Ford : E-Series Van

Okay vintage Ford and 4x4 lovers, here's your chance to own a very unusual vehicle. This is a 1974 Ford E300 window van that was converted to 4 wheel drive by Pathfinder conversions. I have been an avid Ford enthusiast for many years and look for unusual vehicles when they come up. I found this and had to have it. Unfortunately, I no longer have the space to restore it and I have to, reluctantly, let it go. Let me start by saying that these are fairly hard to find and although there is no accurate information on the total number converted, I'm sure there weren't too many. I've seen several over the years and I've hears that the number is as low as 14. I think it was probably quite a bit higher than that but it's still a very low number compaered to the number of standard Econoline vans. I want to start by breaking down the VIN number as, it turns out, this one has a few unusual tidbits. The VIN is E35GHU74343. It breaks down this way" E35 = E-300 Window Van, G = 302 v8 engine, H = Lorain assembly plant, 74343 = consecutive unit number. The rest of the tag reads: WB = 123, COLOR CODE IS BLANK, Model Code = E35 ( E300 window van), Trim Code = 1,(can't find to translate), Body Code = D1 (can't find to translate) Trans Code = G (automatic), Axle Code = 73 (4:10), Max GVW lbs = 06200, DSO = 850144 (85 = AMERICAN RED CROSS and 0144 is the "sequential number of the vehicle having specially ordered factiry equipment."). I have checked with several sources and all confirm this. So, I have no idea what the original use for this van was but it's kind of neat that the color is blank and the American Red Cross was the DSO code! Other than that, the only history I have is from the guy in California I bought it from several months ago. He had it a few years and bought it from a ski lodge in the Big Bear area. I have no idea what they used it for or how long they had it. Now, on to the vehicle condition. It's in good condition with original green paint and rust in the front right fender (looks like from the battery, not salt), the roof rails in a few places and the rear floor. The rest of the van is very dry and rust free. The frame is excellent. The exterior is missing the quadravan and factory Ford emblems. There have been at least 3 sets of mirrors on the doors as evidenced by the various holes in both doors. There is a dent in the right rear corner. There are several scratches and the paint is far from perfect. Basically, you will need to replace the drip rails where necessary, the front right fender, either the entire or back portion of the floor and straighten out the dent to be good. The interior is a mess. Someone hand painted the entire inside with a darker green paint and they didn't try real hard to keep it clean. It has some sort of Toyota seats in it. The steering wheel was replaced with a tiny Grant GT unit. The dash pad has been removed. There are no door panels anywhere. The headliner is gone. The dash internals have been jacked with (wiring is a mess, probably missing stuff), etc. The mechanicals are as follows; original 302 with a bad lifter noise. The carb has a rebuild tag and looks newer, the auto transmission shifts good and appears fine. The transfer case is a Dana 20 that was rebuilt a few years ago and has a twin stick shifter that only 1 stick operates. The front axle is a dana with disc brakes! I'm not sure how to tell what model it is though. Same with the rear axle. It has 16" wheels/tires that are in good shape. The Pathfinder conversion was done in 6/74 as evidenced by the tag on the door jamb. The truck runs and drives but don't even think about driving it any distances. This van deserves a good restoration and I can help with that! Along with the '74 van, I'm selling a very very nice 1970 Club Wagon! These vans must be purchased together. I bought the 70 because it's a time capsule with a near mint interior, great running 302 and a 3 speed that I would re-sell. This van only had 2 owners when I bough it and the first guy kept unbelievable maintenance records. It's body is 100% rust free but, as you can see, was smashed on the driver's side by a tree on an icey day. The van still runs and drives great! It starts on the 1st try every time. There is no power anything but it does have AC! Not only that but the guy had gathered tons of parts that I bought along with the van. The short list of NOS or aftermarket parts IN BOXES; Tow Mirrors, several air filters, NOS Sears shocks, Raybestos brakes, New Clutch in the box, radiator hoses, belts, water pump, fuel pump, Idler pully, heater core, 2 alternators, solenoids, etc, etc. He installed a Mallory distributor and hollet 2bbl carb before he sold it and I have the original distributor in a box as well. I bought the 70 knowing that I could strip it of everything the Quadravan needed and have extra parts to boot. This package deal is a great way to get a very rare 4x4 van and a parts vehicle that is amazing in itself. If it weren't for the damage to the 70, I would keep it intact but it's too severe to fix. There's a ton more to describe but the bottom line is that the Quadravan needs to be restored and the 70 will get it a long way there. I have clear titles to both vans. I CANNOT DELIVER THESE. You are responsible for obtaining trasnsportation of BOTH VANS. I will not seperate them. Both are being sold as-is with no warranties expressed or implied. I expect $500.00 within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance within 10 days. NO TRADES PLEASE! PLease email me with questions. I can send many more picture sif you need me to. Good Luck!