OK, so we get a lot of heat down here in Florida (no pun intended) for some of the strange goings-on that occur, like planet-sized sink-holes, gargantuan alligators with an attitude, election shenanigans and all other kinds of weirdness. Granted some are deserved and some are imported from out of state by visitors and snow-birds. But then there are homegrown irregularities and it just makes me shake my head and smile. Take this example, a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria P71 Police Interceptor cruiser with a mini RV grafted on to its hind-side (I ain’t lyin’). It is located in Lehigh Acres, Florida and available here on craigslist for $3,200. Thanks to Tony P. for this very creative tip!
Until recently, P71 Crown Vic’s were available pretty much everywhere. For many years, it was the go-to police car for local, county and highway patrol departments all over the country. In 2011, Ford discontinued production so the used ranks of P71’s have been thinning for some time. I looked at a fleet that was for sale in Raleigh, North Carolina back in 2008 and the majority of the units had just under 100K miles and the sale price was in the $4,000 range. While not particularly sophisticated, the Crown Victoria of this generation is a very tough and reliable car. The majority that I see anymore are usually in pretty forlorn-looking condition and lurking around like they’re up to no good.
There’s a lot of things that you can do with a basic Ford Crown Victoria. I have seen them in demolition derbies, modified into low-riders and converted into convertibles in about fifteen minutes courtesy of a Sawzall. Incorporating a sleeping berth onto the backside of one has escaped my attention, however. The very imaginative seller states that this is a sturdy, overbuilt affair and was designed to fit inside a standard garage. It endured a Florida to Montana and return run last year with no issues and it will go again this year if a sale does not occur. The exterior of the residence is covered in fiberglass with a reflective roof sealant. Outback is a thick plexiglass window and the topside is finished off with a moon-roof. In the planning stages – solar panels. Someone who is near and dear to me is fond of saying, “You can sleep in your car but you can’t drive your house!” Well there goes that theory…..
Inside looks, well, ah, cozy? The front passenger seat has been removed to provide all of this interior largesse but the seat is included as is the auxiliary A/C unit and the mattress (I’d pass on that!). The seller further suggests, “Excellent for a one-person road trip or put the passenger seat back in (and a wider mattress) for two.” Well, there’s a thought, some modularity and flexibility too.
There is no image of the power source for this mini-house on wheels but research will tell you that it is a 250 net HP, 4.6 liter, single overhead cam V8 engine. The seller claims that it runs great at 153K miles and has a cold, operational A/C unit (that’s the first thing a Floridian looks for or asks about in any car). This Crown Victoria comes with good tires and new brakes – what more do you need right?
Other than some detailing, a little flaking paint and a cracked corner in the windshield this mini-camper is in pretty sound shape and needs nothing more (well a refrigerator, bathroom and wide-screen TV would be nice too but that’s not going to happen). The creator of this Motel 6 on wheels gets very high marks for creativity, I’d have never thought of it. If you travel singularly a lot, this Crown RVtoria could save you a lot at $89 a pop per night for a hotel stay in a well-known chain – you can just pitch your IHG Rewards card and hit the open road.
Now I’ve seen it all. What a joke!
I don’t know if you have seen it all just yet. There’s one of these with a shortened, poorly done quality, mid 80s F150 bed grafted on to the back. Apparently the car was rear ended and totaled but still……You’d have to see it I guess. I have one of these and honestly I’d let it become a parts car in a junkyard and then finally rest in peace as opposed to subjecting to that kind of humiliation.
Looks like something a reformed heroin addict would dream up!
Depending on the integrity of caulk to prevent moisture intrusion is a fool’s errand.
Would love to see that go over the Verrazano bridge in a cross wind. Would be visiting miss liberty in no time
Looks like something Red Green would build…..
Terrific…this was Ford’s prototype undercover vehicle; ” Perfect for those long stakeouts where a van may not be the obvious choice, and “includes side decals, so you remain anonymous – choices include ‘Two Guys From the Academy’ Pizza, ‘Mafia Staff Car’ to help you REALLY be ubiquitous, ‘Starbucks’!”
Joey – “Hey, Vinny – are those cops over there?”
Vinny – “Nah – new coffee place – they’re EVERYWHERE now!”
Actually, before reading your comments my thoughts were that someone who buys this SHOULD go to a graphics shop and get stickers/adhesive banners made for this that imply it is affiliated with law enforcement…might result in less tickets. An added bonus? MIGHT make the driver look less like a doofus.
I am a man. I can change. If I have to.
Keep your stick on the ice!
I wonder what posess a person to go to such great lenghts to great a monstrosity.
A budget of 50 cents a day.
Not worth posting on here…really.
Those car feel like driving a wet mop on the road. With this windcatcher its probably more like a wet mop on ice.
Usually I’m more diplomatic with responses but no, you’re wrong. They handle absolutely excellent. True and straight down the road and handle corners like you wouldn’t believe in a full-size car. The P71s anyway. The civilian ones are somewhat like you described though.
I drove a civilian crown Victoria, and that things was all over the road (and it was brand new).
The civilian ones I can believe you on. Nice cars if you’re into that level of comfort and luxury. I’m not. P71 is more basic. Handles so much better as far as road feel goes. The mushy ones are fine for people that are into those kind. I’m not.
…and you said it couldn’t be done?
… .Hold my beer……
More like:
“Holy my crystal meth”
Silly. If a handy one person sleeper is what he wanted, just remove the rear seat back, viola, plenty of room to lay down. Black out the windows,,done. This makes no sense at all.
Removing the back seat on a police Crown Victoria is next to useless as it is built with bracing behind the back seat to prevent clever prisoners from exiting the car via the trunk.
As someone who owns a Crown Victoria ex-police car and who makes trips of 2,000 miles round trip a few times a year…I guess I can understand this. On a few of my trips when I was pressed for time I took naps in the driver’s seat, but it was not easy.
Ya this car really is a sleeper!
But you gotta’ stand up to pee in the bucket.
Classic case of someone answering a question that NOBODY is asking. Fred says it the best!
Obvious splinching victim.
This is just stupid.
That pretty much covers it.
If the owner was smart, they could rent out the side of the camper for advertising. It would help to reduce the monthly gas ⛽️ bill.
I think it’s pretty cool. What a better way to travel safely on the cheap. There are several three day events I know that offer free camping. Pull anywhere you are home. What better chassis to use. Solid mechanics.
Props to the builder here. Looks like a fun road trip machine. For a young man with his whole life ahead of him and a sense of adventure this could be fun.
Youtube the trip. When done. The car everyone is hating on here will be famous. Everyone else will want to jump aboard. No doubt about it. Haters will hate!
I’d rather sleep in the back of a hearse. Cadillac style.
Something tells me that the majority of Barn Finds readers are going to get their chance to ride in the back of a hearse, weather they like it or not!
This cannot be unseen. But I wish it could be.
Just ‘cause you can doesn’t mean you should!
Great car for a homeless person.
Looks like a Mohawk! That’s it, start buying every Crown Vic you can, converting them to Mohawk RV’s.
Looks like my Microwave oven.
Good grief.
In the 50’s There wass Rambler four door that would convert into a two person bed. We used it, and iwas not too bad.
Might win the Lemons events. Second driver sleeps while racing. Switching drivers has new meaning
AirBNB! Park it anywhere!
Better name? CarBnB?
You just don’t see one of those everyday of the week
What a lousy craigslist ad! Only 6 pictures, doesn’t allow us to fully appreciate the artist’s “vision”.
Yes. Its quite a work of Art.
But Art passed away soon after creating this
Why wouldn’t you just use the $4000. to buy a good used minivan?
Remember, no politics. Butttttttttttttttt, just out of curiosity, what is your point here? Please expand your thoughts, if so able.
I guarantee that interior smells like farts and feet.
Great idea!
https://www.facebook.com/TopGearAmerica/posts/tonight-the-most-extreme-races-and-wacky-custom-contraptions-in-topgear-history-/10155143765542563/
Question: What does a “single overhead cam V8” look like? Where, exactly, is the camshaft?
One per cylinder head. Don’t feel bad, I wondered once too :-)
Now that’s just weird.