Ford transit is the most admired light commercial vehicle in the UK, this is how it reaches to its production end in the UK
It is almost four years now when we have heard a sad news about the most admired light commercial vehicle in the UK that Ford is ending its transit production line in the UK in July 2013. It was very tough for the British drivers to accept this reality but it was just the end of its local production instead of its delivery in the UK. Don’t forget those happier instances for this enduring van when it was described by Ford as strength of the UK small and medium businesses.
That was true and transit has definitely played a vital role in the light commercial vehicle department of the UK. It was launched in 1965 but has ruled the UK market for decades by defeating the majority of rivals. It is the only light commercial van which was offered in more than 450 trims from panel vans to passenger vans and light buses.
It was the time in the UK market when all medium sized panel vans were called as transit vans even they were produced by Renault or Toyota or Volkswagen or even by Bedford. People ended up calling them by their actual names. It was the actual situation and phenomenon of the popularity of this light commercial van. The first generation of transit vans remained in action till 1978.
Ford Transit (1965-1978)
Predecessor; FK1000 (1953) & Ford Thames 400E
Generation; MK-01
CLASS; Light Commercial Vehicle
POWER; 1.7-Litre, 2.0-Litre, Essex V4 and Perkins Engines
The legendary Transit was first unveiled in 1953 and since then, it is ruling the world. It was not actually started as Transit at that time, the transit badge was placed on the van in 1961. At start it was introduced as FK1000 manufactured by Cologne in Germany. That particular model has remained on sale till 1965. And then, the model comes that all we aware off and love to have one even today, the TRANSIT. It was the first Transit van powered by a 1.7-Litre V4 and 2.0-Litre Essex engines and was also introduced in the UK. But that engine was not so admired and a majority of drivers dislike that engine. For real fun with this excellent commercial van since its launch, a 43bhp Perkins diesel engined variant was also offered in the UK market.
Ford Transit (1965-1978)
Predecessor; FK1000 (1953) & Ford Thames 400E
Generation; MK-I
Competitors; BMC J4 and J2 vans, Commer PB and Bedford CA
CLASS; Light Commercial Vehicle 3 – 4 doors vans
POWER; 2.0 L 1996 cc Essex V4, 3.0 L 2994 cc Essex V6, 1.7 L 1699 cc Taunus V4
In the United Kingdom’s markets, Ford transit has very swiftly become one of the favourite mid-sized vans. The transit has given the tough competition to its all competitors like Bedford CF and BMC J4. Resultantly – transit has become the best-selling and most admired light commercial van across the UK.
In the event that Ford was not making any changes to the Capri V6s and with the same settings Capri V6 models were sent out on bank raids, chassis cab versions remained in action for a long time as promising agents for different companies, e.g. Pepsi.
Ford Transit (1978-1986)
Predecessor; Ford Thames 400E, TAUNUS
Generation; MK-II
BODY TYPES; Van, Kombi, Chassis Cab, Parcel Van, Bus and Crew bus
CLASS; Light Commercial Vehicle 3 -4 doors vans
POWER; PINTO ENGINES, 1.6 L Ford Kent cross-flow engine,
NEW FEATURES; OHV, OHC engine, captain style swivel seats, motorsport steering wheel, 14″ alloy wheels, side windows, folding back seat, luggage box, unique front spoiler, power steering
In 1978, the reliable Transit got its first important facelift in 13 years of construction. Now established firmly as the United Kingdom’s favourite van, Ford set about merging its mid-sized van with a raft of updates in order to make the transit more modern. The revised interior-end styling, which made extensive use of plastic materials and it was the massive ever change. Now not only did it look more modern, but it sure stopped it’s looking blunt and rusty. The great new was that Ford managed to use Pinto engines in the Transit and V4 as used in the Capri, Cortina, Granada and Escort models. Sadly, another time, like the Essex engine in the previous generation. It wasn’t an outright achievement, thanks to generally informed ruins. However Ford swiftly fixes that, and from there on, Britain’s nice promoting van keep on matchless.
Ford Transit Supervan 2 (1984)
Predecessor; Ford C100 race car
Generation; MK-II
Body Types; racing van, sports van
Class; Light Commercial Vehicle 3 -4 doors vans
Power; Mid-mounted Ford-Cosworth 650bhp ‘HB’ F1 engine, Ford-Cosworth DFL engine
New Features; 174m/h speed, V8 engines, OTT racing kit
There were three super vans built in total, named Supervan 1, Supervan 2, and Supervan 3 but it’s the 1984 version that remains probably the most famous for ages. And that’s as a rule due to the fact that it used to be essentially the most outrageous van ever made. It was van made of fibre and powered by an OTT body kit for racing in the events like British truck racing Grand Prix. The chassis was absolutely taken from a C100 team C Le Mans race automobiles, and a Cosworth DFL engine powered it to 174mph
Ford Transit (1978-1986)
Predecessor; Ford custom theme
Generation; MK-II
Body Types; Van, Kombi, Chassis Cab, Parcel Van, Bus and Crewbus
Class; six wheeler van
Power; Mid-mounted Ford-Cosworth 650bhp ‘HB’ F1 engine, Ford-Cosworth DFL engine
New Features; studded Draylon interior, six wheels, gullwing doors
Once again, the customizers headed to the Ford Transit and did their extraordinary. This six-wheeler took the Transit ‘custom’ theme to its logical conclusion, sporting a pair of gullwing doors, and a studded Draylon interior.
As for the six-wheeler theme, again in the late 1970s, they were the entire rage, with the likes of the Tyrrell P34 F1 auto and Panther 6.
Ford Transit (1986-1994)
Predecessor; MARK-II
Generation; MK-III
BODY TYPES; PRE-FACELIFT SWB OONE BOX VERSION
POWER; 2.0 L I4, 2.9 L V6, 3.0 L Essex V6, 2.5 L DI I4
NEW FEATURES; EFI V6, LWB, SWB, ONE BOX BODY,
In 1986, Ford transit was introduced with some massive changes and the codename was also changed to VE6 for this generation. It was an entirely new design model and called after the one-box design. To support this design, Ford has changed its SWB or short wheel base suspension system to a totally independent configuration. In this generation, the engines range was carried over from MARK II generation and it was also largely unchanged. The1986 Transit was an exhaustive departure from what came before – and an emulated image of Ford’s self-possessed annoyance at the time. Underneath, there have been some changes, too – although as a substitute just like the transformation from Cortina to Sierra, now the Mark III generation was becoming more styling promised.
The engines had been carried over excluding the 3.0-Litre Essex V6, which was once changed through a 2.8-Litre Cologne unit, however, the new unbiased front suspension was once equipped to brief-wheelbase versions. And guess what, it persisted as Britain’s best-selling light commercial van.
Ford Transit (1986-1994)
Predecessor; MARK-II
Generation; MK-III
Body Types; PRE-FACELIFT SWB OONE BOX VERSION
Class; a music van,
Power; 2.0 L I4, 2.9 L V6, 3.0 L Essex V6, 2.5 L DI I4
New Features; capital radio, mile muncher,
Just like the habit of Ford to make every generation more attractive than the previous one, this time Ford has done the same with the Music Power vans, attracted all manner of aftermarket changes. Ford has given transit an excellent chassis system that is ultra-adaptable and equally flexible. Ford has provided the best music options as Capital Radio’s ‘Mile Muncher’ proved in the van in 1986 when it was used on the opening of the M25 motorway and it was driven for seven day and nights nonstop on the M25.
In 1992, the Transit was introduced with a delicate facelift, which noticed its new front suspension set-up rolled-out throughout all models. In 1992 models, Ford has given more tweaks to the models. Apart from the facelifts, Ford has changed the front of the transit with more rectangular shaped headlights and bigger and stylish grille. The entertainment features were vastly required for that time and Ford has given all to its customers in 1992 ford transit.
Ford Transit (1994-2000)
Predecessor; MARK-III
Generation; MK-Iv
Body Types; Face lifted van, pickup, minibus, crew cab, chassis cab, Luton/box van
CLASS: light commercial panel van
Power; 2.0 L I4, 2.9 L V6, 3.0 L Essex V6, 2.5 L DI I4
New Features; OBD II-compliant EEC-V level ECU, air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, electric mirrors and airbags
In 1994, the Transit got some other body style changes and a bigger facelift. For the latter half of the 1990s, it could face an increasingly tough market with a brand new dashboard, nostril styling – that seemed to share its radiator grille opening with the Ferrari F355. Three different flavors s of 2.5-Litre turbodiesel have been offered. There were more features offered as optional features including air con, automatic windows, electric mirrors, and airbags.
Apart from all these changes, Ford has managed to deliver excellent quality on its light commercial vans in the UK. The styling tweaks were still continued which were started in 1992. Ford has received a new nose with an inspiring dashboard and instrument cluster. The 1994 model also received a 2.0 litre engine, same as it was used in Ford Scorpio and Sierra from 1994 to 1998. There was a valuable addition to the engine when it was used in the Ford Transit. An updated OBD II-compliant EEC-V level engine control unit was introduced.
The transit Hallmark was introduced in 1995 on the 30th anniversary of Ford Transit. There were 600 Hallmark limited edition models were produced in total and were offered in three colors, 200 models of each color to celebrate the 30TH Anniversary of the most successful light commercial van in the UK.
Ford Transit (2000-2006)
Predecessor; MARK-IV
Generation; MK-V
Body Types; pickup, minibus, crew cab, chassis cab, Luton/box van
CLASS: light commercial panel van
Power; 2.2L Duratorq TDCi I4, 2.4L Duratorq TDCi I4, 3.2L Duratorq TDCi I5, 2.3L Duratec I4
New Features; common rail fuel injection, automatic transmission, air conditioning, digital odometer
The idealistic Transit offered as a millennium edition and it broke many records in the UK considering that it was the only van offered with three wheel drive options including FWD, RWD, and AWD. It was designed and developed in America and ended up being the first to be provided with the spectacular Puma turbodiesel. The 2000 Transit was the first to win the coveted International Van of the year award. In 2002, we additionally noticed with the launch of transit connect, the starting of the Transit line to come to be a range of certain models.
In 2005, Top Gear has tested the Transit at Nurburgring in Germany and the driver was world famous Sabine Schmitz, she attempted to drive the transit at its best to complete the turn in under ten minutes on the ring, the race was with Jaguar S-Type. She completed the turn in 10.8 seconds but it was still very impressive. This version was already the winner of International Van of the Year in 2001.
Ford Transit (2006-2013)
Predecessor; MARK-V
Generation; MK-VI
Body Types; FACELIFTED van, pickup, minibus, crew cab, chassis cab, Luton/box van
CLASS: light commercial panel van
Power; 2.2L Duratorq TDCi I4, 2.4L Duratorq TDCi I4, 3.2L Duratorq TDCi I5, 2.3L Duratec I4
New Features; common rail fuel injection, automatic transmission, air conditioning, digital odometer,
The 2006 Transit again received a major facelift as of the earlier model, ushering in new front end finish styling, and revised car like interior. A 2.2-Litre common rail turbodiesel engine offered, and updated petrol engines and 6-speed manuals. But the Transit XXL remains a one-off. The seven-meter long cruise liner was once built by Transit team in Dunton won the Global Van of the Year Award in 2007. And then the journey of unbeatable tweaks and stylings started which is still continue.