PENDING!
- Seller: George F
- Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
- Mileage: 0 Shown
- Chassis #: E34AH024372
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 460cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Every once in a while, a car (or van, in this case) will pop up for sale on Barn Finds that inspires some wistful curiosity about its original owner. What was the purpose of this 1977 Econoline? It’s a one-ton E-350 with a big-block 460 under the stubby hood and top-of-the-line interior trim option inside (Chateau). Was it a long-distance boat hauler? An RV without the price and footprint? A heavy-duty tradesman’s hauler? We may never know, but what we do know is that this solid-looking Ford is now for sale as a Barn Finds Auction in Corpus Christi, Texas. While you may want to do some interior redecorating, it will afford its new owner a chance to get creative.
See what I mean? The Chateau’s interior was originally available in jade, blue, or tan (this looks like tan), but early on in this van’s existence, somebody visited the carpet store for the best remnants they could find, but why gray? If that weren’t enough, the obligatory wood paneling makes an appearance as you might hope it would. The side windows were certainly added later on as well; Econolines were offered with flip-out side and rear door windows only, although the Club Wagons had a full array. This Econoline even has a tape deck for your listening enjoyment on those long road trips.
The third-generation Econoline was introduced as a 1975 model; it was the first to use a separate frame rather than a unitized body, and the front suspension was still Ford’s proven Twin-I-Beam setup. The E-350 came standard with the big 300-cubic-inch six, but the 351 and the 460 V8s were optional. This one has the big block, whose horsepower hovered around 200 for the second half of the 1970s. The one-ton van also came standard with eight-lug wheels (which may limit your custom wheel options to some extent) and heavy-duty suspension. The seller states that the engine fires up and runs great.
Just as I am inclined to muse about the van’s original owner, I am also curious what the new owner will do with it. With a little talent in interior decorating and some help from your friends, you could have the interior decorated in 1970s-aping retro fabrics and carpets, or you could modernize it with something…ahem…a little more tasteful. And there’s no telling what you could do with the exterior; it’s as clean as a freshly washed whiteboard, and any number of wraps would add a little pizazz to the whole affair. Regardless, you just don’t find too many clean one-ton vans with big blocks under the doghouse, as many were used up and unceremoniously discarded. If you decide to give this van a new home, let us know how you make it yours. Bid now!
Bid On This Auction
John J bid $1,100.00 2025-04-24 09:36:24
Jack Frost bid $1,050.00 2025-04-24 09:32:20- John J bid $1,000.00 2025-04-24 09:11:05
- Jack Frost bid $775.00 2025-04-24 06:58:12
Senap bid $725.00 2025-04-23 23:32:33- Jack Frost bid $650.00 2025-04-23 11:40:07
Nic bid $550.00 2025-04-23 09:18:16- Jack Frost bid $500.00 2025-04-23 08:55:02
FOG bid $350.00 2025-04-20 18:28:44
tommybak bid $300.00 2025-04-20 16:48:36- FOG bid $250.00 2025-04-19 20:01:12
- tommybak bid $150.00 2025-04-18 18:41:48
I liiiike it! (Chevy Chase quite!!)
Lots of questions: What are the estimated miles. Does the AC work. More pics of the undercarriage. Rust, can’t see any? Video of it running. This is actually something that could be made into a really useful Van camper, but it is too far for me to check out
The seller added additional photos showing the mileage and the underside. They tested the AC and it doesn’t work.
One thing the new owner will do with it is run tons of gas through it. I had a Sportsmobile camper built on an E350 and even with the 351 it was quite a hog.
IF it had 4 wheel drive, it would be a beast up here in snow country. But, as is, not very practical on dirt roads or in the snow. And are there any seats besides the front ones? Good for towing the boat though.
I managed a fleet of around 30 of these in the late’70s, early ‘80s. These things were indestructible. We averaged 1.5 million miles a year with 30 trucks. We would retire them when they had between 200,000-300,000 miles. Mostly 300 inline sixes, but several 460 box vans and a couple with 351s. Nothing but respect for these old trucks.
My friend had one, but it was a pick up with the 460 motor and 350 chassis. It was definitely a beast.
Way to far for me to even go to check it out.But I would turn it into a nice custom camper van with all things for and living in it for long distance travels. Rolling stones gather no moss
I’m not quite 100% but close that those side windows are customer added. Not Ford equipment. Nicely done though.
Per the Barn Finds rules to sell on Barn Finds:
We need at least 50 high-quality photos, but the more, the better!
“The first thing you need to do is review our photo guide here. Then go out to the barn or garage and take many photos! We want to see everything. Get multiple shots of the exterior from all sides, engine bay, interior, and trunk. Then crawl underneath and get a few of the underside. Make sure that the lighting is good and the photos are not blurry. The more high-quality photos you provide, the more likely you will to get full market value. We will reject any submissions that do not include high-quality photos and a detailed description, so please take your time and do the legwork before submitting your listing.”
Why can I not see the under car photos? Please help.
Additional photos have been added!
I’ve had at least one Ford Van for the last 30 years. First one I bought was an 85, in 92, with over 200,000 miles. Thing ran like a champ until a hurricane ate it. Problem with Ford vans; starting in the 80s was roof cancer. Door lock assembly always goes bad. I believe Ford never upgraded the door locks for repeat customers, dealer part… I think the roof cancer is something they also don’t want to fix for repeat customers.The original smoked glass windows from the 80s is very pricey. You might still find a side window at a junkyard for 250, but order one from Ford and they want an absurd 2500…
I had one like this in the early 80s (I believe it was a 1979 E350). I did the inside like they did this one. The original owner before me was a funeral home!