This Van Was Parked in 1985 and Hasn't Been Touched Since | Carscoops

      Most vans endure heavy usage, but this immaculate 1985 Ford Econoline has only 26,500 miles from a single owner.

      An exceptionally well-kept Ford van is up for auction on Bring a Trailer.

      The 1985 Econoline E-250 XL features a 5.8-liter V8 that has only been driven 27,000 miles.

      The basic interior includes tan vinyl bucket seats and an 85 mph speedometer.

      Vans are the hard-working vehicles that drive our economy forward. They rack up miles and wear and tear within a year that most cars don't accumulate in a decade. That's why this understated, yet nearly flawless, beige Ford panel van is rarer than any multi-million-dollar supercar.

      This is a 1985 Econoline E-250 XL, which was Ford’s American van prior to the introduction of the Transit. In case you haven't spotted one on the road, you might recognize it from old television shows where they were often driven by well-meaning characters such as thieves.

      Related: Tesla-Swapped 1974 Ford E-100 Van Is A Cool Electromod Sleeper

      This van hasn’t been involved in any criminal activities – in fact, based on its condition and the low mileage of 26,500 (42,700 km) on the odometer, it hasn't seen much use since leaving the Ford factory 40 years ago. Aside from a minor dent at the rear bumper that could be easily repaired and a few small scratches at the back, it appears in showroom condition. An ’85 Econoline hasn’t looked this remarkable since, well, 1985.

      Dressed in Light Desert Tan with coordinating tan vinyl seats and carpeting, this time-warped commercial vehicle includes a single side sliding door (with a window) and two barn doors at the rear. And not much else. In classic working-van style, it’s equipped with simple steel wheels adorned with dog-dish hubcaps, and the most luxurious features we can mention are a heater and an AM/FM radio.

      One component that’s nearly an interior feature is the 351 cu-in (5.8-liter) V8. It’s installed so far back in the chassis that it sits directly beneath the radio, consuming much of the footwell space. The straightforward pushrod engine gulps fuel through a four-barrel carburetor and delivers its probably under-200 hp (203 PS) to the rear wheels via a column-shifted automatic transmission.

      The dealer who is selling it claims to have obtained it in 2024 from the original owner, who meticulously preserved this van. It’s easy to see how a supercar or even a special Mustang, bought for occasional weekend driving, might appear at auction decades later in nearly pristine condition with fewer than 30,000 miles (50,000 km) on the clock.

      But a van? That’s an anomaly we rarely witness. Take this one in, because you probably won’t come across another like it. You can view the auction listing on BaT here.