202 replies to this topic

[yogreasygramma]

I couldn't help myself! This is becoming an addiction! This van was listed for sale here on this forum for over 4 months and I couldn't resist the temptation, though it's going to cost over $6000 to ship it to me and another $1000 in registration formalities. Anyway, I couldn't bear to see it head to the junk yard.















The previous owner owned it for nearly 20 years, and performed many upgrades, including a new rear axle, new 302 and C6 transmission, Hellwig sway bars, and lots of other mechanical stuff. Since it's been in Los Angeles all its life, rust damage is minimal.

1973 is the first year the Parcel Delivery Van was offered by Ford on the Econoline chassis, and this is the 12-foot version. JKLNHYD recently found a 10-foot version parked at a property:



How many of these have survived, I wonder. I certainly don't recall seeing too many on the road back in the 70s, but then again, I probably wasn't looking for them. However, this body was offered only 2 years, '73 and '74. Apparently the box was produced by Grumman, but according to my VIN data plate, the van was built in Lorraine. Also, the data plate shows it to be an E346, which decodes as a regular Econoline 300. From my literature (factory manual), the Parcel Delivery Van should have a designation as E371, E372, E381 or E382. Does anyone know any more information concerning this, or how these vans were produced? For example, were they completely finished in house at the Lorraine plant, with the bodies shipped in, or were they finished off-location? I'm curious.

Well, I'm hooked on Econolines and am happy to have found this one.

And if anyone can help me find parts, I'd be much obliged. The A/C system has been removed on my request, and now I need two glovebox assemblies (one for this truck and one for my Chateau, which I've been trying to buy for 8 months now).

[econobaja]

I couldn't help myself! This is becoming an addiction! This van was listed for sale here on this forum for over 4 months and I couldn't resist the temptation, though it's going to cost over $6000 to ship it to me and another $1000 in registration formalities. Anyway, I couldn't bear to see it head to the junk yard.















The previous owner owned it for nearly 20 years, and performed many upgrades, including a new rear axle, new 302 and C6 transmission, Hellwig sway bars, and lots of other mechanical stuff. Since it's been in Los Angeles all its life, rust damage is minimal.

1973 is the first year the Parcel Delivery Van was offered by Ford on the Econoline chassis, and this is the 12-foot version. JKLNHYD recently found a 10-foot version parked at a property:



How many of these have survived, I wonder. I certainly don't recall seeing too many on the road back in the 70s, but then again, I probably wasn't looking for them. However, this body was offered only 2 years, '73 and '74. Apparently the box was produced by Grumman, but according to my VIN data plate, the van was built in Lorraine. Also, the data plate shows it to be an E346, which decodes as a regular Econoline 300. From my literature (factory manual), the Parcel Delivery Van should have a designation as E371, E372, E381 or E382. Does anyone know any more information concerning this, or how these vans were produced? For example, were they completely finished in house at the Lorraine plant, with the bodies shipped in, or were they finished off-location? I'm curious.

Well, I'm hooked on Econolines and am happy to have found this one.

And if anyone can help me find parts, I'd be much obliged. The A/C system has been removed on my request, and now I need two glovebox assemblies (one for this truck and one for my Chateau, which I've been trying to buy for 8 months now).

Where are you shipping the van to???

[yogreasygramma]

I live in Warsaw, Poland.

[EXITNOONE]

HOLY CRAP GREASY !!!! 6,000 $$$$ ?!?!?!?
YOU'RE ALMOST AS CRAZY AS ME BROTHER !!! WE MUST HAVE BEEN SEPARATED AT BIRTH...
no matter what though, i hope you get some great use out of the van.
the guy selling it lives about 20 miles away from several of us here on the forum.
seems like a well kept work van... so you should be happy with it.

EXIT

[econobaja]

I live in Warsaw, Poland.

I was tempted to buy that one; The body looks to be in great condition. It would be great for hauling around small loads. Glad someone got it that will take it to the next level. I suppose one could pay a lot more for a delivery van; I understand that cars and trucks are a lot more expensive in some of the European countries. I think overall you got a great buy on this one.

Greg

[yogreasygramma]

Yes, Greg, I was wondering why that van languished on the board for over 4 months with seemingly no interest in it whatsoever. It seems to me even the mechanicals are worth the asking price, not to mention the nice rust-free body. I still have no idea what I'm going to do with it! LOL. Probably just use it for advertising purposes for my business, like this guy, sort of like a rolling (or parked) billboard. Of course if I have to move some furniture around, it'll come in handy. But I thought the van was so cool I had to buy it! And yes, things are generally more expensive in socialist Europe, with much less choice when it comes to cars (high taxes and lack of car culture as in the States), especially antique cars. If I really needed a box van, there are myriad ones to choose from used or new, but even at $10,000 for this cube van, I don't think I could find a better deal over here on anything.

No Exit! Yeah, it's highly likely we've shared the cosmic airwaves over the years, though I came into this world just about the same time Tom started fiddling with second generation Econolines! So about 5 years before you, I presume. In any case, we do seem to share a lot of the same experiences. I'm sure we can relate to each other quite well, seeing as how great minds seem to work alike (and appreciate sliding doors...) LOL. I'm still trying to figure out how to attach a slider to this cube van...maybe on both sides!

I'm going to have to figure out what to do with this van, graphically, and I'm no expert at photoshop. Heck, even Tom's skills blow mine away! LOL. What I'm thinking of is some sort of giant American flag on both sides of the van, like those painted on military planes (left side shown correctly, with stars on the left (front), and on the right side the opposite, with the stars on the right (front) as if it were one flag seen from both sides, flying in the wind). The flag's lower border would be along the beltline of the box, where the rub strip is. That presents a problem because the proper proportions of the flag would make it end before the back of the van, and I'm thinking of extending the stripes all the way back to the back of the van. That would look a bit strange but it might look cool to have the whole side of the van with the flag on it.

Anyway, gotta go look after the kids.

[Xplorer man]

Like the speed channel show car crazy. Van crazy is what we have here. Way to go. It would be great if that 12' box could be filled with lots of spare parts. Great dedication. Later...

[yogreasygramma]

Spare parts? Why didn't I think of that?! Excellent idea, and I have plenty of them (not too many for Econolines, yet, however).

Now I'm thinking that the American flag could be painted on both sides of the van using the whole dimensions of the box (with a small cutout for the wheelwell) because it looks like the side of the box closely approximates the dimensions of the flag. No photoshop heroes anyone?

[Tom Snyder]

Seems a bit much.

Alternates.



How long would it last over there before it was bombed or burned?

[Tom Snyder]

One more

[fine69]

you know what would be cool...remove the top half of the box at the bottom of the flag and have a long bed mid pick up....hmmmmm...just a vision i see...lol

[Tom Snyder]

you know what would be cool...remove the top half of the box at the bottom of the flag and have a long bed mid pick up...

Then you wouldn't have an enclosed van, but an open bed truck. Not cool.
I wouldn't trade a van for a steenkin' peekup.

[yogreasygramma]

Tom, that is too cool!! Thanks; I knew I could count on you. The different variants help me visualize the possibilities, and though I thought the full size flag would look cool, I'm leaning more toward the original idea of the elongated flag along the top of the van's box (ver. 3). I agree with you that the full size flag is a bit much, even for my patriotic leanings. I would consider putting a Rebel flag there but that would probably get me in too much trouble. The American flag should be fine, as the Poles aren't nearly as anti-American as most Europeans. In other words, I think I could get away with it in Poland, whereas I wouldn't dare try it in other countries like France, Germany or Turkey...LOL. Polaks (that's the official Polish name for Polish people, by the way, and in no way is it derogatory) tend to love America and Americans, so I think I'd be safe "flying" the stars and stripes. And I do like the way that elongated flag looks.

And fine69, that is an idea but I think I'd just as soon buy a big Ford F250 4x4 for that purpose (and probably will before too long). I have been toying with the idea of getting rid of the box entirely and stretching the wheelbase slightly and converting it into a flatbed car hauler. But it'll remain as is for the foreseeable future. It's growing on me.

Oh - and the last photoshop is mighty tempting...LOL...is Elvis hiding behind those stars?

[Guitar Builder]

What do you suppose became of the old A/C equipment? I would be interested in it. Did the owner remove it? If so, perhaps you could give me contact information for him. Thanks.

[EXITNOONE]

GREASY- i believe the stars forward flag is called a battle flag... as that is the way it appears when charging ahead into battle and the stripes tail in the wind. same is used on soldiers sleeves in combat.

i say take your flag idea and have the red and white stripes turn into flames as they trail back: