Without knowing how this heavy duty Econoline spent its life, I can only imagine the kind of use it saw. Seeing this cool retro classic sitting on the street makes me hope it will live out the later years of its life as a fun and practical vehicle for someone who will make use of its space without sending it to an early grave. We can all hope to enjoy a retirement like that someday!
After years of hard work, we all look forward to retirement. I suspect the same goes for heavy-duty vehicles. From the day they're purchased they're put to work carrying, towing, pulling, carting and putting in long days doing their (heavy) duty. When I was in New York City recently, I came across a tired but interesting heavy duty vehicle that looked ready for retirement. This 1960's Ford Econoline van had double barn doors on the back and right side, giving lots of access to the large cargo hold. With 'Heavy Duty' inscribed on the side, I imagine this van had a long and tiring life. Perhaps it was put in service as a delivery van, shuttling goods all over the city. Maybe it was a contractor's vehicle and hauled around workers, equipment and tools to install power lines, cable or plumbing. Who knows, it could even have belonged to a rock band and carted tons of heavy gear to shows all over the country! At the very least this Econoline van is 50 years old, and possibly as old as 56. I figure that over half a century is more than enough of a career for a cool heavy duty vehicle like this Ford. This one was intact but had a few scars and war wounds. It looked like the windshield surrounded had rusted and had been repaired (more or less!) with tape. There were some hefty scratches and dents, but nothing that would keep it off the road. I like to think that this van can transition into retirement and enjoy a slower pace. Perhaps trips to the gardening store for supplies, or to head out on weekend camping trips? There would be ample room inside to convert it to a funk camper. Or better yet, it could do duty going to classic car swap-meets to pick up parts for an automotive restoration. Wouldn't it be fitting it it was used to pick up parts for its very own restoration into like-new condition?!
Without knowing how this heavy duty Econoline spent its life, I can only imagine the kind of use it saw. Seeing this cool retro classic sitting on the street makes me hope it will live out the later years of its life as a fun and practical vehicle for someone who will make use of its space without sending it to an early grave. We can all hope to enjoy a retirement like that someday!
2 Comments
8/30/2017 11:38:20 pm
I drove this model Econoline, in about 1970 delivering dinette furniture. It was an adequate enough little even-stuffer for our use. I do remember at this time though being long in the tooth. My most vivid memories was the front end. With a combo pack of bad shocks and straight front axle, every dip in the road was an adventure in nuanced correction by the driver. Man did it wander! The example you photographed is sporting mid '80's F Series review mirrors. The moniker "Heavy Duty is a chuckle. The wheels look like stock 12 or 13" which would rate it in the "E100" class or less GVW. I don't believe there was anything like an"E-150" or E-250.
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AuthorWelcome! My name is Paul, and I am an old-fashioned, low-pressure, low-buck car fan with lots of automotive stories to tell! Archives
February 2020
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