By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Ford Motor Company Archives
Published 10.22.2025
In 1961, the Ford Motor Company introduced it’s full-size Econoline truck. The range of models offered superior styling and became very popular with the consumer truck market.
The first generation of the Ford Econoline trucks were introduced to the public on September 21, 1960, for the 1961 model year. Ford’s new compact truck line was an immediate success. Many companies purchased Ford Econoline trucks for their delivery services. The Econoline fleet delivery vans became America’s foremost automotive innovation of 1961, enjoyed for their driving performance.
1961 Ford Econoline Ad - Ford Motor Company Archives
One stand-out feature was that Econoline delivery vans offered curbside access, unlike the popular Volkswagen truck or the Corvair 95 models. The Econoline truck models also offered the consumer a conventional driveline and front-mounted, water-cooled engine. The truck was also used for school buses or were converted as station buses.
1961 Econoline Van - Ford Motor Company Archives
In 1963, the Ford Econoline van offered the consumer market an 8-door option that supplemented the cargo doors. Other packages included bright-plated hub caps. One of the most effective Ford advertising campaigns during the 1960’s was the introduction of the comic strip Peanuts (Charlie Brown), which added to the success of Ford sales.
1963 Ford Econoline Ad - Ford Motor Company Archives
In 1964, the Ford Econoline models offered the consumer two significant options. One was a Heavy-Duty package with left hand cargo doors; the other option included self-adjusting brakes with a thicker lining for driver safety. Also in 1964, Ford offered Econoline truck models with a 3 speed C4 automatic transmission.
1964 Ford Econoline Pickup - Ford Motor Company Archives
In 1965, Ford Division’s major passenger car and truck advertising slogan was called “The Best Year Yet To Go Ford “. Ford introduced the new Econoline Super van which provided 23% more loadspace for small businesses and other companies. The regular Ford Econoline models for 1965 remained big sellers and many consumers still enjoyed their performance, handling, and cargo space.
1966 was the year Ford Motor Company added the new Bronco to its line of new trucks. These models became a huge success for the company and are still very popular today. The Ford’s Econoline Super van models were still popular among consumers in 1966 with not many new design changes other than a padded instrument panel and standard seat belts for the driver and passenger.
1967 Supervan - Ford Motor Company Archives
1967, would be the last design for the classic Ford Econoline truck. By that time, over 400,000 Ford Econoline trucks had been sold.
In 1968, Ford introduced a completely new design for the second-generation Ford Econoline truck models.
Today, the first generation Econoline truck models have become quite popular with the younger generation for customizing and street rod performance, giving new life to the truck’s history.
Biography
Wagner K. James. “Ford Trucks Since 1905” Crestline Publishing 1978.
Niedermeyer Paul. “Curbside Classic: 1961-1967 Ford Econoline-The Leader of the pack” Curbside Classic Magazine August 6, 2023.
Blue Oval Trucks Media. “Ford Econoline truck history & specs (1961-1967)” Blue Oval Truck Media