Ford TAUNUS 12M VAN
Built: 1965 · Series: TAUNUS
More machines from model year 1965
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Ford Taunus Transit – the collective page of the early Ford vans sold under the Taunus name: four- to eight-cylinders of 1.5 to 5.0 litres, 44 to 89.3 kW, unladen weight 900 to 1,600 kg
This page gathers the early Ford vans sold in Germany under the name Taunus Transit: Ford launched the first Transit in 1965, developed jointly by its German subsidiary in Cologne and its British one in Dagenham, and initially carried it under the established Taunus name before Transit became an independent model designation. TR and Transit mark the range, the four-digit suffixes such as 1250 or 2300 the payload class or engine code, VAN the panel-van body.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 14 versions with 44 to 89.3 kW from four- to eight-cylinders of 1,487 to 5,030 cm³, unladen weights from 900 to 1,600 kg, gross weights from 1,400 to 2,900 kg, lengths from 4,250 to 4,605 mm and widths from 1,520 to 2,020 mm.
With its Taunus-branded launch the Transit became Europe's best-selling light van and shaped the image of the trade and delivery vehicle for decades; it competed directly with Volkswagen's T range and the panel vans from Opel and Bedford. In Germany specifically, carrying the established Taunus name helped the newcomer gain trust among buyers already familiar with Ford's other models.
On used examples, rust on sills, wheel arches and the load floor, the condition of the front axle and steering, clutch and gearbox, and on the six- and eight-cylinder versions the cooling system all count; parts for the early model years are sourced through Ford enthusiast circles and the classic-vehicle parts market.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Ford Taunus Transit, Ford Motor Company (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,498 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 1,520 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,530 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 920 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,400 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Ford TAUNUS 12M VAN weigh?
The unladen weight is 920 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Ford TAUNUS 12M VAN?
1,400 kg.
What engine does the Ford TAUNUS 12M VAN have?
4 cylinders, 1,498 cm³ displacement.
When was the Ford TAUNUS 12M VAN built?
Production years: 1965.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 9 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
TAUNUS
TAUNUS 1.6 VAN
TAUNUS 12M VAN 17G/2530
TAUNUS 1600 L
TAUNUS 1600 VAN
TAUNUS TR 1250/S2
TAUNUS TRANSIT 1250
TAUNUS TRANSIT 67 BTHT
TAUNUS TRANSIT FK 1250
TAUNUS TRANSIT G7BT/2300
TAUNUS TRANSIT G7BTHT/2300
Taunus Transit
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Van in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
