Slide-On Campers offer the best of both worlds. When fitted to the right vehicle, they allow owners to venture deep into the wilderness, accessing locations that would typically be beyond the reach of vehicles like the Winnebago. However, they also allow their owners to spend extended periods at those locations with greater comfort than they would have by pitching a tent. Ford catered to people wishing to pursue those pastimes by releasing vehicles like this 1971 F250 Camper Special. Designed to cope with the additional load of a Camper, they proved popular amongst buyers seeking to delve into the great outdoors. This Camper Special is a genuine survivor that is rock-solid. It retains its original V8 under the hood and is ready to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed the F250 here on eBay in San Antonio, Texas. They set their price at $11,999 OBO.
This F250 formed part of Ford’s Fifth Generation F-Series that graced domestic showroom floors from late-1966 until 1972. Physically larger and with a heavier frame than its predecessor, the Fifth Generation proved robust, which is one reason these vehicles have survived and are keenly sought in the classic market. The first owner ordered this F250 as a Camper Special, a package that added improved cooling and a larger alternator to the mix. They chose a color combination of Seafoam Green over Boxwood Green, which is quite subtle. The images make it clear that the F250 isn’t a trailer queen and has worked to earn its keep. The paint has a few scratches and imperfections, while the panels have minor bumps and bruises. However, the dry Texan climate has kept rust at bay, meaning that a cosmetic refresh wouldn’t include steel replacement. The front bumper is slightly bent, although the remaining trim and the glass look quite good.
The range of engines available to 1972 F250 buyers was quite broad, but this Ford’s first owner selected the 360ci V8. A three-speed automatic transmission tackles the shifting, and with power steering and power brakes, maneuvering this big beast would be pretty easy. The 360 is a pretty handy device, generating 215hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. The secret to its success is the low-end torque delivery, which makes hauling a Camper child’s play. The seller recently installed a new fuel tank, but the Pickup is otherwise original. It runs and drives extremely well, with no identified mechanical issues or shortcomings.
The signs of aging continue inside this Pickup. The interior shows signs of deterioration, but its shortcomings aren’t evidence of neglect or abuse. The Texan sun has cracked the dashpad and wheel, and the state of the upholstery beneath the seat’s slipcover is unclear. The paint looks tired, and someone installed a JVC radio/cassette player where the factory radio should be. However, the F250 retains many of its original items, the interior is serviceable, and the parts required to whip the interior into shape are readily available and affordable.
If I were to choose a single word to describe this 1971 Ford F250 Camper Special, it would be “honest.” The listing images reveal no major problems, confirming that it hasn’t fallen victim to rust or other issues that could spoil the ownership experience. The new owner could treat it to a cosmetic refresh that would be both relatively easy and rewarding. This F250 has generated significant interest since hitting the market, and I suspect it will find a new home quickly. Are you tempted to beat the opposition to the punch by hitting the BIN button, or would you take your chances by making an offer?
The only thing it is missing are the large western style mirrors which were standard on the camper specials. Otherwise a nice looking truck for a decent price!
Also the camper special badges are missing from the front fenders.
So no mention of the mileage or if the engine or transmission has ever been rebuilt? Key factors on selling a vehicle 👍
Our paper route delivery guy bought one just like it…..it was more than a step or two up from his old one…..nice truck
This is my idea of a truck. Same thing that roamed the roads when I grew up. They worked on farms and made a lot of trips to the field and to town. Nothing more do I need.
Agree with you Nelson. The only thing that would make it better would be a 4-speed manual and if it doesn’t have a locking differential.
Nice Adam, A real truck person’s truck in it’s used original condition. I love the colors as well. Let’s go camping or to work.
Wow, nice looking truck. I think you’ll have a hard time finding one just as nice, at this price.
Good value, looks like it has been loved. Good luck with the sale!
Wow, 3/4 ton two wheel drive. The LEAST desirable of all pickups. My yard is full of Chevys like that. I sold a Ford just like it for $1800. a few years ago.
had an F250 Camper Special in 76, bought it new. Perfect combination, 2WD, 4 Speed manual, locking rear end. 390cu in. Great work truck, even for out in field farm truck. My kids wore it out.
Notice the $10.00 seat cover.
New off-road tires for ranch, not so great for highway. But looks good otherwise.
I was noticing those….though it looks like the tires in the front have much more aggressive treads than those in the rear. At first I thought they were snow tires!
San Antonio and no A/C? Original owner must have been a masochist (LOL)
A/C was expensive then. People were different 55 years ago.
I lived in Tucson and drove a pickup with no AC. People can do without. Most cars didn’t have it in the day.
Like alot of us in the 40s n 50s had a dad that “chewed”. My dad was a Copenhagen guy. Cars sism’t hav AC so in the summer it was windows down. Dads would spit out there window and somehow that long string of tobacco spit managed to come right back in the back window. There always three or four of us in the back seat and didn’t seem to matter if you were the tallest or shortest. That discusting “tobacco string” would always seem to make it across our lips. Not all the memories of “the good old days” are pleasant and if there is a reason for AC in cars it’s to save today’s you g ones from “the experience”. I’m jus say’n!
Speaking of no A/C, here’s an interesting fact about these trucks that had that option.
I owned a 72 F100 in the mid 80’s which was a very original truck at the time. It was 360, auto, P/S P/B and A/C. The A/C unit hung underneath the dash and looked a lot like many aftermarket add on units did that could be bought back in the day to equip a vehicle with it that did not come factory installed. But this was a Ford unit from the factory. (And it still worked too) The reason it looked like the aftermarket ones is because the trucks through the 72 year model had no dash vents. When Ford redesigned the truck line in 73, they finally had dash outlets like the cars and they integrated the evaporator core into a box on the firewall. And yes A/C was pretty rare on pickups before 73. I rarely saw any with it.
Still, it must have been brutal.
The saving grace on non A/C trucks like that was the vent windows in the doors that you could flip around and funnel air through the cab at highway speeds. Wasn’t cold air but it was a lot of volume.
In addition to what Atwood said, vehicles also had floor vents in the kick panel that drew air from the cowl and directed it around the floor and towards the front occupants. There’s just too much in the dash and cowl for this type of ventilation to be effective today.
Good looking truck. Love the “period-correct” Boxwood Green. Sometimes that term is meant to mean it is an outlandish color, but in this case it is an attractive shade, just not common today. My dad’s 1970 F-100 was this color.
several corrections to post:
Cars didn’t have AC, (wrote sism’t)
there window is their window,
There always three— is There always were three or —
today’s y oug ones is today’s young ones.
Seems like us olger (older) guys just can’t text properly on cell phones but you “get the picture”
Terry, you made me go back and check for the errors. I couldn’t find them. I am a voluntary editor for our club, but I still make “misteaks”.
Dave, I went back to find the original as well, must have not posted but I did get the errors (corrected). What I mentioned had to do with the comments regarding no AC. My comments were: as a kid in the 40s and 50s spent much time in the back seat of the family sedan. Cars then didn’t have AC but we survived those hot summer days, mostly in the back seat. Sure I’m not the only one that experienced the hot day, window down occurance–my dad was a chewer, loved his Copenhagen. We would have all the windows down and usually three or four of us in the back seat. It didn’t matter if you were the tallest or shortest but when he would spit out his window the Copenhagen spit would string right back in the opened back window. A slimy, stringy Copenhagen spit. Like I said, didn’t matter if you were the tallest or shortest sitting in back, that spit string would come back in and manage to hit all of us right across the lips, GREAT MEMORY! Any you though AC was there for the cool comfort of passengers, well the real reason for it in cars today is to save all the young ones in back from the “the tobacco spit string” experience.
Now you have the rest of the story!
You forgot Speical not Special and duel exhaust not dual exhaust on the ebay ad.
Sometimes a word or phrase might “trip” a hold, until it appears later or the next day. Harrison has experienced this repeatedly as have I and others. This may occur with innocent posts. Frustrating, especially if using a phone instead of a keyboard.
Terry, I am guessing must be an editor or a teacher.
no just an old dude that has to write a significant amount of emails and promo documents, been in industrial sales since 1975.
What will a new pu like this will be in 64 years with all the electronic junk on them?
Considering the junk they sell as new cars today, it will probably go up in value…
Our own Scotty Gs folks had a very similar truck with a slide in camper. Before the weight of the world crushed Scottys fragile spirit,,,:)
Great trucks,,,,but, think we’ll ever see this again? Nah, the world has evolved past 1971 Ford pickups. Hard to think this was good enough.
I had a ‘70 ,390 c6 auto for my first work truck for carpentry 11 leafs on the rear with the wide mirrors and it had the center panel on the side in white and the roof god I loved that truck but she was a thirsty one , lol 8 lug with 10 ply’s and whit wagon wheels :)
360 is a great engine for that truck. The Dana 60 rear is a bonus too. Nice truck.
My father in law bought one new in 71 and a cabover camper to go with it for their three kids (my wife is one). They took it all over the western US on vacations. I bought a 75 F250 Super Cab and used the camper for our kids. He had that truck till it became part of the field. I drove it on occasion, a true pick up truck. Loved it.
Nice truck I had a F250 camper special with the 390 and dual fuel tanks { it needed them} I put an 11 foot Coachman camper on it , towed a bass boat in the summer and a pair of snowmachines in the winter , great truck ,wish I had it now ! this truck should make a good rig for someone , happy camping!
agreed: wrk it all wk, ‘camp’ on the wk
end, a wk of summer, a mo of winter. I
dont C the comparable built today. U?
I’m a 6th gen guy tho (right model – F250). 4WD, step side, short box. My fav looking vehicle (even over the 50s/60s Italian jobs I restored asa kid). Just sompin bout them…
This 1 could B used as above. A good road truck (long bed, heavy springs, etc).
Nice looking truck I remember as a youngster riding bicycle every time a Ford pickup would drive by the exhaust smell was bad
And, sold! I’m not surprised. That’s a lot of rust-free classic F250 for $12k.