JDC is back with another weird and wild tip – this time, he found us a 1964 Econoline van plopped onto a Tucker Sno-Cat chassis. What’s not to like! Well, ok, the ad here on facebook Marketplace is about as brief as can be, so that’s inconvenient – but we do learn that the engine is a 302 cu. in V8. The seller wants $25k for this mechanical concoction, and it’s located in Milan, Michigan.
The van has shed traditional steering in lieu of joysticks that control the tracks; looks like we have an automatic transmission, too. Most tracked vehicles can’t move very fast, so I’d love to know what this 302 is able to achieve out there on the snow. And speaking of the 302, shoving that engine into a first-gen Econoline was a trick: these vans were configured for mid-mounted sixes. But it can be done, and here’s proof.
This funky Econoline is christened “Bumble’s Snowshack”, a fitting reference to the Abominable Yeti from the 1964 television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The van was born the same year that Bumble made his debut, though the TV special is still running – digitally remastered and in hi-def – while the Econoline has been transformed beyond recognition. Someone added what might be orange headlamps to Bumble’s nacelles – the better to see in the snow at night, no doubt.
Plenty of room for passengers in the three rows of seating, and while the photos aren’t the best, the cabin appears to be in decent condition. Ford made the Econoline in panel, cargo, pickup, and passenger body styles; this one is the Club Wagon passenger van.
Lest you think vans on tracks are rare – they’re not. People have been putting vehicles onto tracked chassis since there have been people. This example is a 1917 Model T; or a VW might be more your style; here’s a Chevy Astro, where cohesion of design apparently went out the window. These guys have a whole flock of tracked vehicles custom-built to handle any job. What do you think – does this vintage snow gladiator have appeal?
The banner headline could be misleading, it could very well be “no fun” getting this baby stuck. One could argue, they ruined two nice machines, the Sno-Cat and a decent Econoline. For the record, I don’t think this is a Tucker chassis, as Sno -Cats had individual out rigger tracks, and like Kleenex, all tracked snow vehicles are Sno-Cats, not so. I’d say this looks more like a vintage Bombardier Bombi chassis with the tires, like the one Scotty posted a while back. No doubt a lot of work here. I’d have to think this could make for some tense rides. Heavy snow is unpredictable what lies beneath, and I’ve seen Sno-Cats hopelessly stuck requiring a helicopter for removal. There are places this would be great, like a shuttle on a lake, frozen for best results, or down an abandoned RR right of way, it is pretty neat.
Great write-up, Michelle. This looks like a fun vehicle, and far better in adverse conditions than just a 2wd 60’s van, which I think is the point.
And we can all get tracks for our vehicles now, just look at
http://www.americantracktruck.com/
So now you can put tracks on one or more of your vintage cars, Michelle. Which one will you start with?
“if the van is a trackin’, don’t come a knackin”?
Sorry, I’ll show myself out.
Holy cow, tracks for all! Maybe the quote wasn’t “let them eat cake”, maybe it was really “let them get tracks”… Kinda sounds the same, right?
Tough call, the answer to your question. I’d probably duck that one for anything I currently own, but how about a Suzuki Samurai on tracks!
Great choice, a Samurai seems like it was made for tracks. Heck, I’d own one.
These would look great on an AMC Eagle.
YAH ! , an SXS :)
Crazy stuff that people do..
Have a friend that bought a scissor lift in a little NorCal town recently where the seller that had the lift was building an axle-adjustable 6 wheel drive ‘70’s VW using a early model little Ranger 4×4 chassis and engine.
The conversion here is a lot more useful build IMO.
I think this thing is wild. Truth be told, my first thought when I saw this was….. So this is what the Mystery Machine would have looked like if Scooby-Doo and the gang were based out of Alaska. Ok, all kidding aside, Michelle, you promised us ” different, unique finds” and you most certainly delivered!!! Thank you.
as an Econoline owner and enthusiast i must input here :
the Scooby Doo van is a ’68 Chevrolet Handy Van.
Most of us Econoliners get more than a lil annoyed that people will say ‘oh a Scooby van’ ; even when its a 3rd gen. Ford 🤷
Glad you have a penchant for the weird Michelle.
Nicely done. The orange lights do work better in snow and the “eye lids”divert glare from the driver’s eyes.
I will take this opportunity to age myself. This thing reminds me a lot of The Chariot that the Robinson’s used on their “universal trecks” during the 1960s on the sci-fi series Lost in Space (FIRST RUNS which I watched faithfully each week). I understand that The Chariot used on the show actually had a Ford engine 😳.
Awesome!!
Most definitely NOT a Tucker, My best guess is a Thiokol
OH MY WORD ! , WOW, AWESOME 👀
nice find Barn Finds.
Thats a sweet deal too, almost cheap.
The van is a top of the line model in amazing condition. A 302 doesnt just bolt in to these first gens, so thats a bonus, the condition of all its rare parts, the chrome/stainless trim then factor its a ‘sno-cat’ or what ever, just WOW !
If a ski lodge owner saw this theyd snatch it up. Itd be functional for many different winter outfits. Besides its just a really good looking vehicle.
For $25 ?!, sweeet find.
I wonder if one could put wheels on it somehow for the ‘off season’..
as an Econoline owner, restorer and enthusiast i must input here:
the Scooby Doo van is a ’68 Chevrolet Handy Van.
Most of us Econoliners get more than a lil annoyed that people will say ‘oh a Scooby van’ ; even when its a 2nd or 3rd gen. Ford 🤷
* correction: ’65 GMC
It does look good. There’s a lot of time and money in there.
Whoever buys this is guaranteed to have the only one at Cars & Snow Cones. ;)
Maybe I should buy this thing and use it as a sand cat down here in Florida. I’ll bet it would get some stares.
A++++++ for creativity!!!!! C- for utility! It only has a few uses and places to operate…. $25K for something interesting? You have to have a lot of loose cash lying around… Could this be a Jay Leno vehicle?
we usta use the yellow for the ‘fog’. When sno hits warm air @ dew point this will = fog. Yellow collects the lght (in frnt of the eys) so: drivers, skiers, others see bedd-ah.
I think the above post might have said ‘motor connected to track frame, van attached to frame’. These hada weird motor mount which hung it from clips suspending it from above (not our today-standard ‘motor mounts’).
Some how (ford van forum? in it’s ‘odd ball’ § ?) I remember seeing this B4. I think from noticing the designs below the side chrome. I like the way they finished it (the sheet metal). I’d mig-a-sheet over the rear 8 windows (leave the lill triangles behind driver’s/passenger’s heads), foam spray the interior (for insulation) & panel – asa winter camper. Take a trip w/full LARGE gas tank inside. Off load (may B by hose). Get rid of tank, go back for camp interior (bed, stove, etc) and take some long trips where one could NEVER go on ‘off season’ (no sno time). Sno travel makes more of the out back available, less ‘occupied’ & I love the brisk, refreshing~
I should buy it to scavenge the sheet metal I can’t get for my econoline