Ford Aerostar

The Ford Aerostar was Ford's first attempt at building a minivan, and was introduced as a 1986 model in mid-1985. It was the first Ford program to use the automaker's present alphanumeric pre-production code name system, and was designated VN01.

Early models were available with Ford's "Lima" 2.3 L I4 engine, which at 88 hp was grossly underpowered for a van that could carry up to seven passengers and luggage. Available as an upgrade initially was Ford's also-underpowered 2.9 L V6; later models came with either the corporate 3.0 L V6 found in the Taurus and Ranger or the Explorer's 4.0 L V6.

The Aerostar was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1990.

The Aerostar was distinguished by using a modified pickup truck chassis integral to its unibody construction. This design was developed because the designers in the truck office were unfamiliar and uncomfortable with unibody construction, and essentially designed a frame into the unibody (this construction was also used on the Chevrolet/GMC G-Series vans and the second generation Jeep Cherokee). The aerodynamic styling was similar to the Ford Taurus, which was introduced at the same time. A commercial ad stated that the Aerostar's front nose resembled the NASA Space Shuttle; Ford often compared the Aerostar to the Space Shuttle in its advertising.

The Aerostar was a rear wheel drive vehicle, unlike the pioneering Chrysler minivans. This compromised interior space somewhat but provided superior towing ability.

Since the Aerostar used truck parts (the brake rotors, axle bearings et.al. interchanged with the Ford Ranger, Bronco II, and Explorer), essentially any interchangeable truck option for power and suspension was available. For example, the Eddie Bauer (Luxury) version was available with four wheel drive. One noted difference is that the Aerostar had a 4-link coil spring rear suspension with a live axle, similar to the Ford Crown Victoria and Fox-body Mustang.

The Aerostar received no major styling changes until 1992, when flush-mounted headlamps were fitted, and a new dashboard incorporated a driver's side airbag and a column-mounted gearshift, finally replacing the floor-mounted shifter that blocked access to the rear seats from the front.