The moment I saw this short wheel base 1964 Ford Econoline Van, I thought of the Mystery Machine. Scooby-Doo’s transportation of choice might not have had a personality like Herbie, but it was an important part of the crime solving cartoon team. Even without the ability to drive or cause mischief on its own, it is still almost as recognizable and iconic as the Love Bug. The seller admits to having bought it with the intention of creating a Mystery Machine out of it, but lost interest and has decided to let it go to a new home. After being parked in a barn for 20+ years, it can now be found here on eBay.
Unlike Herbie, the make of the Mystery Machine isn’t so obvious and actually changed several times over the years, with the earliest example appearing to be a Chevy Greenbrier. Later versions looked more like this Ford Econoline, making it a perfect candidate. The make and model isn’t all that important, as long as it has the psychedelic paint job and some shag carpet. This van already has plenty of the later, if not too much. The ’60s were crazy and all, but was it really necessary to cover the dash, doors, and roof in this hideous multicolor shag? It appears the seats have also been changed out and the seller believes they are from a Chevy Vega, but it’s hard to tell from this angle.
The Econoline, like Chevy’s Greenbrier was meant to compete with VW’s popular bus. Also like the Chevy, the Ford was based on an existing model. Ford used the Falcon chassis to create their Van, but unlike the Chevy and VW, its engine wasn’t parked in the back. Instead it was positioned between and slightly aft of the front seats, facilitating the cab over design without extensive modification to the chassis. The seller doesn’t state much about the engine in this one, but we would assume it is the 170 cui straight-six and that it’s a long ways from running.
With some work and paint, this could be turned into the perfect Mystery Machine, but the interior has me a little concerned. I can only imagine the amount of glue that went into getting the carpet to stick and don’t get me started on what might be hiding in all that shag carpet. Whether this is turned into a van worthy of a Scooby treat or turned into a daily driver, it would certainly be an interesting project that would spark lots of conversations and bring back some good memories! Just be sure to not paint it flat black and tint the windows, as you may draw the attention of authorities. Would you turn this into a Mystery Machine or would you have a different plan? Let us know!
Cool. The last thing I would do is make that a mystery machine.
Jinkies! The pic of the interior looked like a massive mold outbreak at first. I was thinking of going the delivery/service van route with it but that’s out because of the back window. So now I’m thinking…art car??
Scooby, like wow! Too late! He’s gone to that great boneyard in the sky! – Shaggy
Wow a 64 Eco van was the first vehicle I purchased with my own money in 1969, $300 and it used more oil than gas but I have a lot of memories in that van. That shag carpet is a total 60’s hippie thing and I’m glad I didn’t do that to mine, I’d love to own it but to many projects now so I’ll have to pass.
Like Mark, my first thought was MOLD!, but then I saw that this is what we used to call a shaggin-wagon. I never owned one but there were times I wanted to.
The big question is, does it come with 4 of those cool mags, or just 3?
Wait….it looks like the 4th mag might be inside, just behind the engine cover.
I had a buddy with one. A death trap if you get into a front ender but oh’……..the things you could do in that van. Shag on shag comes to mind. But the biggest and best was loading it with surfboards and going up and down the Southern California coast for days and days. Then down to Ensenada Mexico to surf.
A teenage life only most could dream of but never realize. And all in that Ford Van……..
Thanks to all the gawds for a charmed existence…………….and to Bill, for owning the van.
the wooden front bumper might help in frontal crash, or not. i think i had carpet like that in a house i owned ” back in the day “. someone at BFs lusts after F/Cs . the ford van with 500 miles on it at the upcoming 4/25 auction would interest me more.
My pal next door had the same one. he spent an entire summer converting it to accepting a 302. at the end he did a nice job but man, what a shit load of work.
Petersen’s Complete Book of Pickups and Vans ran a fairly comprehensive article of changing up to a SBF. I’d be tempted to do that if I had one because that stock washing machine motor won’t pull the hat off your head, downhill with a tailwind.
In about ’66 or ’67 GM offered a 283 in its small vans. Very good idea because it made their driveability a lot better.
What was neat was that you could pop the hood from the driver’s seat (well, the engine cover) and there right next to you was the engine running! You could sit in the passenger seat and change the spark plugs or take off the carburetor.