Jeff Dunham’s 1976 Ford Econoline Chateau | Jay Leno's Garage

Shag carpeting? Check. Porthole windows? Check. 70’s graphics? Check. V8? Check! Jeff Dunham’s factory conversion van brings back a wave of nostalgia.

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A new video every Sunday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.

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[dennisbrown]

As a guy that built these vans, it was great to see one. And I'd like to thank anyone who ever bought one, as I retired from Ford. In spite of misinformation, the line workers were proud of what we made and were always pushing management to let us make the vans better.

[bbbcid]

I aways love how Dunham's vehicles are essentially a mystery even to him

[gotchagoing]

Jay, you have to have this guy back with his pinto, and some of his other vehicles. You and Jeff played off of each other perfectly, and was very entertaining. Jeff isn't shy in front of the camera like a lot of your other guests. Great video and lots of fun, thank you.

[karnathracklar]

You know Jay's driving when the car is drifting into the other lanes.

[peteschutza]

My favorite take-away from this; Jay says, "I like single-purpose vehicles, none of this utility mumbo-jumbo". Jeff says, "Okay, but not everyone can afford to have 8 or 9 cars, Jay". The custom vans of this era very cool and fun. Hit the beach, go camping, help a buddy move, go cruising for chicks, good times!

[treasuretravelers]

My favorite episode! I drove a 66 Ford van in college (1970) and then bought a short wheel base E-100, 78 Ford van with the 351. The 78 pulled my boat 350K miles before the 351 finally wore out - The van was used for hauling surf boards, hauling music equipment, camping, towing my boats, hauling motorcycles, and conceiving 2 of my kids - It got as high as 16 MPG (at 55 MPH) and around 10 towing my boats. Seeing this van on Jay’s show meant as much to me as seeing his viper and Ford GT - Thanks Jay!!!

[mountainmandale]

I had a 1976 Econoline van that was so customized! It was a true shaggin' wagon. I even took it to the drag strip and raced it. High 16s.

[barrybegley]

Jay & Jeff; Thank you both so much for bringing back some fantastic memories for me. I had one of these but with the 351 Windsor Ford engine here in Canada. My van was wall to wall "Fun Fur" inside with a raised bed across the back with oak spindles separating the bed from the rest of the inside. I installed the opera glass porthole windows on each side and had a hand in air brushing a logo and graphic beside them. It was called the "Devils Den". Oversized tires on white custom rims completed the outside. New black leather captains swivel seats with cloth insert were fastened in the front. The outside finish was a cherry burgundy with this "Devil's" face and graphics airbrushed in black and yellow. It was quite striking and recognizable from a long way off. Can You begin to imagine the stir it made when my better half took her sister and young kids to the Catholic Church every Sunday and parked out front. I'm sure her uncle who was the Priest at that Church (and also a very good sport) blessed the "Devil's Den" in more ways than one. Good Times were had by ALL. It was certainly a conversation piece. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.

[Fony_turgeson]

It's gonna be a sad day to lose Jay Leno. What a legend. There will never be another

[scottdelaney]

That dual fuel tank set up brings back memories.

About 20 years ago I flew in to Austin, Texas to pick up a 1970 Ford F100 and drive it home to Chicago. It had the auxiliary tank with the toggle switch on the dash, and I couldn't figure out why it kept dying; the gauge said I had a full tank.

Around St. Louis I discovered the valve next to the driver's seat after I got towed into a gas station for the third time. 🤣

[lanesworld]

Jeff needs to be on the channel more often. Two friends cruising and talking about good memories. 👍

[frooke]

My dad had a '78 Econoline standard shift with a straight 6. We spent hours and hours in that van going back and forth across the country for our family vacations and weekend outings. It was fun seeing this van because I remember all the body lines, the dash, instruments etc. Fun memories, thanks for sharing.

[AndrewAult]

My dad bought one os these when they came out. We all realized how ugly it was, but there was a sense of humor and not taking life seriously. Ours had yellow, orange and purple stripes. One detail is that ours had silver, not gray vinyl seats. Later, dad traded it for a metal flake orange jet boat with a blown 454 engine. Dad was definitely a fun guy. :-)

[dewboy]

I love how Jay just doesn't care when he's going down the road, he drives in whatever lane, most of the time both. He will drift back and forth over the line.

Jeff has a fantastic ride!

[Quiksilversurf]

I need this van. The 70’s are the best.

[virtuestreams]

Geez—i remember seeing these vans in the trailer parks we lived in during the ‘70s, and since there were 300+ families in the parks, we saw a lot of different rides; I wouldn’t trade the experiences I had for anything, even though we were mostly, destitute. Delightful conversation gentlemen—thank you for the trip down memory lane.

[markbigbadbear]

I nearly pissed myself laughing when Jay went "Well, let's find out!" discussing the safety / quality of those seatbelts. Jeff needs to come back more often, love them just having a good time and taking us along for the ride 🙂

[annavariumful]

LOL!! I've never seen Jay have to ask, about four times, "well can we take it for a drive". A great episode! Two car guys, cruising, and having a chat. Loved it!

[williamwright]

Van craze never died. Still going on. Look it them now. Sprinter and full size. Awesome

[robskully]

Wow .. just wow …. brings back pleasant memories of my past. I bought a 1974 Dodge Maxivan with a 318 V8 and a manual transmission. It was the Tradesman version with no windows down the side except the driver and passenger window. It did have window in each of the two back doors. I originally bought it because I started racing motocross here in New England. I did insulated and panel it with plywood which was stained. I only raced for two years after deciding it just wasn’t my thing and went back to just trail riding in the woods. At that time in 1976 the Van craze was just hitting here so I did change out the interior to shag rug and crushed velvet. Also change the tires and rims to Craiger mags and wide tires. Replaced the column shifter to a Hurst stuck shift on the floor. Exhaust was changed out to Hooker Headers and gas pack mufflers. Out side was all done up with pin stripping. Wish there was a way to post a picture here. Yes … the young girl that made the van rock back then became my Wife and now together since 1974 ;-) ….. 10-4 …. Peace Out from the Red Rider …