Highlights
- Incredibly rare in today’s market, presenting a superb opportunity for collectors
- Desirable Custom specification, with Ford’s highly regarded 2L V4 engine
- Remarkably low mileage, with just 4 former keepers and plenty of history to show
- Presented in excellent mechanical order, with a brilliant maintenance record
The Appeal
Revered by tradesfolk and bank robbers of the ‘70s, the first-generation Ford Transit is a truly legendary slice of British culture, often credited with impacting both the British economy and European van design in groundbreaking fashion. Key reasons for this were of course the Transit’s fantastic practicality and cargo capacity, as well as the van’s impressive car-like performance, particularly in its 2L V4 guise.
This particular Transit not only sports the favorable V4, but also showcases the optional “Custom” cab specification. This trim level introduced a host of subtle, yet key upgrades, such as the incredibly comfortable black seats, wood grain facia, a full-width rubber floor mat, and more. The end result is perhaps the greatest embodiment of Ford’s original ethos with the Transit; practicality and comfort, with luxury touches, seldom seen in competitor vans of the time.
Having no doubt served as trusty workhorses over the years, a great deal of these first-generation Transits have either fallen to age or bear the rugged hallmarks of regular use. This example, however, is one of the very few to survive the test of time, doing so with only 69K on the clock, with a mere 4 former keepers.
The rarity of such a vehicle simply cannot be understated, and opportunities such as this are incredibly scarce in today’s market. With that in mind, this presents a superb chance to obtain a beautiful, rare example of British motoring history, with plenty of collection and investment potential.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 17th April 1973
- Originally dispatched to Gordons of Stockport
- Enjoyed by just 4 former keepers, with a remarkably low mileage figure
- Acquired by the current keeper in 2023, and stored since.
- Recommissioned in 2022, with a host of new & refreshed parts
- Tax & MOT exempt, as a historic vehicle
- Presented in original condition, with plenty of history to show
- Includes an impressive selection of paperwork & sundries, such as;
- Previous MOT certificates
- A collection of invoices detailing previous maintenance & repairs
- The original stamped service booklet & owner’s booklet
- A Haynes workshop manual, and Autobooks workshop manual
- Transit Van Club publications
- Original promotional material
- The current V5C document
- Ready to be enjoyed by the lucky new keeper
First registered on 17th April 1973, this remarkably rare Ford Transit began life with its original dealer; Gordons of Stockport, before being acquired by a local business. In 1977, the van is then believed to have been sold to an order of nuns, also in the Stockport area. Previous MOT history suggests the vehicle was very well maintained throughout those next fifteen years, covering only 17,884 miles.
After then being purchased by the 3rd keeper, the low-mileage Transit then proceeded to cover just 96 miles between May 1992, and May 2011. Throughout this period, it seems rather likely the vehicle was tucked away in storage, no doubt saving the van from the harsh British elements and wear from regular use.
The vehicle was then acquired by the current keeper in July 2023, enjoying the spotlight at multiple shows before being temporarily retired to dry storage. The vehicle would receive a thorough recommissioning and fresh MOT in 2022, once again gracing the road with its presence.
Details of the vehicle’s past and previous owners can be found within the included selection of history and paperwork, which dates all the way back to the original stamped service booklet. Included alongside the service booklet, is a collection of invoices detailing previous maintenance, and a selection of previous MOT certificates that further help verify the low mileage figure shown today. Also included is the original owner’s manual, along with two workshop manuals, and a collection of publications from the Transit Van Club.
The Interior
- Showcases, a luxurious Custom Cab specification
- Beautifully preserved, with original components as far as the eye can see
- Presented in fantastic condition for the vehicle’s age, with very few signs of use
Differing tremendously from the standard trim level, this low-mileage transit proudly showcases the Custom Cab specification, featuring the likes of wood grain facia details, a full-width rubber floor mat, and comfortable black seats.
Having only seen 69 thousand miles, all three seats present themselves brilliantly, with perhaps only minuscule signs of use. Controls throughout the interior seemingly follow suit, offering wear-free contact points, and well-preserved finishes. The dashboard and accompanying wooden trim pieces also reflect plenty of care, with no concerning signs of age to note.
Having only seen 69 thousand miles, all three seats present themselves brilliantly, with perhaps only minuscule signs of use. Controls throughout the interior seemingly follow suit, offering wear-free contact points, and well-preserved finishes. The dashboard and accompanying wooden trim pieces also reflect plenty of care, with no concerning signs of age to note.
Believed to also be original, the headlining and sun visors have held up incredibly well over the years, now offering rather clean finishes, with easily amendable blemishes to show. Original details such as these alone are incredibly rare in today’s market, and to find an original interior in such impressive condition is remarkably impressive.
In the rear, it’s rather easy to understand why these vans were so popular with tradespeople and bank robbers, offering an abundance of cargo space to enjoy. Likely differing from more used examples, the floor, walls and roof of the load space all show impressive finishes, with only minor blemishes to show.
All in all, the interior of this Mark 1 Transit Van is in superb condition for its age, with a huge array of well-preserved original components on show. As previously mentioned, the chances of finding similar-condition seats in today’s market are slim enough, let alone an entire original interior in such impressive condition.
All in all, the interior of this Mark 1 Transit Van is in superb condition for its age, with a huge array of well-preserved original components on show. As previously mentioned, the chances of finding similar-condition seats in today’s market are slim enough, let alone an entire original interior in such impressive condition.
The Exterior
- Finished in Ford Cascade Blue
- Features the original 14” wheels, and trim components
- Previously resprayed in its original colour
- Perfect for displays and collections
- Excellent overall condition
This first-generation Transit has aged like fine wine, proudly showing off its retro panel van lines and subtle American styling cues. No doubt benefitting from its respray prior to the current keeper’s time with the vehicle, the Cascade Blue paintwork presents a great finish across the exterior, with only light signs of age beginning to peek through. Fortunately, a little dash of patina suits the vehicle beautifully and only adds to the charm of this incredibly rare icon.
With the exception of the aforementioned respray, this Transit’s exterior is believed to be wholly original, even down to the original 14” wheels and hubcaps. No doubt incredibly rare in their own right, the wheels offer excellent finishes all around, with plenty of tyre tread left for the lucky new owner to enjoy.
Exterior trim pieces and details follow suit, offering seemingly original finishes across the board. Hardly a surprise given the sheer age of the vehicle, a few components such as the indicator rings are beginning to show light blemishes, although these minor defects are arguably a worthy trade for such rare original pieces.
Exterior trim pieces and details follow suit, offering seemingly original finishes across the board. Hardly a surprise given the sheer age of the vehicle, a few components such as the indicator rings are beginning to show light blemishes, although these minor defects are arguably a worthy trade for such rare original pieces.
Overall, this Transit leaves very little to fault, offering a mostly original exterior, packed with charm. There are of course signs of age to note, but nothing that detracts from the impressively preserved finish of this incredibly rare van.
The Mechanics
- 2000cc Essex V4, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox
- Dry stored following 2015, then recommissioned for road use in 2022
- Benefits from excellent service history, and recent work
- Features an impressive array of new, and rebuilt components, including;
- A new clutch in 2012
- A new condenser, recommissioned alternator and fan belt in 2013
- A new water pump at 56,201 miles
- A new fuel pump, distributor cap, spark plugs and more at 60,011 miles
- A new radiator, and new head gaskets at 61,080
- Tappet & timing adjustments, and head skimming at 62,086
- A new battery, new wheel cylinders, new brakes, new tyres and more in 2022
- Offers fault-free performance, and superb mechanical health
This top-of-the-range Transit Custom boasts Ford’s highly regarded 2L Essex V4 and fully-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission. Capable of producing around 92bhp, this is one of the variants favoured by bank robbers, for its car-like performance and excellent getaway potential. Even today, the vehicle still offers more than enough power to enjoy and remains rather capable on modern roads.
Buyers will be pleased to know that this example fires up right away, and performs beautifully, with no known faults to report. This is of course due to excellent previous maintenance, including regular servicing, and recommissioning work courtesy of the current keeper. In 2022, the vehicle received new wheel cylinders, a new battery, new brake pipes & flexis, rebuilt brakes, new distributor parts, a carburettor rebuild, new tyres, and a new exhaust silencer. The vehicle also received light welding, and appears to reflect a rather impressive underside condition today.
With no known faults to report and plenty of performance potential, this Transit Mark 1 is more than ready for its next outing, or heist.
Summary
The first-generation Ford Transit had an impact like no other and cemented itself within the history books as one of the most significant motors to grace the roads. Due to their nature of use and age, only a mere handful of well-cared-for examples survive today, setting this Cascade Blue Custom example aside as somewhat of a unicorn in today’s market.
With an incredibly well-preserved original finish, low mileage figure, low owner count and excellent history, this superb 1973 Ford Transit Custom would no doubt make the perfect addition to any historic collection.
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