Simon Cars - Ford Transit

Ford Transit 1965-86

Ford replaced the Ford 400E Van in 1965 with the more fashionable semi forward control van called the 'Transit' in 1965. Unlike the Britain only Ford 400E, The Transit was a European effort produced in plants in Britain, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and other countries. No longer restricted by the narrow design of the underfloor engine vans, the wider Transit gave much more space, and it was engineered and fitted out to car standards. V4 engines (from the Ford Corsair) of 1.7litre and 2.0litre were the base engines, but longer diesel engines could also be fitted and required a longer nose and changed grille. The name 'Transit' had previously been given to the Ford Taunus Transit from 1961-65. In 1971 a new rectangular grille was given to the Transit, and the MkII Transit appeared in 1978 with a longer bonnet to give room for the new Pinto engines in place of the V4 units. The new 'one box' Transit took over in 1986.

Ford Transit 1966 Dormobile - badge on front wing

Ford Transit 1966 - grille. A more conventional rectangular grille with rounded corners was given in 1971 at the facelift.

Ford Transit 1969 LWB Van. The 'Pig Snout' from was necessary because the Perkins 1,760cc 4-cylinder diesel engine was longer than the Ford V4 engines and would not fit. However, the Perkins diesel only gave 43 bhp and was soon replaced by the 2.5-litre 'York' diesel fitted to this one

Ford Transit 1973. Transits were available in long wheelbase versions and also with high roofs. The round-cornered rectangular grille was given to the Transit in 1971. This Transit has a humble 2,000cc V4 engine

Ford Transit 1981 SWB Van. The MkII Transit (from 1978) now had a proper bonnet and a new grille and lighting. Four cylinder engines from the Ford Cortina ('Kent' and 'Pinto') could now be fitted, as well as V6 units.

Bedford CF. Introduced in 1969 and sold until 1988, the CF van replaced the CA van. However, the CF was also based on Victor mechanics.

Ford Transit Dormobile Camper Van by Martin Walter 1966

Ford Transit 1968 Dormobile Freeway, powered by 1,663cc V4 Ford Ford Corsair. engine.

Ford Transit 1968 Dropside. The original short bonnet Transit with V4 petrol engine

Ford Transit 1969 LWB Van. The longer 'Pig Snout' bonnet was first given to accomodate the straight four Perkins diesel, but then became useful for the six cylinder and V6 engines. In this case a 2,500cc diesel is fitted.

Ford Transit 1969 LWB Van. Most Transit vans had conventional side-hinged rear doors, but a single top-hinged rear door was an option.

Ford Transit 1969 LWB Van. The extra length of the 'Pig Snout' bonnet, ahead of the headlamps, can be seen in this shot. This is the long wheelbase (3.0-metres) version, nearly 400mm longer than the standard van. It is also rare in having an offside side door.

Ford Transit V4 1970 Pickup Custom.

Ford Transit 1972 Ice Cream Van. The conversion is by SC Cummins of Shavington, Crewe. Bryan Whitby (of Whitby Morrison vehicles) worked for SC Cummins from 1955 and left to set up his company in 1962. Whitby Morrisons bought out Cummins in 1998.

Ford Transit 1972 Roadranger. Powered by 2,994cc 'Essex' V6 engine, and fitted with Roadranger Motorhome by Jennings.

Ford Transit 1972 V6 Jennings. Powered by a 2.995cc 'Essex' V6 and fitted with a Roadranger Motorhome by Jennings of Sandbach

Ford Transit 1973 twin wheel. The long wheelbase version was usually given twin rear wheels. This Transit has a 2-litre V4 engine (shared with the Ford Corsair)

Ford Transit 1976 CI Motorhome. Conversion by CI Motorhomes. Powered by 2,000cc V4 engine

Ford Transit 1977 CI Motorhome. 1,598cc Ford Transit with Motorhome conversion by Caravans International (CI Motorhomes).

Ford Transit 1977 Diesel Van. The Diesel Van was given a longer nose because the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder York Diesel was longer thyan the V4 petyrol engine.

Ford Transit 1981 SWB Van. This Mk2 Transit has a longer bonnet which it enables it to have new Pinto 4-cylinder engines as well as some V6 units.

Ford Transit 1981 SWB Van. The MkII Transit body was almost unchanged except for the bonnet. This SWB has an optional one-piece lift-up rear door in place of the usual twin 'van doors'.

Ford Transit 1985 Di LWB Van. Made in Turkey and powered by 2.5-litre Direction Injection version of the 'York' diesel engine.

Ford Transit 1985 Di Minibus. Made in Turkey and powered by 2.5-litre Direction Injection version of the 'York' diesel engine.

Ford Transit 1981 SWB Van. This MkII shows it longer nose, which gave better crash protection, but more importantly enabled longer engines to be fitted.

Ford Corsair 1968 V4 1700. Powered by the 'Essex' 1,663cc V4 engine that was also given to the Ford Transit Van.

Leyland-Daf 400 V8 1991 Ambulance by 'Mountain'

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