8 Facts about the 1965 Ford Econoline Spring Special Truck

1. Rare, but Not Necessarily Valuable

The 1965 Spring Special is a rare beast, with only an estimated 2000 produced in 1965. The one pictured was spotted at a swap meet by a national magazine, with a $1500 asking price, and even they did not realize it was special. Unlike a lot of special edition vehicles or option package bundles, these Econolines are easy to authenticate. If you look on the vehicle trim tag, usually a stamped plate on the driver door, there is an extra 1 stamped in the axle code to denote a real spring special. You can decode the entire trim tag via this website, and here is an example. 

2. The Innovative Ford Econoline Pickup

As America expanded into the 1960s, traffic increased in cities and suburbs, yet commercial businesses still needed a way to deliver goods and make service calls. Ford introduced the light-duty Econoline van and pickup in 1961, based on mechanical running gear from the Falcon compact line, with a wheelbase of just 90 inches, 2 full feet shorter than the smallest Ford F-100 truck. As a bonus, the bed of the Econoline pickup truck was nearly as big as the one in the much larger F-100. All of these vans and pickups featured the Falcon 144, 170 or later 200ci straight-six, and 3-speed manual transmission, with the larger 240ci six only available after 1964, and the automatic-only showing up in 1967. Not a lot changed, but Ford sold millions of them from 1961 until 1967 when a completely new second generation was introduced. 

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3. Great Expectations

Ford initially had big hopes for the little Econoline pickup truck, projecting that most of the production would be that body style. However, in the first year twice as many closed vans were sold than pickups. However, there was a niche market for the little truck, and the Falcon drivetrain, and simple unibody design, and solid axles made it inexpensive to produce. Economies of scale worked in Ford's favor, and suddenly they were making money even with a sticker price that was the lowest for any pickup at the time.

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4. Suddenly It's 1965

The big news for the Econoline van and truck in 1965 was the option of the 240ci straight-six out of the big trucks, with an almost 50% increase in power. But sales were still lackluster, especially on the pickup, so the marketing guy whipped up a special deluxe edition in an attempt to move some units. Seven special options were bundled at no extra cost to the dealer, to create the eye-catching "Spring Special". Most were painted a unique "Poppy Red" (unless otherwise ordered), and all of them featured a wide chrome and anodized strip of trim down the side, chrome bumpers, whitewall tires, Falcon "knock off" hubcaps, and a custom cab with curved quarter windows and deluxe steering wheel. None of these parts were unique to the "Spring Special", though the side trim was only shared with the top of the line Falcon Club Wagon passenger vans, and had never been offered on the pickup before.

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5. Mostly Red, but Not All

In addition to other changes made, Spring Specials were built with a special eye-catching shade of red not available otherwise. But these were still trucks, and many were still bought by fleet buyers, so you could order practically any color on them, including 2-tone paint schemes. Often times you see them with wooden stake sides, the holes for them are on every Econoline pickup bedside, and there were even built-in toolbox models offered in the aftermarket.

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6. Extra Special, Spring Special

With the special fleet ordering enjoyed by truck buyers, you could even trick out your Spring Special with extra special equipment. All of the usual options were still available, including two-tone paint, though there is no telling if this one was two tone from the factory without the trim tag.

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7. Not So Deluxe Interior

Though the Spring Special had the deluxe cab wrap-around windows and the deluxe steering wheel, there was not much in the way of creature comforts inside. Econolines were low rent vehicles. The interior on the left is very basic but still has the glove box door and heater, which were optional. The right side picture checked off all the boxes, getting the padded dash and glove box, though the center console has been added.

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8. Favorite of Car Hobbyists

These trucks are so simple and adaptable that they became a favorite of car and bike builders almost immediately. A super practical and economical oddball, with a little bit of extra flash, really speaks to many enthusiasts. Perhaps the most radical Spring Special out there is the rear-engined "Grasshopper" which was restored on the reality show "American Restorations". This crazy contraption isn't quite a wheel standing exhibition drag racer, but it certainly is unlike anything else you are likely to see at the cruise night.

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If you need help with your pickup or van or anything in between, you'll find it in the how-to section of Ford-Trucks.com