SOLD on Jun 15, 2026

Elite Dealer

1961 Ford Econoline

Michigan

$26,995

Vehicle Details

Make

Ford

Model

Econoline

Year

1961

Mileage

42,822 miles

Exterior Color

Red

Interior Color

Black

Transmission

Automatic

Drivetrain

RWD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

- C4

Condition

Excellent

Description

1961 Ford Econoline Pickup. This first-year production Ford Econoline is an iconic classic, hard to find, and always in style! It was an idle project for many years, but after a few months of intense TLC and a hefty investment, it is finally back on the road. Very cool ride with a nicely enhanced appearance, performance upgrades, and pleasant comforts! NEW INTERIOR COMPONENTS - Cab Dynamat Insulation - Black Bedliner for Engine Hub / Shifter Base - Red Bedliner for Cab Floor - Window Regulators - Door Locks - Seats (2) - Headliner - Back Panels - Underdash Panels - Door Armrests - Cup Holders - Glovebox - Lap Seat Belts - Sun Visors (2) - Sun Visor Hooks (2) - Rubber Floormats - Bluetooth Sound System with USB - Front Speakers (2) - Rear Speakers (2) - Windshield Wiper Motor - Gauges - Horn - Turn Signal - Dog House Shocks - Engine Bay Detailing NEW EXTERIOR COMPONENT - Side Mirrors (2) - Weld Racing Aluminum Wheels - Tires (Front: 165/80/15 Rear: 275/60/15) - Wheel Lug Set - Side Pipes - LED Headlight - LED License Plate Lights - LED Foglights - Tail Light Lenses - Tail Gate Chains / Hoses - Front Windshield - Window Gaskets (4) - Rust Inhibitor Bath - PPG Global Clear Coat - Red Bedliner for Bed NEW POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS - 302 4.9L V8 Engine - C4 Transmission - B and M Shifter - Edelbrock 650CFM Carburator - Powertrain Cross Members - 4 Core Aluminum Radiator - Coolant Reservoir - Electric Fan - Differential (Rebuilt) - Speedometer Cable - Alternator - Battery - Battery Terminals - Battery Box - Fuse Box / Relays / Fuses - Fuel Pump - Fuel Regulator - Fuel Lines - 13 Gallon Beer Keg Fuel-Cell - Fuel-Cell Braces - Oil Filter - Fuel Filter - Air Filter - Belts - Hoses - Ignition Wires - Spark Plugs - Wiring Harness - Brake Master Cylinder - Front Disc Brakes NOTES - Extra Corner Glass (2) - Original Paint Patina (Monte Carlo Red) - Clean and Cleared Title (Bonded) Please Note The Following **Vehicle Location is at our clients home

Ford Econoline Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Robert Halloran

Classic Trucks

1961–1974

~2 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The Ford Econoline pioneered the American van as a practical vehicle — a compact, front-axle-over-engine design that fit more cargo than a pickup in less overall length, and became the foundation of a custom van culture that defined 1970s road culture.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Econoline Buyer's Guide

Ford Econoline Market Overview

Based on 9 Ford Econoline listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$33,004

Avg. Asking Price

1963–1986

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $26,995

Low: $6,495 High: $139,000

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 44% ◄

Manual 22%

Condition Distribution

Fair 11%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 9 listings →

Ford Econoline Buyer's Guide

Robert Halloran here. The Econoline doesn't get the collector attention of a VW Bus or a Chevy Van, but it probably should. The first-generation E-Series (1961–1967) is one of the most mechanically clever vehicles ever designed for American roads: the engine sits between the front seats, the front axle sits ahead of the driver, and the result is a vehicle that maximizes cargo capacity within a short overall length. It's a practical-engineering tour de force.

The custom van movement of the 1970s adopted the Econoline enthusiastically, and the second and third generations (1968–1974) have a devoted following that treats them as legitimate collector vehicles. A properly sorted classic Econoline — whether it's a clean original van or a period-correct custom — is a genuinely rewarding ownership experience.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Cab Floor Rust (First Gen) — On 1961–1967 models, inspect cab floor around the front engine location — heat and moisture cause accelerated rust here.

✓

Floor Pan Condition — Check the main floor pan for perforation from underneath and inside.

✓

Lower Body Seams — Probe lower body seams on both sides — water collects here and causes hidden rust.

✓

Inline-Six Carburetor — Test cold start and idle stability — carburetor rebuilds are standard maintenance on Falcon-era sixes.

✓

302ci V8 (if equipped) — Check for rear main seal leaks and cracked exhaust manifolds on V8-equipped second-gen vans.

✓

Cooling System — Verify the operating temperature stays in the normal range — the compact engine bay can trap heat.

✓

Custom Interior Assessment — On custom vans, evaluate whether modifications are period-correct or modern — this determines restoration direction.

✓

Roof Integrity — On raised-roof conversions, inspect the roof seam for leaks and rust.

Common Issues

Lower cab floor rust around the engine on first-gen models. Floor pan perforation from moisture and road salt. Lower body seam rust on both generations. Falcon-derived 144/170ci inline-six carburetor issues on first-gen. Second-gen 302ci V8 rear main seal leaks. Custom van interior modifications that complicate restoration. Roof rust on high-roof conversion vans from leaking roof seals.

What to Look For

Rust is the primary concern and follows specific patterns: the lower cab area around the front wheel wells, the floor pan (particularly around the engine doghouse cover on second-gen), and the lower body seams. On first-gen models, the cab floor is especially vulnerable to rust from the engine's heat and moisture. Verify the inline-six starts reliably and idles smoothly — carburetor issues are common on unrestored engines. On second-gen V8-equipped vans, check for cracked exhaust manifolds and proper cooling system function. Custom van interiors add no monetary value unless they're period-correct and exceptional quality.

Price Guide

1961–1967 first-gen panel van (original): $8,000–$20,000. Clean first-gen: $18,000–$35,000. 1968–1974 second-gen cargo van: $6,000–$15,000. Period-correct custom van (1968–1974, quality build): $15,000–$35,000. Club Wagon passenger van: $8,000–$18,000. V8-equipped second-gen vans command 15–25% premium over six-cylinder equivalents.

Did You Know?

The first-generation Econoline's cab-forward design was so effective that it was widely copied — the Dodge A100 and Chevrolet Corvan followed with similar configurations within a year. The Ford Econoline nameplate has survived continuously from 1961 to the present (now branded as the E-Series Transit), making it one of the longest-running nameplate histories in American commercial vehicles. The custom van movement of the 1970s is now recognized as a genuine folk art movement, with the best examples featuring elaborate murals, airbrushed interiors, and craftsmanship that rivals professional coachbuilding.

Elite Dealer

$26,995