Lot Shots Find of the Week: Ford Econoline Pickup Truck

If you’ve never heard the terms “cab-over” or “forward-control,” don’t worry—you don’t have to turn in your gearhead credentials.

Check out today’s Ford Econoline truck and learn ’ya something. Unlike a traditional pickup, the Econoline’s passenger compartment sits on top of the engine. This configuration improved the driver’s vision up front, while shortening the truck’s overall length without compromising cargo space. Cab-over (engine) and forward-control were common nicknames for this setup.

These designs rose to prominence in the 1960s. Chevy, Dodge, and Jeep offered similar forward-control trucks, which were typically based on existing van architecture.

With changing Federal crash standards, cab-overs and forward-controls in the consumer market evaporated by the mid-1970s. (A noisy, hot cabin and a tricky front weight bias didn’t help either.) The configuration is still very common however, in commercial trucks and construction equipment.

We think this particular Econoline is from 1961-63, before Ford switched to larger bumpers front and back. It’s also a fancy five-window version, which gave the pilot house much more visibility all around.

It’s got a cool work-truck vibe, with a flat black paint job over a straight and rust-free body. In the interior, you can see the “doghouse” where (presumably) a Ford 144, 170, or 240 cubic inch inline-six engine lives.