Van fans: gather round – here’s another great story of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Back in 1971, Ford had a problem. A good problem, but a problem nonetheless. They'd just dominated Le Mans with the GT40, crushing Ferrari and cementing their place in motorsport history. But how do you take that racing glory and sell more vans to plumbers and electricians? Simple. You build the most ridiculous promotional vehicle ever created. Enter the Ford Transit Supervan—a legitimate race car disguised as a work van. The first of a legend.
When Ford Engineers Got Bored
Picture this: someone at Ford looks at a humble Mark 1 Transit and thinks, "You know what this needs? A mid-mounted GT40 V8." And somehow, they got approval.
They didn't just drop in any engine. They went full send. The Supervan was built on a modified Cooper Monaco spaceframe chassis—actual race car bones—with a 435-horsepower Ford GT40 V8 sitting where the cargo normally goes. It kept the Transit's body shell, so it looked like it should be delivering packages. But underneath? Pure Le Mans pedigree.
The result? A van that could hit 0-60 mph in 7 seconds and top out at over 150 mph. In 1971. While looking like it belonged in an Aldi car park.
It Could Actually Drive
This wasn't just a showpiece that barely ran. The Supervan toured across Europe, appeared at race meetings, and actually raced. At the Nürburgring, during a touring car race weekend, it lapped in 9 minutes 13 seconds—faster than some of the actual race entries.
Think about that. A van. Faster than race cars. On the Nordschleife.
Only one was ever built. After its promotional tour ended, it was stripped for parts by Terry Drury Racing. Eventually, it was scrapped in the 1970s because the GT40 components became too valuable to waste on a promotional van. For decades, it was lost to history.
But the legend it started? That lived on. In 1984, Ford built Supervan 2. Then Supervan 3 in 1994. The lineage continued all the way to 2022 with Supervan 4—a fully electric monster proving that even 50 years later, Ford still believes Transits should be able to embarrass supercars.
As for the original? In 2024, Andy Browne completed its full restoration. The GT40-powered Transit that started it all is back.
Why Should You Care?
Because 2025 isn't just any year for the Transit—it's the 60th anniversary of an icon. And if you drive a Transit (or any van, really), you're part of a legacy that includes one of the most insane vehicles ever built. A legacy that's continued through four generations of Supervans, each one pushing the boundaries of what a van should be.
Ford looked at a workhorse van and said, "Let's make it beat supercars." And they kept saying it for over 50 years.
So next time someone gives you grief about driving a van, just smile and say: "Yeah, but one of them once lapped the Nürburgring faster than race cars—with a GT40 engine in the back."
That usually shuts them up.
P.S. We build self-assembly furniture kits for all medium-sized vans, including the Transit. Whether you're celebrating 60 years of Transit heritage or just need to kit out your van properly, we've got you covered. And Andy Browne—if you're reading this and fancy upgrading the Supervan's interior—give us a call!
