I recently sold my '86 G10 and have been hankering for something older and cooler. Looking at A100's and Econoline's because I want to be able to haul a vintage motorcycle or two and the Greenbriar won't work so well for that.
I like the '60's models, but the very early '70's stuff is cool, too.

I find them in all conditions, from rotten to restored, and all over the map price-wise, from $1500 to $15,000.

Can you give me a general buyers guide for those two vans? Stuff to look for, known issues or bad spots, etc.? I know rust is always at the forefront, and something a little ratty wouldn't bother me as long as the chassis/frame are solid. Unless there are some spots that are known to be "really bad-walk away from it if it's rusty there" type stuff.
Any known running gear issues to look for or ask about? Suspension?
Are the V8 models way more desirable than the 6's? Are the 6's capable of freeway speeds for extended periods?

I'm not talking about a daily driver, but I do want dependable and not miserable if we take it out of town on long trips a few times a year.

Educate me. Make me a (more) knowledgeable buyer, please.

Any idea why this thread doesn't show up when I first visit the forum? I have to go to my profile page and click on my posts to find it. Then, after I've done that, I can click on the General Forums tab and it's there.
(Hoping that by replying it may keep it on the page or something... lol )

You had started this thread in the "General Discussion" section at the top of the forum.

Well this thread is about a Ford. So it was put in the "Ford" "General Discussion" section.