Friday 15th April 2011

Pic Of The Week: Transit Supervan 3

A 650bhp mid-engined Ford Transit. We see nothing odd there...

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Ford's unveiling earlier this week of the new Transit SuperSportVan has had us reminiscing about the Blue Oval's more wacky Transit adventures, namely the Supervan series.

This started way back in the seventies with a GT40 chassis and a mid-mounted 400bhp V8. In 1984, Ford built Supervan 2, this time using a fibreglass body on a C100 Group C chassis and fitted with a Cosworth DFL V8 - the long-stroke version of Ford's famous DFV F1 engine. It was clocked at Silverstone doing 174mph.

Finally, and to help promote the launch of the Mk5 Transit, in 1995 Ford went completely loopy and had Supervan 2 rebuilt with a new body and a 650bhp Cosworth HB F1 engine to create the truly insane Supervan 3 you see here.

Sadly, Supervan 3 has since had a more practical 260bhp 3.0-litre V6 installed, which is a bit of a shame. Still, the very fact that it exists at all - and still belongs to FoMoCo - is a fact worthy of celebration.

Normal (1280x1024)
WideScreen (1440x900)
SuperSize (2048x1536)

[BigI]

One of the TT Photos would have been better...

[cboi23]

Me and the Supervan ...

[Adz The Rat]

If I ever win the lottery Im going to build one.

[jellison]

Now with a 260bhp 3.0-litre V6 installed, that sums up Fords approach to F1 as well.

JESUS WEPT!

[Papa Hotel]

cboi23 said:

Me and the Supervan ...

WTF??? How big are you?

[Fun Bus]

Look at how low it's sitting though - he'd only have to be 6'?

[soad]

Like it!

[Cotty]

Prefer Supervan 2

[Transmitter Man]

Me to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnqdIsBJT0A

Phil

[Ian974]

Looking at it, I'm guessing the whole shell has been built on a smaller scale?
Still an excellend piece of kit!

[Duke Thrust]

Ian974 said:

Looking at it, I'm guessing the whole shell has been built on a smaller scale?
Still an excellend piece of kit!

Yes, from memory it's 7/8ths scale

[Lord_Howit_Hertz]

cboi23 said:

Me and the Supervan ...

You're Vidic and I want a fiver and all that malarkey

[jellison]

It is pointless with a Mondeo engine.

[Papa Hotel]

jellison said:

It is pointless with a Mondeo engine.

Quite. 260 horses doesn't quite cut it, doesn't make the "super" bit of "supervan" true. I see Supervan 3 and raise you an Espace F1.

[jellison]

Papa Hotel said:

jellison said:

It is pointless with a Mondeo engine.

Quite. 260 horses doesn't quite cut it, doesn't make the "super" bit of "supervan" true. I see Supervan 3 and raise you an Espace F1.

The FW14b under it NICE.

Or the Jag XJ220 based Tranny that Justin Law has taken up the GW hill and Top Gear had on recently - NICE.

[Porkie]

Papa Hotel said:

jellison said:

It is pointless with a Mondeo engine.

Quite. 260 horses doesn't quite cut it, doesn't make the "super" bit of "supervan" true. I see Supervan 3 and raise you an Espace F1.

That engine has never been in a Mondeo. Its the old Granada 24v Cosworth engine.

seen it go around Donno at RSOC National day.... makes a very loud noise, but is just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO slow with that pony engine!!!!

bet it was epic with the original engine though and still looks v cool.

[jellison]

Porkie said:

Papa Hotel said:

jellison said:

It is pointless with a Mondeo engine.

Quite. 260 horses doesn't quite cut it, doesn't make the "super" bit of "supervan" true. I see Supervan 3 and raise you an Espace F1.

That engine has never been in a Mondeo. Its the old Granada 24v Cosworth engine.

seen it go around Donno at RSOC National day.... makes a very loud noise, but is just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO slow with that pony engine!!!!

bet it was epic with the original engine though and still looks v cool.

You know what I mean - Mondano or Grannie - lazy mid size V6 chugger - not a Bloody F1 Engine - Ford UK - you have to say "Knobbers".

[TonyHetherington]

cboi23 said:

Me and the Supervan ...

Blimey, it's a lot smaller than you'd think it would be!!! (Or you're absolutely massive!! )

[jellison]

TonyHetherington said:

cboi23 said:

Me and the Supervan ...

Blimey, it's a lot smaller than you'd think it would be!!! (Or you're absolutely massive!! )

They are made 7/8ths or 4/5ths size like many Drag car bodies

[ian_c_uk]

Not only 7/8ths, but also still a mk2 shape with a mk3 nose / lights....