’70s Custom Van

In the 1970s, the Ford Custom Van in ambulance configuration was built for function above all else. Based on Ford’s full-size van platform, it featured a strong V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a reinforced suspension to handle the added weight of medical equipment. The boxy body offered generous interior space, allowing room for a stretcher, cabinets, oxygen tanks, and basic life-support gear. Flashing roof lights, bold emergency markings, and a practical rear-door layout made it instantly recognizable on the street. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was dependable — a workhorse designed to respond fast and get the job done. This van has a variant in which the number 7 on the roof can be either horizontal or vertical.