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Up for sale is a very rare Sport King truck camper from the late 1950s. Campers from this era are very difficult to find anymore, and Sport King Campers are even rarer. If you do a little research on the internet, you will find that Walter King, the founder of Sport King Campers of Torrance California, is considered to be the father of the modern Truck Camper when he built his first version in the mid 1940s. Later on his company pioneered such innovations as the over-the-cab sleeping loft. Sadly the company went out of business in the 1980's and few Sport King Campers exist today. This rare piece of mid-century camping history would be the perfect restoration candidate for someone who wants to use their 1950's era pickup for more than just transportation to the occasional car show. Be the toast of the campground with this rig, or attend one of the many popular vintage trailer/RV shows with something unusual.
This camper is in pretty much original condition and has never been restored. The outside aluminum skin is in decent shape with only a few holes from various "attachments" through the years. The interior wood is also in pretty good shape for being over 55 years old. While there are a few spots showing some water intrusion (very common), there does not appear to be any wood rot. It's equipped with the original icebox, a three burner "Princess" stove, gas lantern, various original cabinets with period floral appliqué, water tank, pump faucet, and 1950's pink Formica countertops and dinette table. The dinette cushions will probably need recovering but are complete with frames and springs. I have not tested any of the systems (water, gas, electrics) and make no representation as to their functionality, but they are very simple and easy to repair if required. The prior owner owns and restores antique campers and trailers and rents them to the movie industry for motion pictures. (See Funky Junk Farms, Alta Dena, CA). He redid the floors with 1950's vintage Hoppalong Cassidy linoleum. . ..another nice vintage touch. A camper very similar to this was recently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Bill, we have a Pink/white version cruising the streets of Camarillo. It gets a smile from me each time I see it.
I do believe this to be a kissing cousin to that famous workhorse Marv, a bit long in the tooth, past its prime, but still capable of good service... Even if only in the eyes of its owner.
haha, i doubt this thing tows strait empty!!! re-purposed small boat trailer, huge overhang aft of the axle (weight balance? we don't need no stinking balance!)
found while cruzein Craigslist for tools, truck parts, and maybe a cheep smudge pot.
09-17-2015, 06:48 PM
