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76 camper special
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
76 camper special
Hello,
My name is Bob. Forgive me for being clumsy as I go through this process. This is my first post.
My father-in-law has recently passed. One of his prized possessions is a 1976 F-250 camper special that he purchased from the dealer. It has had a cab over camper on it just about its whole life. As I was looking on the web to get a feel for the value of this truck I was very surprised to see what some of this era trucks are selling for. I sent a note to this web site and got an awesome response from Jason Rechtman. He suggested I start by putting a thread out there and get some responses from, as he worded it, a very knowledgeable group.
So here we go. How do I determine what the true value of this truck is and what is the best way to try to get it in the hands of someone who might love this truck like my dad did.
Any advice/help would be so appreciated.
Thanks
Bob
My name is Bob. Forgive me for being clumsy as I go through this process. This is my first post.
My father-in-law has recently passed. One of his prized possessions is a 1976 F-250 camper special that he purchased from the dealer. It has had a cab over camper on it just about its whole life. As I was looking on the web to get a feel for the value of this truck I was very surprised to see what some of this era trucks are selling for. I sent a note to this web site and got an awesome response from Jason Rechtman. He suggested I start by putting a thread out there and get some responses from, as he worded it, a very knowledgeable group.
So here we go. How do I determine what the true value of this truck is and what is the best way to try to get it in the hands of someone who might love this truck like my dad did.
Any advice/help would be so appreciated.
Thanks
Bob
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,188
Likes: 5,792
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Sorry for your loss. We really need all the info you have on it, engine, miles on the truck, overall condition (run or not), trim package and all the other good and bad (rust) bit of info. And then get some pics and that should get the ball rolling.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 706
Start with lots of good pictures. Also, remember that it's best to look at trucks that have actually SOLD, not the asking price to determine your starting point. Some people have lost their minds and price far too aggressively because they watch too many rich drunks at Barrett-Jackson overpay for classic vehicles. Add in the China Virus price surge that happened to used vehicles and you have a market that's pretty insane right now.
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
Thank you for the response. The overall condition of the truck is pretty good. There is no rust. Paint is faded but not bad. It has 113,840 original miles. My father-in-law always thought the engine was a 390 CID but when I looked at the door tag it has either a W or M designation (hard to tell) for the engine which according to the factory manuals he has is a 360 CID. Four barrel carb. Engine still runs good. Manual 4 speed transmission. The camper is a Dreamer. It was put on the truck shortly after purchasing it so the camper is as old as the truck. As normal the exterior of the camper shows its age and the inside still looks great. There is some damage to the back of the camper due to a little confusion towards the end of his life where he ran his car into the back of the camper. I do have some pics. As soon as I can figure out how to get them on here I'll post them.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 706
Pretty straight truck. I'll let the experts comment further, but I think he might have installed that dually axle himself. I didn't think you could get a 250 configured as a dually. Wheel flares sure make it look like a shadetree modification.
The interior looks like it's in pretty good shape. Exterior obviously needs a paint job, or at least cleaned up and polished. That camper though.... Wow! That interior looks great in my opinion. Takes me back to the 80s when my grandfather still had the camper on the back of his '73. I bet there's someone out there that might be interested in paying a premium for the truck just for the camper alone.
The interior looks like it's in pretty good shape. Exterior obviously needs a paint job, or at least cleaned up and polished. That camper though.... Wow! That interior looks great in my opinion. Takes me back to the 80s when my grandfather still had the camper on the back of his '73. I bet there's someone out there that might be interested in paying a premium for the truck just for the camper alone.
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
The dualls were definitely an after market install. We put them on to stabilize the truck with the weight of the camper. The axle housing is original. The kit was designed to install with four new rims and tires and the bolt on flares. Made a huge difference in the way the truck went down the road.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
1976 F250 Camper Special
The 4th digit of the VIN is the engine code: H = 390 2V / J = 460 4V / M = 390 4V / Y = 360 2V // Your Warranty Plate: it's an M
360's came from the factory with 2 barrel carbs. The only way a 360 could have a 4 barrel, is if someone swapped in a 4 barrel carb and manifold from a 390.
Interesting to see that this Camper Special has a New Process 435 4 speed manual transmission (TRANS code A on your pictured trucks Warranty Plate).
Most F250/350 Camper Specials have the C6 automatic transmission.
I'll decode your VIN in a separate post...
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
F25 = F250 2WD Pickup
M = 390 4V
L = Michigan Truck Assembly Plant
C57598 = 1976
133" Wheelbase
Z = Copper Metallic
F253 = F250 2WD Pickup, 8,000 lbs. GVWR
AU4: AU = Tan all Vinyl - 81A Custom / 4 = Styleside Pickup Box
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual Transmission
38J: 38 = Dana 60 Rear Axle / 3.73-1 / 5,300 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity // J = Power Steering
8,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
1976
76 = Denver CO Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.
The DRW (Dual Rear Wheels) is an aftermarket conversion. No F250 of any year came with DRW
M = 390 4V
L = Michigan Truck Assembly Plant
C57598 = 1976
133" Wheelbase
Z = Copper Metallic
F253 = F250 2WD Pickup, 8,000 lbs. GVWR
AU4: AU = Tan all Vinyl - 81A Custom / 4 = Styleside Pickup Box
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual Transmission
38J: 38 = Dana 60 Rear Axle / 3.73-1 / 5,300 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity // J = Power Steering
8,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
1976
76 = Denver CO Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.
The DRW (Dual Rear Wheels) is an aftermarket conversion. No F250 of any year came with DRW
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 333
Likes: 219
From: British Columbia
That's a real nice, clean looking old F250 and nicely optioned for hauling a camper from the factory with the 4V 390, 4 speed and 3:73 rear axle ratio. Your dad obviously knew his trucks and optioned this one accordingly. I have no idea what it would be worth but its a nice truck and camper combination so I wouldn't be giving it away.
Your dad's truck is unique with the dual rear wheel upgrade but anyone who hauls a heavy camper would appreciate that improvement over the stock single rear wheels. Maybe check bringatrailer.com to get an idea of what similar year Ford trucks have been going for recently. The prices these old trucks are going for are definitely going up cause as they say, they don't make 'em like they used to anymore.
Your dad's truck is unique with the dual rear wheel upgrade but anyone who hauls a heavy camper would appreciate that improvement over the stock single rear wheels. Maybe check bringatrailer.com to get an idea of what similar year Ford trucks have been going for recently. The prices these old trucks are going for are definitely going up cause as they say, they don't make 'em like they used to anymore.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 1,321
From: Pryor, OK
Well, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in. The value of any vehicle is what a buyer is willing to pay. If I was looking at this truck in person, I'd think that the camper is half the price, if not more. That camper is in great condition. The truck alone, I would give between $4,000 and $5,000 for, if no rust and run good. The camper is probably worth $3,500 to $6,000. Like what was said before, it all depends on condition and operability. If everything in the camper works properly and has no leaks and the truck isn't rusted out underneath and runs good, you should be able to part with it for $10,000 easy, but that's to the right buyer. I think it's a good looking truck and maybe keep it in the family for a while. Summer's coming, go camping.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 995
Likes: 317
That's not easily priced as finding a similar condition comparable that sold won't be easy. There will be a small buying pool so will want to market to a large geographical area. Once you determine an asking price I'd start with FB marketplace, Craigslist to try and sell local. Then if no takers try ebay and something like Hemmings Classic Cars where you pay one listing fee of maybe $125. Now is best time to sell thats for sure.
Keep in mind depending how long it has been since truck had regular maintenance, there will be considerable cost to new owner getting it safe and reliable for the open road. For example if the tires have some age to them they will need replaced and that will be $1500 min. And the list goes on and on. I bet the dual wheels made a huge difference in stability. Its a cool vehicle in great condition. Good luck!
Keep in mind depending how long it has been since truck had regular maintenance, there will be considerable cost to new owner getting it safe and reliable for the open road. For example if the tires have some age to them they will need replaced and that will be $1500 min. And the list goes on and on. I bet the dual wheels made a huge difference in stability. Its a cool vehicle in great condition. Good luck!
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