XC 'Sundowner' Panel Van... - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

lukeh · 01-08-2006, 03:28

I have an old XC Panel Van wreck that has all the GS features and today I was checking the numbers on it,and it turn's out that it's a 'Sundowner' Panel Van.It's a factory 302 Cleveland 4-Barrel V8,4-speed 'Single-Rail' gearbox,and Disc Brake LSD Borg-Warner Diff. What was the deal with a Sundowner?...how were they different?...did they originally have special decal's or anything??Are they rare or anything?? I don't know anything about them.Thanx...Luke!!

Anthony P · 01-08-2006, 03:58

Luke,Unique Cars did a feature on them (with the Sandman & Drifter) a few months ago.I think they had their own model code,some stickers and probably a full length roof lining.They also had all the GS features.
If you can dig up the Unique Cars issue it will probably tell u more.

XWish Ute · 01-08-2006, 04:36

Yep, they had their own decalson the rear quarters and tailgate. Tailgate was the upper and lower doors - not the more common barn doors. Effectively had the GS pack (bonnet, dash, steering wheel, grill and 12 slotters) fitted. Also did NOT have side windows in the load area!

jg66me · 01-08-2006, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukeh

I have an old XC Panel Van wreck that has all the GS features and today I was checking the numbers on it,and it turn's out that it's a 'Sundowner' Panel Van.It's a factory 302 Cleveland 4-Barrel V8,4-speed 'Single-Rail' gearbox,and Disc Brake LSD Borg-Warner Diff. What was the deal with a Sundowner?...how were they different?...did they originally have special decal's or anything??Are they rare or anything?? I don't know anything about them.Thanx...Luke!!

What colour is it? Is it in good nick? I love those Sundowners.

Steve

compact · 01-09-2006, 04:35

you ask one other quetsion there to Luke, and thats are they rare?

shite mate, i havent seen one for twenty years or so, when the vanning scene died so did all those types ofd vans.

put it on ebay with a reserve of 10k and see what happens( i presume its a project at the moment), that will give you a slight guide as to what its worth.

i just hope that someone gets it and restores it, another piece of ford history found well done mate:), at least this one wont go to the crushers

lukeh · 01-09-2006, 06:03

This car was initially just purchased for the driveline a few years ago,and has sat at my place ever since doing nothing.The driveline never got removed,but the car would need alot of work to be salvaged.It had a fake shaker top screwed to the bonnet at one stage,and I used the driving lights from it on another car...but the grille has alway's been wrecked.It also has a sunroof which I don't believe to be original?I only found out that it was a Sundowner the other day when I noticed it had a JG47 at the start of it's body numbers.If these turn out to be rare or valuable I will attempt to salvage it...but if not,sorry guy's it might still hit the scrap heap yet.I was thinking a recently of putting all the GS stuff from it onto a Falcon Coupe...but I don't know now?

jg66me · 01-09-2006, 07:11

That looks like neptune blue under the hood, is it paint code 4?

IM me if you would like to do a deal. I would love to save that car even though it looks like it needs a sh!t load of work.

Steve.

lukeh · 01-09-2006, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg66me

That looks like neptune blue under the hood, is it paint code 4?

IM me if you would like to do a deal. I would love to save that car even though it looks like it needs a sh!t load of work.

Steve.

Hey Steve...the paint code is 'N' I think from memory.At the minute I will probably keep it until I find out more about them?I have another good GS bonnet and some more genuine driving light's and brackets aswell.I can also weld and spraypaint...so I might even do something with it myself yet?You are welcome to PM me with what kind of amount you might be willing to offer for it for me to consider though?...thanx,Luke!!

Clint · 01-13-2006, 05:34

Yep I've come across a few Sundowners while chasing parts for my panel van, all have been XC's, though I assume they were also released in XA and XB too? Body wise I've seen complete wrecks only suitable for a rebody to complete cars still licenced and regularly driven.

351cid · 01-13-2006, 14:40

i think that the sundowner vans only came out in the XC and in the Escort vans of the same time.

the most popular colour for the falcon seemed to be yellow (pine/lime) . there was a real nice example getting around town here that looked like it was original (not a restro ) but havent seen it for a while now.