Some vehicles need no introduction.
The Ford Supervan is one of those. A true motoring icon that has fascinated enthusiasts for over five decades, surrounded by stories, myths and legends ever since it first burst onto the scene in 1971.
Was it built from a GT40? Were there multiple originals? Was it really sold to a Ford apprentice for just £500?
As it turns out… one of those stories is absolutely true.
The Apprentice Who Bought Supervan
Former Ford engineering apprentice Andy Browne has been a lifelong Ford enthusiast, and in 1973 he was given an opportunity that most enthusiasts could only dream of.
Andy recalls:
“I bought Supervan in late 1973 for £500. But there was nothing. All it had was a shell and four wheels. Nothing else. Luckily, I had access to the Ford machine shops so I could produce parts, and I bought a transaxle off Terry for another £500. Back then, I was a Ford apprentice on £5 a week.”
After Supervan’s famous Nürburgring debut, various parts had disappeared, leaving Andy with little more than a shell to work with.
Using the skills and resources available to him as a Ford apprentice, he gradually brought the legendary machine back to life. At one point it even gained a 4.7-litre V8, all while being restored outside his parents’ house.
It’s an incredible story, and one that’s become part of Ford folklore.
Image Wheels Joins the Story
Fast forward to 2015, and Andy approached us looking for a wheel worthy of this legendary Transit.
The choice was our RN5 design, manufactured as a bespoke 15 x 15″ three-piece split rim wheel.
Finished with gloss black centres and beautifully polished outer rims, the wheels perfectly captured the purposeful motorsport look that has made Supervan such an icon.
As with every set of Image Wheels, they were built entirely in-house here in the UK, manufactured specifically for Andy’s unique vehicle.
Sixty Years of the Ford Transit
The Ford Transit celebrated an incredible milestone in 2025, turning 60 years old on 9th August.
To mark the occasion, Ford prepared a special exhibition at its Dunton Technical Centre, celebrating some of the greatest Transit models ever produced.
Naturally, no celebration of the Transit’s history would be complete without the original Supervan.
Still turning heads more than 50 years after it first appeared, Andy’s Supervan continues to capture the imagination of enthusiasts wherever it goes, appearing at countless events, shows and in numerous magazine features throughout its remarkable life.
Proud to Be Part of the Journey
It’s always an honour to manufacture wheels for historic vehicles, but being trusted to supply wheels for the original Ford Supervan is something we’ll always be proud of.
The Supervan is more than just a famous Transit—it’s a piece of British motoring history, lovingly preserved by someone who has dedicated decades to keeping its story alive.
A huge thank you to Andy Browne for choosing Image Wheels to play a small part in the continuing story of one of Ford’s most legendary creations.
