My dad bought one of the first Econolines out for his store because it exactly fit two standard pallets - one from the side doors and one from the rear. Does anyone know whether this was a deliberate design feature or just a happy accident?

 

Partial "Happy Accident". The "standard" was a 4'x8' panel or piece of plywood. The wheel houses are 48.2" apart-not an accident. The doors really aren't big enough for many "full" pallets due to height, but as you know, you can still get a half pallet in. For your reading pleasure:

1961 Ford Truck Sales Brochure Truck&smod=Econoline Van & Bus&page=3&scan=27&type=model

You'll have to go through a few, as the entire link directly to the Econoline does not work.

 

Fit perfectly a pallet load of beer or soda, which was what we used it for. Seven rows of 12oz cases, nine or ten of cans, IIRC.


But the brochure doesn't mention pallet loading at all, which leads me to believe either it was an accident, or the engineers didn't tell the marketing department. The forklift and pallet are one (or two ) of the great unsung inventions of the 20th century.

 

The pallet would fit in the side door, but won't go far before it hits the dog house.

 

I have an old brochure and it mostly speaks of ease of loading and economical cost of operation. I have the long body and a 4 x 8 sheet will fit in it with some room left over The back floor of the standard body was about 7'6" "best I can tell" to the back of the engine box. The side doors are kinda interesting. Some early ones only had cargo doors on the rear. Some had cargo doors on the left some had all three set (holy body twist batman). don't know if it helps