FORD ECONOLINE VAN 1968-74
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The Ford Econoline Van 1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974 The best years.
Far left 1972 E-100 Shorty(105"wb) W/slider. Middle 1969 E-100 SuperVan(123"wb). Right side 1969 E-300 custom SuperVan pop-TOP Camper.
Visit another web site for 2nd gen Ford Vans "forum" : http://econolines.ipbhost.com/
Originally scheduled as 1968s and assigned part numbers accordingly, the new Econolines were considered 1969 models. (There were no 1968 Econolines). The styling of the vans was dramatically changed.
As far as the Econoline goes, Ford originally planned to introduce a redesigned version of its popular vans in the fall of 1967 with its other 1968 truck models. But a long strike "1967" between the United Automobile Workers "U.A.W" and Ford put that plan on the back burner. Even after the strike ended, it took Ford awhile to get back up to production levels that were the same as before, so the introduction of a new model had to wait a little bit longer. Thus the new Econolines weren't released until the model year was half over. Ordinarily a model release this late might be referred to as a 1968 1/2, for example. But Ford called these new models 1969s. Ford did produce and sell some Econolines before the release of the 1969 models, but those were carryover 1967 models.
Whether you call them 1968 1/2s or 1969s, these new Econolines looked quite different from the first series built from 1961 through 1967. They were longer, wider, and heavier. Restyled from stem to stern, they looked like no other vans on the market back then. With their short hoods, larger grilles, and repositioned front axles, they set a styling statement that the others would follow.
As far as the Econoline goes, Ford originally planned to introduce a redesigned version of its popular vans in the fall of 1967 with its other 1968 truck models. But a long strike "1967" between the United Automobile Workers "U.A.W" and Ford put that plan on the back burner. Even after the strike ended, it took Ford awhile to get back up to production levels that were the same as before, so the introduction of a new model had to wait a little bit longer. Thus the new Econolines weren't released until the model year was half over. Ordinarily a model release this late might be referred to as a 1968 1/2, for example. But Ford called these new models 1969s. Ford did produce and sell some Econolines before the release of the 1969 models, but those were carryover 1967 models.
Whether you call them 1968 1/2s or 1969s, these new Econolines looked quite different from the first series built from 1961 through 1967. They were longer, wider, and heavier. Restyled from stem to stern, they looked like no other vans on the market back then. With their short hoods, larger grilles, and repositioned front axles, they set a styling statement that the others would follow.
Knotts Berry Farm, Fabulous Fords Forever Show, 2010
