When I first saw this 1962 Ford Econoline, my immediate thought was that it was a beautifully-preserved older custom build. It isn’t. What this vehicle represents is a freshly finished retro-custom project that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. The attention to detail is extremely impressive, and there is no doubt that it is a vehicle capable of knocking people’s socks off at any car show. After putting all of the hard work into creating this unique vehicle, the owner has decided to part with it. That means that his loss could potentially be your gain. The Econoline is located in Dayton, Ohio, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $23,600, but the reserve hasn’t been met. Interest is high on this cool classic, and there are currently 187 people who are watching the listing.
Any sort of custom build is going to be that much easier if the owner can start the process with a straight and rust-free vehicle, and that is what the owner found themselves with here. It really is hard to know where to start with on this one, so I’ll tackle practicality first. The owner has obviously decided that the next owner might want to have more than just a show-stopper, so a bed-liner has been fitted. This means that the next owner can at least throw things in the bed without fear of doing any damage. The panels appear to be arrow-straight, while all of the chrome and trim looks to be in superb condition. Speaking of superb, just check out that paint! This work was all completed by the owner, and the Candy Gold and Candy Red combination is always going to be a winner. The graphics are so reminiscent of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the consistency of the work is really impressive. The red headlamp covers probably aren’t that practical, but when combined with the red window tint, they tie the whole thing together quite well. Having said that, these features will probably come under the heading of “an acquired taste,” and there will be some readers who would want to remove them. That’s fair enough because it does come down to personal preference. The white zoomie headers add a real touch of toughness to the exterior, and I’m betting would make the Econoline sound pretty amazing. About the only thing that I don’t really like is the mismatched wheels. I like both types that are fitted to the Ford, and if I bought the vehicle, I would try to match the wheels on either end. I’m just not sure which ones I would choose to go with!
The custom work continued inside the Econoline, and as is the case with the exterior, there are plenty of retro touches to be seen. The seats are from a 1965 Mustang, and they, along with the door trims, have been treated to white tuck ‘n’ roll upholstery. The white headliner is also a custom item, with the white theme continuing onto the leather-wrapped steering wheel, while new carpet graces the floor. The upholstery work is slightly rough around the edges, especially on the door trims. Having said that, I don’t think that it would take a lot of time or effort to have it presenting perfectly. The dash is once again a work of retro custom and is machine-turned aluminum. There is also a huge cluster of gauges to monitor the health of the vehicle, along with a B&M shifter. That’s probably the only item that I don’t like inside the Ford, but once again, that’s a matter of personal preference.
I guess that there’s really no point building a vehicle for “show” if it doesn’t have a little “go,” and the Econoline does okay in that department. The original motor has made way for a Summit 302 V8, which is backed by a Ford “Monster” automatic transmission and a 9″ rear end. Those are all bulletproof items, and that means that this Ford should be extremely reliable. There is also an aluminum radiator to keep things cool, while the front brakes have been upgraded to discs. Given the fact that this is a fresh build, it doesn’t have a heap of miles on it. However, the owner has taken it out for a spin (who could blame him?), and the Econoline sits on 75mph on the open road with no dramas at all. When I look at all of this, I can’t help wondering just how good that 302 must sound through the amazing headers. Included with the vehicle is a substantial collection of receipts and invoices that verify the work on the drivetrain. Those alone total over $10,000 and that doesn’t include any of the costs for the paint and interior work.
I’m not ashamed to say that I really like this 1962 Ford Econoline. It harks back to a simpler time and captures the retro look exceptionally well. It is a turn-key vehicle that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. The owner hasn’t had the opportunity to show the Ford at this point and is leaving that honor to the new owner. Is this a custom that takes your fancy? It certainly takes mine.
………like wow, man ! I grew up before that era but I can’t help but picture smoke coming out the windows, not talking about Camels. lol
kryppie bud
What a pro job. It’s gotta be fun as hell.
Love it ! Paint work is beyond words. Certainly you either love this or hate it. Really don’t want to critique. What is it with those rear slotted mags (very cool) that the center caps are always missing….even back in the day? My brother had them on a 1971 Vega Panel Truck (wish I had that one today, crappy quality but very uncommon) and he always seemed to be missing one….did they have the propensity to just fall off I think??
Don’t love the white bumpers or the rear bumper period. Love the side exhaust, my choice would have been chrome over the white.
Like the period choice for different front and rear wheel and tire style BUT I think deep dish Cragers on the rear to match the front would look very cool with White letters all the way around….maybe even just black walls with all else that is happening.
Other than that, super cool. Well done. Wish I had the funds to buy it.
All it needs for Hot Wheels Custom Econoline status is Redline rear tires! Kudos to the builder, you just don’t see this style of automotive artwork anymore.
I so want to love this thing, but I’m just not sure. I do love the 60’s wheelstander and gasser look. The mismatched wheels and tires don’t bother me as they are period correct. My cousin built a 32 5 window coupe in the 60’s and had the same wheel/tire combo. Admittedly he had white walls painted red, and painted white letters on the rear, neither of which weren’t uncommon, even slicks and Goodyear Blue streaks had painted white letters. The Cragers and Ansen Sprints combo was also very typical of 60’s wheelstanders and gassers.
My concern though is the quality of the build. It sounds like the seller is a painter, and while the paint quality appears to be pretty good, other areas, like the interior, seem suspect. $10K in parts really isn’t a lot, especially when you’re talking about buying an engine, trans & rear. I see dents in the bed and the stray in bedliner just seems like a short cut to me. The white bumpers also seem like a short cut, and even the black base coat doesn’t look that well laid down. I really want to like it, but I can’t help but wonder if this is a shiny paint job on a turd.
It does bring back memories of Wednesday night match races at the local strip between Grumpy and Dandy Dick Landy, when a few wheelstanders were brought in to fill the time between runs. Ah, The Little Red Wagon, the Back Up Pick Up, Hemi Under Glass, Chuck Poole’s Chuckwagon, Chevy Rebellion….. Maybe I’d find it a little easier to love this thing if those zoomie headers were attached to a bed mounted, Hilborn injected, big block Ford!
Had a Hot Wheels that looked like this as a kid, that was my first thought when I saw this. Very groovy.
Well, as far as a custom rig,it’s cool, but I think driving it would be a disaster. That V8 over the front can’t help, the 6 was too heavy. I’d think a mid-engine would be more practical. Neat looking hot rod, but with that power and ill handling, someone gonna wrap it around a tree.
Actually, the V8 should be about 12” behind the front axle, depending on how they mounted the motor. 62 never came with a V8
Rocket gasser wheels on the front with some wheelie bars would complete the look. Very cool at a very fair price for all the work.
Anyone who had a passion for Hot Wheels as a kid, now has a chance to own the real deal.
I love the the look and appreciate the execution of this truck, as I loved the 70s street freak look! The only thing I’d change would be to chrome the zoomies and bumpers.
I love it and would keep it as is. These trucks are rad and the forward control vehicles are my favorite.
The cops would “love” those headlights, the window tint, pipes & possibly the gas tank up front.
Got a hot wheels look for sure, downside is these trucks don’t handle stock. Add some more weight over the front axle kick up the rear, heaven help ya if you try and stop it in a hurry. Nice paint!
yup, well said, “luv it or hate it”,
Y do they all ways copy SoCal?
Ohio has it own style (could have done it so).