Daily Slideshow: Back when van/truck hybrids were all the rage, Vantruk built a small handful of these Ford E-350 based, um, things.
Different Kind of Hybrid
Most Ford fans are well aware of the many van/truck hybrids built by Centurion over the years. But what most don't know is that there was another player in this strange conversion game - Vantruk, Inc. So when we saw this nice '87 E-350 pickup come up for auction at Carlisle's Lakeland Winter Sale, we knew we had to shine a light on it.
Rare and Unique
Centurion E-350s are rare in their own right, but they're also quite common compared to Vantruks. Between 1983 and 1987, the company built only 100 examples of this unique vehicle.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Van, Truck, Dually
Each Vantruk started out as a regular old E-350 but was transformed into a diesel-powered dually. Vantruk modified the cab, extended the chassis to 138", and sourced a brand new Ford F-350 dually bed to make it happen.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Comfy Diesel Cruiser
This particular Vantruk is powered by a 6.9-liter Navistar engine and has just 135,900 original miles. It also sports nice features including dual fuel tanks, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and an automatic transmission.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Plush Cruiser
Each Vantruk was more of a luxury ride in its day, which explains the steep $35,000 asking price when new. The interior of these trucks was incredibly plush and even featured a rear seat that could fold flat and serve as a bed for overnight stays.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Big Demand?
Hence, the vast majority of Vantruks were sold to ranchers in the Southwestern U.S. Still, you can't help but notice the many similarities these van/trucks shared with Centurion E-350 models. And it makes you wonder - were these really in such high demand that it required multiple manufacturers to satisfy?
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Scratching the Itch
Judging by how few of each were produced over the years, we'd have to say no. But today, it's pretty cool to see something this unique. The '80s were quite a transitional period in the automotive world, and conversion companies thrived on building strange niche vehicles.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Taking a Risk
It's especially interesting in today's world, where it's very unlikely anybody would have the guts to build something like a Vantruk or Centurion E-350. Heck, most vehicles built today share loads of components and even look a lot alike.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Surprisingly Practical
But back when farming was still big business, folks had a lot of uses for vehicles like this. Centurion E-350s came equipped with fifth-wheel hitches and were quite popular for towing things like horse trailers while also offering a "free" place to sleep at night during a long journey.
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
Best of Both Worlds
So in that essence, this seemingly oddball vehicle makes a ton of sense. Vans of this era were the preferred family haulers, as they had loads of space and plenty of comfort and amenities to offer. Trucks, on the other hand, were used mostly for towing and hauling. Combine the two, and you've got the best of both worlds!
>>Join the conversation about this 1987 E-350 Vantruk right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
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