Poochie My 1961 Econoline Delivery van [Warning High Bandwidth]

This is a 1961 Econoline that I was given by the original owners grandson who is a co-worker of my dads. His grandfather bought the van new with nothing extra on the van, he didnt even order a passenger seat, or glovebox door. It was used in a wholesale business from 1961 to 1986 when it was parked in a garage at their lake house where it sat until crhistmas of 2007, because they needed to fix the garage that was caving in on the van, but the vans roof wasnt damaged by that. I nicknamed my project Poochie because that was the original owner, Earl Clements Nickname, It just seemed to fit. Not much work has been done yet to it to get it running because im only 15 and dont really have a steady income. but after a year of saving ive got a good amount of cash to spend, I bought my first set of rims just last weekend at a local car show. Ive pulled everything out from under the van in preparation for a custom frame to get it to sit about as low as it sits in the pictures. Im basically going to put all of my money into the chassis, and leave the body and paint exactly the way i found it. I plan on pushing the engine location back a bit and running a 302/AOD, And definately upgrade the dinky rearend to a nine inch.

The Excavation




At home after her first bath in a long time







Ready For Teardown


Engine Pulled, little 144


Everything stripped from the undercarriage



New Rims

Thats wicked awesome Drew!!!You have done alot already and obviously in the right direction.Will be a looker for sure, keep it up, and it'll be done before you know it!!!I wish i had fixed mine up when i was 15(23 years ago),it might be done now!!LOL!!! Of course it was my dads at the time and I was much more interested in punk rock,skateboards,punk & catholic girls ,and of course partying.... If I only knew then what i know now...damn!!LOL!!!!!heck i got plenty of time, just still need to figure out the money thing!!!
Lokking good Drew!!

Mark

no matter what you but cragers on is just looks good !! great start!

Hey Drew,
How far did you lower your van and what did you use to lower it with? I am planning on lowering my van but still kinda playing around with how low. Do you have any problems with the front wheels rubbing inside the wheel wells? Any help would be appreciated.
P.S.
I just bought a 1963 Flacon window van about a week ago and I am dying to get started on it. I will post some pics on the progress when I get time.

Sweet, Drew!!! And Welcome Primal! Looking forward to both! Maybe there's hope for my '64!

Primal Design, It is just in mockup with nothing under the van except for blocks and jack stands. I am planning on having it sit on a custom frame to get it that low.

That's going to look awesome! Even the old logo and paint really look great. Please keep us informed on how the build is going.