1983 Ford E-100 Econoline - ArnieB

In 1983 I bought my van, had to get a shorty so I could fit it in my garage. I ordered it as a standard cargo van. No side or rear windows, no rear seat, not even a passenger seat. AM radio, that’s all. Also absolutely no interior, you could hear an echo. It just so happened that the dealer I ordered it from in New Jersey also dealt with an outfit called Van House Coach that did customizing work on vans. At first I was against it, but after realizing the cost factor and also the fact that I could get a good product in one month, I changed my mind. I figured I always could improve upon it. I didn’t want a whole hog excessively tricked out van, just something that looked a little different and clean. The package that I picked came with: large side windows in the rear, running boards, contrasting painted bands on the sides and front, insulation, paneling, minor use of short nap shag carpeting, two captains chairs, and an AM/FM radio with cassette player and four speakers. It wasn’t a lot compared to today’s standards, but it fit the bill for me. In this condition, more or less, I’ve kept it till this day. For a twenty six year old van it doesn’t have a lot of mileage, 103,000. I had to put in a new rebuilt tranny at 78,000, a new carb at 85,000 but besides normal maintenance items, that’s about it. The engine still runs good, maybe better in some respects than it did when it was new. Still doesn’t burn oil, and still starts quickly.