has anyone ever seen a van like this.They were obviously made. this one is a 1978. Its an attempt for a all wheel drive maybe.

 

Had a 1979 E-350 with that (or very similar) set up. It was built by Vehicle Engineering and Manufacturing, VEMCO, out of Chicago (I think). The company went under in the eighties. Mine was full time 4x4. They were mainly for snow country. But I used mine here on the farm (had a wheelchair lift) to pull large hay wagons. It was strong as a horse and never gave a bit of mechanical problem. The body finally rusted off and a friend put the drive train under an old pick up. the last time I saw it it was still running. The parts, except the transfer case were pretty much off the shelf. But with out a cross reference sheet only a really good mechanic can figure out what you would need to repair it. Rode and handled very well. Pulled a 30ft RV trailer from Miami to Atlanta at 70mph with no problems at all. When you made tight turns the front would shudder a little as either the differential slipped or the U-joints outside the two front differentials rotated. CV joints probably would have cured that. It could never pass a gas pump without stopping though.

If the body is solid and it still runs it would make for a very rare ride.

 

ya it runs great but needs a body its hammered.Ya a guy presented it to me and i said wow never seen nothin like it so i thought i better pick it up. prices was right so i did.

 

Yep. They called that "V-drive". Saw a few of those in the late 70s early 80s. None since.