{"id":3442,"date":"2019-10-10T08:49:39","date_gmt":"2019-10-10T08:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/?p=3442"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:23:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:23:21","slug":"1991-ford-econoline-project-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/1991-ford-econoline-project-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"1991 Ford Econoline – Project Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, let\u2019s get the elephant out of the room. This van is a bit of a weird choice. However, stay with us, as we reckon there is some seriously untapped potential here. And not just for kidnappers or bank robbers from \u201890s crime flicks starring Robert De Niro. This van can be used for a large variety of things, legal things that is. Don\u2019t start kidnapping people or robbing banks – De Niro wouldn\u2019t like that. Instead, look at the potential here for a cool shop truck, or a stealth camper, or a race van (as in, a van to support your race car, not a van that actually races – though there\u2019s nothing stopping you).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ford Econoline<\/a> is a workaday van over on U.S soil, but over here is something a bit cooler, a bit more unique than your run of the mill Transit. As such, it\u2019s a great vehicle to promote your business, or to get your team to stand out that little bit more. And when is that ever a bad thing? Plus, being a common Ford, parts are only ever a few clicks of the internet away. There\u2019s really no reason not to buy this great old van.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"carandclassic,<\/a><\/p>\n

What is it?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a Ford Econoline, which is America\u2019s Ford Transit. In one guise or another, the Econoline has existed since 1961 and Stateside it\u2019s just as ubiquitous as its UK cousin. This is <\/span>the <\/span><\/i>van. It\u2019s the van you think of when you\u2019re asked to ponder an American van, it\u2019s the van that has become a pop culture icon thanks to being used in pretty much every film that involves a heist of some description (seriously, look at <\/span>IMDCB<\/span><\/a>) and above all else, it\u2019s a trusty, dependable workhorse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This particular Econoline is a 1991 third-generation, which means the last of that shape (third-gen ran from \u201875 to \u201891). This gives you some proper boxy \u201880s van looks, but with relatively modern underpinnings thanks to the 5.8 Windsor V8 mated to an automatic transmission. Yep, that\u2019s right, this boxy beast packs a V8, not a hum-drum TDCi diesel like our home-grown Ford vans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is it a project?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Well, in reality it\u2019s more of a blank canvas than project in the traditional sense of replacing panels and chasing rust. Happily, this particular van has had an easy life, covering just 104k delivering cakes! We\u2019re going to hope that rather than a faint whiff of builder body odor, this van instead smells of cake. It has to, surely?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"carandclassic,<\/a><\/p>\n

The vendor states that the van is a fresh import from the states, so fresh that it still wears the livery from the old cake company that kept it for all these years a spare van. He also says that all the NOVA paperwork is present and correct, so now it\u2019s just a case of getting it through an MOT and then it can be registered. Do remember though, you\u2019re going to need UK-spec headlights, along with other lighting modifications to make it compliant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other than that, this is a clean van that has had a life of light use. There are some signs of wear and a couple of scrapes that need attending to, but nothing major. Just get it through an MOT and then you can start your vanning adventures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five things to look for:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1) Load bed<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

As we said, the van has had an easy life moving cakes around. However, you should still have a good look at the load bed for any damage, as damage here can mean holes and holes can in turn mean rust. It\u2019s going to wear the odd battle scar, and that\u2019s fine. Just look for anything more significant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Engine<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The 5.8 Windsor in this big old beast is a strong and trusty engine. However, have a look for any history and also get the van running to see how it sounds. Parts are available, but you\u2019re going to have to buy from the States, and that means expensive shipping. So best to make sure it\u2019s fighting fit before you buy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Chassis<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Econoline is a body-on-chassis design, which is great as it\u2019s tough. However, it does mean you need to get down and have a look at the condition of the chassis. As a separate unit, it can rot away without the body giving the game away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Interior trim<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The vendor states that it\u2019s all present and correct, which we\u2019re sure it is. However, you should check it meets your standards – this is a working vehicle, so it might be a bit worn. If you want to replace anything, it\u2019s going to have to come from America.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Paperwork<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

We say it every time with an import vehicle, but only because it\u2019s very important. Check the import paperwork and make sure it all matches up. Happily, we know this vendor and this is what he does for a living, but it never hurts to satisfy yourself, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"carandclassic,<\/a><\/p>\n

What should you do with it?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

You could build this into a killer race support truck for your old car, as there is more than enough space in there for tools and spares. Plus, that big, lazy V8 will pull anything. Wrap the van to match your race car and you\u2019ll have a great looking combination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If it was us, we\u2019d go down the stealth camper route so we could embark on many adventures. Fixed double bed at the back, some carefully thought-out storage solutions, in the middle, small kitchen unit, nice stereo, maybe fit WiFi connectivity, lots of insulation and sound deadening, perfect. And as for the outside, we\u2019d simply have to leave the original livery on there, it\u2019s too cool to remove.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter what you do with it though, it will be worth looking for an LPG kit to make it a little less painful on the wallet. We love a V8, but there\u2019s no denying that they like to have a drink!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okay, let\u2019s get the elephant out of the room. This van is a bit of a weird choice. However, stay with us, as we reckon there is some seriously untapped…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":3443,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[322],"tags":[1039,15,12,13,11,1038,61,1037,14,1036,710,16,38,1040],"yoast_head":"\n1991 Ford Econoline - Project Profile - Car & Classic Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Look beyond this being a van. Look at it and see the potential! There is so much room for activities! 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