- Seller: Michael M (Contact)
- Location: Dana Point, California
- Mileage: 93,000 Shown
- Chassis #: E14TH242514
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 170ci inline-6
- Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
It was inevitable that it would happen, but we are all subjected to a twisted sense of reality in the collector car world. On any given weekend in America, there is almost certainly a local car show going on within 50 miles of where you live, yet the bevy of Chevelles, Mustangs, Camaros, and assorted Mopar muscle cars would lead you to believe that this great union of ours has always been a flashy one. On the contrary, many people drove basic sedans and wagons, and tradespeople drove vans, but they were used up and discarded. Therefore, there’s a sort of reverse snob appeal to driving one today; people go absolutely crazy over my beat-up ’65 Dart Wagon (“WHAT IS THAT???”), and you’re certain to field similar incredulity if you buy this amazingly solid 1962 Ford Econoline, which is being offered as a Barn Finds Auction in Dana Point, California.
Being based on the Falcon, Econolines would have disappeared in the salt belt by their tenth birthdays, but this one has clearly lived out its duties in the dry areas of the southwest; indeed, it was used as a delivery van for an art gallery in New Mexico for at least twenty years. The seller says that “it was always garaged, and the dryness of the van indicates that it was lightly used, stored properly, and well-maintained.” One look at the undercarriage reveals no evidence of rot, even in the door jambs, where all of these “Forward Control” vans would typically rust with abandon.
This Econoline features the 101-horsepower, 170-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine, described in the Econoline brochure as the “high performance” option. While that may be the cause for a chuckle among readers, it was undoubtedly a better choice than the base 144. This one is hooked to a three-speed manual with a 3.50:1 rear axle ratio, and it’s had some recent servicing, including a carburetor rebuild, a new fuel pump, and a new generator. The tires are new, and the brakes have had a lot of work, too: new brake shoes, new brake lines, new master cylinder, and machined drums.
I’m not sure that this van could have a more attractive color combination; it has a “Baffin Blue” exterior with a harmonizing vinyl interior. This one is a little fancier than your average work van of 1962: it has a heater and a Delco AM radio (a later addition). It also has “West Coast” mirrors and “four awning-style aluminum windows.” The interior is very nice but has a few flaws, including a few tears in the upholstery and a “deteriorating” headliner and sun visors.
These are small matters when you’re dealing with an Econoline that is so clearly in incredible original condition (it has had one repaint at some point). Aside from an inoperative fuel gauge and generator light, the van seems to be ready to drive, and it “shifts through the gears nicely.” You’re certain to be the talk of the car meet, because people are always excited to see the kinds of cars, trucks, and vans that were so often taken for granted back when they were new. If you’re comfortable with that kind of attention, bid now!
Bid On This Auction
Brink56 bid $10,500.00 2025-07-17 12:19:03
Old Stuff bid $9,800.00 2025-07-17 12:17:00- Brink56 bid $9,500.00 2025-07-17 12:14:42
- Old Stuff bid $9,100.00 2025-07-17 12:13:05
- Brink56 bid $8,800.00 2025-07-17 12:10:32
- Old Stuff bid $8,500.00 2025-07-17 12:08:21
- Brink56 bid $8,200.00 2025-07-17 12:06:18
- Old Stuff bid $7,800.00 2025-07-17 12:05:16
- Brink56 bid $7,500.00 2025-07-17 12:02:19
- Old Stuff bid $7,250.00 2025-07-17 12:00:01
Marc Tartaglia bid $6,850.00 2025-07-17 11:59:16- Old Stuff bid $6,500.00 2025-07-17 11:51:19
- Brink56 bid $6,250.00 2025-07-17 11:45:33
- Old Stuff bid $6,000.00 2025-07-17 11:30:46
- Brink56 bid $5,750.00 2025-07-17 11:20:37
pickin bid $5,500.00 2025-07-17 11:15:45- Old Stuff bid $4,250.00 2025-07-17 10:52:15
- Brink56 bid $4,000.00 2025-07-17 09:10:41
kcostas bid $3,750.00 2025-07-17 07:56:30- Brink56 bid $3,500.00 2025-07-16 14:43:47
NextExit bid $3,000.00 2025-07-16 14:08:28- Brink56 bid $2,500.00 2025-07-16 13:44:10
- kcostas bid $2,000.00 2025-07-15 18:35:28
- Old Stuff bid $1,750.00 2025-07-15 17:19:26
- Brink56 bid $1,450.00 2025-07-15 15:14:41
- NextExit bid $1,200.00 2025-07-15 14:06:52
- Brink56 bid $1,000.00 2025-07-15 09:51:31
- kcostas bid $750.00 2025-07-15 08:52:28
- Brink56 bid $600.00 2025-07-14 12:50:22
- kcostas bid $500.00 2025-07-11 10:54:20
numskal bid $400.00 2025-07-11 09:06:57
David H. bid $200.00 2025-07-10 21:06:13
Looks solid. Not perfect, but for a vehicle like this, it doesn’t need to be. Little details like the scraped paint below the ignition switch brought a smile to my face; every work truck I’ve ever seen had that. Metal dash, metal door panels, how times have changed. I guess the aftermarket seat belts at least give you a chance. I agree, I would check it out if it was at a show. Good luck to seller.
Ah, the ONE story Falcon,( as opposed to the 2 story Falcon H series cabovers) however thanks to I forget, only passenger window vans were called Falcons. I made it my business not to ever step over a steer tire to get in a truck, meaning I stayed away from companies that had cabovers, but sometimes had to, drove what the boss told me to, just not for long. These are a handful, plain and simple. King pin straight axle, so-so brakes, inherent cabover blind spot on right, and no, “West Coast mirrors” (thanks to author for that), helped some, but 15 mirrors won’t solve that problem. We never had fancy “blind spot cameras” then. I think the most right side mirrors on a cabover I drove was 6.
It’s an amazing find, the condition is above anything I’ve seen in years, if ever, most behind the barn stocked with tractor parts. The sky is the limit here. I’d be really interested on how this was found. The cobbled in radio, usually a Delco, and the Necker knob, or Brodie knob, Granny knob, knuckle buster, suicide knob ( did I miss any?) or simply wheel spinner( Illegal in some states) and of course the automatic, make this a very worthy find. Driving it will certainly be an unusual experience, because we just don’t have anything today that resembles a cabover, so judge accordingly.
Ad says 3-speed manual.
As does the clutch pedal, seen in one of the pics.
Not a cab over, it is an EIC engine in cab.
The seller should state if you buy it you can’t relocate it. It’s natural habitat is Dana Point Ca, it wouldn’t know what to do anywhere else!
How much is the reserve?
That’s not how reserve auctions work Steve.
This is the first one of these I have ever seen that still has the front belly pan.
They were usually discarded after the first few oil changes & lube jobs because it had to come off for service. Its function was to help direct airflow across the radiator at highway speeds; apparently, they could overheat at speed rather than just sitting , idling.
Like most, my pickup lacks the pan (there’s a guy in California fabbing them up; they occasionally show up on eBay or $500) but does not seem to have the overheat issue.
A five-window cab has excellent visibility. I had a ’66 van in the early 1980s; I don’t recall any issues with situational awareness.
Me either, mine has no windows.
My friend had, i think a 1960, Falcon camper van, in the 80’s. It had a full pop up top, sink, counter area and screens for the windows. To heat it while camping, we would start it, let it warm up and open the engine “dog house,” worked great!
It had a 144ci/6 and three on the tree. A true mid engine van, lol.
Ran great for what it was made for.
I had a 1962, 170, 3 on the tree. Drove it from Selma AL to Spokane WA in 77. Had to take the air needle out of the carburetor to get over the continental divide at 40 mph. What a trip. I did love that van though.
I was employed as a HeadStart teacher for the Navajo tribe south of Chinle, Arizona in the late 60s. This was our school bus ( window van with extended body) but same engine, 3 on the tree, and same color. It fought the mud and snow, rarely got stuck, and even made a trip to Flagstaff ( Route 66 ) one time. Tough little truck. I’d bet the airflow pan was missing, having crossed the Chinle wash many times daily!!! The tribe had a large fleet of these.
Far as car shows go, I get the same reaction when I bring my F6 COE with the Flathead V8. Kids love to sit in it, get pictures, blow the horn!! I’m not a “ Don’t touch “ guy, which upsets the rest of the shiny crowd.
My Dad had several of these for his HVAC business all good dependable vans , ok drivers ! some had doors on both sides in the back work part ! This one looks like a good one !
I bought ‘BuckWheat’ 2/72 within a week leaving ‘Nam & the Army for $300. ’61 w/a 144 that wouldn’t pull the hat off your head. Ran like a top, but weak. I rebuilt a friends 170, leaning over the engine bay w/a rope around my shoulders I lifted it up into place while my future-exwife shimmed it with short 2X4’s until motor mount holes lined up. Its got over 800K on it and has NEVER failed to get me to my destination. At a weekly luncheon I got tired of a lady there always ragging on BuckWheat…I told her what she can do in her Mercedes that I can’t do in BuckWheat. She asked; ‘What?’ I replied; ‘Pick my nose as everyone waves & points at BuckWheat going down the road.’
BTW, in my last post I neglected to say Ford put a 170lb chunk of iron above the gas tank. I dropped the tank and sure enough there it was. I guess to counter swapping ends in rain or snow and my thought was to take it out and replace it with bolted in 2×4’s as I knew I was always going to carry tools, m/c’s etc. Tired of the generators antics, I put in a mid 80’s GM alternator, what a great difference. A fordsix forum told of replacing the points w/a GM HEI & Ford TFI coil promising much better running plus 3mpg. Following the great info I went to a junkyard & acquired a heat-sink from a GM OEM radio, RadioShack heat-sink paste and on the advice of another forum member mounted another GM ignition module next to the 1st so as if one gives up the ghost out on the road it would be a two minute fix to swap the slip on connectors! (the plus 3mpg was true!) Two m/c headlights w/H4 bulbs are perfect. Opening the side doors there is dead space underneath in the cargo area between the ‘frame’ and the doors. Likewise on the far side of the van. I had a metal shop fab up two rectangular 12ga drop tanks w/1 1/2″ lips & 1/4″ angle iron 1/2″ below the top for the wooden top that fit flush on the floor w/a 3/4″ thumb hole. I gas welded all the seams to fill with ice & ‘refreshments’ as race track gate keepers had a habit of looking into coolers. The only person to ever ask about the tanks was when I drove BuckWheat to Murfreesboro Tn. York VA hosp. A 200mi jaunt a few years back. After my appointment, a tiny lady introduced herself as a Podiatrist & asked to buy it. I told her of its beginnings and how it was home for near 4yrs when I gave the house to the ex. That’s when she amazed me by saying she looked under the van & wondered about the tanks! I have pondered putting in a small aluminum late model drive-train just for air conditioning. Over 53yrs of ownership and fun so far.
great story! helps set the mood for a good day…thanks!
Was surprised they put the counterweight in the vans; I never knew my ’66 window van had one…but the stove bolt heads are clearly visible in this one.
The pickup did need it to avoid turning turtle (look for “econoline stoppies” on YouTube). I left mine alone in the pickup when I cleaned it out & replaced the sending unit..
Why is this for sale after being sold just seven months ago or so on another platform? A great van that I was watching. I’m just glad it didn’t end up with the guy who wanted to turn it into a Scooby Doo van and hope that still doesn’t happen. A travesty to even consider.
I’m moving in several months, and unfortunately, I won’t be able to store.
Woo Hoo! I had a ? 1960? Window van camper that my Dad gave me, and I went all over the Western US in it over the next decade. Really loved it!
BUT, as I became more “adventurous”, the 3 speed wasn’t low enough, and I was looking for “more gear”. But the Wheelbase was only 91 or 92 inches, and there was no way to squeeze in a 4 speed, (though if I recall there was an exorbitantly priced two speed differential available WAY above my price range..)
So, I sold it. And bought a ’58 P350 walk in “bread truck” 4 speed, and put in a 3 speed aux. Tran., with 40% over and 2 to one under and blah blah etc. talk mumble mumble ad nauseum gab gab….