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Pop Top in Cali: 1969 Dodge Travco Camper

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When I spotted this barn find Dodge A-Series Travco camper, it was almost serendipitous: I’m visiting one of my favorite salvage yards this weekend and there’s one of these parked deep in the woods, filled to the brim with car parts. I’ve always thought using it as a weeekender vehicle would be an ideal travel companion, and this example here on craigslist has been nicely preserved for regular use.

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The one in the junkyard does not look like this! The seller claims it was recently removed from long-term storage, and it appears the exterior has been left preserved. However, it’s been updated where it counts, with a super clean interior and functioning camping equipment. It also said to be rust-free and smooth-running thanks to a recent tune-up. The interior looks mint, frankly.

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The pop-top works! It looks like the seller has done a nice job of cleaning up the areas where you’ll spend the most time sleeping and relaxing. There’s also all-new electrics, a new water/plumbing system, and intact screens on the louvered windows. The paint combination is an added bonus, but as mentioned, the seller left the outside alone.

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I am not surprised at all to see this camper van in San Diego. When I visited over the summer, there were tons of these mini-RVs parked alongside beaches and parks, pointing to how possible the nomadic lifestyle is if you live somewhere as beautiful (and as expensive!) as San Diego. The seller is asking $8,500 – does that seem like a fair price for a survivor camper like this?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    Truth be known, these were pretty miserable to drive. The restyled AB series in ’71 was a much more civilized van. This was still pretty crude. I had a friend with an A100 with a V-8, and it was awful to work on. It was best to just take the seats and doghouse out all together. It was hot, noisy, lousy brakes and steering, the newer Dodge van was much improved ( although, still a bear to work on, like all vans) While this would be a nice compact unit to go camping with, maybe pull a couple motorcycles, the way RV’s are nowadays, ( ever go past an RV dealer lately? I’d say there’s a few campers for sale) you could probably get a decent full size motorhome for this. (With a living room, sauna, it’s own satellite, etc) You have to get along with someone very well to spend time in this together, especially in the rain. Which could be a good thing, no kids though.

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    • Avatar boxdin

      It was the B series Dodge Van that came out in 1971 that took my breath away, I had never seen such a good looking van. Bought one a few months later and started a van comversion company that went on for 20 years. I have to thank the Dodge B series van for getting it all started.

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  2. Avatar JW

    When I see the conversion vans of the 60’s and what most were used for which was not camping is Woodstock.

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  3. Avatar erikj

    loved my 74 dodge,someone planted a olds vista cruiser on the top. that was unique.

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  4. Avatar stillrunners

    Anybody price a new camper lately ? With Howard a little – but ALL the early vans Ford/Chevy were like he said. This one is a little rare in that it still has it’s camper stuff intact and a constructor type hasn’t turned another van into a rolling garage. Should bring in $6000 or so on the west coast.

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  5. Avatar Rustytech Member

    These drove terrible. Still I like this, it would make a great weekender at the trout stream or hunting camp but I would not want to take on any interstate trips. Have to give the owner credit for restoring it to usable condition, it will be a great conversion piece at any campground.

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  6. Avatar Badnikl

    I had to double check. I thought my Mother-in-law was commenting on this.

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