It’s big and brown! So are a lot of things but in this case, we’re talking about a 1974 Ford Econoline Club Wagon. And it certainly looks like its era, so for those of you who were around in the big hippie van days, let’s check out this very original appearing specimen. It is located in Caldwell, Idaho and is available, here on eBay for $6,700 with 33 bids tendered so far.
A lifelong Idaho resident, this van has experienced 104K miles and even comes with a Marti Report – that’s a first for me, a van with Kevin Marti’s seal of approval. It shows very well in a big, bold, brown way. There’s a ding or minor dent here and there but nothing beyond that. While the finish is still strong and deep, the roof appears to have some fading or discoloration occurring. There is no indication of rust and the brightwork, which is primarily comprised of the full-width grille and headlight surrounds, is still bright with a luster. Other than the orange fog lights, the entire exterior appears as original and unmodified – this is a van that has been well cared for.
The interior, which isn’t photographed well, has got some serious ’70s going on with pukey-looking green shag carpet. That said, the seats, upholstered in Ford’s very durable brown vinyl, still show pretty well though there is some evidence of a seam-split. Claimed to be able to accommodate twelve passengers, there are no complete images of the entire interior shebang. The seller adds, “(has) original horn ring” – mentioning the presence of an original horn ring as an attribute is a first for me.
I’ll admit that this image of the 302 CI V8 engine isn’t very good but that’s all there is. The seller adds, “Equipped with the rock-solid, low mileage, 302 V8 engine, automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes”. I am confused by the low mileage comment as I wouldn’t consider 104K miles to be “low”. I’ll take the “rock-solid” comment to mean that this Van runs fine though I would expect a van of this size and weight, especially ferrying twelve passengers, to labor a bit with such a small engine that only generates about 137 net HP.
So this claimed one-family owned van (bought from the original family I guess?) was produced in November of ’74 and sold by a Moscow, Idaho dealership so it certainly has long roots in the great northwest. This Club Wagon does appear to have been well maintained and probably still has some contributory life left to it. Most families these days don’t need twelve passenger accommodations but there are plenty of others, church groups perhaps, that could make valuable use of what appears to be a gently used van.
Folks had a ’72 in blue; a stripper with ZERO interior finishes (ridick hot or cold) to which they u-bolted a rear seat from a VW van across the back, and a wooden colonial-style bench across the drivers side length that was ROPED (literally tied) into place, 302 2V 3 on tree, with removeable aluminum channels with extended bolts that we would pop into place to get my brother’s wheelchair in and out of the van.
Learned me how to drive on that van on dirt roads starting out in reverse; mom figured if we could start there then we’d be ahead of the game.
Don’t miss the van but surely miss mom.
Moscow ID is about a hour south of where I live so that makes strangely interesting to me. There was a 2 tone Econoline people hauler on BaT which brought serious money. I think the 60’s and early 70’s vans are good looking. Seems like less of the econoline series passenger vans survived than Chevy and Dodge models. Does anyone else agree?
As a 2nd gen Econoline enthusiast, i can say, i see more Econolines, but thats what im looking for. To your point, the problem with the design on these is the front suspension, the radius arm mounts are situated and designed in a way that dirt and debris fill it like a bowl, and theres not much of a way for it to flush out, so it rots and creates a big problem. Other areas are vulnerable too.
Basically, the road salt is one of the most ironic and destructive things i can think of.
We, as a society, need to find a better way to keep ice on roads to a minimal, or at least use much less of it.
Two days ago in my area, the roads were salted for the first time, it wasnt needed, and the amount of salt was heavy, way too much.
Anyway, a little bit of rinsing the wheel wells can prevent alot of rot damage.
I actually grew up in Moscow, so it is nice to see a van from my old neck of the woods. I assume you are in CDA?
I’ve been seeing one of these all around our area,
in the Blue/White combo.
I don’t think they make regular vans like this any more.
The author stated 104,000 miles is not low miles. I kinda disagree. It is 47 years old. That is a little over 2,000 miles a year. MI 2018 Hyundai had 80,000 on it when I sold it 6 weeks ago.
Neat van! Ya just don’t see these any more. My Dad had a couple of these in the panel style while I was growing up. Hippie vans with shag carpet & platform beds.
People so often forget or they were not alive back then to realize people did not drive back then the amount of mileage we do now. They lived closer to where they worked (may have even been close enough to have walked to work) and they rarely made multiple trips to grocery stores or convenience stores (if there were even those around back then beyond an occasional 7-11) like we do now. Errands were run maybe once a week or less and if done it was on a Saturday. Family piled into the car for church on Sunday and maybe a family visit later that day. We are a much more hop in the car whenever need to run to grab something at the store or something from local quickie mart, mom or dad taxi the kids to practices every evening, and long commute to work society now and so we rack up the miles on cars today.
I disagree. My Mom’s 1973 Riviera turned 100,000 miles by 1978. That’s 20,000 miles a year.
I think that there were absolutely people back then that didn’t drive much. There are those people out there today too.
I dealt with a customer yesterday who has a 2006 Toyota with 80,000 miles.
104,000 on a 40 something year old van? That’s low miles lol.
I agree, 100,000 on a Ford truck in general is low miles. Trucks from this era, with 302, c4, 9″, brass radiators.. 100,000 is low miles, especially considering its from 1974.
Also, ‘puke’ should not be used to describe green. First off, puke isnt typically green. Second, grass is green, do we see grass a ‘puke’.
This van is in exceptional condition, with power options for a low price.
Also, Id rather metalic brown than white any day.
Its about time vans start getting a lil more respect.
I learned to drive in my dad’s 1974 E-200 and my first vehicle was a 1969 E-100 6 cylinder 3 on the tree. I have owned several other second generation E series vans over the years. I had a lot of fun in those vans over the years.
I am not so sure about this van being 100% original though. It looks to me like the right rear corner and at least some of the right side has been repainted. Still a nice van thought and I would not kick it out of my driveway.
Yeah, the paint is way different between the tailgate doors & the passenger side quarter panel. I thought maybe someone painted the doors buy after looking at it again I bet that rear corner was hit & repaired. Still a decent van.
Green shag carpet
These are getting pricey, been following them for years.
If someone was of a mind, a Cummins 4bt conversion would make this quite a practical ride.
Guys you have to understand that in 1974 vehicles that reached 100k miles were considered at the end of their mechanical limits. They weren’t built to last any longer than that, I owned several back in the day that the titles showed over mechanical limits on the mileage because they had over 100k on them. So yes 104k on a 1974 is high mileage, but not on today’s vehicles with current technology.
My point exactly John, I just didn’t elaborate the way that you did.
Thx,
JO
They stated mileage above mechanical limits because the odometer only had 5 digits back then. Mechanically, the odometer rolled over & started at zero. I had MANY vehicles from that era that were on their third or fourth round. Maintain your vehicles, even old ones, & they will last.
My 1973 Riviera I had in high school had almost 400,000 miles when it committed suicide. It was ugly & rough, but it ran!
From the looks of the wheels and hubcaps I would say this is a 1 ton. I had a 1974 and had a wheel bearing go out. Bought a 3/4 ton bearing and wouldn’t fit. Had to get a 1 ton.
The ad states that this is an E-300. For the second generation vans an E-100 is a 1/2 ton, an E-200 is a 3/4 ton and an E-300 is a 1 ton.
Looks like 3/4 ton dog bowls.
Winning bid:
US $12,655.00
“Hippie ” van, not so much lol. More like a Donnie and Marie van,