The Thames 800-E was a small van produced by Ford in the late 1950s and 1960s. They are reminiscent of the early Ford Econoline vans sold in the U.S. (the Thames was not). This example from 1961 has been customized along the lines of the Scooby Doo cartoon van but has a 454 cubic inch Chevy V8 sandwiched where it counts. This is the second time we’ve seen this interesting find, but that was nearly two years ago. It may have sold and is changing hands again or never moved the first time. Here on eBay, this wild-and-crazy van is in Ogden, Utah, and is available here on eBay where interested-party bidding has gotten to $3,350.
Our own Jeff Lavery first reviewed this nifty piece in October 2021 here on Barn Finds. At the time, the photographs and apparent description were better than this time around, which suggests the vehicle did turn over and is on the market once more. At that time, bidding was up to $6,800 which is twice what the going rate is for it now (so far). It ran and drove then and today, but we’re told there are wiring issues that must be addressed.
You have to wonder how a van like this came to be. The vehicle first had to make its way to the U.S. from England at a time when Ford already had a similar domestic product, and the rest of Detroit was ramping up. Then someone decided to customize it along with the “shaggin’” craze which passed us by some years ago. And the customizers wanted it to go fast with a big-block V8 and automatic transmission instead of a lowly 4 or 6-cylinder engine with 3-on-the-tree.
No mention is made if any of the rust issues it had two years ago have since been addressed. Or if the suggestion to install wheelie bars to handle the extra torque of the bigger motor was ever dealt with. We’re guessing the van is the same as it was in 2021 and will transfer from the seller to the buyer without a title. The seller says he/she has a VIN inspection but never “finished the process” (of legalization?). Please review Jeff’s notes on this fascinating artifact.
That wing is highly aspirational!
Oddly enough, the last review for the seller shows the item as a ’61 Ford Scooby-Doo surfer van.
and it was in the last year. Wonder what soured that deal.
Wow, the classic auto bastardizers can’t even keep their mitts off English Fords.
Arrrgggghhhhhhhhhhh, ( taking breath) arrrggghhhhhhhhh, now this is going too far, how do they (BFs) do it? No Reserve 1972 Ford Bronco Project I, well, we had a Thames ( pronounced “Temz”, a bloke corrected me once) an older 400e also called “Freighter”. In the 70s, my old man had a warehouse for his construction biz, and the Thames was in there, left by the previous renter. It was complete, no title, no rust, 4 cylinder, column 3 speed,( maybe a 4 speed?) but never got it going and was used as a storage shed out back for years. After me and my brother “grew up” and moved out, the old man scrapped it. I was upset, as I wanted to fix it someday. I believe it was more than coincidence the Econoline was similar and I read, the Thames was used as inspiration, although, I doubt any parts interchange. These were the workhorses of England, and came in many forms, from flatbed trucks, to ambulances, to buses, it was that universal. Cool find, and I never thought I’d see one again. As a member of BarnFinds, how silly of me. Thx for the mems,,,again.
The Thames vans were sold new in Canada before the Econoline came along. Once that happened, they quit importing them. I had one a long time ago. They actually used the standard Ford bolt pattern so nice mags fit easily. Single large side door was nice.
This is one that I would definitely get running and driving good then get it looking like the Scooby van from the original cartoon I just think it would be fun.
No picture of the engine
NO TITLE
Seller found a VIN but won’t tell.
and he sold it last year and got positive feedback
so he is selling it again.
WOW
relics can B nice. A moving sculpture. I like other models by the company like the
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFnuWdteZ2I
an anglia copy.
/OR/
(my standard reply seems to always B: ‘italian”) the autobianchi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobianchi_Bianchina#/media/File:Autobianchi_Bianchina_Furgoncino_tetto_basso.JPG
Hada cheb van (“108”, 8 dor, ‘no window’) in the day. The motor between the seats was a lill noisy (even w/the deadin I added) & the whole idea ofa square box is the use of space. Y take up inside room then? The best? to me were the ‘pre-mini vans’ of ’80s: stanza, tercel, eagle summit (in whatever the Mitsu who made it was too), honda ‘real time’, champ wagon (twin stick), etc
No title, no sale PERIOD! At least in Ohio, so hard pass, too few pictures, too little information also.
ro-ro … raggy …