Vintage Truck Camper

[Leonard]

If you've been following my Bluebird school bus conversion you know I have more installments to come.  I haven't stopped.  I just haven't had time to update.  Which I will do shortly.

But I thought I'd tell you about another project I've picked up that I will be working on at the same time.  I've always wanted a small camper that I could use for weekend trips and not have to take the BIG BUS.  Well, I found an old truck camper on Craigslist longing to be fixed up.  Best part was it was free.

It's an Idle-Time Truck Camper

A little history.

In 1957, Bud Mitchell built a plywood “cabin,” attached it to the b...

 

It even has a slide out!

Bud Mitchell, "the camper king of Colorado"

Click here to see what I've been doing in the mean time...

Pictures of the inside to come.

Leonard

[ProudeCanadian]

Leonard after these years do you still have your truck camper.I would love to see updated pics.Going to see if I can add a couple of mind. I did a few things and still enjoying it big time. Here is a link to our Maritime vintage meet in Eastern Canada. You will see in video at approx 1:36 timer is my 67 Vanguard. All the best and hope all is good with you and that cool camper you have. Karl from PEI Canada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDU6nVKsXSE&t=143s

[Todd]

I think it is so cool. How is the inside.

[Rich Thomas]

My uncle had a Swept Side Dodge I think it was a special edition. Dark blue with a black vinyl top. I thought it was pretty cool. the one you show would fit in with your camper interior. I have to apologize to Lenard for redirecting his thread to trucks.

[ProudeCanadian]

Thank you Rich. My intent is doing it in theme with the Expo 67 , and the what I grew up with here in Canada.I have been collecting a number of old vintage Canadian  travel decals also for the out side. Lot of polishing and replacing of screws to stainless .Hope to post photos when finished. I do have my eye on a Dodge D 100 Swept side to make it complete.  

[ProudeCanadian]

LoL ,Thanks Leonard,as soon as I can get it out of storage and get rid of the Canadian winter we had this year I will be starting to detail it big time. Looking forward to the task. Thank God my camper was not left outside. I always keep my toys inside for winter storage.This unit as far as I can tell from the condition, it was always stored inside. The last owner did not keep it inside but only for a couple of years, but it did no harm. phew now will never be abused as long as I have it. 

[Leonard]

Hey Karl,

Now your camper is way kool.  That's what I really wanted was a popup!

Leonard

[ProudeCanadian]

Hi Leonard I know you will enjoy ,Sure looks like a keep sake and very rare. I can not fine any info pertaining to my 67 Canadian Vanguard. I do believe however when the Alaskan moved into Canada market for a year, that is when Vanguard built this type to compete. Misprint in previous post was to say ( GIVE ME RETRO ) lol.  

[ProudeCanadian]

Nice unit you have there. I have a 1967 Canadian made Vanguard pop up. Will try to post some pics. This unit needs very little to restore . I love these old ones. They can have their $40,000 units any day . Dive me Retro.

[Lakota Wolf]

Now that is just to COOL,, a truck camper with a slideout.

[Pat Daly]

what great find and way ahead of it's time with even the slide-out.   You'll have some great adventures exploring in it I bet.  thanks for sharing...