60 yrs in the vanguard

FORD Transit fans are gearing up to celebrate its 60th birthday after sales of more than 10 million.

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

A byword for vans in general, Transits first rolled off the production line in Langley, Berkshire, on August 9, 1965. Since then the sturdy workhorse has remained a best-seller among an army of tradesmen after six decades of facelifts and upgrades.

Demand has also been driven by a boom in online shopping and home deliveries in recent years.

From its start in Britain, the van is now made and sold around the world.

Ford says more than 10 million have been bought, including over three million in the UK, its biggest European market.

The US company launched it to replace two existing models, including the Thames, to meet demand for a bigger, speedier van.

It included optional sliding cab and side doors, and came with either a 1.7 or two-litre engine.