Frisky bidding has brought the price of this 1968 Ford F250 Camper Special – with Ranger trim and a Dolphin cabover camper, no less – to $10,000 here on eBay. A reserve is still in play. This rig was stored under a carport from new. The truck is in driving condition; bring your fishing pole when you pick her up from Rogue River, Oregon. This handsome F250 is part of the fifth generation of F-series trucks, introduced in 1967. Situated on the same platform as the fourth-gen F-series, the new F250 offered mild refinements including a heavier frame and a larger cabin with more glass area. The rounded look of its older sibling disappears in favor of crisp lines. Side marker lights arrived as part of safety regulations in ’68, but so did optional air conditioning. Engine options proliferated and three trim levels were offered, with the Ranger trim at the top of the heap. Let’s see what we think it will take to find this one a new home….
The Camper Special was a mechanical package that included heavy-duty springs and upgraded shocks, a heavy-duty battery, and camper wiring. The 390 cu. in. V8 option came with front disc brakes; all Camper Specials were 2WD. Ford advertised an “extra cooling radiator” but that was likely marketing hype – no one seems to know exactly what that meant. This example is equipped with an automatic. The odometer reads just over 101,000 miles. The seller doesn’t note any maintenance but there’s evidence of work in here: the valve covers look spiffy, and the AC belt looks new-ish, as does the radiator hose.
The Dolphin camper could be one of several models; the model ID is obscured by its Oregon license tag. This one has a three-burner stove, a double sink, and a dinette that likely makes into two bunk beds – no mention of a bathroom, but this brochure implies that one exists – somewhere. The ’70s vibe is resplendent! The interior of the truck is in great condition, with clean seats, door panels, and dash.
Surface rust plagues the paint, but if this has been a southern Oregon vehicle all its life … well, it’s dry down there and I suspect the body and frame are pretty nice. Meanwhile, values depend significantly on engine, transmission, body, and paint condition. Nice 1968 F250s can sell for $20k or more. An installed camper can be a detriment to overall value depending on its usability. What would you pay for this rig?
And while you’re in Rogue River,stop by the Weasku Inn for
lunch or dinner.
I had a ’68 Camper Special.It was a cool truck,but not as a
daily driver.I hate to admit it,but the newer trucks are so much more
comfortable to drive.I also had a ’95 Dodge Dakota (2WD) that I’d
daily drive.
So are you wanting to sell this truck?
Oh, this is bound to stir up some ghosts for one of the writers. Memories can be a funny thing, some happy, some sad, some that made no sense at all, but all part of the great tapestry we call life. When Scotty G was a lad, his folks had a Ford pickup and similar camper. Can’t you just see little Scotty and his older brother, peering out that camper window? He travels a lot for his “day job”, and probably got the taste for the road right here. While my folks had a pull camper, we share a lot of the same camping stories.
Some may remember my half-baked idea of traveling in a camper for my last years, well FORGETABOUTIT,,,no way. With all the horror stories Scotty tells me about on the road today and my recent travels, I rarely leave the county, and why should I? I’ve got everything right here. Camping is bigger than ever, with those 7 axle goose neck trailers being pulled by dually pickups clogging up the roads and gas stops. Don’t forget our least favorite time, road construction around the corner. We’ve come a long ways from these humble times, when the camper was just part of the experience, the great outdoors was the cheese. Scotty and I were lucky we had parents that took the time, showed us there was more to the world than a concrete alley, and I passed that on to my kids, who enjoy it just as much. Don’t let my grumblings stop you, though, unlike me, if you have the patience, by all means do this with the kids or grandkids. It may show them a world they never knew and will last a lifetime.
HoA ….funny you should mention your “half-baked idea” of living out your days in one of these. I’m coming up on 68 in August & just mentioned this same idea to my oldest a month ago when she visited with the grandgirls. Why do I need an address anyways? SS & Pension are direct deposit. Bills are paid via phone. I’m seriously ready to roll in lieu of paying high rent anymore. We’ll see. Michelle I enjoyed!
I bought this very nearly identical truck and camper in 1969. I most often pulled a dune buggy without a trailer. It did not make any difference if I was going up hill, down hill, front wind, back wind or side wind, the truck always got 8MPG. At the time that seemed acceptable until the price of gas changed drastically in 1973.
… Is . . . Is that an ‘Alaskan’ camper on your ’68 . … ? Had one on a ’64 GMC 3/4 ton about 1975 or so …. 305 V6 with a granny low 4 speed . . . Best of times . . . sigh ……. … . ..
305 v6???
No,I believe it was a Siesta (Can you actually say that nowadays?)
Our new neighborhood started to go down when owners of these campers would take them off and put them on milk crates in their driveways. Soon, boats and trailers appeared too. Too cheap to rent a storage spot. Looked like hell. Agoura Hills, CA.
My 72′ F250 Ranger XLT Camper special was equipped like this.Had twin alternator belts,power steering cooler,4.10 gears and the Dual Range C6 trans,which meant you could take off in second gear when you put it in L2.Had a MSRP of about $6,500 when it sold new.
This is my 1975 F350 Super Camper Special. American Road Package from Ford from 73 to 75. The embargo killed it. Going camping this summer. Has the optional shower. Sweet.