(first posted 12/9/2016) I spotted this Econonline in the transitional, mixed-income neighborhood of Chicago known as Uptown, several years back. I had seen it street-parked in different locations over the course of a year, so it appeared to be fully mobile and operational. It seemed prone to one flat tire (front, passenger’s side, if I recall correctly), so I wondered if it had a bent rim up there. Over the span of about a year, I came to see this van almost as if it was an old relative who had seen it all.
This generation of Econoline has been written up here by Paul N., and there’s really nothing factual to be added to that comprehensive piece. The model itself is a fascinating automotive artifact compared to cargo transporters of today, with its solid front and rear axles, bus-driver steering position, the “doghouse” in the front part of the passenger compartment through which the engine was serviced, and its tricky, front-heavy handling.
The Heavy Duty version of the Econoline was introduced for ’64, featuring heavier springs, 14-inch wheels, and a stronger rear axle. The SuperVan, with its 18-inch rear body extension, was introduced for ’65, along with a optional, larger, 150-horse, 240-c.i. inline-six. This particular example looks to have led the life of a true workhorse. It’s a panel van with no rear side windows, for starters, and it clearly has not been pampered all of its life. My favorite thing about this van, besides all of its chrome bits and trim pieces, is that its rattle-canned overcoat of rust-colored primer had started to peel off in places and reveal a lovely, very 1960’s shade of what I think of as “Sears aqua”.
If only this Econoline could speak, I could have sat there and listened for an hour. It has been predicted in comments on posts from several months ago (probably accurately, in my opinion) how cars of today will have shorter lifespans than those from, say, thirty-plus years ago that had much simpler mechanicals. It is exactly this sense of simplicity that had endeared this Econoline to me. Its authenticity is what makes it cool. And I like that it’s not just a van…it’s a “SuperVan”, here to the rescue for all your cargo transporting needs!
This Econoline’s flaking paint also calls to mind something more personal. Toward the end of my father’s life in his late 70’s, his “filter” had worn off considerably from roughly fifteen years prior when I had left home for college. My (then) high school-aged, younger brother was the primary beneficiary of Dad’s newfound frankness, getting to hear tales of Dad’s adventures of his younger days that I had never been told (or, admittedly, perhaps hadn’t recalled). I didn’t see this as Dad – himself, a thoughtful, intense, studious, former college professor – having withheld information from me so much as I saw it as him becoming someone who was only reflecting more of himself as he couldn’t help but do at that stage of his life.
Like this van, Dad’s “paint” was then peeling off, revealing more of what was underneath – and I liked it. Though I try to live as authentically and as real a life as I am given the power to do, I can only hope I will be as fortunate to live long enough to see huge chunks of my own paint flake off, hopefully to no one’s chagrin. As with my dad and this van, may folks around me in those days appreciate my hard-earned patina.
Uptown, Chicago, Illinois.
As photographed between July 2013 through February 2014.
Additional related reading:
- From Jim Grey: Craigslist Find: 1965 Ford Falcon Van – As Close to Showroom Fresh As You’ll Find;
- From Longrooffan: Curbside Classic: 1963 Ford Falcon Station Bus: A “Compact” Minivan; and
- From Perry Shoar: CC Effect In Action: 1967 Ford Econoline – Starting Over.
Wow, what a great piece Dennis. The photos are excellent as well.
Thanks for the fantastic photos once again Joseph. They inspire me.
Did the extra length and weight in back improve handling enough over the earlier versions ?
I was wondering the same thing, or at the very least it may have helped traction.
A great question. In my research, I was unable to confirm if the 165-lb. weight that was fitted over the rear axle to improve weight distribution was only for the “Heavy Duty” variants, or standard equipment. I can’t imagine that the extra 18″ out back on the SuperVan, especially with no cargo in it, did much to improve weight distribution – especially when the van was fitted with the larger Six.
Anyone with firsthand experience?
The SuperVan undoubtedly had better weight distribution with that extra body out back. I’m pretty sure that the extra weight added to the short bodies by Ford was not needed here.
That’s not say that the SuperVan exhibited intrinsically good balance by any means. A wheelbase stretch, like Chevy and Dodge did, would have been the better way to go.
Coming from a long line of filterless gentlemen, I’ll say “Right on, Mr. Dennis!” 🙂
We keep it real in Michigan. 🙂
Another great piece.
The building the Econoline is parked in front of reminds me of an old Victorian, like the ones in Brush Park in Detroit, except more modern and squared off. I wonder what this architectural style is called?
I’m not sure what the architecture is called, but you’re right about it being post Victorian. If it were in Pittsburgh, It would have been likely built between 1905 and 1915. But since this building is in Chicago it actually could be a decade older. In those days Chicago architecture was seemingly a decade ahead of most of the US!
The off-center doorway is interesting, and unusual on this type of building. It seems to be in that transitional period between Victorian and neoclassical?.
The off center door is rather unusual. In an architecturally more conservative city, it would be smack dab in the middle. But Chicago was THE center of “modern” architecture in the late 19th and early 20th Century, “Thinking outside of the box” (a term I hate..) was not unusual there. That’s why it’s hard to date this building. Some styles from 1890s Chicago look like 1910 buildings elsewhere!
There is a certain refreshing element of one’s paint starting to peel. Joe you have prompted thoughts of my grandfather, one who seems to enjoy his paint having flaked off and is all the more enjoyable for it, much like this old Ford.
Thank you!
“Albert” is *the man*, from what I’ve read in your pieces!
Bizarre. The closeup shot of the Ford lettering looks like four smokestacks.
Wow, didn’t notice that at first. You’re right.
It’s like the van is channeling the ghosts of the smokestacks from the River Rogue plant.
One of your best, Joe. I wondered how this worn Econoline was like your father and my question was answered. Also, “Sears aqua” will be one of my descriptors henceforth.
You made me think of a paradox: most cars of the 60s didn’t last nearly as long as those of today last. But the outliers and survivors will last so much longer due to their simplicity. It is amazing that this one has stayed as nice as it has in one of the least car-friendly climates there is.
This paradox was my thought exactly.
Beautiful piece, both words and pictures. The SuperVan developed a perfect urban camouflage.
“…its tricky, front-heavy handling.”
I recently met a guy with a ’67 Econoline pickup. He said he had the thing up to 80 or 85 MPH. I said nothing but was thinking “No way would I attempt such a feat in that. I like myself too much.”
Love the emblems on these 60s Fords:
Here’s another emblem over what I believe to be the original color of your example – Tropical Turquoise:
Some of the new Chevy trucks have emblems that say “High Country”. I would imagine that they’d be stolen to hang in the bedrooms of young stoners. They’ll never last 50 years on a vehicle like these ones did.
Not only was the handling tricky, but for those of us used to cars with hoods, a lot of the cues about where to position yourself on the road were different. A friend had a Dodge “A” van. We decided that the steering wheel did not so much turn the vehicle, but rather made the world scroll to the left or scroll to the right. For some reason the effect was more pronounced in his Dodge than it was in the VW busses he had later. Or maybe we were just used to it by then.
“We decided that the steering wheel did not so much turn the vehicle, but rather made the world scroll to the left or scroll to the right.”
HaHaHa – Best thing I’ve read this week!
The effect was all the more noticeable because in addition to sitting in front of the axle, we were teenagers whose internal clocks went a mile a minute, the van was really slow, and the big split windshield was huge. When you turned, there was a lot more sensation of things going by sideways than there was of anything actually getting closer!
“If this van’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’ “
Needs ‘Free Candy’ painted over the side door
Here ya go
Joe, you’re an inspiration sometimes. I love the personal references in these pieces, and sharing these bits about your Dad made me think of all of the colorful aspects of my own now departed father and wish I had the time to share so many of those old stories, many of which are easily woven into an automotive context. In truth I never thought of my father as a “Car Guy” while he was here, but looking back through his own COAL’s and pondering some of our interactions in his day I’ve come to realize just how much of that we actually did have in common. (Apparently there were more commonalities than I might ever have admitted to in my younger years, which probably explains our often tempestuous relationship.)
Between reading this piece today and Paul’s note yesterday regarding contributions and ad revenues I’ve got it in my head to resolve in ’17 to start giving back to this site, which adds so much to my day. Life changes, relationship changes and an impending move make that a challenge, but a worthwhile one, I’m sure.
Re the Econoline, it actually brings to light an early memory of my own. This exact generation of Ford van is etched in my memory from the age of about 3. The first time I’m aware of having witnessed a serious accident on the highway involved one of these on a slick wet and icy roadway in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. Riding in the back seat (sans car seat or seatbelt of course, it was ca. 1970, remember) I can still recall plastering my face against the foggy window of our ’68 LeMans as we crawled past an overturned Econoline like this, surrounded by emergency vehicles. The van was a goldish color, was laying on its side and had a spider crack with a bloody imprint on its windshield. Its driver was on a stretcher in the adjacent traffic lane while a line of cars including ours sloshed by slowly on the shoulder. Maybe it was because my mother was frantically instructing me to look away, or maybe it was just because this was a new phenomenon that I hadn’t been aware was possible, but to this day every time I see one of these vans with its sideways teardrop headlight surrounds I flash back to that odd moment. A young mind is impressionable in the weirdest of ways.
That’s why she didn’t want you to look
MTN, thank you so much for the kind words. There are certain cars that I will always associate with my dad, even though I wouldn’t consider him (like your dad) a “car guy” – the early Plymouth Duster, the late-60’s Renault R10, and the Renault Encore.
About that accident, my gosh – that must have freaked you out. As it is, though, when a parent or adult tells a kid not to do something, what else are we going to do but the thing we’re not supposed to? Human nature, I guess. I also remember things from about that age. It’s crazy, because one of my nephews is exactly the same way – he remembers things from when he and I were playing with Matchbox cars when he was about three, and he’s now 14. Blows my mind.
Good God Mr. Dennis you have a way with words. Great piece!
Great job as always, Joseph.
There’s one of these in similar condition that is still hanging on in my neighborhood off Division St. It’s moved around quite regularly as well. It always brings a smile to my face to see it around.
Great vehicle, great piece. And where else on the internet would you find this sort of thing? This is exactly what makes Curbside Classic such a gem. Every car has a story indeed
I love this van and your write-up.
I rode in the back floor of a SuperVan like this often, the vehicle the Baltimore Sun newspaper distributor that delivered the bundles of papers delivered as a paper boy. The smell of fresh ink is inextricably linked with these vans for me.
I feel a similar kinship with my ’66 F100. It’s the unvarnished side of my personality, which is why I can’t imagine “restoring” it. It’s the real me.
And we’re both heading down the road to our final demise together; it’s just a question of which one of us gets there first. Probably me, as I’m shedding body parts faster than it is.
Wow – I think I’ve read that the sense of smell is the strongest trigger of memories, so I think it’s cool that the sight of one of these SuperVans reminds you of delivering newspapers and the smell of the ink.
About age, it’s funny. When I turned 40, I used to joke with people that my “factory warranty” had just expired, because stuff just started randomly breaking. Overall, though, I am so thankful for my health. It’s all relative, as they say. 🙂
THANK YOU Joseph ! .
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I’m getting to the same place with my Son ~ I am now retired (sort of) and want to share with him all the foolishness I did as cautionary tales, when he was young I didn’t want him to think the foolish and dangerous things I did were O.K. or worse ‘cool’ =8-^.
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He’s 38 and has a 1.7 year old Daughter so hopefully he’ll not think too poorly of me for not sharing more when he was younger .
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Your honest story telling and introspection is nice to read .
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Back to the van :
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I _LOVE_ it having ridden in, worked with and on these when they were fairly new .
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This one looks fairly free of the tin worm and would be terrific if fully restored, maybe used as a movie vehicle or something…
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-Nate
Nate, what you just said is exactly what I had assumed about my dad – he probably held back on some of those stories of his young adulthood from me only as to not necessarily encourage the repeating of certain things. But my younger brother and I came along later in his life (my dad was already in his mid-40’s when I was born), so I liked that my younger brother got to experience, as a teenager, my dad as he was in his retirement…relaxed, candid, and just about as real as it got.
I agree this would make a great movie vehicle…if they can just keep that one tire inflated. Thanks also for the kind words.
I find it interesting that employed the same cave-man level extension job, tacking on an piece at the end, on and off sporadically over decades. Strangely, the G2 Vans (I call them “Ironside Vans”) escaped this indignity. Reappeared on the Nantuckets. Only to vilified in 15 passenger form as a danger to life and limb.
GM was late to the extended van party (1990-ish???) but at least they did it properly, stretching the wheelbase.
“Ironside” vans are my favorite generation.
Peeled paint is good, long as don’t let yourself rust through.
My buddy had one of these in high school. It was brown and an ex telephone company van. I remember him tinkering with the engine from inside the cab via the dog house. This was a great feature for cold Alberta winters. He later got a pick up model with a 351 wedged in the front that could lift the front tires, that thing was scary and liked to overheat. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I love the slight “forward lean” of these. It implies speed without looking silly. If it were mine I’d definitely repaint it in the aptly described “Sears Aqua”!
I love the color just the way it is–everything about this van is perfect. Hit it with some matte clearcoat to protect the finish and rock on. Great story and great images, as is always the case. Love the one of the emblem illuminated by headlights particularly–Joseph, you are a very talented photographer.
I hadn’t known these existed in extended form until a couple years ago when I ran into one of this one’s relatives. Not a heavy duty, and it’s wearing the windowed rear doors from a Travel Wagon version, but close otherwise:
+1? !
I am reminded that Ford was using Buster Keaton in some Econoline commercials about this time. Including one for the new Super Van.
Of the big three silent comedians, Buster Keaton is my favorite. I don’t find Chaplin funny at all, but Harold Lloyd is real close to Buster.
I *loved* this ad, JP – I remember stumbling onto this earlier. Buster Keaton…just awesome. Love the ragtime piano soundtrack in the background.
Yep,Rag,Jazz,Blues…. Well at least I know how I’ll “burn off” a Saturday. (at least until Svengoolie comes on…) ?
What a great ad, funny and creative. I love the part where Buster and the Lion both cover their eyes at the same time. Brilliant!
Everyone, thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to read this. I guess the holiday season has me reflecting a little bit more about family stuff, so I’m thankful for a forum in which I can both do that and tie it in with my automotive finds from time to time. Have a great weekend, all.
God Bless and Happy holidays! ? ?? +1!
Excellent article, Joseph (from back before I was following CC every day…so it’s all new to me!).
Love the photos and the whole piece.
And that Buster Keaton ad that JPC brought up in the comments is priceless. This reminds me of an excellent book about Keaton by film critic Dana Stevens that came out in the past year. Part of the thesis of this book (which I highly, highly, recommend) is that Keaton’s life and career nearly perfectly parallels the trajectory of the entertainment industry and technology over the course of the 20th century. A must read for any fan of Keaton and/or person with an interest around 20th century history.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Camera-Man/Dana-Stevens/9781501134197
Buster Keaton died Feb 1, 1966. It’s good to know that he was still a player until the end. Lucky man!
It’s got a Heavy Duty Bootie!
One of your best, Joseph.
Wonderful connection between the vehicle losing its paint and your father losing his filter…
Thank you so much, Huey.
One of your best, Joseph.
Wonderful connection between the vehicle losing its paint and your father losing his filter…