-65 Chevrolet Corvair 95/Greenbrier. Rear engine, air cooled, flat 6, with independent coil spring suspension :D
Love the video man
@DJkirakira GM specified different tire pressures for the axles. Service station attendants would fill all the tires equally, adding to the handling issue. The VW Beetle had similar suspension but the Corvair had twice the power. By the time GM redesigned the Corvair to not have swing-axle suspension it was too late to save its reputation. It's a shame because Corvairs were pretty good. Whenever GM gets something right they kill it off almost immediately.
East Coast Classics has made a few videos on his. He doesn't make many videos but he's worth watching. Super nice guy.
@@bwofficial1776 I know like the ls v8 was perfect then they fucked it up with cylinder deactivation
Sick
The seat(red one) looks like it's from a 1978'ish Pontiac Firebird...nice old van though!!
I think we have a winner lol. My first thought was pontiac emblem red
This van legitimately scares me in its looks
I wish they would bring back midengine cabover vans! They really are the most space efficient design.
I had a '67, all windows. What a death trap!
A 1966 Supervan (15 passenger) model was my wheels grades 11&12 1973-75. This was also the vehicle I originally learned to drive on. 240CI 3 on the tree. I was extremely careful knowing the consequences of any front end impact, occasionally drawing criticism from peers for slow and defensive driving in my mid teens ....LOL
My 1966 supervan,, someone replaced the 170 for a 300, it kicks butt.
I put seats out of new ford van, they bolted in no modification and the small sized back bucket seats fit in every way. Built-in retractable seat belts. Someone was giving them away at a thrift shop. I love my SUPERVAN!
My parents had a 1977 Econoline.
3:17
That caught me off guard the first time I took my grandmas Boxster for a spin. The ignition is also on the left in it.
My next door neighbour in Pennsylvania had a late 60s Econoline in the mid 70s,he traded it in for a new 1978 Red Ford Fiesta Sport! Bit of a difference!🤣🤣🤣🤣
The 240 was a common engine on many fords of this time. No speed demon, very reliable, easy to service, brakes somewhat poor.
Easy restomod:
1989 Jeep Cherokee engine and 4x4 trans. Same engine block. The Jeep instrument panel fits perfectly. Fabricate mounts for the Ford leaf springs, or use a CJ front axle.
Definitely need electric radiator fans, mounted on the front. Certainly many other items to fabricate.
Point is, Jeep drivetrain fits without cutting the "dog house", has 190 HP, minimal computer to fuss with.
Had a '65 cargo body for MY first.
Hello all! (Newly tuning in. I love the 65'econoline. "However. I don't think it's enticingly correct to call it"mid-engine! ( ( Very pristine choice!
I had a 1964 Econoline, had it in the late 1970s . it had a generator. It also kept getting stuck between gears. Mine was a telephone company van.
Removed? did you know that till 63 if not longer, heat and wipers and door locks were OPTIONAL!
I've got one on the go that's being 4x4 swapped with 1st gen Bronco parts. It's actually pretty straight forward as the stock axle is just a straight bar anyways, and the engine and trans are the same. Just need to fab up a really weird steering linkage. Mine, as this one is too, is really rusty behind the body/roof reinforcement ribs. They're glued in from the factory before paint! Then it traps moisture and the unibody just rusts away in nice even tiger stripes. Fixing that has been the biggest issue with my build.
You should really do more research on the 240 before you make statements like they were mainly industrial power plants, I personally had 8 pickup trucks with the 240
240s went in Full size Ford cars too.
No research here -- just feelings.
Just got one! 1966
.. just lift the engine cover between the seats & you'll have all the heat you can Stand..I even ran a Rope across on my '67 to slide in to hold that Cover up.. 🔥
young kids...YOU are the young kid. All fords had the ign switch to the left thru 1963, then it moved ot the right
Closer to the battery.
Very interesting review thanks
You don’t ask those things to go into gear, you tell it to go into gear!
Oh my god a Ford Thames 400E on steroids, despite its wheezy lacklustre straight six twirling the same number of gears as Mr Ford,s Model 'A', it is a really cool van. How difficult is it to convert one to right hand drive, drop in a 5 litre V8 from a late model Mustang twirling a 6 speed Getrag or ZF automatic with a dash mounted Hurst selector?.
Had a 1962 Econoline and the fun thing to do is stop at a normal distance behind the car in front of you. With no hood it scared the daylights out of your passenger!
In russia they still making cars like this. No joke.
I think those were 2x6s on the homemade center console , not plywood.
Thinking those seats are from a 70's Camaro?.. but red? Man, maybe like a Berlinetta!?
It's painted a 'black cherry' sorta color. and it's got a Ford shaker hood scoop for the vent on top which is pretty damn cool! Them steely rims are workin too baby!! Lol!
Love the design. To bad you don't see them in Europe
'65 Econoline HeviDuty had the 240 ci engine. Went great!
The 240 was the optional 'big' engine. 240/300 ford I6 was designed for truck use, although some ended up in the larger cars. 240/300 are legendary for their reliability and longevity.
Airheads drove one of these 😄 You remember that movie?
Can't say I've ever liked the "three-on-the-tree" shifter. Dad had one on an old pickup of his, and I always locked it up between first and second.
Wouldn't lock up if it were maintained.
Beautiful machine. I once owned one. Sadly ,someone whacked me in the front and totaled it out.
A vehicle as old as I am.
Very cool
Had one. 170cu in 6 was woefully undepowered on the highway.
If you think this is weird, you should see the Chevy Corvair van.
Can you do a review on the 2010 Subaru Forester please?
I did a tuned 2010 Forester XT!
ua-cam.com/video/pOLzkliwV9k/v-deo.html
My dad has one, that’s unfortunately in worst shape than this one.. both front seats are red, but not that red. Still is definitely the highlight of my dad’s yard tho😅
Ford UK had a much better van when they introduced the Transit in 1965(or maybe it was 66??). Had the engine up front under a hood/doghouse like more modern vans, no more forward control nonsense. Your legs/feet were not the first thing to arrive in a crash, wasn't as hot inside the van. Also the Transit sat on a pretty wide track and noted for its superior/safer handling vs all other vans at that time. Wish they had been sold in the USA, they were a legit "One of Ford's better ideas" as the marketing line went.
I think '65 is when they started making Transits! The present gen,& perhaps the prior one,are actually sold in North America now....EuroVans,as they refer to them,have become a thing there in the past decade. Even little Transit Connects are sold over there now...I think built in Türkiye.
Seats are from Chevrolet Vega
But what's the 0 to 60? And fuel economy?
Eventually & a lot
These were basic work vans pure and simple. No real amenities were offered like with later vans. You could get an automatic transmission, but not too many did. No power steering offered nor A/C. The 240 engine is the same family as the 300, which both are known for running forever with bullet-proof bottom ends. Also, unlike later vans these were unibody construction- no separate frame. The 3-on-the-tree was a problem as aftermarket floor-shift conversions weren't possible as could be done with later vans. You learned fast how to shift from first in a "U" pattern going past the gate then dropping the lever before pushing into the 2-3 slot. Chevy has a similar design but IIRC you could get a V8 with them which prodded Ford to come out with the 2nd gen Econoline.
Those seats are out of a galaxy 500 or fairlane
I want this
The seats look like they come from a 70’s GM F body.
Is It For Sale
👍👍👍
😎😎😎
Second Gen Camaro seats 5:10
УАЗ Буханка
So jealous
2x6’s,not plywood.Sheepdip.
Not a 65'
Heard you loud and clear, overreacting much?
♥️♥️♥️💎💎💎😎
First they never put a Liter engine, please speak American
2%. Keep on Vannin.