60 Years of Transit

Hats Off to the Transit! 60 Years as Britain's Go-To Van

Can you believe it's been 60 years? It's hard to imagine our roads without it, but the trusty Transit van is celebrating its 60th birthday this year! For six decades, this van has been the nation's workhorse, helping everyone from builders to bands get the job done. It's no wonder they call it the "Backbone of Britain."

A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane

So, where did it all begin? Well, the story starts over in Germany in the 50s with a van called the "Taunus Transit." But things really kicked off for us here in 1965 when the British and German teams put their heads together to create the van we all know and love.

The first-gen Transit was a total game-changer. It was bigger and more practical than anything else around, and you could get it as a panel van, a minibus, a pickup – you name it.

Of course, it's had plenty of updates since then. Who could forget the bonkers V8-powered "Supervan" from '72 that was basically a GT40 in disguise? Then came the sleek "one-box" design in '86, and the choice of front or rear-wheel drive in 2000.

Sadly, the last Transit rolled out of the Southampton factory in 2013, but its story in the UK is far from over. The engines are still proudly made right here in Dagenham.

Those Unforgettable Ads

You don't become a legend without some great ads, right? The marketing for the Transit has always been spot on.

That famous slogan, "The Backbone of Britain," just said it all, didn't it? It perfectly summed up how vital this van is to the country. It wasn't just marketing fluff; it was the truth.

Then there was "The Van That Can." Simple, clever, and totally right. It showed off just how versatile the Transit is, whether it was hauling bricks or touring with a band.

And the TV ads were great too – remember seeing the van being put through its paces, tackling mud, hills, and all sorts? It was all about proving this was one tough van you could always count on.

**Please note: We are not part of the Ford Motor company, and do not take credit for the creation of this advert**

A Proper British Icon

The Transit has proper British roots. For ages, if you saw a Transit in Europe, chances are it was built here. Production started in Langley before moving to the huge Southampton factory in 1972.

That place was the heart of Transit production for decades, with millions of them rolling off the line. The Southampton plant and the Transit go hand in hand.

And while the main assembly line moved to Turkey a while back, we're still a huge part of the story. The fantastic diesel engines that power today's Transits are built by the skilled team over in Dagenham. So, there's still a piece of Britain in every single one.

Why We Still Love It

So why is the Transit still so popular after all this time? It's simple, really. It's a no-nonsense, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin kind of van. It's practical, tough, and you can trust it to get the job done, day in and day out.

So, let's raise a cuppa to the Transit on its 60th anniversary. It's more than just a van – it's a true British icon. Cheers to that!

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