US van from the 60s/70s - Home Forum Auto US Ca MOTOR-TALK - Auto Forum & News

Hello everybody,

I am considering selling my current motorhome (Mercedes 407D Düdo). Somehow I played it through.

Instead, I would like an old US van from the 60s/70s. eg Ford Econoline 1st and 2nd generation, Dodge B Series 1st generation, Dodge A100 or the first two generations of Chevy vans.

I don't like everything later in the well-known box shape anymore.

Well, last weekend I took a look at a '66 Ford Econo with an R6 3.9 l engine. Something really really nice. Showed me I'd really like a vintage US van.

Either with row 6, or also like V8. I would possibly convert the V8 to gas if it's worth it with the consumption.

Also preferably stick hand switches. I don't know whether this was available in addition to the steering wheel gearshift and automatic transmission in one of the models. Maybe someone can tell me?

Otherwise, I would be fine with any transmission variant.

Are there gearboxes and engines that like to cause problems?

The seller also said he would definitely not recommend Dodge 75+. From Bj 75 there are probably problems with rust? But since he was apparently a big Ford fan, I'm not sure if that was justified or something like Opel-VW bashing...

What I know so far

- In the past, despite all their beauty, these things were just transport devices. Rust is arguably mostly a problem, and lack of maintenance.

- According to the seller, sloppily executed gas conversions can probably kill the engines.

- In addition (caution half knowledge) from the beginning of the 70s all US cars became environmental cripples with little compression (?)

- Even in the USA, the parts are no longer found in a well-kept condition all that often

Otherwise I'm pretty new to the US.

Don't need a ready-made bling-bling mobile home, but a solid base that I can convert.

Maybe someone can give me a few tips on the very old vans.

VG Lennart