The Ford Transit has been in production throughout the world since 1965. The first generation was on the assembly line until 1977, including this rare pickup truck that was built by Ford of Europe. Using left-hand rather than right-hand drive, this 1977 Transit may be the only one in the USA, per the seller. It’s largely served as a movie prop vehicle and runs while sporting a bit of patina here and there. Located in Tarzana, California, this potential one-of-a-kind is available here on craigslist for $4,500. How did you find this one, Jack M.?
Although Ford built many of these as cargo vans, the Transit is a group of commercial vehicles still in production today. Mechanically, the Transit shared components like engines and transmissions from the car side of the business. The seller’s vehicle has a 2.5-liter inline-4 motor that drinks diesel fuel rather than gasoline and has a 4-speed manual transmission. Built in Germany, it runs and drives, though it’s registered in non-op status with the Cali DMV.
The seller has owned this cool vehicle for two decades and has likely made a buck or two loaning it out to TV and movie production companies. I guess I missed those flicks, as I don’t recall ever seeing one of these transports. The odometer reading is unknown as the placeholder of “99,999” miles was plugged in.
You have to wonder what the parts situation is with one of these trucks. Though the Transit has been around for 60 years, most of that has been in Europe, Australia, and other points where production was. We assume the seller is correct in saying this Ford is “very collectible” and you’ll probably attract some attention wherever you take it. If you bought this U.S. oddity, what would you do with it? Show it or put it to work?
There was a guy I knew who had the motor home version
of this in the Los Angeles area a number of years ago.
Pignose, too.
Never owned one; I have an elderly LWB Renault Master.