1985 Ford Econoline XLT 4.9 from North America

Summary:

A beast. Probably the most powerful vehicle ever made

Faults:

Fuel filter at 120,000.

Wire to alternator at 130,000 wasn't charging.

Too powerful.

General Comments:

Reliable.

The strong 300 inline six pulled a 16ft trailer 4ft tall off shingles.

Lots of room.

No heater or A/C.

Rattles badly, but it is 27 years old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2012

2nd Jun 2012, 07:23

Too powerful wow.

A 1980's American vehicle with a 4.9L engine is probably around 180bhp.

If you want to experience power, try swapping that engine with the 7.3L V8 and supercharge it :P.

2nd Jun 2012, 08:26

"A beast. Probably the most powerful vehicle ever made"

- Don't tell that to the Bugatti Veyron!!!

4th Jun 2012, 08:29

"Too powerful" Are you joking? A 1985 Econoline with a 4.9 liter inline six -" the most powerful vehicle ever made"? I hate to burst your bubble, but it put out about 120 hp. That engine put out 145hp tops (in the 1990's).

What will be the title of your next review - "1963 Volkswagen 111 Sedan - The fastest car ever made"?

6th Jun 2012, 00:21

Faults: Too powerful??

8th Jun 2012, 14:34

Obviously his intent was amusing hyperbole, and the 300 six is a sufficiently powerful engine and very appropriate to the Econoline's purpose: it may only produce less than 150 horsepower, but torque was prodigious, and as in most long-stroke inline-sixes, made down low. High torque at low RPMs is really the key to enjoyable motoring.