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$3,000 Potential Bargain: 1961 Ford Econoline

We rarely if ever show a listing with just one photo, but this one was too good to pass up. I think I may have shown only one so far other than this pickup. This 1961 Ford Econoline Pickup is in Muskeego, Wisconsin, about a half-hour southwest of Milwaukee. The seller is asking $3,000 for this seemingly very nice Econoline pickup. You’ll have to call because they say “NO TEXT ANSWERED!!!” And, that sounds serious, so call, don’t text! It’s posted on Craigslist and like only showing one photo, there is barely more than one word given as a description. This is literally it: “1961 Ford Econoline pick up with Clean Title. Extra Doors and other parts. Was my deceased Brother-In-laws truck.” Other than being sure not to send a text, you know everything about this particular Econoline that there is to know.

1961 was the first year for Ford’s forward cab pickup and the last time I featured one, scottymac posted a great YouTube video of a slightly skewed comparison between a Corvair Rampside and a Ford Econoline. There isn’t much question which vehicle was going to come out on top, but it’s a fun video to see. I have to admit that I do like the Corvair better, the rampside is so unique and it’s perfect for hauling oddball mini bikes and motorcycles and that’s really the only thing I would need a pickup for. The Econoline has a much more conventional box/bed and tailgate. There are no interior or engine photos, but for 1961 these trucks had a 144 cubic-inch inline-six with 85 hp, basically taken out of the Ford Falcon which is where this truck got its underpinnings from, too. $3,000 is certainly a bargain if this truck is in decent condition. Is it worth a gamble?

Comments

  1. Avatar Keruth

    Gone!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bill

      Ha ha looks like half a hippie van

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Miguel

    I drove one of these with a V8 in it once.

    It was scary fun. Very scary.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Tony Cox

    Gee I wanted to buy it! Now it’s gone.☹

    Like 1
  4. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    My brother had one a long time ago. Had a lot of rust patching to do on it but it was different to drive a pickup with the driver so far near the front wheel vs. a normal truck.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    If I’m recalling correctly, I’m pretty sure that Ford figured out that the truck was too light in the rear, so they added a weight (around 150#?) on the frame of the thing, located under the bed, back by the tailgate. Reverse engineering I guess.

    I think there are videos out there of hard braking of this truck, where the cab flips forward because the back-end is so light. Where’s Ralph Nader when you really need him?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      Have you checked out the video that I put in the story, Rex? It shows some of that tippy nature.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Kevin Burke

      Watched the video amd immediately thought of this truck

      Like 1
  6. Avatar geomechs Member

    Definitely not the most powerful truck on the highway. A lot of them got repowered with a 170 which really didn’t amount to much more than they already had. Many were over-revved and tended to spin rod bearings, but were otherwise very tough. Engine changes were like the Dodge A-series and the early Chevy vans; you dropped it out the bottom. You could drop the six out and install a SBF from a 221 to a 302, which would fit in the same hole the six came out of, albeit a little tightly. You had to replace the main motor mount with a newer one for a V-8 and the frame had to be modified where the rear (overhead) transmission mount went so you could install a heavier (manual) transmission. I never saw one converted to an automatic but I’m sure it was possible.

    Like 1
    • Avatar jcs

      I had a ’61 in the mid 60’s. Would have loved to have a sbf/stick conversion. Of course, I would have opted for a slightly (or more) heated up 302 and probably would have promptly laid it on its side (or roof). Uhh – maybe I wouldn’t have loved it.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Matt

    I wonder if that is a two door nailhead next to the econoline?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Doc

      It is a ’55 Pontiac.

      Like 1
  8. Avatar Tyler

    My aunt had one of these, it would get stuck in a dry yard. The slightest incline & the back tire started spinning & then the back end would start bouncing. It was pretty comical to watch.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar JW

    Had one of these in the 1980’s when my youngest son was 5, we were going to make a wheel stander out of it but life got in the way so I sold it. I wouldn’t mind another to attempt fate again.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar chad

    neighbor’s jeep FCp/u would do the ‘nose dive’ too.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Russ8895

    Anybody remember that custom C2 – C3 blended build? I tried looking for the posting but perhaps that could be one way of saving this creation.

    Like 1

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