Just got this 1960 Ford Thames van

Okay. This is cool.

 

Those vans used to be a common sight over here back in the day but I haven't seen one for years.

 

Still a few running around here. Neat van, just needs a big Scooby Doo sitting in the front seat.

 

I worked on one in the early 60's and removed the engine.
I didn't have an engine hoist, so I just lifted it out by myself and carried it into the shop!

 

We had a lot of English cars here in Victoria, British Columbia back then. Imagine!

 

In the late 70s a friend in NZ had a panel version of these that had a English Zephyr 6 mid mounted really low in it.
We used to cart our off road motor cycles around in it to race meets, it was rock solid through the hills and mountain roads and flew on the few straight sections of road!
Great memories.

 

It fits

 

Those Zephyr 6 engines rule, I have a 1955 Zephyr Zodiac. It's an early one with the 2.25 liter engine, it's no slouch. This van is slow though.

 

My 1956 Ford Consul, coachbuilt by ED Abbot came from BC, it’s the only known LHD example.

 

This is our 1955 Zephyr Zodiac, it has a 6 cylinder engine, it was sold new in NYC by Fergus Motors.

 

OOPS! I thought your signature line was your caption. Nebber mind my senior moment.

 

Z cars were everywhere in NZ in the 60-70s ,the Mk1s and Mk3s were the hoons choice, Mk11s the less favoured and the V6 Mk4s Zodiacs were the up market ones.

 

That windshield is good to 100 MPH now!
Great van, exceptional condition.

 

The Mk11 Z car is the best looking in my eyes. I had a Consul and a Zodiac.

 

.. where in the heck' do you find these things ? I can't imagine Craigslist. That's cool ..

.. from big Caddies to buckets to Thames, Consuls, & Zodiacs. Quite the righteous collection.

 

My son found it on an old fashioned European Ford message board. It had been for sale for a long time but with a really high price. It kept going down in price and I gave the owner a reasonable offer, he accepted. Again, these things aren't worth a whole lot in the US, but I love em.

 

.. some of the coolest cars in this hobby, or those that can't be found or bought .. regardless of one's price intentions.

 

Now there is an unusual choice of transportation.Most unique and eye catching.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Cool looking van, rare over here now, rust in them was incredible. There was alot of speed equipment for the 6 'back in the day'.

 

Like, far out man.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Vans are cool, fog-injected Pommie vans are even cooler.

I kinda dig the "nukes" sticker though, it's kinda got an atomic-era vibe.

 

All of it worth a fortune now. Consul speed equipment was made too.

 

That one is staying.

 

Plenty of it around here if you know where to look, there was a Raymond Mays head for a Mk11 for sale last year. Lots of twin SUs and 36DCD Weber manifolds etc.
Z car differential head will fit the van's rear end and up the ratio , makes for better mileage and speed on the freeway once you hop the engine up a bit, or fit the zepher/zodiac 6 . Mk111 disc brakes fit too from memory, but you need to make brackets for calipers.
https://tinyurl.com/tq8y8hl

 

I will be over soon to drive it.

 

in the US these parts are unobtanium, but I'm always looking, you never know.

 

anytime.