1996 Ford Windstar with super-equipped (normal equip. + extras) lowered floor conversion
Miles: 57,000 
! (by one meticulous, well-to-do owner)
Current Price: $
14,500 
THIS CERTIFIED VEHICLE INCLUDES: 6 MO/6,000 MILE WARRANTY  

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Click here for extensive information about Certified

Highlights of This Van:

Ø  apx. $ 1,750 of new and very recent maintenance/service: details below (extensive investment in cosmetic rejuvenation is in addition to this $ 1,750 )

Ø  Due to special, added features, this has everything needed in order for certain people in wheelchairs to be fully independent of any need for assistance.

Ø  Super sharp and classy looking inside and out.  Take a close look at the photos, please. 

 

 

Options and Equipment

THE VAN:  Began as the nicely-appointed, middle trim-level model.  Has a medium-size 6 cylinder (3.8) and auto with overdrive. Includes common power and convenience items such as: power windows, locks, rear vents and mirrors; tilt wheel and cruise control; gauge package; 4 speaker stereo, and so forth. It also has some great additional options such as: rear heat and A/C, and a great custom CD stereo. Plus it has body side moldings and custom pin stripes to accent its nice color. This one is very well equipped and looks quite sharp.

MOBILITY:   When new, this van was converted by IMS (acronym for Independent Mobility systems) which is part of the Braun company. They are one of the two biggest convertor companies who create extensively versatile and capable lowered floor wheelchair minivans. This van includes the following extensive list of mobility features:

* Deeply lowered floor (apx 12 inches) beginning at the rear seat and going forward (level, solid and smooth) to the dash area. This creates ample headroom and clearance for all but the tallest wheelchairs.

* Power ramp accessible via the passenger side sliding door.  Ramp angle is gentle and easy.

* Power operated passenger side sliding door, this makes opening and closing the sliding door require no effort.

* "Kneeling" suspension. When desired, this causes the rear of the van to lower several inches, which notably reduces the ramp angle for loading and unloading.

* Easily and quickly removable front seats. This allows for either driving from a wheelchair, or parking it in the front passenger location, if desired. 

* Extensive locations in the floor for inserting anchor straps, which create a wide range of possibilities for parking the wheelchair in the front or middle of the van.

* Has wireless remote control to operate the lift, ramp and kneeling suspension.  This is a nice option which few vans of this era include.

* Has what is referred to as a "turning seat base" which is mounted under the drivers seat.  This allows for certain wheelchair-bound folks to transfer into the actual drivers seat and then, with hand controls, operate the vehicle. This has extreme travel not only allowing it to turn, but it also goes up and down very much, as well as very far forward and backward. This provides maximum ability for a person in wheelchair to transfer to and from their wheelchair.

* Includes hand controls. As mentioned above.  This van was being driven by the lady who would transfer to and from her wheelchair in order to drive from the original van seat.

 

Dimensions, capacity and specifications:

Please feel free to email or call me with any such questions. I will gladly assist with anything you wish to know. I have discovered that due to the unique way each person evaluates, measures and expresses their needs, I can be most helpful regarding this subject if we communicate directly.

 

 

History of Ownership

A very desirable fact is that this has had the same well-to-do owners since new.  I bought this from the man, whose wife who had MS passed away a few months ago. They bought this brand new and ordered it configured at a high level. They actually had two similar vans, one was usually at their primary home and the other at their vacation home.  Extensive features on this van allowed the woman in wheelchair to be fully independent, with no need for any assistance to load, unload, or drive herself. 

 

Certified

This vehicle is 'CERTIFIED': There are a combined 76 mechanical and cosmetic aspects  included in the Wheelchair Van Oasis "Certification" process.   A foundational step of the rejuvenation process is when each vehicle receives an extensive inspection by an objective, independent  third- party service and repair facility.  Suggested service, repairs and improvements are then performed by various professional specialists.   The  result is your assurance  that each of the 76 aspects  meets  or exceeds the condition level of good, or satisfactory

For details regarding list of 76 cosmetic and mechanical aspects, please click here.

Each van does of course have various elements which exceed the promised level of good, or
satisfactory, which the "Certified" program assures.  Some are brand new improvements performed during rejuvenation.  And others are obvious service or repairs performed recently, prior to my ownership.  As for those, I only list here those positives which are certain, based on my either having a receipt, and/or due to being obvious to the inspecting-mechanic.  I refer to these as  "NEW OR RECENTLY SERVICED ASPECTS".  As for this vehicle:

New: power window service; heater system service; timing cover gasket; transmission service; cooling system service; rear brakes; wipers front and rear; exhaust system service and repairs; service of power ramp, kneeling suspension and power sliding door; remote batteries 

Approximate retail value/cost of above-listed items: $1,750

 

Carfax Report Summary

(Carfax is a widely used database which indicates the history of a vehicle including accidents, prior owners, etc.)

Nothing notably negative or unusual: no frame damage...no airbags deployed...no structural damage...no "red marks"...no major accident.

You Might Like To Know...

* Each of my vans has a superb paint sealant as the final step of the extreme detail. If you were to have a professional apply a treatment the cost would be several hundred dollars.

* These Windstar vans with lowered floor have several inches more interior headroom and entry clearance than the much more common Dodge Caravan minivans.

* I love the power and drivability of these Windstar's, with this strong (but reasonable economical) 3.8 liter motor.  I personally drove this one from Las Vegas and it has plenty of power. It easily held the cruise control up the hills.  And it achieved in the low 20's MPG, which is very respectable.  

Summary of this Gem

If you're looking for a wonderfully nice minivan with low miles, at a price that wont break the bank, this one would be hard to beat. And it has the one-owner history most shoppers appreciate. Finally, it has the extra features to allow total independence for certain folks in wheelchairs. And please remember, this van has been substantially restored to "Certified" condition.

 

In amazing condition, its looking sharp in the sun
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Has nearly new tires
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Sliding door is power operated
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Large sliding side door allows lots of width for entry/exit
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At every angle, looks great
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Original drivers seat is mounted on special base which has extreme travel in multiple directions, including ability to turn
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Super low original miles...by one meticulous owner
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See controls for features such as: front and rear ventilation; nice modern stereo with accessory jack; power rear window vents; upper unit is the switches to control power door, kneeling suspension and power ramp
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Hand controls if you want or need them.  These can be removed in a matter of minutes if not needed.
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Strong and reasonably fuel efficient 3.8 liter motor.
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front passenger seat is easily, quickly removable in a couple of minutes.
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ramp is power operated with switches, or wireless remote 
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Notice the gentle ramp angle, its an easy slope for rolling wheelchair up and down. 
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Original rear seat has 3 belts. And notice the deeply lowered floor. which creates several inches more entry and interior headroom and clearance than the more common Dodge Caravans.
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Nice amount of storage behind rear seat. The spare tire is mounted inside due to having been removed during floor-lowering modification.
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 This shows drivers seat turned, as it is when loading or unloading person from

wheelchair.  Seat has ability to go up and down many inches and also forward and back a long distance.  Such flexibility of travel allows many people in wheelchairs to transfer in and out of this seat.
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See vents in ceiling for rear ventilation system 
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Passenger seat has red lever which allows instant release from floor.  And notice the wheels on bottom of seat make moving the seat easy...just roll it. 
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Rear ventilation and stereo controls
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Notice the footrest area, which is part of the removable seat assembly.
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Check out what is called the "gate feature".  As you see here, the ramp when stowed swings out to nearly 90 degrees to allow able-bodied folks to go in and out without having to fold/unfold the ramp.  It has been interesting for me to discover that many people don't realize this feature exists, including some people who have owned a similar van with this feature for years. 
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As you see here, when suspension is in normal driving mode the rear is raised a bit more than a normal van.  This is an engineered element which enables the interior floor to be dramatically lowered (apx 12-14 inches in this van) creating much interior headroom and entry/exit clearance.  When in "kneeled" position the rear body lowers apx 4 inches.
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IMS is acronym for "Independent Mobility Systems". IMS is a division of mobility industry giant, Braun. 
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Factory installed adjustable roof rack.
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rear bumper has step pad on it, for accessing roof rack
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Straight, clean, sharp...
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These are the original remotes for the common van features, as well as the power slider, power ramp and kneeling suspension.
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* I apologize for any unclear photos. At times, the conditions make a clear photo impossible.

If you would like more information or to see and drive this vehicle,
please call Rick at 541-973-7377.