Ford has been celebrating the 45th anniversary of its top-selling van, the Transit. Since its launch in 1965, more than six million Transits have been built at 22 factories around the world – though the majority of them have rolled out of Ford’s Southampton plant. And, amazingly, more than a third of all Transits built have been sold in Britain, making it by far the nation’s favourite van.

Launched in the same year that Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 and F1 World Championship, Thunderbirds made its TV debut and The Sound of Music was released, the Transit hit the streets – bringing with it the kind of performance, handling and grip that van drivers could previously only dream of.

When it made its debut, the cheapest Transit available (a short-wheelbase, petrol-engined model with a 610kg payload) cost £542, while the most expensive model (a 15-seater Custom minibus) was priced at £997. In all, there were 78 different Transit configurations available back in 1965, ensuring there was a version to suit just about any task.

Happy 45th birthday to the Transit from all of us at CCM. Britain’s roads wouldn’t be the same without you!