Vintage vans have seen an enormous bump in appeal among audiences not always tied to hobby car or truck ownership. In other words, normal folks who may have never previously considered owning a vehicle older than themselves have been smitten by the notion of becoming vagabonds with no need for a fixed address while behind the wheel of a cool, period-correct rig like this 1967 Ford Econoline Supervan here on craigslist, listed for $5,800.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Miguel for the find. The Supervan is a longer body style than the “shorty” van we see more often, and it is not uncommon to see them turned into camping rigs – just look at the one I have for sale as part of the large Georgia collection we’re helping to sell. That Supervan was completely converted into a camper with the shell sitting over where the rear cargo hold once was, and this example looks ripe for the same type of conversion.
The seller notes this example has been refurbished mechanically, even if its cosmetics appear a bit rough. They doesn’t go into great detail here, just mentioning that the engine has been rebuilt and it benefits from thousands in new parts. I am encouraged by how tidy the engine bay looks and how well the interior appears to have either been preserved or re-done. Of course, if someone knew to vintage vans wishes to own this Supervan, they’ll have to learn how to drive a three-on-the-tree.
The seller makes no mention of rust, so we’re lead to assume the floors are solid. The exterior obviously wears the “rat rod” or “patina” look well, but a full repaint will be necessary if you’re a perfectionist. However, to the credit of newbies entering the van world, they don’t seem overly concerned with the external appearance of their rigs, just that they can pack their gear and live inside of them for months at a time, a feat I’m sure this Supervan would be capable of with a proper camper conversion.
My buddy has the pickup version of this van, and apparently it’s a real handful to drive. And the “crumple zone” is your knees.
I remember as a kid, there was a TV repair man that drove around town in one of these vans. He fixed our RCA once. Or was it a Zenith?
Yes Rex, the driver will be the first one to arrive at the scene of the accident. Not much between the driver and whatever the front hits.
Dad and I towed a 32′ camping trailer from PA to Florida a number of times with a one ton Chevy van in the 1990’s. I have the knowledge, but never had the nerve (or wanted to waste beer drinking time) to figure out what the force would be if you hit something solid with the van and the 32′ camping trailer behind it. It can’t be good, so don’t bother. Make sure your will and funeral arrangements are in order.
The term “acordian” comes to my mind when that scanerio is mentioned.
Back in the day Wyoming wind snapped both drivers door hinges they were pot metal I think. I ran to the store for more wine for my seventies wife what a good looking hippie chick . When I returned I grabbed wine popped door latch rest history was looking at door on the ground.
Please tell me the wine was Mateus!
Boons Farm apple
Wild Irish Rose
Ripple
(Mateus hada cork!).
and
MD 20/20 wuz 4 da ol wineos
Been a while since I saw one of these. This one has the better 240 vs the old falcon 170’s they used in the early ones. The guys are right, in a front end collision you would be toast. remember delivering autoparts in one of these in 1971. All good memories.
Cheers
GPC
When I drove one of these I didn’t worry about being in the crush zone….. young and dumb lol. But they are rippin fun to drive. Turning gives you the feeling of going sideways due to being ahead of the front wheels. Pulling directly up to a building would for sure elicit a gasp from a passenger. When it did I would get out and do a little soft shoe routine to show how much room there actually was between the bumper and said building. Always good for a laugh. Ours had the 170 6 cylinder that had a weak one which would result in a fouled out spark plug every now and then. It wasn’t a speed demon when it was hitting on all 6, and don’t try to drive up a mountain when you’re only using 5. And for sure don’t try that when you’ve got about 80 Hell’s Angels following behind you. And when one of them makes a certain gesture at you, FOR SURE don’t give him the finger back…………. js
Best van I ever owned. Mine was a 75 with a 302 automatic. It couldnt be wore out. Put 300,000 miles on it. Bought it for 600 and sold it10 years later for 500. Miss the old girl. Wish I could afford this one
This looks like a pretty good deal for an untouched Supervan, but then, I do prefer to buy ‘warts ‘n’ all’ examples over supposedly ‘restored’ vehicles.
I thought they looked horrible when I was a kid and they sure haven’t improved with age.
It is odd nobody ever comments about a front end collision when a VW van is featured.
I just never comment on VW vans period.
Yeah, at least with this van you have an engine next to you to help absorb some of the impact once the other vehicle reaches your thighs.
Some of you guys need to step away from the keyboard and go outside. Its really a nice world out there and most likely there is no person or thing that wants to hurt you.
Lighten up and enjoy!
A+, hahahaah, perfect!
67’s are GOLD for an Econonut; big six, a 9 inch, and the only year in this body style with a dual-circuit master cylinder.
I have a 67 master cylinder, 9 inch, and a modified big six crossmember in a 63 Econoline pickup holding a mild 302/AOD in place. Also a Dodge (sacreligious I know) core support, radiator and engine cover. The Dodges offered a V8 in the A100 hence a bigger radiator set up and engine covers that the sides unbolt; real convenient to do work on the engine. Ford never offered an 8 cylinder in the first generation Econolines that were actually called Falcon Van’s at first. Unlike a Corvair these pretty much are unsafe at any speed haha, GM bashes these to pieces in early sales films; Google: “early econoline.”
Back to the van featured, this is a great find would love to have it, the tin worm got to so many of these, this looks like a solid keeper!
Just noticed something…. the instrument cluster on these Econolines was also used in the 1957-1960 F-series trucks (one is featured above), along with the bigger C-series trucks (1957-1990) and H-series trucks (1961-1966). Or at least it looks like the same basic unit.
Bob you are correct, a lot of parts were sourced from other Fomoco lines including several Falcon pieces.
Early Econoline Seats were used later in some of the first Ford factory lightweights.
lub me the 8dor/5 window. Hada ’68 SWB chevy like that in ’72 as a twenty sompin.
Fella here put the biggest of the sm6s in (144, 170, 200) the 250. Fat cam, better timing set, etc. The Enonobox, same as this, last yr of the 1st gen, can do the mountain w/big payload in back no problem. It hangs frm clips in the frame. Put it in thru the side dor w/the engine crane. Needed 2 take it out (damn!) 2nd time he jacked the rig up & lowered it over the motor by usin his lift. We lifted it into place w/a transmission jack 4 install.
Like these? click on VANtage vans dot org? Kouwell site. Dodge/cheb/ford’s all in chat re technical aid’n sales
Dear God, Chad, learn how to speak and write English!
People will think you’re smarter.
Several years ago I read this on the license plate of an old Grand Marquis.
“Real Pearl Harbor Survivors don’t drive Japanese cars.”