America’s post-war investment in a vast Interstate Highway System after World War II put long-distance road-trips within reach of novice vacationers. The idea of a self-contained “House Car,” as they were initially called, dates back nearly to the dawn of the automobile. This 1972 Xplorer 224 in Wayland, Michigan offers a retro-cool snapshot of early ’70s van culture with some modern updates that don’t spoil the charm. The turn-key rig is ready to explore destinations near or far. At least 15 bidders here on eBay have elevated the market value of this interesting time campsule above $22,000.
Original carpet continues the green theme inside. Refinished black cabinet doors look slightly odd, but something more period-correct should be an easy fix. Did the hardware store not have green paint? LED lights promise to suck less energy than the original incandescent units. Designed as a two-person camper, the Xplorer differs little in technology from what you would find in today’s units. Even with quirks and imperfections I’d take this one over new any day for the nostalgia.
The Xplorer company traces its history back to the House Car days. In fact, according to ClassBForum, Xplorer founder Ray Frank’s wife coined the phrase “Motor Home.” Frank historically favored Dodge-based motorhomes, but this Ford one-ton unit looks fine to me.
The 302 cid (5.0L) Ford V8 resides in there somewhere. It may seem a little small for a lifetime of carrying a small house on its back, but a host of vacationers towed trailers or drove campers with small V8s making in the area of 200 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque back then. This camper will do fine on the highway even if uphill stretches are done (if you have any respect for yourself or humanity) in the slow lane.
Equipment includes updated electronics and USB charging ports, propane stove, furnace, and water heater, 12 volt refrigerator and water pump, and tanks for fresh water, black water, and gray water. The Ford van apparently came with a tan interior that was mated to the green camper body. Fifteen years from now a new $50,000 camper van will probably sell for $8000, but this one’s value may actually increase over time. Would you consider a vacation in this ’70s Xplorer?
Retrofit efi and an AOD transmission w/a different rear end gear and you’d be good to go.
Sorry, this is way overpriced. I bought a near-mint, running 1974 FMC 2900R 29-foot motorhome exactly two years ago for $5K.
I give the seller props for an extremely well-produced ad. If this is worth the now current bid of $30K, God knows what my updated FMC is worth, nicer than the ex-Charles Kuralt “On the Road” FMC now on display at the Henry Ford.
Fools and their money are soon parted.
Price is all in the eye of the buyer .
No, New vans have airbags, disk brakes, cruise control. This vehicle is outdated. For that price, I could get a newer van.
Those who say this is overpriced. I respectfully disagree. Maybe a few years ago this price would have been high. If this was a 1972 VW Type 2 Westphalia in this nice of original condition, then the $30,000 current bid would be spot on.
“Shorties” are WAY more desirable these days than giant road pigs like the FMC 29 or other big boxes. They go anywhere , don’t block traffic, are easy
to park and store – just simply the future of escape pods. Price reflects this.
Giant’s that clog hi-ways are giving way to all flavors of
sub 20 footers. Old stylish rigs like these nuggets are only going up in value.
Based on the new normal this stuff has a bright future.
30.000 really, OK
Ridiculous pricing. What is wrong with these people. Greed greed greed.
It won’t happen!
You are so right. The guy should have ended the bidding at $10k and just awarded the thing. Imagine the hubris of taking more money than it’s worth.
Steveo, exactly!!! These blowhards don’t have two nickels to rub together yet, they comment like they were actual candidates to purchase…lol!!!
I beg to differ. Compared to modern RVs, my FMC 2900R is a compact. One can actually live in it on a full-time basis if necessary.
What a vehicle is worth is what someone is willing to pay for it and in this case, it’s $30,400 + fees and shipping. To me, compared to my rig and what I paid for it, that’s crazy money Huck.
As for you Jason, whoever you are, my name is not “Dick,” although you might be one.
As I stated in my post, the vehicle was presented perfectly by the seller. The final selling price was not much higher than when it was first posted on Barn Finds so the listing here had little impact on the final selling price.
From looking at the bidding history, two buyers really wanted it, one got it, the other didn’t. In the long run, I suspect that the loser (a***2, someone with zero bid history) will be the winner, having forced the winner to overpay for what is a nice, but not exceptional rig. This is even more true given that it still needs an A/C unit if it’s to actually be used to camp in the summertime.
I’ll take my “giant road pig” any day over this but you both are entitled to your opinions, just as I am mine. Actually owning a vintage RV, I suspect I know just a little bit more about the subject than either of you.
Dick, you and Jake are both right…please kiss and make up.
First, @Don Eladio, go eff yourself.
Second, if you took any time to look at the bidding, it has all the hallmarks of a shill bidder, a***2, someone with a zero bid history.
Third, if was the case, poor 9***3 was willing to pay any cost to acquire what is (for all we know his high bid could have been $50K, if he wanted this RV at any cost), under most circumstances, a really nice, $10-$15,000 vintage motorhome.
For $30,000, if the buyer wanted a smaller motorhome, could have bought one of the nicest 23-foot GMC motorhomes on the planet. There is no comparison to what was sold here and a GMC, which have a proven track record of appreciating when properly maintained.
If the buyer of this RV goes to sell it, unless a similar bidding scenario develops, he’ll be upside down and be unlikely to be able to sell it for what he paid for it. And if the new owner actually wants to camp in it he’ll be spending more, much more, to install a roof-top A/C unit that alone will cost $2,000 (parts and labor).
Who in their right mind is going to pay north of $35,000 for such a rig? Not many given how many much more livable RVs are for sale at any given time. 9***3 must to have really wanted this RV, in this configuration, to have paid this much for it.
To @Richard Sikes, you have made an almost valid point but a comparable 1972 VW Type 2 Westphalia is an entirely different animal, much of it powered by the big auction houses that have pumped up sales prices over the past two or three years. There is a cult following surrounding them. There is no such cult surrounding a 1972 Xplorer 224 Camper Van.
Jason, “Dick” is not my name or nickname, it’s Richard or Rich. You know exactly what you implied and it’s obvious to almost everyone reading this exchange what you were doing.
This whole “nasty” exchange started with you when you said, “Well Dick, you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about with your “overpriced” as it isn’t “priced”! Folks are bidding what they want. No ones forcing them.” it.
Poor punctuation above aside, I initially made a post, an opinion based on knowledge of the vintage RV market. You, for whatever your reason or motivation, took offense, and you engaged in what was obviously an ad hominem attack. I know a little more about the vintage RV market and values than you do. The buyer overpaid—this is obvious if you took just 30 seconds to look at the bidding history—falling victim to an obvious shill bidder.
That analysis aside, I don’t care what you call your brother; if you want to call him a “Dick,” that’s your prerogative.
There’s a big difference between me, and you and Huck, I post under my real name, I don’t hide behind some screen name like you two do. You are simply a coward and we all know it, Jacie.
Like I said, you are one nasty guy and you prove it with each and everyone of your posts. It must suck to be you.
There you go again. Another unwarranted, nasty comment telling me I don’t have two nickels to rub together. SAD!!!
Cheers Folks, My name is Darrin from D&L Auto Sales in Wayland Michigna, and I am the one that sold this Kick Ass 1972 Ford Xplorer. I appreciate Barn Finds giving this the huge exposure with this article. Not sure it helped me in the end but I am very happy with the result. I will comment more tomorrow when I have more time.