Vintage camper shell
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Thanks for bringing this old old thread to life.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,292
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
TJJ: Vintage Trailers - THE H.A.M.B.
Not so many about camper shells. Few of the actual 50's shells look nice to me, totally lacking the styling of the trucks. I think it was a much smaller market, back in a time when even car's frames were adequate for pulling a 30' Spartan (if not the brakes and engines).
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yeah, Ilya, repost the pics. I must have been sleeping under a rock back when you posted them because I don't remember this thread. I too like the period camper shells, and would love to find one to park on the back of my project truck. Finding one from the late 40s or early 50s is a real challenge. Here's pics of one that I know about that is sitting on an early 50s Chevy 3600. But I measured it and think it's a few inches too short for a Ford bed. Next time I go see it again I'll do a better job with exact measurements. I think it could be bought.
I also love the old slide in campers. Would love to find one of them. Here's pictures of John Steinbeck's truck from Travels With Charlie, Steve McQueen's Chevy 3800 with camper, and an F-2 with original that is in the Peterson Museum. Stu
I also love the old slide in campers. Would love to find one of them. Here's pictures of John Steinbeck's truck from Travels With Charlie, Steve McQueen's Chevy 3800 with camper, and an F-2 with original that is in the Peterson Museum. Stu
Heh, I had the hardest time finding a camper cap for my '94 F150, and the cap I found, was the original owner selling it, and he said he bought it in 1994. Only used a few times, always stored in a barn, with a tarp over it.
It's mint inside and out!
Can't imagine how hard it be finding a camper cap from the 50's though!
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...er-shells.html
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford offered two different types 1973/79, both were actually supplied from Open Road.
1) Fibreglass camper shell, has compass emblems on either side in front of the side windows. Two versions of side windows, fixed and slide back/forth.
The front of the shell is raised, could be painted body color, and most I've seen are like this.
2) Over the cab self contained slide-in-the-bed type.
Both are shown along with all the individual parts (including the self containeds toilet!) in the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.
Ford also offered their own M450/500 Class A Motor Homes 1973/77.
1) Fibreglass camper shell, has compass emblems on either side in front of the side windows. Two versions of side windows, fixed and slide back/forth.
The front of the shell is raised, could be painted body color, and most I've seen are like this.
2) Over the cab self contained slide-in-the-bed type.
Both are shown along with all the individual parts (including the self containeds toilet!) in the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.
Ford also offered their own M450/500 Class A Motor Homes 1973/77.
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Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
Here's one for ibuzzard and the '57-'60 guys. It's an old classified from the HAMB for a '58 with a period slide in. Pretty neat. Stu
1958 ford f350 truck w/Sport King camper - THE H.A.M.B.
1958 ford f350 truck w/Sport King camper - THE H.A.M.B.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,915
Likes: 665
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Thanks, Stu. I actually had a SportKing on my truck when I got it back in 1998. I gave it away because although in great condition, It had one leak needing repair, and I had little skill to do so. That, plus the wife frowned upon it.
The truck and camper were both given to me by the heirs of the original owner, who bought it for retirement travel. My wife cleaned his house after his wife passed, and upon his passing, his kids gave the them to me. He bragged that it had been in all 48 lower states, and across the Kings Highway in Canada. Not sure what the Kings Highway even is.
Keep the photos coming.
The truck and camper were both given to me by the heirs of the original owner, who bought it for retirement travel. My wife cleaned his house after his wife passed, and upon his passing, his kids gave the them to me. He bragged that it had been in all 48 lower states, and across the Kings Highway in Canada. Not sure what the Kings Highway even is.
Keep the photos coming.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
The original: El Camino Real ~ The Kings Highway, named by Spanish explorers in the 18th century. This is the Spanish Mission trail from Baja Mexico to Sonoma CA
Today, it's known as Highways 1/101 here in CA
Today, it's known as Highways 1/101 here in CA
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,915
Likes: 665
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Bill, I did know our meaning for the term, but not Canada's.
I drive on part of it usually every week,sometimes daily. I am pretty sure that it "roughly" corresponds to 101, not 1. At least up in my neck of the woods.
I drive on part of it usually every week,sometimes daily. I am pretty sure that it "roughly" corresponds to 101, not 1. At least up in my neck of the woods.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
World's first freeway: Arroyo Seco (dry gulch) Parkway, opened in 1940, known today as the Pasadena Freeway.