Vannin' Home
Posted By: oldskool73 Re-living the past ... - June 03rd 2017 6:04 pm
I purchased a brand new 1975 Ford shorty van when the new body design change was made.. I customized it , drove it all over the East coast, and across the country and back twice. I was young, living at home, but basically spent most of my time in that van. Cruised, camped, visited friends at colleges, did deliveries for my Dad's business, you name it. Had it less than three years and it was stolen while I was doing a delivery in Brooklyn, NY. Never saw it again. I've had several vans since then, but they were always more work vans. More recently, as I'm getting older, I've missed that blue '75 shorty. Started looking to purchase and build a re-creation . Luck just dropped in !!!..... Purchased this 1975 shorty in NY. Same year, color, motor, interior, wheels as mine had !!. It has 49,000 miles on it. Recent re-paint in original color code. Should be on it's way here soon. Can't wait.

Attached picture s-l1600.jpg
Attached picture s-l16005.jpg
Attached picture s-l160017.jpg
Attached picture s-l160014.jpg
Attached picture s-l16003.jpg
Posted By: Dyno_Dave Re: Re-living the past ... - June 03rd 2017 6:40 pm
Very nice! Congratulations on finding what you were looking for.
Posted By: lukester Re: Re-living the past ... - June 03rd 2017 8:59 pm
Sweet van
Posted By: Meanmachine Re: Re-living the past ... - June 03rd 2017 11:57 pm
Congrats, post some more pics after it arrives.
Posted By: Starlord Re: Re-living the past ... - June 04th 2017 1:14 am
Hmmmm.....the same everything yours had.....wonder if it is yours??
Posted By: Dyno_Dave Re: Re-living the past ... - June 04th 2017 2:24 am
Originally Posted by Starlord
Hmmmm.....the same everything yours had.....wonder if it is yours??


I thought the same thing!
Posted By: Hasan Ben Sobar Re: Re-living the past ... - June 04th 2017 1:31 pm
Are the pipes functional?
Posted By: CatFish Re: Re-living the past ... - June 04th 2017 1:41 pm
Wow oldskool! That's a oldskool Ford! Do some more pics when you get your hands on it.....
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 04th 2017 5:05 pm
If it is my old van, I'm thrilled to death that someone took such good care of it (hmmm ...I even had the tire carrier). I will post more pics when she gets here. Thanks for the enthusiastic replies.
Posted By: tuner4life Re: Re-living the past ... - June 05th 2017 12:34 pm
That looks great!
Posted By: Rusty Pancelode Re: Re-living the past ... - June 06th 2017 2:31 am
Waiting to see if his next post is about the DMV lady saying, "I'm sorry sir, but this vehicle was reported stolen in 1978. I can't process the application for transfer."
LOL
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 07th 2017 2:48 am
You've heard about my luck ?
Posted By: Rusty Pancelode Re: Re-living the past ... - June 07th 2017 3:11 am
LOL
No, I just thought about what would happen to me.
Apparently, we have the same luck.
Posted By: Wedgy Re: Re-living the past ... - June 07th 2017 2:53 pm
Welcome oldskool,

Either way, bummer about the theft, but glad you found your Van. Nice Ford! Things are definitely looking up!

Never heard of a vehicle recovered in this manner. If you haven't run the VIN, I'll bet you are curious.

Although, if so, illustrates that true life is just so much more interesting than fiction.

Happy oldskool Vanning73!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 08th 2017 1:42 am
Trying to resist the urge to check into it.
Posted By: Rathbone Re: Re-living the past ... - June 08th 2017 2:50 pm
That's a beauty.
Posted By: CatFish Re: Re-living the past ... - June 08th 2017 3:01 pm
Very nice! The late, or third gen, Ford shortys are getting so very hard to find in such great condition!!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 09th 2017 5:26 am
Originally Posted by Rathbone
That's a beauty.


Thank you.
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 09th 2017 5:29 am
Originally Posted by CatFish
Very nice! The late, or third gen, Ford shortys are getting so very hard to find in such great condition!!



I've been looking for one for several years. I over-paid for this one, but could not let it slip by.
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 09th 2017 5:30 am
And good news !!! Registration went smoothly at DOL (DMV) today. Maybe my luck IS changing.
Posted By: Greenstreak Re: Re-living the past ... - June 11th 2017 8:54 pm
What a stroke of luck! Congratulations!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 13th 2017 5:03 am
Originally Posted by Greenstreak
What a stroke of luck! Congratulations!


Thank you.
Posted By: Wizard78 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 13th 2017 9:15 pm
Awesome Score Congrats
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 15th 2017 4:19 am
Originally Posted by Wizard78
Awesome Score Congrats


Thanks Wiz.
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 22nd 2017 9:47 pm
OK. I purchased this van on June 1st, contacted the transporter recommended by the seller on June 2nd. They still don't have a driver scheduled to pick it up. Either they quoted me a price that's too low, or nobody wants to haul a 1975 van across the country. Getting frustrated.
Posted By: Reed Re: Re-living the past ... - June 22nd 2017 10:34 pm
Fly in, drive back?
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 23rd 2017 12:07 am
Originally Posted by Reed
Fly in, drive back?


Self-employed finish carpenter, booked solid right now. Would cost me too much and put me way behind schedule.
Posted By: Reed Re: Re-living the past ... - June 23rd 2017 12:09 am
Understood. I am self-employed, too, and I can completely understand and sympathize with the lack of free time. Good luck!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - June 24th 2017 12:53 am
Latest update. My van will be picked up in NY on Tuesday, placed in a container, and loaded on a train. It's scheduled to be dropped in Fremont, CA on July 8th. I'll fly to Santa Rosa, CA on the 9th, visit friends there, and they will drop me in Fremont on the 10th. Short roadtrip home from there. I hope.
Posted By: Rusty Pancelode Re: Re-living the past ... - June 24th 2017 10:24 pm
That sounds awesome!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - July 18th 2017 6:07 pm
Made the trip home from Fremont, CA without incident. Found out I don't have any lights , radio doesn't work (still has the 8-track) , and A/C needs to be charged or converted. Made for a long hot drive. Engine is very loud with the headers and side pipes. Needs some mechanical work, but the body and undercarriage are in great condition. Also verified that it's not the van that was stolen from me, original bill of sale was in the van along with receipts for all the add-ons over the years. Looks like 49,000 miles is legit. It feels like I have reconnected with an old friend.
Posted By: Dyno_Dave Re: Re-living the past ... - July 18th 2017 8:48 pm
That's awesome. Congratulations! yay
Posted By: Rusty Pancelode Re: Re-living the past ... - July 19th 2017 4:28 pm
It's great that it's a different van.
It would suck to have to buy your own van. LOL
Glad the trip went well...
Congrats on your new ride!
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - July 19th 2017 4:32 pm
Thanks guys.
Posted By: oldskool73 Re: Re-living the past ... - November 07th 2017 7:35 am
Not much time for the van lately. Replaced the headlight switch, so I have lights now. One side marker light plug is corroded to shit, might replace all four. Installed a Grant steering wheel, matches the one in my first '75. And replaced the broken antenna.

Attached File
20171106_153432.jpg  (19 downloads)
Attached File
20171106_163924.jpg  (13 downloads)
© Vannin' Community and Forums