1965 Ford Econoline

- 3.9L Inline 6
- 3 Speed Manual Transmission
- 8k Miles Shown
- Green and White Over Black and Tan Interior

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1965 Ford Econoline on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the van due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 170 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around vide please go to our main website: GKM.com)


Offered here is a restored and upgraded 1965 Ford Econoline 12-window van in two-tone white and metallic dark green over gray and light tan. Originally assembled at the Lorain, Ohio Ford plant during October, 1964, this is a first-generation Econoline, one of 2,259 built in 1964. Most recently used as a company promotional delivery vehicle by the Green Mountain Maple Syrup Company, its body, engine, and interior restoration is fully documented in a 3-ring binder included in the sale.

The exterior green-and-white finish shows very well. The two colors come together on a horizontal plane: green on the roof, white on the van's midsection, and green again on the lower body. Bumpers are painted white. The paint gloss and reflectivity overall is very nice. All sheet-metal body panels—including the twin side and rear cargo-area doors—are free of dings, dents, or other noteworthy damage. The extensive cabin glass—including on the swing-open side-vent windows—is clear and free of cracks. The lighting lenses are also clear and uncracked. Factory badging includes F-O-R-D chrome lettering front and back, as well as “Econoline Heavy Duty” emblems on the front doors. Gray, 5-spoke, 15-inch American Racing wheels are mounted with Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 215/65 all-season tires.

The interior layout features upgraded front bucket seats (upholstered in gray cloth) flanking the black-painted engine cover. The flat-floor cargo area features light-tan carpeting. A light-gray headliner is free of wear or damage. White-painted metal front doors include vinyl inserts and stereo speakers. The original Econoline-branded, 3-spoke steering wheel fronts a white-painted dashboard hosting a custom instrument cluster set in a cleverly repurposed California license plate. The five comprehensive, analog, AutoMeter gauges display clear lenses and crisp graphic markings. (The van's original instrument cluster is included in the sale.) The shift lever for the 3-speed manual transmission is located on the steering column. The remainder of the stock dash includes original pull-lever switchgear.

Under the passenger-compartment engine cover, is a 3.9-liter, straight-6 remains mounted in a clean and sound-insulated (part of the restoration work) engine compartment. An open-sided air cleaner and correct Ford-blue engine-block and valve-cover paint add a bit of flair. Viewed from below, the chassis and running gear are free of damage. The clean underside of the engine is a visual focal point. Documentation includes the 3-ring binder with the restoration details, as well as some original manuals.

While the more than 170 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '65 Ford Econoline.

In detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

At cars-and-coffee gatherings, Ford-owner meet-ups, or just out on the road, expect this Econoline to draw more than its share of stares and thumbs-up signs of approval. Seeing a fifty-year-old Econoline in this beautiful condition is a rare event these days.