Basic Information and History

The Ford Taunus Transit, originally launched in Germany as the FK 1000 in 1953 and marketed under the Taunus name from 1961, was the Cologne factory's answer to the post-war era's growing need for light commercial vehicles. With its forward-set cab, the engine positioned between the driver's seat and passenger seat, and a flat load floor, it became a valued workhorse throughout Europe. The model was produced until 1965, the same year Ford in England introduced the all-new Transit, which took over the name and the market.

This example is a 1965 Ford Taunus Transit 1500, fitted with the four-cylinder 1.7-litre engine from the Taunus family. The odometer reading stands at 16,612 km, a remarkably low figure for a vehicle of this type and age.

According to the seller, the car has had only two owners. The first, a private individual, owned it for 40 years, after which Albinsson & Sjöbergs Bilmuseum took over and has had it in its possession for 24 years. During the museum's ownership, the car has been kept roadworthy and used on public roads several times a year, among other things in connection with the vehicles being moved around and swapped during museum activities.

New paint, new tyres, the engine has been fully overhauled down to the smallest detail and gone through with a rebuilt gearbox. The car has also been converted to a 12-volt system. The chassis has been sandblasted and rust-protected. The tank has been refurbished. New lines such as fuel and brake lines and new wiring throughout. The load bed has received new wood, stained to resemble the original as closely as possible. New windows and rubber seals all around. The headliner is new. As are all the rubber mats.

Equipment and Options

• 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine
• Manual gearbox
• Original tyres
• No options or additional equipment beyond factory specification

The car is thus essentially preserved in its original condition. The measures carried out are of a preserving and maintaining nature rather than modifying: the cylinder head has been overhauled, the brakes have been rebuilt, and the front seats have been sent to a car upholstery firm for re-stuffing, as the original foam rubber had aged and crumbled despite the low mileage.

Condition

Body and Exterior: The paint is described as being in good condition, with some touch-ups around the wheel arches. Chrome, trim, lamp lenses and emblems are said to be in good condition, as are all the glass windows.

Interior: The cabin is described by the seller as being in near-new condition. The seats previously gave a worn-in impression due to aged foam rubber, but as mentioned have been re-stuffed by a car upholstery firm. The headliner is in good condition and the steering wheel, controls and buttons are said to be free of damage.

Tyres and Rims: The car rolls on original tyres with good tread depth. Given the age of the tyres, an assessment of the rubber's condition should be made before regular driving.

Mechanics and Function: The engine is said to be in good condition and has covered 16,000 km, with an overhauled cylinder head. The brakes have been rebuilt and are described as working well. The gearbox and drivetrain are said to function without issue. The car has not recently been inspected.

Service History

During the 24 years the vehicle has belonged to Albinsson & Sjöbergs Bilmuseum, it has been kept roadworthy and maintained on an ongoing basis by the museum's own car mechanics. Maintenance has thus been carried out continuously and with the vehicle's preservation as its guiding principle.

The seller cannot state with certainty whether previous service records, history, or receipts accompany the car.

Summary

A Ford Taunus Transit 1500 from the model's final production year, a vehicle that today rarely appears on the market, and even more rarely in this condition. With 16,612 km on the odometer, two owners from new, and continuous maintenance carried out by a car museum's own mechanics, this example appears remarkably well preserved.

The work carried out, in the form of an overhauled cylinder head, rebuilt brakes and re-stuffed seats, speaks of a vehicle that has been used and maintained rather than simply left standing. An interesting object for the collector with an interest in Ford's German commercial vehicles and in the period just before the start of the modern Transit era. Bidders Highway does not arrange transport of the vehicle; the buyer is responsible for collection or transport from the car's location in Väse, Värmland.