One thing about old vans is how they manage to mix utilitarian traits with a hint of hipness, almost regardless of condition. Something few other vehicles can do. And this gen-1 Econoline captured by Nifticus392 at the Cohort seems to fit those qualities for me, with its repurposed doors, colorful body and classic slotted wheels.
The passenger side shows that this van is a work in progress, with a “Flatspot” graphic that seems to be in progress. No idea what that’s about, but does it matter? After all, vans are the ultimate make-to-your-liking vehicles.
More repurposing, recycling, and customization in the interior. As with many vans, originality… what’s the point? Make it yours, that’s what it’s all about.
Not sure if current vans will achieve the level of “hipness” some of these old ones have in my eyes. New ones are certainly more functional, but cool in an uncool way? I’ll have to give it time and see. In the meantime, these ones will more than do to please me in that sense.
Related CC reading:
Portlandia Outtake: Ford Econoline (gen 1) Mild Custom – Greysicle
1965 Ford Econoline Supervan Camper – The American Westfalia
Ford Econoline Travel Wagon – The American Westfalia Camper
Craiglist Find: 1965 Ford Falcon Van – As Close To Showroom Fresh As You’ll Find
We had a neighbor in the early 70s who drove an ex Bell Telephone van like this. He ended up in a head on collision and was in rehab for at least a year but he survived. I know these things were cool as all get out plus reliable. Most people just didn’t consider crash safety back then, it was for the other guy.
A nice survivor, I hope the letters get colored in ere long .
In 1964 I had to ride in a battered Econoline Club Wagon, that’s the one with three rows of seats and incredibly cheap & flimsy cardboard trim panels .
-Nate
One of the landmarks of my neighborhood walks is an Econoline pickup from this generation with similar slot mags, and paint that could be camouflage or patina, I’m not sure which.
Absent a front bumper, these have a “punched in the mouth” look.
Sixty plus year later this is still doing a job for someone. Great to see.
These were everywhere back in the day. I had a neighbor who was a plumber and had one as his truck. He would give his son and I rides on his way to wherever. I encountered many while in the used car business, mostly well used but still operating. Spinning doughnuts in the snow was always a weird sensation since you were sitting on the front wheels.
This one looks pretty straight, many of them were company trucks so they got used and abused. The front console where the gear shifter is mounted is home made, and the original engine cover is missing, or perhaps open as I can see the radiator cap. That would make a nice quiet ride. The rear bumper is not original, but I don’t off hand recognize it.
It’s good to see one still kicking.
That’s got the look of a rolling resto of an older Kustom job – perhaps that’s why it’s survived in pretty good condition?
Every time I see one of this vintage, it reminds me of 2 things. 1) A friend of my aunt’s years ago “Earl from the magic shop” had one, and the Chips Episode “Valley Go Home” [S3 E3] Where the Latino guys had a brown van like this, and they weren’t welcome at the beach, so the “surfer guys in the Olds Ambulance” told the Valley Guys they didn’t belong, and the wacky Hijinks begin.
Haha, I remember that episode, it was a great one. Both cliques mistakenly thought the other was responsible for damaging their sweet rides and waged a turf war against one another, resulting in a pretty heart-stopping chase and wreck of both vehicles at the end. By season 2 or 3, CHiPs had become a demolition derby with some of the gnarliest, unsafest stunts ever.