Transit Supervan - 1971

[@gt40mk1]

Bloody hell, this brings back memories! As a FORD apprentice in 1969 I worked on the prototype of this van at the FORD Apprentice School in Harold Hill, Romford, Essex. The prototype was a much rougher animal without all of the fancy racing suspension etc. We also built a tractor which was designed to run up and down a steel beam bolted to the ground, but when testing it one day it all went wrong and the tractor decided to attack the wall of the dyno house!! Happy days!!

[@davidedmund-jones2083]

Small world! I was also an apprentice at Harold Hill and worked on that prototype! If my memory serves me correctly I think I made the gear linkage?

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

Essex is a VERY BRITISH place.

[@aether-elephant]

❤

[@frederickwoof5785]

I did a bit of work on it after its heyday, at Harold Hill. No engine or transmission. Must have been 72 or 73.

[@podulox]

Happy Days!! ^^^^^^^^^^

[@yvettefontaine9623]

I had the pleasure of driving this Supervan, fantastic

[@FordHeritage]

+Yvette Fontaine Hi Yvette, we think you are also one of the drivers in The Seven Days of Monza, which you can also see on our channel

[@mikehamlet2385]

FordHeritage

[@MrBogusgasman]

Seriously? 😍😍

[@jjmac3561]

@@FordHeritage Did it ever make it to the Ring? Has anyone found the old shell yet?

[@andymountain130]

Bedford cf with old nails engine,that would be a good race

[@ZIGZAG12345]

The narrator had one of THE most exquisite sounding expensively-educated "posh man" English accents ever!

[@pauln1557]

I reckon it was Peter Jones. He was the voice of the 'The Book' in the Hitch Hikers guide to the Galaxy, radio series.

[@shakespeare_hall4788]

Back then everyone sounded like this which kind of tells us that the world has gone down the toilet!

[@MrTimstaaa]

That's how all the narrator's sounded in the old days. When I was a kid back then I used to think it was the same guy doing all the show's on all the channel's. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

Now listen to what you get

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

You're just a bunch of poofters...

[@originalshadowfax]

A mate of mine back 80's put a 3.0 V6 in his transit (obviously not to this level), tarted up the cab with black fur and roof consul (for his CB) and various gauges etc. He kept the back as standard other than some basic panelling and a fold down bed, nudge nudge. Used to do about 15 mpg!!

[@adrinathegreat3095]

The transit was available with a 3 litre V6 engine. But fuel consumption wasn't good, same engines as used in Capri mk1s etc

[@NubletPie278]

Got to love those 1970s GoPro shots

[@kencur9690]

NubletPie278 lol, that’s not GoPro!!! It’s probably DJI Osmo.

[@joe125ful]

Yeah Go pro prototype:)

[@bremCZ]

@@joe125ful "Go Prototype"

[@joe125ful]

@@bremCZ :):)

[@keimiyazaki7567]

Manual mount go pro

[@NoorElahi1776]

I love that van! So much body roll! It has got to be an absolute riot to drive!!!

[@shakespeare_hall4788]

Actually Body roll is essential to the driver for feed back on the point of no return or for the novice when the tyres will start to lose traction!! These days there is no body roll because technology has created the perfect suspension SADLY THOUGH you just never can tell when the tyres are gunna go out to lunch until it happens and by then it's too late!!! I have a 2915 car with 6 litre V8 and amazing suspension And low profile tyres on 17" rims But I gotta tell you it's a nightmare to push to its limits and very hairy when it let's go!

[@Barkevshadian]

@@shakespeare_hall4788 and with cross ply tires, of course one can get best results with soft suspension, vs radial tires of today which work best with hard suspension.

[@michaelm2502]

The lift on the inside front wheel at Brands! Holy cow! What a friggin’ cool van!

[@rossbrumby1957]

Just like the Chargers at Bathurst back in 71!

[@stuartd9741]

Citroen had entered the chat ...

[@probablygraham]

I remember seeing Terry Croker driving the Transit at the Bank Holiday Monday Thruxton Formula 2 meeting in 1971. The cornering speeds were absolutely terrifying. The other thing that anyone who was there will remember is that it was sponsored by Yellow Pages, and about ever 2 minutes there was an advert on the loudspeakers with some wallies singing "Yellow Pages, Yellow Pages" to the tune of "Yellow River" and driving everyone absolutely mad. It may be wishful thinking but I seem to remember someone finding the wires to the loudspeaker nearest to us and cutting them, to cheers of joy from everyone :-)

[@peternoyce9350]

I remember that day too, that Yellow Pages song drove me round the bend... As I recall I spent the day out on the now closed spectator banking at Goodwood/Village.

[@daliborjularic7031]

I would like to have that kind of van. Even in 70-s this van looks brutal.

[@kencur9690]

“If we don’t deliver in time, it’s free!”

[@dungareesareforfools]

That sounds like a flat-plane V8. It's about time someone recreated this van. A bit surprised at the 0-60 time though, thought it would be less than 7 seconds with all that power.

[@KNJGSY]

This was preceded by the 1970 7litre V8 converted by the apprentice school. It was bright orange & there was film of it at Lyddne Hill which appeared on BBC2 programme about the Transit legend.

[@Altah1r]

2010: nope 2011: nah 2012: wait 2013: chill 2014: not yet 2015: not this yet 2016: nearly there 2017: almost 2018: nah change my mind. 2019: remove it 2020: ReCcoMenD THiS

[@joe125ful]

Same here:)

[@kellyc2545]

Just today 😀

[@MarathonGsar]

Same!

[@grahamrushin4384]

Me 2

Lol

[@andrewhaines8603]

Yes we deliver parcels so quickly you get them before you've ordered them! Nice bit of Transit history.

[@KNJGSY]

As the exam results in my year went all pear-shaped, I was on my way out in summer 1971. The last task that I had in Autolab was to research the parts for converting the orange Mk1 van to V6 power. The plan rumoured was that it was to be a prototype engine fit for V6 ambulances for Northern Ireland. Including the front grill from the diesel model. The V8 period was the second-year apprentices project 1969/70. previous year was hovercraft, my year was replica moon-rover based on Standard 8 axles.

[@mahulad7298]

Yes I remember when Ford knew how to manufacture quality motor vehicles, shame it has all turn to custard, if I had that van at my last job I wouldn't be writing this from my jail cell.☹

[@danielbrealey2924]

Hahaha- I don't know about that!!! You could have made a damn good get away driver with it I suppose... 😂 If I had something like that- that's what I would have used it for!

[@L00PdeL00P]

Frownie face

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Crap the new Transit customs are fantastic.

[@Piazzapower]

Looks like it's suspension was made out of custard!

[@MichaelSmith-nd4rr]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤘

[@terra2805]

God how I miss this britain. :/

[@kelharper7971]

What, isn't diversity and globalism and mass immigration a fair trade? Didn't you hear them promise how great it would all be? I mean, it's _diversity_, and we all know that that is the greatest good and boon to society anyone can imagine. They told us so, didn't they? I mean, just because no one has tried anything remotely like this before, and we're making a massive, unprecedented gamble with the entire future of the nation and culture, but it's _for diversity_! What could possibly go wrong? Only a xenophobe or a nazi would find anything to complain about; you're not a xenophobe or a nazi, are you?

[@themidnightracer9937]

@@kelharper7971 Lad, when the parent culture is a minority in it's capital is an issue. However, with the recent Immigration boom, thanks in part to the wars in the Middle East. There is no proper England anymore, and will not be for years to come. I am not a Nazi, but I do understand that yes, diversity should be a thing, but the parent culture should not be a minority.

[@sootyjared4208]

Kel Harper Fuck off you racist coward

[@_Daniel_Plainview]

@@sootyjared4208 It's true tho

[@halvdan7978]

Spotted the long nosed! Oy vey!

[@yvettefontaine9623]

Yes, I also particpitated in the Transit record in Monza

[@duuurs]

Nothing like the sound of a ford small block v8❤

[@jm-sh6qr]

when the candy man sees a birthday party at the playground

[@micahwhite7484]

*CRINGE* lol

[@rainbowrailroadcrossing7798]

Not based

[@SozzledTerror]

Thank you Mr Chumley Warner ;-)

[@mikester1290]

Slightly late response, but it's Cholmondley Warner.

[@JimBiddle.]

@@mikester1290 You can't blame the little urchin, what with the standard of education for the lower classes. Goodnight.

[@tompepper497]

I remember we had the Gurney Eagle on the dyno in the auto lab and we couldn't soak up the power or open and close the fuel chamber valves fast enough to record the fuel consumption. A rare beast.

[@KNJGSY]

The rallye-cross film would have been 1970. The 7 litre V8 orange van was raced in all sorts of events as a promo by Commercial Division. We were told that the bloke filming it at Lyddne Hill got in the way & broke his arm. It was also taken to a circuit for a speed test (Zandvoort??) and reputedly hit a scarey 150 mph.

[@Arthurzeiro]

Imagine showing up to a trackday in something like that today.

[@conssido356]

English automobils are the scariest automobils in the world. With the exception of the Land Rover of the 1940s, 50s, 60s - these are simply masterpieces of beauty.

[@alanvcraig]

As a teenager in about 1970/71 I worked for a local lorry driver/farmer (cleaning lorries, planting veg.) He collected all sorts of stuff on his travels including film props from Battle of Britain, and the moon buggy from a James Bond film (chickens roosting in it!). He also had this or a very similar Transit, I can clearly remember the big V8 in the back. Was there also a dark coloured one? Off topic but he also had a roadworthy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and my sisters and I got a ride in it!

[@johngibson3837]

Were abouts was that, I grew up in a small village near Duxford and would see these old planes all through one summer playing in the sky above like every day so thought it normal, my dad took me to see movie in Sheffield when visiting gran, underage I was but liked movie and never knew that any of it was filmed down the road,or literally above my head, probably only worked that out maybe 10/15/20 years later. Back then there was a lot of technology in the Cambridge area

[@alanvcraig]

@@johngibson3837 Are you asking about the Battle of Britain film? It wasn't filmed here, I've no idea where it was filmed.

[@johngibson3837]

Hey mate you said of lorry driver who had props from the movie so I wondered if you or he was close to Duxford where most of the plane footage came from, your comment was a blast from the past sorry if it made no sense. Jon

[@alanvcraig]

@@johngibson3837 Not near Duxford I'm afraid, near Swanley, Kent.

[@oldbatwit5102]

I went to school about 15 miles East of Duxford and I remember watching a lot of WW2 planes playing at dog-fighting for a few weeks. I don't know what film it was for but it was around1966-67 Ps.... Sorry but some of the filming for the Battle of Britain was done at Duxford.

[@joebryant5722]

What a great Van. 'Plumbers Ltd' ring, ring☎ 'Ive got a bad leak, how quick can you get here?' Well..........I'm outside now😊

[@Android-vk8yh]

Great footage This is the BT van we should have had as an apprentice. We all thought we had one especially over the speed bumps😂

[@mraero01]

Oh my goodness, the camera work is just... 🔥

[@pureboxofscartcables]

Makes you wonder why nobody thought of putting a Rover V8 into a Sherpa and actually doing something useful with it.

[@geofftalbott8476]

Circa 1969, at the Ford apprentice school in Harold Hill Romford, an orange transit van was there being checked over and serviced after being filmed at Lyddon Hill with rallycross cars. I seem to remember that tat one had a Gurney V8 as well.

[@alabar9795]

anti roll bar or 2 wouldnt go a miss

[@mrnatty122]

Great looking van.Very quick but handles like a skip on wheels.

[@josephelias9081]

70s technology...by all modern standards it would be quicker. a focus RS engined mini van is quicker than most hot hatches.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@josephelias9081 nothing to do with 70's technology, its just not set up correctly

[@D...Charger]

@@bonkeydollocks1879 should of got lotus to make that part of it.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@D...Charger yes, probably would of helped.

[@joe125ful]

Its just need better setup..

[@TRIO510]

1971, no roll cages, no fancy suits that protects driver from fire, no protection at all gotta love old times!

[@terrystevens5261]

The driver has a nomex race suit on.

[@ps2bndled]

The cinematography here is well ahead of its time. It reminds me of 2000s Top Gear

[@matsimmo6208]

I find it interesting that Ford just “lost” this van. I hope someone finds it and knows what it is to restore it.

[@adampenfold7556]

The van In was Hornchurch automatic transmission work shop last time I see it

[@smh28v6]

They didn't lose it it got rebuilt into supervan 2 and then 3 so it still exists and is owned by ford

[@TurboNeil4921]

Drove a transit just like this one...stock single cam 2.0 pinto...in Trinidad...his name was belgrove

[@Nitecrow314]

A 2.0 pinto must've been retro fitted in a MK1. Stock they came with a 1.7 or 2.0 V4.

[@bigunone]

When I was a kid we all dreamed of having a Gurney Westlake motor for our mustangs!

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

This Supervan just fuels my desire to see a Cosworth DFV-powered Mustang.

[@barrybend7189]

I wish we had a replica company build one for us to build.

[@TheBlaert]

And then the sills fell off it. Joking aside these were fantastic. Good to see Ford kept up the tradition too with 2 and 3

[@smh28v6]

2 and 3 are the same van they just changed the body

[@justinobrien3593]

Would love to own one of these standard or a supervan as the mk1 transit is the best looking transit ever made! 🥰😍🤩

[@dungareesareforfools]

Totally agree - the most interesting too, with its range of V-engines created just for it.

[@oleriis-vestergaard6844]

Ford Transit - the bank robbers favorite get away car in many years

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Maaan, somebody should have given this to Sabine Schmitz for the famous van challenge on the even more famous Nürburgring. Rest in peace, lovely queen of the Nürburgring.

[@st170restoration]

That looks a bloody handful!! 😀

[@wordreet]

Heehee! I think I saw this at Brands Hatch! It's not so fast these days. Although the Mk3 version wasn't any quicker for top speed. But it was cool to see a major manufacturer joining in the fun. Loving the way it lifts a wheel, just like my old dog! X¬D

[@nonamespecified1262]

I want all the 70s cars back. I want a bajillionaire to buy up all the old moulds and remake old cars.

[@grahamjones3906]

my dads m8 had a gurney weslake engine in his De tomaso pantera sounded incredible

[@ZIGZAG12345]

Even just the fact you know someone who has that car is awesome!

[@MichaelSmith-nd4rr]

Old windsor block with gurney heads

[@MichaelSmith-nd4rr]

They have different block, the Cleveland

[@flatcapfiddle]

The sound of this thing alone scared the living piss out of me at an open track day at Snetterton

[@DrjRobinson]

Here in NewZealand back in the late 70s & 80s these Ford transit Van's were the main transport for Sheep shearing gangs . My cousin had the fastest Van that housed a V6 Grenada 4 on the floor manual with twin exhaust that gave it that V6 go like the clappers sound . These Ford Van's owned the out back country roads in New Zealand & on the straight an fully loaded with Shearers ' rouzys an wool pressures ! Nothing could catch Us . The good Old Days with the Ford transit Van's.

[@TheFreakonhell]

Wow, the 2020 Transit van with the 3.5 ecoboost also hit 60 in 7 seconds... Guess if they would put in the version of the latest GT, you might hit 4 seconds flat 🔥

[@villiamo3861]

And this year's (2022) electric one... Under 2 secs!

[@feydespiel.]

​@@villiamo3861last about an hour before you need another box of electricity 😂....

[@darrelgreenfield8683]

Won't do 150mph tho

[@stuartd9741]

Yeah but that MK1 would probably be made of fag paper thin metal. No crash or crumple zones or airbag etc ..

[@Chef-James]

Oh so what. No comparison.

[@QUENTINBIB1]

Better than most supercars today.

[@wolftmfg]

How far we’ve come! The road handling left somewhat to be desired!

[@dungareesareforfools]

Looks like it's on just a modified Transit setup (at the front at least), unlike the later Supervans which where essentially rebodied race cars, which explains it.

[@SuperOMARKO]

Brave men back in those days(i mean the cameramen as well as the drivers)!

[@anthonyperkins7556]

In the 80's the Mk3 Transit also had a Supervan as did the facelift 'smiley mouth' Transit which also had a Supervan in petrol form and a Supervan in turbo-diesel form.

[@smh28v6]

No they didn't there has only ever been one supervan they just updated the body shell each time it has always been the same van underneath

[@coolpaul69]

Saw it at a London Motorshow and also at Brands when I was working there in the mid 70s. It was as awesome then as ever.

[@peterolley7159]

I so wish we could have our great Britain back to his it was like this video ,,pure utter British beautifulness !!!

[@dougauzene8389]

Sweet...Hella Badass Breadbox! When "Ford Has A Better Idea" Was FOR REAL! (I Remember This Car As A Youngster!)

[@MRMechanicRC]

This is probably the coolest thing to ever come out of ford

[@dungareesareforfools]

Certainly a lot cooler than anything I expect to see in coming years.

[@DJohnWard]

I remember the Southend Police had a quick reaction heavy squad whose transport was a 3.0 V6 Transit. Saw them in action once in the car park of one the pubs along the Southend Arterial ; lesson taken away was don't mess with these guys!

[@dukey306]

Just brilliant - thanks for sharing

[@KeithJones-yq6of]

This is why the British people have always loved Ford. Fantastic

[@markeyb575]

The good old days. This is what made Ford a favourite with ordinary people. The type of van you would build yourself. Whoever you are you would still want this van awesome. Terry Dury is still about the Rainham area He must know where it is.

[@BITTYBOY121]

If this was being sold now at the Ford dealerships I would most certainly love to buy one of these great "Supervans"

[@michaeledwards8058]

my mate has a 77 model sitting on a Nissan Patrol chassis and 4.2 Turbo Diesel .great camping van

[@Dan23_7]

2:05.... It looks like a big Mini !!

[@highflying82]

My thoughts exactly 😎

[@Dan23_7]

jeff nicholls doesn't it 😂

[@VinnyDaQ]

Listen to that awesome V-8 ..... DAYYUUMM !!!!!

[@TheTozebarreto]

... I love this model ... Ford Transit was the first car I drove ... I was 12 was in Sete Rios (Lisbon / Portugal), while my father and the rest of the staff decorator would drink a few beers and eat each coiratos (Portuguese food) before crossing the bridge named on April 25 before heading home ....

[@JasonJason210]

I like the opening with all the iconic cars of my childhood.

[@grandadgamer8390]

Must be terrifying cornering in that 🙃

[@justso1823]

Looks like a crab with broken legs 😂😂😂

[@darrelltregear756]

This is the only culture Britain needs .

[@jermstaallen4913]

Bubble arches even, sounds amazing

[@mikejohnson5900]

What a beast! I wonder where that Gurney Eagle started it's racing life.

[@joe125ful]

430Hp Ford Van 1971. 2020 Modern Vans 150Hp. 1:36 Geezz that engine sound and look on that front wheels,really need balance weight in front to decrease huge understeering and stiffer suspensions. 4:41 Mustangs,Chevrolets....and Ford bring Van:):)

[@anthonyperkins7556]

I like the navy blue quilted Ford Rallye jacket the guy looking at the Transit Supervan smoking a cigarette was wearing.

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

I'm happy to report that the elusive SUPERVAN #1 has been found! Ford of Europe's YT channel has a video on that!

[@accountholder8884]

That's cool AF, damn, if I had this today as a daily!!!!!! 😁😆😄😄😃

[@rallyburnz2simracing416]

I love the a team style filming style

[@joski9030]

I wish I was born in that era

[@jameslaw3740]

92 mph in the quarter, 150 top end --- Holy Crap I want one or two with or without the motor

[@stuartd9741]

There's room for a supercharger....🙂

[@nathannever3011]

Damm, that van sounds wild

[@RB-ey6fm]

That sound is awesome 👍

[@rookiecustom]

Where is this beautiful and fantastic van now ?? I want it....

[@Gres-iu2iw]

Imagine this got stolen and used for robberies 1970s cop cars weren't touching this monster

[@plantfeeder6677]

That 302 c.i. engine is the exact same engine right down to the Westlake heads that powered the JW Automotive Gulf GT40s to wins at Lemans in 1968 and 1969.

[@BenHallnz]

does anyone know what lovely wax is playing in the background of this video

[@iancraig6070]

Watched this at Brands Hatch,the driver said it was'bloody hairy in the wet'!!!

[@mellilore]

The fact they couldn't fit better suspensios/springs/shock absorbers quite amazes me.

[@daha-p5m]

Thx for the clip, i had a one page leaflet years ago which explanined about the supervan. The potential top speed of 196 mph, but would never get there due to aero, and what the speed could be reached in the gears; 64 in 1st, 96 in 2nd, 132 in 3rd, 164 in 4th and 196 in 5th if memory serves me right, and you could boil an egg in the back with the heat off the engine.

[@shelbytops]

This went on to be one of the most popular bank robers getaway car of choice

[@ryurc3033]

Perhaps this vehicle is the reason I absolutely love 12 inch wide wheels and 295/50/15 inch tires on all 4 corners of anything. Every dirt track race car seems like they did the same thing. Wide wheels, hog out the wheel well... Stuff as much tire as will physically fit the hole, if that's not enough, then make the hole bigger. Square body Chevy? 12" wide square setup 72 Chevelle? 12" wide square tire setup Any car ever looks better with a square tire setup.

[@lukeyboii94]

I bet that was megaaaa loud, no engine covers nothing now that’s what I’m talking about

[@Gemini_0815]

1970s technology is just so cute. It’s barely moving. Basically it makes 400 HP in noise and 50 HP to propel the car 😂

[@Vikingxb]

Someone here in New Zealand has built a similar one. It a later model transit with a boss 302 i think. Not quite the same, but still pretty cool.

[@IDontWantAHandle101]

Now used as a yodel delivery van in Milton Keynes 😂

[@jackkallemdjian3945]

It wasn't built to win races it was an engineering exercise you know about of a laugh. Lighten up all you experts!

[@pathbelow6652]

A lot of top heavy lean. Nice van.

[@1prime368]

Omg the sound!!

[@pauln1557]

Sabine's new ring taxi!

[@CapitanFindus415]

When I have seen this video, immediately in my mind has apperaed the RENAULT ESPACE F1 : 1994 (born) V10 810CV O/100 Km/h in less than 3 seconds

[@danielbrealey2924]

Me too

[@Retrobeemer]

I went out in the Espace as a passenger back in 94 at Nurburgring GP track. It’s the phenomenal braking I remember most!