1974 Ford Transit MK1

This charming and very pretty vehicle was thoroughly restored some four years ago, and even the briefest look at the quality wooden flat-bed and the vehicle’s pristine undersides will tell you that the job appears to have been done very well.

The joint owners bought it with a view to giving a new lease of life as a promotional tool.

As if often the case with even the best laid plans, life got in the way and those plans failed to materialise. Hence the sale now.

We have driven it and can attest to its thoroughly sorted mechanicals, its ability to start, go and stop and you would hope, and the almost racy nature of the plucky little (and original) V4 engine.

The bodywork is very straight and true, and there are no dimples, dinks or dents of any real note anywhere that we can see.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even.

From three or four metres away, everything looks fine and dandy, and the pale blue livery really suits the vehicle, in our opinion.

Get a little closer and one or two largely cosmetic issues begin to make themselves known.

There is some bubbling and cracked paint at the base of both doors, along the leading edge of the bonnet, on the front valance behind the bumper and in both roof gutters.

There’s also some split paint and a line of surface rust beneath the windscreen on the offside, plus some rust to be found on the white headlamp surrounds.

Elsewhere, though, it’s all pretty good, and the wood on the flat-bed is really quite beautiful.

There is no rust or bubbling that we can see in the front wings as these were replaced (inners and outers) at the time of restoration.

The chrome-work is mostly very good, as are the wheels and tyres.

The interior, you won’t be remotely surprised to discover, is pretty much a match for its exterior counterpart.

The black vinyl seats are supportive and comfortable and are undamaged save for a couple of tiny holes.

The black carpets and mats are beyond reproach, as is the white headlining.

The door cards are good, although the wood-effect trim is getting a little frayed and ragged at the edges in places.

All dials, instruments, levers and controls look good to us and, as far as we’re aware, everything does what it’s supposed to do.

There is a small split at one end of the dashboard top-roll and some cracks in the paint on the lower dashboard panel behind the gear lever.

The engine bay as a whole is clean, shiny, dry and tidy.

The undersides of the vehicle merit 5 stars on a food hygiene scale, never mind a mechanic’s report, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

It all looks solid and appears to have plenty of engineering integrity.

The car comes with very little by way of history. The mileage today reads 6,926 and, in 2011, it was recorded as being 71,240 miles.

So, we’re assuming that the correct mileage is now 106,926 miles.

The vendor tells us that in addition to its restoration four years ago, the vehicle received a major service two years ago – since when it has done very little.

It comes with a brand-new battery, a V5, a clear HPI report and, somewhat intriguingly, a Ford Transit V4 Workshop Manual that appears to have been liberated form Southall Public Library in 1985.

Tut tut.

This MK1 Transit Pick-Up is as charming as it is rare.

It is also functional, and would readily lend itself to events, shows, promotions or, if you wish, just hauling stuff from A to B.

This one seems to be in very fine mechanical and dynamic order, and just needs a few cosmetic issues addressing to get it into truly first-class condition.

We are happy to offer this pick-up for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.