While early sedan delivery vehicles provided a template for future vans, it was the Volkswagen Transporter – launched in 1950 – that popularized the body style. It still took ten years for the first US-made vans to hit the pavement. Ford’s Econoline competed head-to-head with Chevy’s Greenbrier, both of them landing in 1961. Based on the Falcon, the Econoline was a cab-forward design. Its engine lay between the front seats, whereas both the Transporter and the Greenbrier were rear-engined configurations. Here on craigslist is a 1965 Ford Deluxe Club Wagon owned since 1967 by a single family. The asking price is $13,500, and the wagon is located in the San Francisco Bay area. Thanks to Zappenduster for the groovy tip!
The Club Wagon arrived with a 144 cu. in. six good for 85 hp, but by 1965, the 170 was standard. The extra twenty horses helped. Ambitious buyers could opt for a 240 – the “big six” that I think the seller refers to here. It’s been rebuilt, and it’s paired with a three-speed automatic. While all those choices were also part of the Falcon’s repertoire, the wagon received solid axles front and back in the suspension department. Those sporty Falcons were running around with independent front underpinnings.
The wagon came in two trim levels – standard and deluxe. The deluxe was differentiated by fancy outside trim. Both offered two rows of rear seating; period advertisements reminded owners to unbolt the seats to gain a large cargo area. Considering its age and use, this interior is in tolerable condition. The passenger’s side door panel is torn, and the driver’s side isn’t much better; after searching for replacements, I can see why the owner hasn’t fixed those – the cheapest set I found was over $700!
This example still wears its black plates – some collectors fawn over original black-plate cars. First-generation Falcon-based wagons wore “Falcon” badging, but once the second-gen arrived in 1968, the wagon was aimed more at heavy-duty hauling, requiring a shift to Ford’s F-series chassis. That shift confers some collectible value to these early versions, and with production numbers of only 2259, rarity gives it a boost, too. While prices aren’t anywhere near the usual six-figure ask for twenty-one window VW buses, very nice examples can breach $20k, though most sell in the mid-teens. If this Club Wagon dropped into your driveway, would you drive it or restore it?
When I was a kid in the 70s, a neighbor had one of these. I always called it the peanut van, because the grilles around the headlights look like peanuts.
I’d drive it and love it.
This is pretty cool. Someone informed me, that only window vans were called Falcons, and at the time, changed the world like the SUV of today has. This was from a time when families were BIG, heck, my ex had 7 brothers and sisters, SIL had 8, and they all had to be taken when going somewhere, the window van fit the bill. It wasn’t until later, those dang hippies spoiled it’s great reputation, and this van and the A100 led the way for shenanigans of epic proportions, and it started right here.
Also, the Ford H series cabovers came out about the same time, and were dubbed the “2 Story Falcon” because of these. Nice find and 6 kids, or 5 as granny took up 2 herself, had a nice seat, one had the hot seat engine cover,,,one family, think of the stories this van could tell,,
Those dang “Hippies” anyway. LOL
Got a bunch of time in these rigs. The Air Force had a bunch of them scattered all over the country and dubbed them “general use” vehicles. The generals didn’t use them but we sure did. Pretty handy machines.
Yeah, remember those in the USAF. The Air Police drove “Falcon” pickups.
I had a ‘61 Econoline work van. It had the small six and three on the tree. It was like driving around in a metal ash can with someone banging it with a stick. Although it was underpowered, it was easy to work on, and took (as I recall) 13” tires.
I wouldn’t ever buy another one, even with windows all around and a bigger engine. It just wasn’t fun to drive.
I drove one in rough shape a very short distance and was left with pretty much the same impression.
My brother had one of these in the 90’s without the back seats inside, we used to put lawn chairs inside and drive it to Mountain High to go snowboarding. It also burned a fair bit of oil, it’s handy when you can add oil without stopping. :)
pretty rare to see 1 in the wild still all original with the original owner. i love it and would not change a thing. way too cool to screw around with
Nice rig, and nice write up. I had a ‘62 Econoline pickup. It was a very poorly designed vehicle. Driving it in the rain was like driving a normal RWD vehicle in the snow- and I loved it! Wish I’d never sold it.
One nitpick Michelle: This is a Falcon Club Wagon. A Falcon wagon is a passenger car. It’s confusing when you try to differentiate the features of a van vs. passenger car and call this a wagon. Minor point. You are my favorite BF Writer!
We had 11 kids but a van was out of the question. Dad loved VW buses but Mom hated manuals. She said if Dad ever brought something like this home she’d paint Margie’s Laundry Service on it. We usually had two mid size wagons. There was brief experiment with a ‘69 Country Squire with a 429. That one came when my sister wrecked the beloved, benchmark family wagon, a 64 Belvedere wagon with a slant six. The Squire liked too much gas and wasn’t around too long. Sometime around then, a Datsun 510 wagon showed up but was T-boned before it could rust. Dad got his VW camper bus later when things calmed down and he had a little time and money.
We used a cheap version, the eco online version with a stretch to get another seat in Arizona when doing a HeadStart school at Nazilini, Arizona. It was underpowered, but no travel on paved roads made it ok. Surprisingly, it worked good in the mud, probably due the greater length.( and an experienced local driver!! ) we took the kids, and some parents, to Flagstaff (Grand Canyon ) once on 66. Not great on the Interstate.
I live in AZ 33 years and never heard of Nazilini AZ,google shows it North of I – 40 NE of Flagstaff at 6,200 ft and 505 folks.
Yup, it’s a “Big Six” alrighty, 240/300 bulletproof engine. :-) Terry J