It’s hard to stump the internet these days, especially with massive AI generating plants using as much energy as 12,500 Tesla superchargers every time someone types in “When was pizza invented?” and they start cranking, while you wonder why your lights are dimming. This 1974 Dodge Blazon Motorhome is one case where the internet is almost totally stumped. This mystery machine is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $1,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
Blazon? About all we know about this company, one of at least hundreds of RV manufacturers during the 1960s and 70s, is that they were based in the Elkhart, Indiana area, if not in Elkhart itself, along with a majority of motorhome, camper, and trailer makers in the golden age of travel. Or, what I consider the golden age, as I wasn’t around when luxurious steam ships and cross-country train travel were the norm in the 1920s and ’30s.
Looking well-used but hopefully not abused, this Blazon is what is referred to as a Class C motorhome, one with typically a van cab and bare chassis on which was installed a cabover camper, but on a much larger scale than a slide-in camper that you would see on the back of a pickup. Sometimes, a pickup cab and chassis would be used. The Class C was a nice compromise between a full Class A motorhome, a Class B (van conversion), or a camper on the back of a pickup.
Blazon made travel trailers as well as Class C motorhomes, we know that from the fabulous and powerful Oz, known as the internet these days. The company is said to have lasted until 1979, but when it started is also a mystery. As mysterious as why there’s so much stuff shown inside this RV. It appears to be in operating condition, maybe it’s just between trips or something. The cab is a standard 1974 Dodge, and it looks pretty nice inside, or it would have if it had been cleaned out for the photos. Apparently, the Blazon name doesn’t pull too much weight, as here’s a nicer-looking one with $800 written on the windshield. I spend more than that on mustache wax every month! (kidding)
The rear dinette-that-makes-up-into-a-bed is preferred for most of us, and I think it looks good, from what is discernible. It doesn’t appear to have been updated at all, other than what the seller says is a new $1,400 refrigerator! They’re only asking $1,800 for the whole motorhome, and the fridge was $1,400?! The bathroom looks as 1974 as you expected, and hopefully everything works inside, along with the Dodge 360 engine. The seller says it has 40,000 miles, and the gas gauge isn’t working, nor is the right turn signal. If that’s all that’s wrong, $1,800 is a steal for this Blazon motorhome. Have you heard of this brand?
Pee-yeeew, I can smell the funk from here,,,I’ll take partial credit here too, as the author knows I had toyed with the idea of an older motorhome, since cancelled. These things are just too rough and a fortune to repair. So many great movies about motorhomes, the late great Robin Williams in “RV”, “We’re the Millers”, the material producers have is endless. I see a glut of these, and with housing costs, becoming a viable living space for someone “down by the river”, but to do any traveling is downright dangerous, by todays standards. A line of impatient SUVs will certainly follow this unit. And we haven’t even got to the campground yet,,,WHAT,,too old a unit? Why you can cram it with,,,um, sorry, sorry, I’ll move along,,,oh oh, does anyone have any jumper cables?
Changed your mind? Come on Howard, where’s your sense of adventure!
Yes, Howard, even I have entertained the idea that should I become homeless (and in these uncertain times it’s very possible) one of these would suit me just fine. Although I’d want a decent running one as I would want to travel.
Growing up in the country in NJ my parents bought a small teardrop trailer. And it was small. You walked to a 2 foot by 2 foot space. To your left was a double bed. To the right a dinette which folded down into a single bed. Directly in front of you was an extremely small sink, two burner stove and a small fridge. No oven, no bathroom.
Later they traded up to an 18 ft Shasta, so I know a little about travel trailers. Also two summers ago a friend from NY came out to Vegas with a 24 foot trailer which we drove to and back from the Grand Canyon.
My biggest problem, besides money, is where do I put the crystal chandeliers. Ceilings are kinda low in trailers
I was fascinated by that Nomad movie years ago,retired and don’t want to own a home anymore so folks still in good shape drive around. I understand for $ 160.00 you can stay on BLM land in Quartzsite AZ for 6 months.
I can’t believe that space was taken up on this site for something like that.
Well, I can’t believe how half the entries/posts on this supposed “Barn Finds” site are shiny, show-ready cars, either, but…….
@Alexander
I’m sure BF started out as all barn finds of dusty dirty cars forgotten in barns and sheds and even left out in the fields. As with all sites, they evolve. And as Scotty mentioned, these are posts people find elsewhere and send in because it interests them and they are sharing because it might interest someone else. This particular post does interest me. I’d like to learn more about these types of vehicles for future reference.
Hope this helps you understand
What I can’t believe is that both of you bothered to look at an item, and comment on it, that doesn’t interest you.
Thay,
When readers send in tips, that means that they think it’s interesting, as do a lot of us. To each his or her own. What would you like to see here several times a day, every day? Please feel free to send in tips for vehicles that interest you.
A convertible propane/electric refrigerator is expensive, and, like replacing the refrigerator in your home, does not increase the value of the vehicle. People expect a working fridge; they don’t care how much it cost to get it.
40K miles and they only want $1800? What are we not being told? Wisconsin, eh? Is it a salt-free state? The rust showing on the left fender, door and rocker is whispering sweet nothings in our ears.
Not a rust free state by any means, frame is probably gobbled up along with anything else tasty down there, hard pass.
I’m a former motorhome (Winnebago) owner, but because of my age and health, don’t feel up to having another one. If I did I might be interested in this one for less than $2K. Yes, it will need things fixed along the way but, if you spend a million bucks on a new one it will need things fixed along the way too. That’s the way motorhomes are. Other than the junk left in the floor this one doesn’t look that bad, considering the price. If it’s in decent running condition I think it’s a good deal. I hope who ever gets it enjoys it like I did mine back when I had it.
Looks like a great deal that would benefit from some elbow grease and some tinkering. That’s assuming that the roof hasn’t leaked- that turns it into a leave- er- right, in my opinion. It would be a nice rig for weekend trips, or to park on a camping lot for the summer.
Not everyone can afford to spend a Zillion dollars on an RV. As far as this “not belonging” on BF, if something is not interesting to you, just pass it by.
It’s down to $1650. Time to jump on it.
@PRA4SNW
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think it’s kinda cool. I could be wrong, but, it’s seemed like the Dodge version of the class c motor home was more common
The over the cab ,usually a single bed is sagging down and the side wall is wrinkled from it sagging. Big money pit.
Suddenly I have a hankering for a 70’s ‘C’ class RV! The price is right here but definitely needs an in-person inspection. Dodge with a 360 like this … nice.
That thing is shot you can see where its been leaking the mold in between the metal and wood will be thick best to pull the engine and trans maybe the rear diff to build something else
Rusted frame rails was Chrysler’s weakness. It’s lived in Wisconsin but only 40,000 miles, maybe it could be salvageable!
If the roof leaks or has not been replaced in the last 10 years, then run away as fast as you can. If it does leak chances are a lot of the structure is rotted.