Sidepipes Not Included: 1976 Ford E150 Shorty
This is one cool van, and a product of the times it came up in! Though it’ll need a little cosmetic work to be totally groovy again, and a sweet mural, this van has serious potential. It’s a blank canvas! The visor, fender flares, spoiler and front splitter all complete the look but I feel one thing is missing: sidepipes! I may be in the minority with that thinking, but surely I can’t be the only one. Find this 1976 Ford E150 here on eBay in Las Vegas with bidding at $2,275 and reserve not met.
The inside of this van is a little bare, but many remnants of a cooler past life remain. The wood on the panel side of the van really gives it that “mobile living room” feel. With some shag carpet, a love seat, and perhaps a chandelier this thing would be all set! The only shame is the window in the sliding door, but wait, the seller has a panel door available as well if you want total privacy! Furthermore the seller says “There is a sink-fridge-closet combo wall unit included (needs to be hooked up),” so with some upgrades and repairs this could be the ultimate van. That big shiny thing in the middle of the floor? Yep, it is a spare tire cover to keep the exterior looking sleek.
The driver’s area is possibly the roughest of the interior. The dash is showing its age, as are the cool cup holders. Those look to be aftermarket to me, and likely came about at the same time as the turbine wheels, roof spoiler, and body kit. While much of the classic custom velour interior attributes remain, I would be tempted to refinish everything in period-correct fashion with more shag, more velour, and of course button-tufted door panels.
If it were me, I would put a panel door on, tint the front windows, fix all the damage to the flares and body and get to work! It would have sidepipes and a slick mural on this side by the time I was done. Custom vans aren’t everyone’s favorite, but I love them and the way they mobilize both artwork and your living room at the same time. The seller of this 1976 Ford purchased it from the original 81 year old owner, and is an Ford short van enthusiast. Many parts and several other vans are also available! If you’ve been looking for a cool van for a custom, this could be the vehicle for you.
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Comments
If that is a litter box on that carpeting, I am definitely out!
I think it’s part of a roof vent LOL.
Sidepipes. YES.
Your eyes deceive you. Those are the frames for the sunroof vents.
Yes, you are correct, and I retract my statement. I was looking at it on my phone and could not see that detail. Sorry.
I think it is inside overhead trim for the ceiling vent
Definitely needs a port hole widow on the side and some big chrome Hooker side pipes.
We think alike!
Shorty A Team paint job (before you whack me, I know, I know, I know – it was a Chevy van)
Close. GMC. I spent waaaaay too much time watching that show.
Looks like the inside of every 70’s house with all that paneling. Some colonial style furniture, and you can relive the Bicentennial. Don’t forget to put KISS Alive! in the tape deck.
Short wb vans were sorta cool at one point in our not too distant past. I had a short Dodge given to me back in the mid 80’s. It was a 77 model with 318 missing heads, linkages and other misc. items. I replaced the engine and other required parts to make it operational and drove it around south west Miami, Florida for a spell.
I have been wanting a van for quite a while now.
What I could do with the interior…
You could be a hit on the highways of America….. Every time a Amber alert goes off.
Oh Lord is this tempting….
Had one of these many years ago, it was a great van, and one of the handiest vehicles one could own.
Drive-in, Camping, Moving, Parties, hauling equipment to play gigs, that van saw it all
Wow. That dash+gauges area is a mess
I’m looking for a “Shorty” Dodge or Ford from this era- extremely hard to find in good condition. I’m sure someone put one away in the garage or Barn back in the day. When you decide to pull it out, contact me. And if you want to read a book I wrote about a cross country trip in an old van- check out http://www.restoredheartandsoul.com Dave PS I had (2) new Dodge vans back in the mid 70’s and my van club is still around-
Dave, it sounds like you are close. I have a ’77 B200 shorty.