Are Econoline Pickups getting popular?

I have been driving one for years, and for the first time I have noticed other people getting interested in them.They are a blast to drive with a 90 inch wheelbase and great visibility.

 

The pickups and vans are both coming back. I've been watching the prices rise in the past year or so, and pretty soon you'll see gold chainers driving them. Well, maybe not, but I HAVE been seeing more of them on the road, too.

 

I got my first one (a 61) in 1975 when I got home from the Army. I miss that truck. In the proccess of building a 63 PU now. They have always been popular to those of us with the extra coolness factor

 

I've been fix'n up my 63' van for about a year now. It's turning out to be my surf van that I really enjoy.
Most people stop me and say: I had one just like that or they knew someone that did.
It's no pickup but I like it.

 

i'm always stoked to see more econolines and vw buses on the roads-- so i welcome them getting more popular. i'd rather see them anyday than the modern minivans that are seen all over the place (by the way-- ever notice that most folks who drive those new minivans drive like shit? or is that a bay area thing?)

-scott noteboom

 

I grew up in those things. My Dad always had one or two around. My favorite was the red pickup with the wrap around window. I used to fantasize it was the little red wagon (even if that was a Dodge!) and I can still vividly remember how hot my ass got on that engine cover when my Mom was in the cab....................................... priceless!

 

Not just a bay area thing......it's a soccer mom on the phone, trying to feed the kids in the car seat, putting on makeup and drink her coffee kinda thing......

I dig 'em too.....but being a Mopar dude, I prefer the A-100's. My dad has a A-100 PU with a 400, can't go anywhere without burning the tires....

I threatened the wife that I was going to sell her suburban and get this....
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/518510441.html

Imagine it lowered a bit, some panel paint, maybe lace or 'flake....yeah man....

 

Yep! It's Econoline madness! There was a huge thread about it a while ago, and surprisingly I think a bunch of members here have them, or have had one at some point. I know Stevie G on here just got his hands on one. If I had spare money and stable finances I'd be looking for one too.

 

I'm working on bringing one back from the dead. They are uh..... spartan little buggers. Mine came factory with no radio, no windshield washers, no light comes on when you open the door, no cigarette lighter (a real oddity in the 60's) and oftentimes only one front seat. Now THAT"S basic transportation!

 

Wow--seeing you picture reminded me of the one I crashed. Head on,on my side,put the wheel in my chest and broke the taillight lenses.It was 1977 That was the last shiney paint job the truck ever had.

 

Were they ever NOT cool?

 

Different strokes........
but Econolines are close to to the bottom of my list of desireable rides.

 

Mine is going South-
a fellow HAMBer bought it. Hate to see it go, but I got to go forward....

 

I think the morons driving mini-vans thing has a lot to do with emasculated men being forced to drive their wife's car and feeling like proving their machismo by cutting off everyone and driving like a douche-bag.

I love econolines, I've been working on mine for a while. I dig old vans in general, I guess it's in my genes, my folks had a VW bus for a long time. I've been noticing a lot more econolines at shows, which is cool, but prices for parts have been getting ridiculous. Priced a tailgate lately? It's insanity...

 

I am on my second P/U. Found as a $75 shell in Queen Creek Az ! Did mechanical and cosmetic restoration - runs like a Top ! Have one parts van and one '65 heavy duty 5 window P/U. Looking for another window van to make a driver.

41 Dave

 

Picked up a 64 Econoline panel van yesterday. Original owner vehicle, 42 year old paint. A light seafoam green color. No side or rear windows. Body very, very solid. No rust through anywhere. Just light rash. Plain jane, no radio, no passenger seat, no glovebox door. 100% original with a 6 cylinder, 3 speed manual trans, dinky-ass rear axle. Brakes frozen, clutch not working. All glass good. 13" wheels with dog dish caps. It was a delivery van that had been parked indoors in a warehouse at night since 64. Retired in 1986 when it was rolled into a garage at the owners lake home where it sat untouched until yesterday. The original owners' grandson gave it to me because he knows I'm a sixties car lover. His entire family showed up to see it leave and took photos. I promised to take photos of my progress. Evereybody was thrilled. They were tickled it was going to someone who would get it back on the road. They were as excited to see me get it as I was to haul it away. No pics yet. I'll take a full set. This going to be a gas

 

So should I go grab one I know of that has the fancy side trim on it and have a couple in "inventory" for when they become the hot ticket?

I figure it beats seeing them get crushed.

 

here are some cool ones Ron...

 

Hell yeah! Pull that trim and then call me.

 

you really need the trim Chaz? if so we can work something out. i got the trim from a VAN, so it's cut for the passenger side doors, but it's at least one side that'll work on a pickup. biggest hassle will be shipping, have to stick the trim in a PVC tube or something. i'd rather see it get to someone who will use it.

FWIW it takes about a week to weld, hammer, and fill the 100 or so holes from that damn trim! i guess that makes up for the van being completely rust free.

 

Guy only sells whole vehicles. As I recall, this one wasn't too rotty. But I didn't look under. May even be gone now. I have pictures of it somewhere.. it just stuck out because I don't think I have ever seen another Econoline with any kind of trim on it. This one had two long stainless bands with some kind of anodized insert between.

At the time I asked around and it didn't look like I could break even on it. I don't expect to get rich saving old cars (like my one friend does), but you're not going anywhere losing money at it.

 

Sounds like the Spring Special Edition. Most were painted Mustang Poppy Red.

 

They're the next Deuce! I nearly bought one a couple years ago. It was really low miles, orange, and was a Case tractor dealer parts chaser. Kinda kick myself for not picking it up.

 

theres a kid in my town has one thats tubbed with a huge set of mickeys , straight axle and a blown 327 sittin in the bed , that fucker is twisted sick ..
i would love to have one..

 

Heres one a guy has by me.... Mark built this some time in the early eighties(I can remember seeing it driving around at least that early. it is street driven and legal. He also has the pattent on the 13578642 FO distributor cap(all plug wires are parallel none cross anywhere) Ill keep looking for a side image



and this is Marks front yard

 

Hey !Thanks for posting that old ad. That's exactly the way mine is , so now I know I've got the spring special edition. I kept wondering where that red color came from. My sidetrim was all stripped off, leaving me with a helluva lot of holes to weld shut. I'm sure I'll never find a full set of trim in restorable shape.


Ray, I really am looking for the trim, but the van door side would be hard to use. Is it identical to the pickup trim in all other aspects?
I've already filled all the holes in mine too, but for a nice set of trim I'd drill the buggers out all over again.

 

Heres a side veiw. and a history of his other rods http://www.geocities.com/harleyheartbeat/hotrodheaven.htm

 

No need for another side pic. The crotch shot is fine.

 

I think they are cool. Mine has a long way to go, but it's getting there.

 

I like um..

And it's nice to know you're going to be the first one to the crash