Mention “Camper Special” or “Trailering Special” to folks of a certain generation and the phrase immediately elicits a sinister grin. These various special models invariably came with heavy duty cooling and transmissions, and more often than not a monster high-torque engine and high-speed gears that, when not pulling a heavy load, could summon smoky clouds of smoke faster than Cheech and Chong. This 1973 Ford F250 Camper Special in Elmhurst, Illinois left the factory with the top engine, a stout 390, plus the Super Cooling package, 16.5 inch wheels and tires, 8100 lb GVW, and a Limited Slip differential with modest 3.54:1 gears. In 1975, however, things got more interesting when the original owner, an Engineer and race car builder, ordered a Ford-supplied 428 CobraJet crate motor, fatter tires, and other upgrades to make this two-tone F-series one of the baddest owner-built trucks to grace the pages of BarnFinds. The truck’s second owner now offers it for sale here on eBay where at least four bidders have teased the process, urging bidding beyond $2500 in what will no doubt become a digital fist-fight as the auction nears its close.

Tool box-sized valve covers hint that this motor means business. Service records document the truck’s 116,000 miles, around 90,000 with the 428. The current owner refreshed many parts including MSD ignition, exhaust, and a Holley carburetor. Motor work included a rebuilt top end. The 390 and 428’s shared FE engine block readily accepts common accessories like this truck’s air conditioning compressor, shown here missing a belt. Indeed, the seller notes that air conditioning is the only accessory not working.

Only faded plastic and a department-store steering wheel cover suggest this picture wasn’t taken in the early ’80s. Aftermarket gauges and CB radio look vintage and perfectly in keeping with this truck’s authentic retro-muscle vibe.

Tires are not new but were replaced two years ago, and promise as much grip as your throttle foot allows. Despite the Chicagoland address, the truck spent most of its life in California. I spent many an entertaining evening in my buddy’s ’78? Chevy 454 Trailering Special decades ago. Most vehicles in those days had to turn a corner to squeal even one tire, but you could roll the Trailering Special in a straight line at 5 or 10 MPH, bury the throttle, and boil both tires. One time I borrowed it and was idling at McDonalds waiting for the owner to finish his shift. An older gent must have heard the big block as he got into his own Chevy pickup. He rolls the window down and just says “Sounds good.” I goosed it a little and replied “Thank you.” What sort of memories would you make in this CobraJet-powered Camper Special?