Ford Transit celebrating 45 years and still going strong

Congratulations to the Ford Transit, which is 45 years old this month.

When it was launched in 1965, the basic Transit cost £542 and the most expensive 15-seater was £997.

Since then, more than six million Transits have been built at 22 factories all over the world.

One of these was bought by my parents and used for a road trip across Australia in 1974, with my handyman dad fitting a makeshift bed and speakers in the back.

The year it was launched saw Jim Clark win the Indianapolis 500 and the F1 World Championship, the first broadcast of Tom and Jerry and Thunderbirds and the release of the mini skirt.

In the 45 years since, many other manufacturers have jumped on the white-van bandwagon but the Transit remains the original and still one of the best.