Other than the Skyliner with the see-through roof, the Crestline Victoria was Ford’s top-of-the-line automobile in 1954. This beautiful survivor sports coral and white paint which conveniently matches (or vice versa) the Kom-Pak Sportsman camper that comes in tow. This is likely a one-of-a-kind pairing as no more than 16 of these unique trailers were ever built and the seller believes only a half-dozen have survived. The car and camper are only being sold together and are located in Northwest Montana while the seller (a dealer) is in Spokane, Washington. Available here on eBay, the current bid of $40,100 hasn’t cracked the seller but you can cut to the chase and commit to a $53,500 purchase.
Ford treated its automobiles to a styling refresh in 1954 and the Crestline would be the senior-level car (to be soon replaced by the Fairlane). More than 95,000 buyers went for the Crestline Victoria hardtop that year of which the seller’s car is one. It’s a beauty and we’re told the paint is original as is the brightwork. That might mean that the matching interior could also be from the factory, but no one would fault the car if it has been redone.
The treat here is the Kom-Pak Sportsman trailer/camper from a company that was based out of Oregon back in the day. This one was customized to match the styling of its companion Ford, which includes the paint. We don’t know the manufacture date of the trailer or when it was done up to resemble the Victoria but it has been restored. The trailer is made of fiberglass and an unusual feature is that the roof is a removable fishing boat. When the boat is taken off, a tent-like canvas cover can go on in its place. A kitchenette is one of the other features of the trailer. This illustrious pairing has made the show circuit and won “best of show” on at least one occasion.
It looks as though neither the car nor the camper are wanting for anything other than new ownership. Under the hood should be Ford 239 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine and it’s paired with a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission. The combination is said to function as it’s supposed to in all ways. If you’ve been looking for something unusual to add to your collection, this rig could be it, although I don’t think many would actually do any camping or hauling with it.
What a beautiful pair.
Careful! You never know how she’ll react. ;)
Good one!
I doubt it’s original paint, as they came with badging and ornaments on the trunk and hood. Tail light chrome appears missing.
Don’t know about the paint but the hood and rear deck have been shaved and the taillights “frenched”. That means no chrome ring around the taillights and the fenders wrapped around the lenses. Probably did that to match the trailer lights.Hubcaps are JC Whitney copies of the ’55 Oldsmobile ‘spinners”. Didn’t french the headlights, just painted the rings to match the fender. Either way, great example of a ’50s car.
Nosed and decked, not shaved, as shaved would mean the removal of the door handles and side trim. Nosed and decked is the removal of the emblems on the hood and trunk. Also the taillights have not been “frenched” as they aren’t recessed. Overall it has a mild ’50s custom look.
The BF writer left out the Crestline Sunliner vert, which along with the Skyliner, would be the top of the line.
The tail light lenses look more like they’re off a ’53 Ford. The ’54 had a flatter lens with a three point chrome star.
My observation also !
WOW! Great job covering this, Russ! Pretty cool “3-for-1” deal there (car/camper/boat).
It’s been sold.
What a great combination, I have seen it before or one like it. They have to be
very rare. Both the car and trailer seem to be in great shape! I would loose the fuzzy dice and the J.C. Whitney hub caps and chrome the bumper on the trailer. This car and trailer would just be a blast to drive.
Tiger 66 is correct, I had a ’54; tudor sedan my Dad bought for me when I was 17. It had a blown motor – $50. I removed the lenses and gaskets and ground the chrome off the housing, brazed the housing in place, then blended in to a similar result you see on this Ford.
I worked on the car for two years with lawn mower money and finished it just before I went into the service in 1966. My Uncle brazed on the rockers and quarter repair panels for me. As I recall he sprayed it for me when I finished block sanding all the work.
I’ve had a couple of “Matched” car and trailer sets over the years [mostly matched in color or year of manufacture], and always had fun taking them out for a drive. The one little problem I’ve had was at some car shows where they don’t have a special display location for cars with trailers. One show even told me to disconnect the trailer and park it next to the car [and it was on a slope!]. As it was a smaller local show, we declined and drove home.