Ford E-Series

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The Ford E-Series, formerly named and also known as the Econoline, is a line of fullsize vans (both cargo and passenger) and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 and its descendents are still produced today. The Econoline is produced at Ford's Lorain, Ohio and Avon Lake, Ohio plants. A derivative called the Ford Chateau Wagon is marketed in the Philippines.

The Ford E-Series and Club Wagon currently hold 49.6% of the full-size van market in the United States with 179,543 sales in the United States in 2005.

1961

The first E-Series placed the engine between and behind the front seats. It was an immediate success with utilities like the Bell Telephone System. It was originally offered as a cargo van, 8-passenger fullsize van and pickup truck. Engines were Ford's 170 in³ and 240 in³ six-cylinder engines. The van was updated in 1968 with Ford's "Twin I-Beam" front suspension, optional air conditioning and a V8 engine choice.

1968

The 1968 Ford E-Series changed design by moving the engine all the way to the front under a short hood. Over the next six years, more vans would use this layout, with the engine eventually housed under a much more conventional truck-like hood.

1975

The E-Series was redesigned in 1975 with more ergonomic controls and a full frame design, allowing it to be used as a truck chassis. The nose now had a proper hood, very close to the length used today. This bodystyle continued until 1991.

1979

The front grille and headlights were facelifted where square headlights were incorporated.

1983

The "Blue Oval" logo was integrated into the front grille.

1992

The redesigned 1992 E-Series featured either a 4.9 L I6, 5.0 L V8, 5.8 L V8, 7.5 L V8, or a 7.3 L Powerstroke diesel V8 engine. The consumer-oriented Chateau Club Wagon version was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1992.