Ford simply unveiled the Transit Path as a van with overlanding in thoughts, together with commonplace options like all-wheel drive, a lifted journey top, and all-terrain tires. Whereas this mannequin is new, the thought just isn’t. The 1970 Econoline Kilimanjaro idea was a kitschy interpretation of a rig for off-road adventures.
We requested the Ford Archives for extra particulars in regards to the Kilimanjaro van, and it was in a position to get us an authentic press launch (see gallery beneath). Dated November 11, 1969, the doc describes the automobile as “a rugged and spacious four-wheel-drive automobile designed to maneuver by way of swampy jungles or desert sands carrying hunters, rifles, ammunition and a two-way radio.”
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Oddly, the discharge makes no point out of the van’s coolest characteristic. Giant panels on the rear open to reveal a portion of the edges and roof. Whereas this appears good for getting have a look at nature, the reference to carrying hunters, rifles, and ammunition makes us surprise if the precise intention is as a taking pictures platform.
A minimum of the driving force’s aspect has a ladder built-in into the physique. An individual might use it to climb up the automobile to entry the full-sized spare tire on the roof.
The discharge describes the van’s colour as “bush jacket beige.” Plus, a large Leopard-print stripe wraps round the entire physique. Whether or not or not this mixture appears good is subjective, but it surely definitely makes an announcement.
A modified bumper holds a pair of gasoline cans, which does not seem to be the most secure location for them in a front-end collision. There are additionally two spotlights.
The van rides on Firestone-branded tires with a really chunky tread sample.
Sadly, we do not know any extra in regards to the Kilimanjaro idea. A Chicago Auto Present web page signifies the van was on show there, probably in 1970.
The Ford Archives additionally despatched us a scanned article from the January-February 1974 concern of Ford Seller Journal (above). Jerome-Duncan Ford in Sterling Heights, Michigan, held a particular occasion to spur RV gross sales in September 1973. As a part of the promotion, the Kilimanjaro idea was on show within the showroom. A Baja Bronco was there, too.
Sadly, the article did not specify whether or not Jerome-Duncan Ford owned the Kilimanjaro idea, borrowed it from Ford, or bought the van from a 3rd social gathering. The story is a minimum of a affirmation of the automobile surviving till 1973.
If every other particulars in regards to the Kilimanjaro idea, particularly its destiny in the present day, tell us within the feedback.
