One Owner Econoline

My friend Bert, with whom I worked for many years at a daily newspaper in my town, owns the greatest old Ford van. In fact, he is still the only owner of this 1974 Ford Econoline 300 which he bought brand new in 1975 for $4,375 Cdn, taxes included. Obviously he has taken great care of it and the inside is lined with shag carpeting. A sign inside says, “Anatomy Lessons Offered. Braille Method Used.” Vans did used to have a reputation as mini pleasure palaces on wheels. Some bumper stickers would read, “If This Van is Rockin’, Don’t Come a Knockin’.” Others were more blunt: “Ass, Grass or Gas – Nobody Rides For Free!”

Author: Jim Hagarty

I am a 72-year-old retired journalist, busy recovering from a lifelong career as an unretired journalist. This year marks a half century of my scratching out little fables about life. My interests include genealogy, humour and music. I live in a little blue shack in Canada and spend most of my time trying to stay out of trouble. I am not that good at it. I also spent years teaching journalism. Poor state of journalism today: My fault. I have a family I don't deserve, a dog that adores me, and two cars the junk yard refuses to accept. My prized possessions include my old guitar and a razor my Dad gave me when I was 14 and which I still use when I bother to shave. Oh, and my great-great-grandfather's blackthorn stick he brought from Ireland in the 1850s. I have only one opinion but it is a good one: People take too many showers.