A cautionary tale…

[JMinPDX]

So I’ve been watching this 1972 Ford Econoline on BaT with 1800 miles in beautiful original condition. Seller had provided some videos but not a driving example. One day left in the auction high bid $31K. Yesterday the seller took the van out to record a driving video and guess what happened? Yikes!

No Reserve: 1,800-Mile 1972 Ford Econoline E-200 Club Wagon Chateau V8

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1,800-Mile 1972 Ford Econoline E-200 Club Wagon Chateau V8 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #242,052.

bringatrailer.com

 

[jmackro]

From the discussion in the BaT listing:

LowMileageClassics (The Seller) This author's likes: 1,428

Good morning, unfortunately yesterday when I had the van out to do a driving video, I was involved in an accident when elderly man pulled out in front of me. @BaT has been notified. Until we deal with the insurance company which should be fun, I have no idea at this time what the final outcome will be on what we do with the van. Thank you all for the bids and the kind comments it deservedly received! I’m sure after seeing this you all feel as sick as I do at the moment. To all the moms out there have a Happy Mother’s Day!

Kind regards

Jason Belvedere

I'm no expert on bodywork, but it doesn't look to me like something that will be easy to repair. Obtaining a replacement grille and bumper won't be easy. And the damaged panels hold the windshield, hood hinge, and door hinges. That will be hard to straighten it out in situ and keep everything aligned.

 

[rsporsche]

such a shame that this happened ... it was a really nice looking '72 van ... i remember those well. we used to take motorcycles up to a couple of tracks to ride in one ... great memories

 

[vince]

Wow! I went through the pictures twice on that E-200. Just unbelievable condition and miles. All the value was in it's originality, it can probably be fixed but...

A agree Scott, remember these well. Our assistant Scout leader had one just like this one but all green instead of blue.

 

[JMinPDX]

Obtaining a replacement grille and bumper won't be easy. And the damaged panels hold the windshield, hood hinge, and door hinges. That will be hard to straighten it out in situ and keep everything aligned.