These 1960-65 GMC and Chevrolet pickups enjoy a loyal following in the world of custom vehicles, and what’s more custom than a home-made camper version? This 1965 GMC 3500 rolls on a 183 inch wheelbase, and the reportedly home-made camper section dates from the 1980s, according to the listing on Facebook Marketplace. The $5000 asking price seems comparable to other entry level Class C campers in never-restored solid condition. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this Joy, Illinois classic.
Later bucket seats outboard and what might be a custom-upholstered center seat fill an otherwise stock-looking cab. People weren’t buying one-ton pickups in the ’60s without good reason, and while the seller-claimed 183 inch wheelbase isn’t listed in the 1965 Chevrolet truck guide at GM Heritage, this rig may have begun life as a stake bed farm truck or something similar.
The rear lounge configuration makes for a nice view when you’re backed into a scenic spot. The builder’s somewhat cavalier window installation makes for some awkward angles in places, and nothing says vintage like wood paneling. There’s even a bathroom.
This RV may have been used as recently as 2010, according to the seller, and while it “runs and moves,” buyers would be wise to have a shop give it the once-over before packing up the family for a trip to the Tetons. Best practice includes replacing tires older than five years, regardless of remaining tread. Is that an outdoor shower head?
Give yourself a break if you don’t immediately recognize GMC’s 305 cid V6. That’s right…V6. The 90 degree six cylinder came from GMC’s commitment to V6 powerplants for light and heavy trucks with displacements ranging from this 305 up to 478 cid, according to Wikipedia. There was even a configuration that bonded two into a 12 cylinder monster.
Could this be the end? The DIY-ness of this unit is evident, but considering companies have been unscrupulously cranking out low quality RVs for decades, cut this one some slack. Even the wall-mounted AC unit avoids common roof-mounted AC leaks and improves overhead clearance. My buddy Tyler is preparing a twin-turbo LS V8 for his same-generation Chevy C10 pickup. I wonder how that would do in this rig? While decidedly *not* mainstream, this RV might ring the bell for a ’60s GM truck enthusiast for novelty and casual camping. What destination would you visit in this custom-built camper?
Looking at that cab, going to be a loooooong ways to Tipparerie. The camper appears to have the integrity of an ice fishing shanty. I can just imagine the line of cars behind this one. I think the truck proper is pretty nice, and much better used as a small dump or stake bed. It’s not that much fun to put up with traveling in this.
Maybe that’s why its asking price is only five grand?!
Looks like the right passenger area doubles as a trash bin. Wonder what it weighs.
WOW! What a load, and slow! Todd, you trying to pick up a few bucks on this? Says 4k in the Facebook ad.
You might want to mosey on over to the 6066GMCGuy website.
These engines were designed as truck engines with short strokes and a large bores (4.25” for the 305” variant) to lug a load upgrade under load all day long, with over sized oil sumps and over sized cooling systems. Typical upgrades include HEI from a Buick even fire V-6, dual exhaust and even using an adapter to mount a 4-barrel carburetor.
Some of the enthusiasts even have swapped a 478” engine in place of the smaller engines.
16″ tires and 4.10 rear would be standard on this type rig, that means 2500rpm at 55mph. At 65 that engine is going sing and with the load may be a little unstable.
Actually at 3500RPM or even 4000RPM that engine is happy and not the least bit unstable.
I see they dropped the price to 4K. I like these trucks, though not so much the camper. I’m with Howard, ditch the camper. Put a flat bed or stake body on it and get it back on the road. With almost all their pics being of the camper, I’d ask for more of the truck to assess it’s condition. Sure could be worth putting it back together.
Be fun to crank this beast upto 80 mph and get to lighten your load so speak watching the rear view mirror.
So home made upgrades huh 😎
Its be good for very very short distances to a lake at 50 mph.
I’m surprized that nobody said put an LS in it!
Previously owned by the Joad family?
Lots of these in Apache Junction, AZ. Parked in driveways and owned by people who have more tattoos than teeth!
Lol! I’m gonna have to remember that quote Jack!
I think it’s cool. Looking at the interior pictures, someone put in some serious work. Perhaps upgrade the engine to an 8 and a few cab comforts. Gotta respect the effort and the apparent quality.
Interesting camper!! Definitely set up for local (100 to 150 mile radius) trips.. That V-6 may not be big on HP, but has the torque to pull stumps. If I were change the engine I would go with the 351 V-6. Probably heavier than dead preacher, BUT yet a lot more solidly built then todays stapled together units. A camper that someone could enjoy at a very reasonable price.
That GMC 305 is a sweet engine with gobs of torque and it sounds good in the video. The camper itself seems well thought out and is probably well built. A few upgrades in the cab and this would be a good unit for one or two people and I see no reason why they would have to limit their trips to 100 or so miles as everyone is saying. With new tires, a tune up, and a fresh tank of gas this thing would run down the road at 65 all day long. And as for that “outdoor shower head” ~ it has a light bulb in it, so I doubt you’d get much water through there.
A brick is more aerodynamic than this. It looks to be well built with no regard to esthetics. Surprisingly it has not been painted pink! I would be tempted to lose the camper and install ramps for a car hauler.
A vehicle made less valuable by the sum of its parts.
Bwahahaha ~ only in your mind. If I didn’t already have a fishing/hunting/ going to the races rig I would definitely be looking into this one. Someone will see the beauty in it and it will sell.
Ok call me crazy but I would remove that camper thing on the back and replace it with a more modern travel trailer with the tongue removed beef up the suspension to hold the weight.