The time Ford built a V8 Supervan on a GT40 chassis

William Byrd

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The Ford “Supervan” has decades of history behind it, we already showed you Carfection’s video of the iconic vans. My most recent encounter was winning one on a super wheelspin in Forza Horizon 4, but the Supervan dates back to 1971.

Supervan 3

Ford UK built these crazy vans as a series of promotional vehicles, the most recent being Supervan 3. The 2004 iteration was built on a race car chassis with a mid-mounted Ford-Cosworth 650 hp F1 engine.

Supervan 2

Supervan 2 hails from 1984 and was also powered by an F1-inspired engine, this time a Cosworth 3.9 DFL engine, derived from the DFV used in F1.

Supervan 1

In my opinion, the best of the lot was the original from 1971. Ford took a standard pressed-steel Mark 1 Transit body shell and mounted to a GT40 chassis. That was all powered by a 435 hp Gurney-Weslake V8 Ford and a five-speed transaxle ZF gearbox. What you got was an amazing V8-powered mid-engine van that was magically quick around a track.  Take a look, some great footage posted by Goodwood is below, this thing is an amazing part of motoring history.

 

So Hooniverse, what is your favorite fast van?

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William Byrd

William Byrd

Writing great stories about cars! @WilliamByrdUSA

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17 responses to “The time Ford built a V8 Supervan on a GT40 chassis”

  1. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/matchbox/images/f/f9/Ford_Supervan_II_%28MB166%29.JPG

    I know the original Supervan is cooler, but I have the Matchbox copy of Supervan II (in much rougher shape), so it’s my favourite of the three.

    Reply
    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      Maybe it is the era I grew up in; but to me that is the definitive ‘Transit’ and the coolest Supervan.

      Reply
      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        Plus: NACA ducts for the win!

        Reply
    2. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      That was always one of my favorite Matchbox cars.

      Reply
    3. theskig Avatar
      theskig

      Oh God, I had that too! I only remember it now! Where is it?? :((

      Reply
      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        Mine? Tucked away in my big box of old toy cars in storage.

        Reply
        1. theskig Avatar
          theskig

          No, where’s mine?? 🙁

          Reply
    4. William Byrd Avatar
      William Byrd

      That’s pretty awesome.

      Reply
  2. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    I would absolutely love the GT40-based Supervan I, but it’s likely not within my budget to acquire or maintain properly.

    Gus Mahon had well under five figures into Mean Mini. Seems do-able.

    http://www.gusmahon.org/html/Mini.htm

    http://www.gusmahon.org/images/burn4.jpeg

    Reply
  3. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Even 16 years after the last one, it has the intended impact on me: Well done, Ford! When an idea that is equal parts stupid, hilarious and downright fantastic gets officially sanctioned, it makes me confident that this company has the right people working on designing vehicles.

    Reply
  4. Tiberiuswise Avatar
    Tiberiuswise

    I pity the fool who doesn’t appreciate a good van!

    Reply
  5. Wayne Moyer Avatar
    Wayne Moyer

    Ford could do it again. Get a GT40 and put a SUV body on it.

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      They still make the transit..

      Reply
      1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
        Wayne Moyer

        I was thinking for the US market but this was for the British market.

        Reply
    2. William Byrd Avatar
      William Byrd

      Pretty plausible. The GT has a 107″ wheelbase and the Transit Connect, both short wheelbase cargo and passenger versions, have a 104.8″ wheelbase. That would be pretty cool.

      Reply
  6. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    Though not an official ‘Ford Supervan’, I think there should be an honourable mention for Don Law’s Ford Transit with a Jaguar XJ220 engine.
    https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/static/img/mgl/1000000/1000000/1008000/1008400/1008447/s8/vintage-goodwood-festival-of-speed-2010-1993-ford-transit-xj220-powered-justin-law.jpg

    Reply
    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_470/18awztet1quatjpg.jpg https://jalopnik.com/speedy-delivery-the-ford-transit-connect-x-press-225660

      Reply