This 1969 Ford F250 Camper Special has spent its life in a favorable climate, making its lack of significant rust unsurprising. It needs TLC to recapture its youthful good looks, but that process should be straightforward. Adding to its appeal, the first owner teamed a 360ci V8 with a four-speed manual transmission, producing a classic with pretty impressive performance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mike F. for spotting the Pickup listed here on Craigslist in Fort Collins, Colorado. It could become your next project for $13,500 OBO.
It almost feels like Ford’s F-Series commercial range has come to define the company’s image. Initially viewed as workhorses during the post-war years, evolution and buyer demand have seen dramatic improvements in equipment and comfort, with the F150 now the company’s best-selling vehicle. All that was to come when this F250 rolled off the line in 1969. It is a genuine survivor that has spent its life in its current location. The favorable climate has effectively protected the vehicle from the dreaded tin worm, although the seller admits that close inspection will reveal minor rust. Scouring the listing images confirms that none are so bad as to justify panel replacements, since well-executed patches should do the job. The Pickup carries a typical array of dings and dents, but no evidence of abuse. Addressing these shortcomings should be straightforward before the buyer applies a fresh coat of the Ford’s original Candy Apple Red. Some trim pieces require replacement due to damage, but the glass looks okay.
The first owner ordered this F250 with a 360ci V8 under the hood. Ford quoted power and torque figures of 215hp and 327 ft/lbs in that year’s Sales Brochure, with the ponies feeding to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. As a Camper Special, it left the line with Ford’s “Flex-O-Matic” rear springs to cope with heavy loads. Therefore, even without a camper occupying its tray, this F250 would have been a capable workhorse. The good news for potential buyers is that this classic is a turnkey proposition. The Pickup runs and drives well, with inoperative headlamps the only identified fault. Handing the F250 to an auto electrician would be the best bet to address that issue. Otherwise, this beauty needs nothing.
If this Pickup harbors a surprise, its interior could be it. The painted surfaces carry scratches and marks, but the seatcover and door trims are in great condition, and the dashpad is crack-free. Rubber mats protect the clean Black carpet, and apart from the paint, deterioration of some faux woodgrain is the only other genuine fault. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the interior is undeniably practical and acceptable for a survivor of this type and vintage.
Older Pickups remain star performers in the classic market, with pristine examples of the right vehicle commanding healthy sale prices. Values are almost universally climbing, making many a great long-term investment. This 1969 Ford F250 Camper Special isn’t pristine, but with strong bones, it could be. The mechanical specifications will allow it to carry impressive loads, but some may find the idea of sliding a camper into the bed as its creators intended irresistible. The F250 has been on the market for over two weeks, and the seller’s willingness to negotiate could lead to a significant price reduction with gentle persuasion. Is that thought enough to tempt you to pursue this beauty further?
I had a similar truck, a 1969 F 250, but not camper schpiel, had a 390 and 3 speed on the column and a voracious appetite for fuel. As a kindly word of warning, this is a BEAST of a truck to drive. Slamming the door to close it should be a harbinger of what’s to come. “It won’t start, grandpa, pump the gas, WHAT? Pump the gas”,,,procedures from a forgotten time. The brakes will require some oomph, maybe even “pumping”,,the manual steering is the biggie. That clutch will make #14 vertebrae flare up again,,,what I’m trying to convey, is back then, these types of vehicles were all over the place. We learned to drive on them, it was normal and put up with the quirks. Today, I just don’t see anything like it that someone would encounter with the vehicles they drive. The shifting is like some modern gym workouts, the ride, jarring, at best, it’s simply not for a modern driver. I sure like it, and so do my fellow “drivers”, but sadly, time has past the ol’ gas hoggin, tough driving, lane a wanderin’, F250 by,,
Oh, one more thing( Columbo), this isn’t the Artie rocket, the inoperative headlights are more than likely the bright light switch on the floor. They get a lot of crud being down there on the floor and one reason they were moved to the column. I’ve dealt with enough vehicles in my life to know that! Trouble was, getting your foot up to the turn signal,,, :)
no trouble getting foot up to column light dimmer switch, you just gotta learn how to lean back off to your right and quickly “kick the switch”. Remeber though, don’t follow the car in front of you too close in case it stops while you’re leaning back and can’t see forward. Not so bad after a couple practices.
My first truck was a 1967 F-250 4wd, with a 352 and a 3-spd on the column. the 352 gave up the ghost, shortly after I bought it. It didn’t take me long to yank the 352 with the 3 spd and install a 390 with a floor mounted 4 spd. I loved that truck and being a 18 yo, I didn’t care about pwr steering and brakes. Back in the early 1980’s, you could go to any junk yard and find parts for these trucks. I miss those days, scouring the yard for parts.
I miss the days when i could buy a truck like this for well under a thousand dollars.
You probably still can. Just not this one for some unknown reason.
I dont think this is a camper special myself because I have a 69 camper special. It’s missing power steering, power brakes and the camper special emblems which are stardard for the camper special.
It also doesn’t have the right mirrors or a sliding back glass and I bet it doesn’t have front disc brakes which were standard on the camper special
I had 76 3/4 ton with a 360 4spd. the first new vehicle I owned and I loved that truck. I wish I still had it today
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If the headlights were replaced with newer halogen, the switch can’t handle the amp draw, will overheat and shut the lights off until it cools down. Had similar issues after just getting my truck, previous owner couldn’t figure it out. I thought I was going to stomp a hole in the floor! Aftermarket relay install, no more driving in the dark!
I was going to say the same thing you said in the last sentence, so I will repeat the easy fix. I had flashing on and off headlights, a sign that the circuit breaker was not handling the load. The relay kit that attaches to both headlights is available on eBay for less than $25 a few years ago, I think, and is simple with instructions. That went on my 66 F-100. I also used a horn relay to make the horn work better. I happened to have some from the 50’s.
I forgot to mention, I had an accident a few years ago with my 66 F-100. I replaced the right front fender with a good new one from LMC Truck along with a new front bumper. I found a good used grille on eBay. The reason I say this is because the metal below the grille and behind the bumper was also dented, not quite as badly as with this truck. All else was easy to unbolt and replace but that “facia” I think it is called. I messaged the old one in place best I could. Good enough.
This is what a pickup truck is suppose to look like! And drive like. I’m in.
I’d think 10k would be reasonable. It is listed with 400k on the odometer.
Some sellers think these trucks are made of gold. I like this truck and sent it in, but $7 or 8k is more reasonable. This one’s an outlier. Where I live there are plenty of these in similar or better condition for the lower price range.