Chrysler minivans were very popular in Europe, and GM managed to push a fair number of “Dustbuster” vans, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Ford Aerostar across the pond. But Roshake 77 found this extended body one in Budapest, no less.
It’s got a tow hitch, which is probably one of the main attractions to its buyer.
I owned a ’95 Aerostar for 5 years, put ~80K+ miles on it and did nothing to it beyond scheduled maintenance. The one pictured is a nice example & I believe it has AWD. A buddy of mine had a rare 5 speed Aerostar that died a premature death due to rust.
They were grey imported to Austria but not many came, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover it’s one of “ours”.
Outfit in my hometown in downstate New York exports used cars, including many vans to Europe via Bremerhaven. From there, it’s a 12 1/2 hr drive to Budapest. Could have made some $$$, buying used cars in NY and selling them in Hungary back in the day.
DEFINITELY an AWD as it has the E-4WD emblems on the front fenders. Fun fact: the rear license plate area on liftgate models (the cargo van wasn’t exported) was designed from the factory to accommodate both US AND European tags. I imagine the same thing was done with the Chrysler vans too, as well as the “Dustbusters.”
“It’s got a tow hitch, which is probably one of the main attractions to its buyer.” And rightfully so. Too bad not more of them were factory-equipped with one. My ’96 wasn’t, and drilling was required to install an aftermarket hitch receiver. But it was worth it to justify its existence (and the Astro’s) vs. the FWD competition:
We had one just like this growing up. When we were old enough, my brother, our friends and I would ride around in rural Louisiana listening to Black Sabbath.