60 Years of the Ford Transit Van: The Evolution of a Motoring Icon
Think vans, think Ford Transit.
It’s a nameplate that has endured the decades and become synonymous as the van you can trust to get the job done.
Whether as a durable tool of burgeoning businesses, a no-nonsense workhorse that can take whatever is thrown at it or a reliable load lugger that will go the distance (or all three!), the Ford Transit is not so much a van, it’s a symbol.
Indeed, the Ford Transit has mobilised millions around the world and kept them – plus all their stuff - moving for a full six decades.
Today, the Ford Transit isn’t merely a commercial vehicle, it’s a whole brand. A wildly successful one at that.
At the top of the range is the Ford Transit, the nameplate reserved the largest body style, while the huge-selling Ford Transit Custom sits just beneath it in the Medium sector. The range is completed by the Ford Transit Connect and Ford Transit Courier at the smaller end of the market.
Not many nameplates stay in faithful service for so long, so as the Ford Transit hits the 60-year milestone, let’s take a look back at whole it has evolved from van to icon.
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Ford Taunus Transit Van (1953-1965)
Technically speaking, the Transit brand is in fact 72 years old. Indeed, the Transit moniker has been with us since 1953 when it was attached to a German-built van bearing the Taunus name.
Though not widely exported, the Taunus Transit was conceived a direct rival to Volkswagen’s wildly successful Transporter (the original camper van) even if it lacked the charm of its competitor. Popular in Europe but little-known in the UK, though historically it is not affixed with the ‘first generation’ tag, the model would nonetheless go on to form the basis for the Transit line that officially began in 1965.
Ford Transit Van Mk.1 – (1965-1977)
In 1965, the first generation Transit van, this model had the longest production run of any Transit van to date, remaining largely unaltered during its twelve year lifespan.
This model was initially built in the brand's Langley facility in Berkshire, England, however demand exceeded the capability of the plant, with production moving to Southampton where it stayed right up until 2013.
Ford Transit Van Mk.II – (1978-1985)
The Mark II Transit van was launched in 1978, a heavily facelifted version giving the van significant engineering and cosmetic improvements.
The future of the Transit van was ensured by providing greater reliability and comfort than its predecessor, this popularity amongst hosts of different customers is still felt even today.
Ford Transit Van Second Generation – (1986-1994)
The fact that the Transit van didn't get a massive overhaul for more than 20 years spelt out its consistent appeal over this period of time.
The second-generation Transit van launched in 1986, however, was a big departure for from its predecessor, debuting the ‘one-box’ bodyshell design that has remained in effect since.
With a focus on durability, versatility, longevity and value for money - qualities which made its predecessor so popular - the exterior of the Transit van was heavily modified to shorten the bonnet, giving rise to the familiar sloped design, which helped increase the amount of space the expanded load bay could hold.
Ford Transit Van Second Gen Facelift - (1994-1999)
In 1994, the second-generation Transit van gained a major facelift with a new nose and dashboard more in-keeping with the rest of a Ford range that now included halo models like the new Mondeo.
It also introduced features which we take for granted in today's models but were a revelation at the time, including: air conditioning, central locking, airbags and electric windows.
Ford Transit Van Third Generation - (2000-2005)
In 2000, the third generation Transit van was launched, sporting some rapid advances in engineering technology, with perhaps the most noticeable feature of the new model being how much of a car-like feel it had when driving.
The new van was becoming more efficient and easier to drive, whilst also being perfect for carrying heavy loads as ever before. It sported a boxier shell to improve cargo space, as well as a distinctive new design.
The third generation also saw the first use of the Transit name on a different model – the Transit Connect – which was launched in 2002 – to rival the Citroen Berlingo in the small van class and go on to succeed van converted Fiesta and Escort models.
Ford Transit Van Third Gen Facelift – (2006-2012)
The third generation Transit van was given a facelift in 2006, gaining a refreshed look to the front and rear lights and a heavily revised interior that moved the gearstock to the dashboard.
Powertrains of the Transit van were also revised to improve efficiency from the diesel line-up, whilst a Sport model also joined the range in 2006.
Ford Transit Van Fourth Generation (2013-2018)
The launch of the fourth generation Ford Transit brought with it a major expansion of the brand, including more models using the Transit name and a move into the North American market.
As a result of this model, the mid-size Transit Custom was launched, differentiating it from previous attempts to market it as an alternative body-style of the original Transit. Though related in design, the Transit and Transit Custom were positioned and marketed separately as two different commercial vehicles.
The Transit brand would go on to spawn a fourth spin-off, the Ford Transit Courier, slotting in below the Connect.
Ford Transit Van Fourth Gen Facelift (2020-Present)
The most recent update for the Ford Transit was a facelift for the fourth generation model, launched in 2020.
Bringing styling updates, a revised interior and an overhaul of the engine range, the facelift also coincided with the announcement of the E-Transit, the first electric-powered version of the model in 55 years.
It’s the model that continues today to mark the 60th anniversary of the Mk.I Transit.
In those 60 years, more than nine million Ford Transit vans have been sold and it is still going strong today, especially in the UK, with the Transit Custom and Transit holding 1-2 in the sales charts for several years. It is ranked as the third best-selling van of all-time.
While it is unclear when the fifth generation will arrive (likely in the next couple of years), there is little doubt the Transit will continue to make the impact it has made ever since the first van rolled off the production line some six decades ago.
