Information Wanted: Mk1 Escort Little Ripper Vans

A Gentleman named Peter contacted us via PM.

He is after some Information on the Mk1 Escort Little Ripper Van.

Here is what Peter wrote:

I have recently purchased myself a 1975 ford escort Mk1 panel van which we (father & son) plan to resto. Well I think the esky escort van will get a resto but we are in the early stages of a XY Van resto so the Escort Van will need to wait or it may gets sold to fund the xy van project ?

Anyhow through further investigation it’s becoming apparent that the escort van I have maybe a Ford 50th anniversary special limited edition called : 1975 ford Escort Mk1 Panel Van Little Ripper ?

I’m calling/asking if any of you people out there know about these “Little Rippers” Escort Vans.
I would really appreciate any information please...
Colours, Specs, Options, Memories and information anything please...
Now the information I ‘have found & read on the internet about these Escort Mk1 little ripper vans is very very limited – there just isn’t much apart from a few bits here and there.

What I have found is : These Mk1 Escort Little Ripper Van’s where the last of the Mk1’s and ford used the run-out Escort Mk1 LX stuff for these vans ?
Little Ripper Escort Vans were built in the height of the Aussie freedom Panel Van era and they were built just before the Special Edition Ford “Sundowner Van” as a RV for the Seventies Vanners – for camping, surfing, playing e.c.t
Why I think my Escort Mk1 Panel Van is a special edition “little ripper” is because:
• The roof lining goes from the front all the way to the back doors of this Van
• The colour schema
• The wheels/mags 12”
• Forward folding front seats to allow extra room in rear

I’ll post some pictures so you can check the mk1 esky out and you guys with the good memories books and magazines please get back to me with your with any info at all.

Look forward to your reply
Cheers

If you are able to provide any Information, please reply to this Thread.

Tell him to ring ford australia, as they sometimes keep records on their cars.
Or he could try here
http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/default.aspx
Or he might find it here.
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/ford_escort_production_identification.htm

Thanks James

Here's some info and pics on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiefordadverts/5193581571/.http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiefordadverts/4094178997/

It had a special Roo Sticker, it was like a Superoo with Boots, a Jacket and a Hat giving the Thumbs Up.

Yes, Ford did produce the 'Little Ripper'. My uncle had one. All the information you have is correct. They were at the end of the Mk 1 production and preceeded the model specific Mk 2 Sundowner. The Mk 1 Sundowner was a value add model. For more info and to verify your car email ford customer service at mailto:customers@fordcrc.com.au they will help you. Please supply either or both your chassis number or SIDO. Cheers, David.

Hi fellow Van-er's and friends...

Back in May 2012 i email rusty on this forum and asked if he knew or could find info out for us in regards to a escort van - the above post (thread start) was done for me by Rusty (thanx Rusty)...

Re : Ford 1975 Escort Mk1 Van, Little Ripper

Have since learnt a bit about this vehicle and will post some pictures of articles, news-paper clips that I've found and a picture of my esky van which i think is the "little Ripper" ?

Reasons I think its a little ripper van is:
• The roof lining goes from the front all the way to the back doors of this Van
• The colour schema
• The wheels/mags 12”
• Forward folding front seats to allow extra room in rear

please check out the pictures and reply to this thread...
Thanx people

sorry having trouble inserting pictures

Pretty cool little rig, and rare too.

Hi, Has any more info come to light about these vans? I just purchased a 75 Mk1 van that looks like the one in the brochure in this thread.