it’s rare that we see old vans like Dodge B200s and Ford Econolines presented as collector grade specimens unless they’re a camper conversion or a rare four wheel drive setup. Vans like this, which likely served as an airport taxi or were used by a campground back in the day, are usually found completely trashed with little in the way of redeeming qualities left. Somehow, this 1978 Ford Econoline has emerged in survivor-like condition with a beautiful interior and straight bodywork, along with nicely preserved chrome trim. It’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace as a recent barn find for $7,500.
I’d love to know how this Econoline was originally used, as the 12 passenger setup absolutely has to have been for a business or other entity that regularly transported people in such quantities. What else can you think of where a van with this seating arrangement would have been appropriate? The bodywork is laser straight around the rear as well, and I can’t help but wonder if some time with an orbital buffer would make that single stage white paint pop even more. The tinted windows have absolutely helped to preserve the interior, as you’ll see in the next photo.
Look at that upholstery – it’s mint! Even if it was used to ferry passengers back and forth, the upholstery somehow emerged without any blemishes or dirt. Perhaps it was used by a single family with lots of kids, who respected their parents’ wishes to keep their shoes off the seats and greasy hands from gripping the seat fabric. The seller notes the front seats even swivel, so there was clearly some thought given to the way the Econoline was equipped rolling off the lot. It seems like an epic roadtrip vehicle, especially if not ever seat was filled. Today, I could see this being snapped up by someone who wants to use it is a long-range camper by removing one row of seats and installed a mattress, some cooking appliances, and extra lighting and heating.
The Econoline certainly has the engine capacity to handle the load, as it’s equipped with the monstrous 7.5L 460 engine paired to C6 transmission. The seller lists the mileage as being a mere 54,000, so there’s certainly plenty of road tripping left in this beast. The interior looks clean all the way through, with the fake wood trim still presenting well, no obvious wear to the steering wheel, and the dash not sporting any cracks. The possibilities are endless for a rig like this, especially if you’re accustomed to camping or life on the open road. I could also see a scenario in which it’s converted to four wheel driving making sense. How would you use this well-preserved Econoline?
It’s located in Sperryville,Virginia.
I would love something like this running a canoe livery shuttle with a trailer. Just plain strong and not complicated to maintain. Last year before any computer went into diagnosis.
Fuel +
Spark +
Air +
Simplicity !
I knew some one who had a newer van like this with the 460. He took it to an oil change place, and after 3hrs they got the job done and told him to never come back. I hope this van isn’t like this.
Cool, buy it and use it for a kid hauler.
definitely would add better wheels.
With that 460, it’d pass anything but the gas station.
need your own refinery would be a requirement
I had a 77 F150 with a 460 and it would get 16.5 mpg at 75 on the interstate . But I had a 87 F250 with 460 and 4 speed and it would only get 14 mpg on the highway.
Church bus
I purchased these in the past for my floor covering biz. Strip the interior and they swallow 12′ long carpet rolls and all the tools with ease. Last van ended 220,000 miles on it. Still ran great but rusted up to the beltline. Gave it away to
a deserving soul.
My cousin Phyllis, God rest her soul, gave birth to 16 children (including 4 sets of twins), and had a van like this, and it still.wasnt big enough
It’s sad when something like this is now considered a collectible vehicle.
Yeah, kind of like “Journey” is considered classic rock.
Don’t stop…well, you know.
Probably 100 people would snatch this up in a second for #vanlife. Prices are going up, especially if awd
I’d be a bit more enthused if I couldn’t go buy basically the same thing from Ford right now. Those seats are amazing, if they’ve not been redone I’d bet they were removed during this vans working life. Maybe it ferried luggage at a resort or something?
That’s what I noticed too. That upholstery looks brand new. Maybe it is, but if not, the seats surely didn’t get much use.