By Robert Emslie
Do you need a truck that has an open bed, but still want the anonymity of a van when handing out candy to the neighborhood kids? Well, helpful hoon Tanshanomi was leafing through an old issue of Field & Stream, when he came across this cool vintage ad for Ford’s Econoline pickup. Not only does it suggest that the quick addition of a lightweight fiberglass cap changes the truck from daily workhorse to creepy stalker van, but it says Fords cost less, so you can buy even more candy!
Thanks to Tanshanomi for the scan!
Latest
Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Project Cars, DIY, Travel, Adventure, Podcast, Videos
Eric Rood 
Bradley Brownell
Don't forget it's the perfect vehicle if you like to "beachcomb" too! (now why doesn't Firefox know what word…. hmmmmm)
Is this the Pontiac Aztek of it's day? Ugly as sin (with the camper on it, otherwise it's sweet), but probably all in all pretty useful?
And, a piece of trivia……… "Ford Econoline" is a song by Nanci Griffith.
[youtube su97IjOzZ8E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su97IjOzZ8E youtube]
Beachcombing is just not the popular pastime it used to be, back before we had the Interwebs.
I like it, Fordfan that I am! It sure is a strange looking "camper body" as the article called it.
That fiberglass top looks like the removable covers used on railroad steel coil cars. With a window. Which gives me a better idea: If I had one of those Eco's, I'd forget the "camper" and ante up to a Quonset Hut on the back. Mmmm, military surplus and forward control. I need to go to my private place….
There's a reason I want to build a camperized UniMog.
I've seen a camperized Unimog, the guy took the wheels off of a Coleman popup trailer and bolted it to the flatbed of his Doka.
I'd like to point out that there was no pedophile reference in the email I sent to Graverobber; that was all him.
I do, believe, however, that the wife (/friend/co-worker/pre-lib camping bunny) in the passenger seat seems to be obviously looking at his crotch.
"What'cha doin' over there, Honey?"
He's showing her the shift pattern, three on the tree. "First is down here…Oh, look what else is there!"
"Saves it up all week" has to be one of the creepiest taglines i've ever seen in a print campaign.
That grim be-hatted fellow driving the top Econoline certainly looks as though he might have been saving it up all week.
You know what else is creepy? That someone named "Clampants" spotted it first.
I'm more concerned about "lives it up all week end".
Hey, if that's your idea of 'living it up'…
Somehow I missed that while reading the advertisement….. then thought you meant it was a "tag" for the posting on Hooniverse!
I'm going to go home and recreate this ad with my Miata and an upside-down laundry basket.
I like camping. I like candy. I like saving money two ways — in business and in pleasure. I like forward control. I like Fords. I see nothing wrong with this.
I'll take mine in a Mercury E100 – I'm classy like that.
MMMM candy AND certain death in any collision, who could ask for more! Make mine without the horizontal port-a-potty please!
Too much perfection can cancel itself out. But if you want to send the message of an out of control secret government research project, this is the way to go. However, there are snugger sleeping options out there – if you're into that sort of thing.