I have to admit it. I really don’t like vans very much. I’d like to give you a reasoned reason why, but I think it stems from childhood trauma. My father had a 1973 Econoline van in ratty condition, complete with a sliding door that would fall out of the track when opened and a blown out muffler. Every. Single. Time. I was in junior high school at the time, and would beg him every morning to drop me off out of sight of the school. Oh, no. Not a chance of that. Out front. Every Single. Time. To add to my daily ration of mental abuse, I would have to go out the sliding door. Needless to say, I feel fortunate that I didn’t end up a serial killer or something. So, it takes a lot for me to say that I like a van. With that being said, I really find this 1965 Ford Econoline van to be pretty cool. Found on Craigslist in Morgan Hill California by faithful reader Rocco B., this refurbished Econoline can be had for an economical $11,500.
Whoever did the work on this one expertly found the balance between originality and restoration. The Cadenasso Wines signage was preserved, but the rest of the van was restored to the Wimbeldon White and Marlin Blue exterior it left the factory with. When you step inside, the van is paneled with Dynamat to keep out the heat and the rolling down the hill in a barrel sounds of a commercial van. Powertrain wise, the reliable 170 cubic inch Ford inline six cylinder was rebuilt, and many of the mechanicals from the brakes to the water pump were replaced or refreshed. The only item that I see that might cause me concern would be the covering of the floor with a hardwood floor overlay. I think it looks great, but I would ask the current owner questions about any hidden rust. Other than that, the interior has been tastefully updated to match the unique exterior. The combination is one that looks great, and even makes me like it. After the traumas of my youth, that is a big step in my road to recovery.
I don’t get it. I see a common van that has a drivetrain that will get run over by a VW Van.
How did these get to be 5 digit vehicles?
Answer to your question when VW buses became 6 digit vehicles.
Well, it’s only a 5 digit vehicle if they actually GET 5 digits for it.
I’ve seen these vans , 65-70 or so, in better condition go for 3 grand, higher mileage maybe, but in cherry condition. I don’t get it either.
One word = $patina$
Miguel – “How did these get to be 5 digit vehicles?” – Maybe because, it survived?
I don’t think that is enough.
Here is part of the reason Miguel.
https://youtu.be/ng0yavQjfAA
A song makes this van worth over 10K?
Check out the Econoline v Rampside video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6RNp153JSw.
Interesting as Chevrolet demonstrates how the Corvair Vans are superior to the Ford in every way
Maybe so but growing up in the Chicago metro area all I seen in the 60’s was Econolines being used by the telephone company, Electric company, small business companies as commercial vehicles. So Chevrolet did something wrong somewhere.
The price seems fair considering the work that’s already been done, us DIY folks would obviously have gotten it cheaper and upgraded the engine.
I had a 63 Econoline that I bought from a laundry company for $300, I learned to drive manual trans with it’s three on the tree. Ran great but used a lot of oil, kept my friends happy on Saturday nites at the drive-in as it hauled a lot of coolers of beer.
Took drivers education in a van like this, had three on a tree and I didn’t need a key
As they say, it’s only original once, and is this? 11.5?? Ewww…
This is nowhere near original.
1st car I ever ran out of gas in. NONE of them have working fuel gauges! And yes, it was the 1st time she’d been in the car… Luckily her dad the plumber owned also owned one, so she thought my mortification was FUNNY…We still talk about it 40 years on….My grandfather had one of the 1st ones which were badged “Falcon”. It would backfire and catch on fire about 3x a year. One week after I sold mine I found a wrecked one with a super rare FOUR speed on the column with Ford stickers on the dash and sun visor warning the operator of the “odd” gear change arrangement. Would have kept my 67 if it had been a 4 speed. Worn shift bushings meant climbing under it and banging on the shift levers when it got caught in reverse AND 2nd at the same time…Oh the memories……
I, in fact, have a Ford 4 speed on the Column transmission from this era, if anyone is interested in it.
That happens to most of the three-on-the-trees I currently have. The make doesn’t matter on that one.
The ad is already down, so someone may have jumped on it.
I would have taken a different approach to the new paint/save the signage effect. The signage is in a recessed panel that forms a band around the van where the windows would be on others. I would have preserved that band and repainted the rest to match the nose panel.
In the early days of my law enforcement career, I found that teenagers who drove Econoline vans love to hide their beer in the engine compartment between the seats when being stopped. The beer always seemed to end up falling out on on the ground though.
And hot
that 170 is a lill tractor! It plows a full blade of heavy wet sno uphill no probs…