Time Machine: 1973 Ford Econoline Van

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The “Van” era was a cool place in time, and some of the period correct vans that pop up out of the wood work are true rolling works of art like this 1973 Ford Econoline van. With groovy and intricate paint work, there is no mistaking the era of this machine. In fabulous original condition, the seller has recently installed a new engine to this fine looking machine. Ready to roll to your favorite groove, this van is offered for $11,000. Check it out here on craigslist out of Spokane, Washington.  Pat L. is on top of the cool finds again with this awesome Ford. Thanks Pat!

Originality is fine and great, but old vans like this can often be a bit tattered and musty inside from long periods of storage. On the brightside, this van is particularly clean inside and does not appear to need any work.  While I am a bit disappointed at the lack of an 8 track player, I guess I could manage to live without that feature. A fresh engine has recently been installed, and it would seem the seller converted this van to an automatic transmission.

In the back there is a sleeping area decked out with wood paneling, and two classy port hole windows with aluminum trim.

With many colors and a lot of detail in the paint, this van is really a fine rolling work of art. It is incredible to see the amount of work that was put into these vans back in their heyday. Also the 5 slot mags and side pipes are just plain cool on this old ford. While there are many good things about this van, the best thing of all is its rust free condition. What tunes would you listen to in this old Ford van?

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Comments

  1. Rock On

    I think that I would probably cruise to this.
    https://youtu.be/ng0yavQjfAA
    This one I would chill out to.
    https://youtu.be/IBNRfZlGatw

    Like 0
  2. R Soul

    I had a 1969 Econoline, no side or back windows with a three on the tree. It had a station wagon rack on the roof.

    Like 8
    • SSPBill

      I love it! In “On Any Sunday” there was a quick shot of a dude loading a track bike in the back of a white Econoline just like yours. I don’t know why but I always remember that brief shot and loved the van.

      Like 5
    • Dan House

      I not only had that van(74 fire engine red happy hunter)but I have that same bike!

      Like 0
  3. Dean

    “Bruce Berry was a workin’ man, he used to load that Econoline van”- Neil Young

    Had a few friends with these “shaggin’ wagons”. Patchouli incense and blacklites with Hendrix and Ten Years After posters…good times

    Like 9
    • Mountainwoodie

      :) to Hendrix and Ten Years After…..and to the late Bruce Berry!

      Like 4
  4. Superdessucke

    No doubt Chevy Van by Sammy Johns and relish the irony. Also Free Ride by the Edgar Winter Group, Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts, Melissa by the Allman Brothers, Afternoon Delight by the Starland Vocal Band, Reelin in the Years by Steely Dan and many others.

    Too bad I don’t have that much spare cash laying around. This would be a nice occasional escape from driving around in a ’15 Honda Accord 4 door every day. Nothing against that car of course. It’s a good car. But nothing like this.

    Like 8
  5. Rock On

    If you are going cruising you have to crank up some Boogie Van.
    https://youtu.be/ng0yavQjfAA

    Like 3
  6. RoughDiamond

    It’s hard to beat the front end styling of that era of Econoline vans. I just wished they had kept the three on the tree manual transmission.

    Like 3
  7. Howard A Howard AMember

    Lot of nervous fathers when this unit showed up,,,

    Like 9
  8. Bobroy Rivera

    We had a 1970 Econoline 100 yellow with chrome grill bumpers, side mirror and polished aluminum sides exhaust and polished mag wheels. Wood paneling and bench seat turns to a bed. 302 v8 automatic transmission wish I can find one again .

    Like 0
  9. Michael

    Don’t know why anyone would be disappointed due to the lack of an 8 – track player. Horrible system. Nice van, though. Love the wheels and side pipes.

    Like 1
  10. Dean

    The 8-track completes the package..for nostalgia. Sure, they sucked…so did the four track…as did those horrid 120 minute cassettes, but decent splicing kits were available for the 8-track.

    Like 3
  11. Rex Kahrs Rex Kahrs

    In-a-gadda-da-vida, with the now-unthinkable 18-minute drum solo.

    Like 3
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      Ah, that dates ya’ Rex. Besides, it was Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter Group. (also)
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ8tepLoI4w

      Like 1
      • Rich

        When I was 12 my 22-year-old brother took me to my first concert. The opening act was Iron Butterfly followed up by Edgar Winter (that may have been Johnny – I’m a tad vague on that part…it was probably something in the air;) and the headliners were Jefferson Airplane… I loved California concerts then and, since I’m going to see Roger Daltrey in a month, I still love them now! But it’s really hard to forget Iron Butterfly’s Innagaddadavita because they stole the show! What a first concert. Later on I didn’t miss many shows in L.A. since my gf @ the time was a DJ on KLOS. (FREE!)

        And yes I had a super tricked out Dodge van.

        PS: The recent Oldchella (aka Desert Trip) w/McCartney, Stones,The Who, etc. was a well spent few hundred bucks!

        Like 5
    • Barry Klotz

      I have a copy of Iron Butterfly’s Live 8track somewhere in storage. Loved it. The drum solo was awesome. Thanks for the memories. BARRY

      Like 0
  12. KevinLee

    My Vo-Tech teacher had one just like this, but without the murals. Inside was all blue shag carpeting with no seats, except driver and front passenger. The class rode in it to a trade show 2 1/2 hours away in Dallas, no seat belts, just sitting on the shag carpeting.

    Like 3
  13. Wrong Way

    ZZ Top! That’s what would sound great in this van, but with a good sound system! I like it because it’s a Ford! Great ride!

    Like 4
  14. cmarvMember

    I had a 71, E200 in 79 (ex. plumbing co. van w/ 200k+ miles) . I put J.C. Whitney half moon windows in , paneling and insulation , a roof vent , a platform bed in back . Four Ansen Sprints , G60 Road Huggers up front and L60’s in back . I added a Pioneer FM 8 track underdash Supertuner and a Cobra 19 chanel CB in a homemade overhead console , I had a Panasonic B&W 12 volt TV too . It had a 302 , 2bbl , with 3 on the tree with homemade flexpipe dual exhaust . I had many a memorable night in that van . Then the frame where the steering box mounted rusted out and I ended up in a ditch with the left front tire under the rear . I miss that thing .

    Like 4
  15. wheelman

    Seat belts we didn’t need no stinking seat belts it was the 70’s. anything from Led Zepplin 4 would be good especially “When the levee breaks” or Black Sabbaths Paranoid album but the best way to hear any of the tunes was through house stereo speakers that were wired in that way everybody on the road got to hear!

    Like 3
  16. Pops

    Oh I’d definitely be jamming to some Foghat,Bob Seger, or some Deep Purple

    Like 1
  17. Joe

    1978, first year of college, driving a71 Econoline, completely tricked out. Velvet interior,murals on the sides. Picked up my blind date,set up by a fraternity brother. She refused to get in the van, said nice girls didn’t ride in those kinds of things. Finally convinced her to go out with me, had a great time. Found out she liked yellow sports cars. That weekend I sold the van, bought a brand new yellow rx7, (they had just come in at the local dealership). She loved that car. I still have the girl, wished I still had the rx7.

    Like 0
    • SSPBill

      Instead of the girl?

      Like 0

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