Sometimes buying a classic vehicle involves a degree of compromise. If you are on the hunt for a pickup to park in your garage, this 1967 Ford Econoline might be a worthy candidate. Its overall condition is above average for its age, and it comes equipped with the most powerful engine in the range, as well as the desirable 5-window cab. It isn’t perfect, but it is eye-catching, and it appears that it wouldn’t take a lot of money or effort to lift it to the next level. Located in Polk City, Florida, you will find the Econoline listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner has set the sale price at $14,500.
The owner of the Econoline is candid about its condition. He describes the Harbor Blue paint as being of driver quality and rates it as a 7/10. It might not be perfect, but it holds a shine that is well above average for a vehicle of this type and age. It wears a few minor dings and blemishes, but it is hard not to be impressed with its overall appearance when you consider that this is a Pickup with more than five decades under its belt. The paint in the bed is in good order, and the lockable aluminum storage box is a practical and sensible addition. Rust does not appear to be an issue, with nothing visible in the comprehensive set of supplied photos. The trim and chrome are in excellent order, while all of the glass in the 5-window cab appears to be flawless. The alloy wheels aren’t original, but they add a sense of purpose to the vehicle’s exterior. If the buyer doesn’t like them, sourcing a set of factory wheels and hubcaps shouldn’t be a drama.
When we turn our attention to the interior, the impression remains positive. The owner describes its overall condition as being at least an 8/10, and that seems to be a fair assessment. There’s a lot to like here and very little of which to be critical. Tackling the visible flaws first, we find that the paint on the dash below the ignition switch has the sort of wear that is typical in these vehicles. The trim material below the dash is bunched in a few spots, but that’s about all there is that is worth criticizing. The remaining painted surfaces are in good order, as is the upholstery across the seats and door trims. Before taking delivery, the original owner chose to equip the interior with a dealer-fitted dash pad and glove box. These are in excellent condition, and everything inside the vehicle works as it should. The addition of a pair of aftermarket fans is an intelligent one in a vehicle where factory air conditioning wasn’t an option.
For the 1967 model year, Ford offered two engines in the Econoline range. The original owner chose to equip this one with the larger 240ci six, producing 150hp and 234 ft/lbs of torque. Bolted to the back of this is the standard 3-speed manual transmission. With those sorts of figures, the Pickup offered spritely performance when unladen and competent performance when carrying a load. The news here is pretty positive. The owner says that the Econoline runs and drives well, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the brakes work effectively. He does encourage in-person inspections by interested potential buyers. I always find this approach encouraging because that indicates that this is a seller who has nothing to hide.
When the Econoline Pickup broke cover on September 21st, 1960, Ford expected it to outsell the van variant easily. History shows that this was never the case, with the company choosing to drop the Pickup from its range at the end of the 1967 model year. That makes this vehicle one of the last of the breed, and it has survived in remarkable condition. I don’t think that there’s much doubt that it would attract plenty of attention at a Cars & Coffee, and it offers a classic motoring experience with a large slice of practicality. If you are searching for a classic pickup, this one deserves a closer look.
These are nice to look at but hell to drive. Just like the Econoline and Chevy Hand-Van, you sit right above the axle and if you went over a speed bump or a pot hole, you knew it! If I lucked out and was able to buy one of these, that six would be tossed in favor of a 289 or 302.
Watch these try and stop on the old films, they end up on the front two wheels empty. Ride was ok but took a bit to learn to wheel around town. Drove an Econoline van on more than one occasion and turning after the intersection is a bit strange. Type two VW was the same thing, but look cool! This has the 5 windows too!
GM filmed the Econoline pickups doing a nosedive on hard braking. Never bothered to mention they took all of the brake bias out. The added counterweight later models took care of that problem
My parents had on in early 70s hated that thing thought it was ugliest thing ever made ! Now I think they are so cool how times change !
Brother had one of these at one time for his business. Not an easy vehicle to drive IMO but it did what was needed. Biggest issue with that one was the amount of rust present when purchased, took a lot of patches to make it whole again.
Bought a ‘63 Econoline pickup years ago for $75. They’re really poorly designed rigs- and I loved mine and would like another. They have ballast in the rear to try and keep them from tipping over front ways under hard braking. Driving one in the rain is like driving a normal vehicle in the snow. But they’re cool! 😎
Had that 240 in a 67 Super van. Good engine but it is more than this thing needs. It doesnt weigh anything and cant really carry or haul anything so that hp and torque just mean that you can shift into 3rd at 12mph..Low loading height is a plus, most of the rest of is a negative. There is a reason these were rare while the Econoline vans were everywhere. Cool but….
Little blue wagon.
I don’t. understand all the comments about being hard to drive. Been wheeling these vans and pickups since 1972. I host a meet for them once a year. You could get them all the way up to a 1 ton suspension so they could haul loads. As for this one, 67 is the best year as it is the only one that came factory with a dual mc. Values on these are climbing steadily.
For someone that’s used to these, it may not be such a chore, but rest assured, someone not familiar with these, it can be very intimidating. Most didn’t have P/S and all the weight on the front straight axle, was indeed a chore. No hood, aka “cabovers”, takes a bit of getting used to as well. Engine heat in the cab was another issue, column shift always binding and driving one any long distance, will have you kicking your dog when you get home. They are a pain to work on, so yes, I’d say, they are poor vehicles too.
I’m not a Ford guy but this truck looks great! It should be left as it came from the factory. If I were to get one in primer and without engine I think the best engine Ford ever built should go in, the 300 six. I see there have been negative comments about handling and ride. I had a ’68 Chevy 108 van for a few years, a rusty daily driver w/250-6 & 3 on the tree. It was fun to drive even though every 50-60 miles I had to dump another quart of oil in. It handled pretty good with bad shocks. Bumps and dips in the road just added to the fun. You may have something to bitch about if you rarely drive one but once used to it, nothing wrong with it.
Anyone remember the “Backup Pickup” ? A friend worked for the highways dept. They got a new econoline van. It was dead in about two weeks.
A buddy of mine had a 1961 that was converted to a newer 302 and automatic. It was a pretty cool vehicle, but I too have to agree it was a bear to drive with the loose manual steering. As Adam said about the aftermarket fans, yes, a good choice, because you roasted on hot days in the cab. The drive train combo is good too, because I believe it was recommended not to go much over 55 in these back then.
Bolted 2 100 lb. pigs of lead on the rear bumper for traction in the winter. Drove it to go camping and didn’t mind the driving experience, but it needed air conditioning.
I drove a 1963 Econoline “paddy wagon” in San Francisco in 1970 (163rd MP Co). It rattled, but it was a blast to drive. By the way, the 300 is the same block and would bolt right in, but so would the 289/302. The 240 is a great little engine too.
I worked for UPS when they first came to co. They had a lot of the econolines.
They worked them hard.Iknow I was a wrench for them.The fords was as good as you could get ,better than most.
Wow. As a UPS man and an Econoline owner I love to find pics of that
Have had 10 of these over the past 50 years. Loved them and never was in an accident. Great truck for folks that want something cool and different.