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For ,950, would you say “Action” to this 1977 Ford Transit Pickup from the Movie Car Collection? – Jalopnik
Automobile

For $4,950, would you say “Action” to this 1977 Ford Transit Pickup from the Movie Car Collection? – Jalopnik

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Ford has long dominated the pickup market here in the US. Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Transit is a model that brought that game to Europe. Now it’s here, and we’ll have to see how we feel about the asking price.

There are certain realities that, while frustratingly disappointing, simply have to be accepted. Not everyone enjoys being on the receiving end of a “pull my finger” joke, no matter how funny it may be to someone with a normal sense of humor. In a different vein, but equally maddening, is the fact that many desirable cars have seen their asking prices rise as if some kind of evil cabal is running the market for the sole purpose of denying us our rights and impressing the neighbors.

The 2000 Honda Civic Si EM1 we looked at yesterday is a good example of this frustration. Sure, we’d all love to own such a light and smooth little coupe, but at $23,000, this was well out of reach for all but the most fiery and smooth among us. That frustration quickly led to it falling to a stunning 91% No Dice loss.

But I do play one on TV

Today 1977 Ford Transit pickup is one of the stranger vehicles we’ve looked at, as it’s an offshoot of a model that, while popular in England and the Continent, was never sold here in the US. Its presence here makes sense once you discover it’s part of one collection assembled to supply vehicles for Hollywood’s TV and film industries. According to the Internet Movie Cars Database (IMCDB), this Transit pickup even appeared in the TV show ‘Seal Team’ from 2017-2024 where it was prominently featured in one episode, not just as a background player. The Transit, in its original van form, also played a starring role at the British crime scene in the 1970s, as its space, spirited driving and reasonably quick performance made it a big hit with bank robbers as the getaway vehicle of choice.

Clearing the collection

According to the ad, the owner of that movie car collection, Michael Harper-Smith, is winding down their business, and they “hope this cool truck ends up in the hands of a classic Ford car collector.” This German-built truck shows a healthy patina on the factory sky-blue paint, but the seller claims there is no structural rot, just a tumor-like top layer. As with many European pickups of the era, all three sides of the bed fold down for easy access, although the bed-mounted frame can get in the way unless removed.

The cabin is simple and austere, with three seats facing each other and somewhat new upholstery. The windows go up and down and there even seems to be a heater, so it offers almost all the comforts of home. However, with no soundproofing whatsoever and a rattling diesel up ahead, this is unlikely to be a place for quiet reflection.

Confusion under the hood

The description of that diesel in the ad is a bit of a mystery, as it says it’s a “2.4 liter V4 Diesel”. The thing is, Ford offered Transit V4 engines in this generation, as well as a 2.4-liter oil burner, but never offered all these aspects together. A little digging and a look at the under-hood photos indicate that the engine here is Ford’s 2.4-liter York inline four diesel. First offered in the Transit in 1972, the York Four delivered 61 horsepower and a powerful 99 pound-feet of torque. The York was longer than the V4 gas engine and required the longer nose of the Transit, shared with the six-cylinder versions, and was humorously referred to as the “pig’s nose” due to its pugnacious appearance.

The seller claims the car is in “Very Good Condition” and states that it has a clean title and that because it is a diesel of a certain age, it will never have to endure the indignation of a state smog test. It is currently tagged with non-operational status, so no late fees are due when transferring the title or registering it for on-road use.

A strange bodkin

As I noted at the beginning, this is an extremely strange opportunity for someone looking for… well, I don’t know what. This isn’t the standard pickup for a weekend trip home, and even if someone were to imagine using it in that capacity, wouldn’t a more modern mini pickup be more practical? No, this is, as the seller acknowledges, really something for a Ford Aficionado, someone who needs it to complement some kind of set. At $4,950, it’s not that much of a stretch to make the purchase, so it’s really about the why, not the how.

What do you think of this Transit truck and that $4,950 asking price? Is that a reasonable dent in the wallet for a collector? Or is that price just another Hollywood fantasy?

You decide!

Los Angeles, California Craigslistor go here when the ad disappears.

Help me with a nice prize or no dice. Contact me at robemslie@gmail.com and send a fixed price tip. Don’t forget to include your comment handle.



#Action #Ford #Transit #Pickup #Movie #Car #Collection #Jalopnik

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