When cabover vans first arrived on the scene, the obvious idea was to pack as much interior space into the design as possible. Putting the driver next to the engine allowed for more storage, but didn’t leave much crush space in case of an accident. Mandated crash testing ultimately put some much needed distance between the driver and whatever they might impact. Still, the profile on these vans, and also the truck versions, is timeless and cool. Take for example this 1964 Ford Econoline truck being sold on eBay out of Markleysburg, Pennsylvania. A very solid barn find, this nifty little truck has relatively little rust and has only been bid to $710. Do you think anyone might be interested in paying the $8,000 buy it now price?
The story on this little hauler is that it languished for twelve years in a barn before being discovered by the seller. According to that seller, there is a bit of rust here and there, but the frame structure is perfect. All of the missing parts in the photos are present and go with the truck. Good thing, as parts for these can be rather scarce.
A shadowed picture of the bed reveals a few holes here and there. We can also see what are likely the original seats for the truck. They don’t look very comfortable. However, reupholstering them shouldn’t cost too much. I just wonder if you can get a copy of the original material.
The picture of the passenger side reveals a few rough areas. There seems to be a little bit of lumpiness in the lower section of the door, and maybe some rust repair in the area just below that. The quarter window and gasket, while missing in this picture, do go with the sale. The wide whites do add a bit of funkiness to the truck.
We can see a little damage to the top right of the tailgate, and a spot on the top left as well. The repairs at the bottom have me stumped. It almost looks like someone stick welded over the rust. Maybe I am seeing things. Regardless, a good body man can get this piece looking good with minimal effort.
Our sole interior shot reveals that the dash has been subject to some modifications. It appears that the instrument panel has been pulled and replaced with a plate complete with a number of aftermarket gauges. The smaller Grant steering wheel adds a bit of sportiness. Unfortunately, I doubt that this truck was factory equipped with power steering. Twisting on that little Grant at low speeds would certainly build up your arm muscles.
The seller tells us that the inline six cylinder engine in the truck will fire up if you bottle feed the carburetor with gasoline. Certainly a complete cleaning and refreshing of the fuel system is in order. The good news is that these old inline sixes have a solid reputation for being bulletproof. Coupled with a column shifted three speed manual transmission, you can probably still count on many more trouble free miles.
Is the seller out of line with an $8,000 buy it now price? Maybe. Still, where would you find another one in this condition. Trucks like this usually lived hard lives and survival rates are abysmal.
This cool old pickup may be worth a high price to someone out there. Is that someone you?
Bring a magnet, i fear its a mud bucket.
Guy might have mixed metal shavings in his bondo. It’s a old time trick that throws people off. Not advocating that, but just saying.
These look pretty cool when restored. As Jeff said, don’t see many today. This example seems rough, with some past work that probably needs re-done, plus additional work. I don’t know what these fetch when in good shape but I don’t think they bring big dollars. Thus the asking price seems quite high.
I prefer this five window style over the standard cab version.
Is it me or does this truck have a missing window that has been blocked out?
Said it is missing but does come with the truck.
Now Jeff, these were never known for their comfort.
Paint it red, put a ‘chute on the tailgate, call it Lil Red Wagon. Nobody will know the difference.
It’s sad that people don’t understand the damage they’re doing when they coat a vehicle with cheap gray primer. It absorbs water and accelerates the corrosion process.
You are so very correct. A good urethane primer sealer is great stuff but costs more so people usually throw on the cheap stuff and exactly what you said happens.
Or just shoot some cheap paint on top of the primer :) Heck, it’s already masked.
Except that the “Little Red Wagon” was a Dodge A-100 truck, not a Ford. And yes, people would notice the difference.
Well from what I’ve seen from tests on these back in the day, a hard brake application with an empty box will have the back wheels off the ground to the extent that the front bumper hits the road. All control of the vehicle is lost in that moment. If your going to own and drive this thing around you need to put at least a 500 pound counter weight in the back. I’d bolt steal blocks to the frame on either side of the truck behind the back wheels. They would be out of site and would help keep the back wheels on the ground.
Ford issued a recall to add the counterweights to the first ones. It doesn’t weigh anywhere near 500 lbs. I’m pretty sure it’s less than 100 lbs. The holes in the bed indicate the counterweight is missing on this truck. It bolts to the underside of the bed at the very back.
That little falcon six was far from bulletproof. Worked on a lot of em, valve jobs and overhauls. And you could measure zero to sixty with an hourglass. The only good thing about them was they were easy to work on. I’d take the pistons with me, get in the truck, and my buddy would be underneath waiting for me to send the pistons down n button up the lower end. later models of this style Econoline used the more robust 240 CI six. many had aftermarket v8’s in ’em.
Cheers
GPC
Used to own a 64 GMC HandyVan, and it was darn cool. Had the transmission rebuilt mainly. Sold it. Other owner put bags on it, flat black with pin stripping, new carb, etc. This van had a cool spoiler on it on the rear of the roof. Van had good low end torque. If I recall, it had a 232 ci inline 6.
I have a van from this era I’ve been working on!! I actually like the 68-74 models better!! It’s in good shape with a three speed column shift that the previous owner put on the floor!!
I had a ’65 A100 Dodge cab-over pickup in the mid 70’s. Slant 6, 3/tree. Spunky when empty, a pooch when loaded down. Could never resolve the overheating issues it had. Would have much rather had the 318 with A/T version…
$8000.00 for this? Really? This truck needs everything.
I would hold out for a much better original.
http://www.fordeconolinepickup.com/specifications/
go to the sister site 4 sales – they’re hi $ now.
the ThriftPower (or “Falcon”) motor hasa v e r y stout bottom end – it’s the top w/trouble (integrated ‘log’ intake)…solved by:
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/deposit-only-aluminum-head-package
“…it had a 232 ci inline 6….”
produced frm ’52 -’64 (starting as a 215) these never came in the ‘falcons’ (ford used family names ThriftPower or falcon, FE, modular, etc)…these were the 144 stroked to 170, ect to 200 & a lill different but still the ‘small block’ falcon a 250 (4.1L). They went onto the ‘big blk’ falcons – the 240 & 300 (the gasser that’s a diesel) or 4.9L (1960 -’96 which made it into the efi era).
Ck’em out at
fordsix…
or
vintagevan