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1948 Willys Overland “Stordor” Bodied Van

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a rare look at a Willys Overland Chassis with a StorDor body (see late 1940s brochure at bottom). What’s unusual with this van is that at some point it was turned into a motor home. While this former laundry van’s current fate is unknown, Larry, the former owner, has shared some information about it. He writes:

I had an old van registered as a Willys Housecar from 1948. Body was on a 2T frame and was modified with a Chevy inline six. Boy do I miss her…I had to leave her in shambles ten years ago

I was told that an old man in Moorpark, Ca. had custom built the interior and as seen on the exterior, the most probable “Bakery” in blue and with imagination, “To your door” showed up on the driver’s side through the house paint that is flaking off, suggesting that she was once a bakery delivery van. The previous owner had received it as a joke some time before I got it in 1980. I don’t know if it even exists anymore. She was dependable but scary with the feeling of tipping ever present like the willies you’d get in a CB or MB of, say, 1940’s circa. 

On another note, I had a friend who had a 1947 Ford van similar to this Willys I owned and it had a grill in the bell shape as mine was.

You can view all the photos of Larry’s old Van here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrgvanman/sets/72157604163626267/

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You can just make out the “Willys Overland” signature on the speedometer.

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1974 CJ-5 w/ Popup Camper in Colorado **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Camping, CJ5 • TAGS: , , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8295

DP spotted this unusual CJ-5 with a custom built popup camper.

“1974 Jeep CJ5 with a custom pop up camper shell built by Phoenix pop up in Denver.
The Jeep has recently been painted and is in very good condition, it has a 232 inline 6 cylinder, 3 speed manual transmission and locking front Warn hubs and it rides on 35″ tires. The chassis wiring has all been completely redone as well as the upholstery.
The camper shell sleeps 2, it has storage for all of your gear and is set up for propane and self contained water. If you are interested in the camper let me know and we can discuss a price.
This is a fun Mountain vehicle but could also be used for hunting.”

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6 1950 Flatfender Camper Negatives on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Features, Old Images, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Anyone know the history behind this wild rig? This auction ends soon.

“This auction is for SIX original,vintage c.1950 B/W film photo negatives showing trailer Jeep.The negative was converted to positive to see the image.Enlarged at a scan for better viewing.As shown at a scans.Please see DETAILED scans for condition”

View all the information on ebay

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M-416 Custom Camping Trailer **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: Camping, trailer This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was on eBay.

(02/15/2013) This trailer setup looks good.

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“Up for sale is my M416 military trailer that has been modified into a off-road camping/adventure trailer. This started off as a ¼ ton M416 surplus trailer. It was completely stripped down and sandblasted. The Axle was replaced with a 3500 lb unit with 6 lug bolt pattern for Toyota and Chevrolet. The frame was extended in the front for a cooler rack, and two military style gas can mounts ( gas cans will not be included). Trailer still maintains the military pintle hitch. Body had the floor cut out and replaced with heavier steel. A custom lid was made which opens using a modified tailgate latch and heavy duty lift struts. On top of the trailer sits a large Serengeti Rooftop tent.(http://campinglab.com/serengeti01.html)

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Craig’s ‘new’ Trav-L-Aire Camper

• CATEGORIES: Camping, FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

After a 570 mile journey, Craig nabs himself “the ever elusive FC-170 with the ‘Jeep’ Factory Approved “Trav-L-Aire Camper.” See a brochure about the camper here. You can read more about the purchase at the Forward Control Forum. Congrats Craig.

Here are some exclusive pics:

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1957 Diesel Truck w/Camper Top St. George, UT **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Willys Trucks • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  **Status Unknown** Was on eBay

This is unusual.  It could use some work.

“1957 Willys Diesel Truck this Truck has the Mitsubishi 6DR5 factory straight 6 cylinder Turbo Diesel conversion with less than 25,000 miles on it. It gets 30 miles per gallon and is very dependable. It has a brand new 4 core radiator, has a block heater, new starter, alarm on motor compartment, Stock t 90 transmission know as the twin stick, it has a Warn overdrive splitter that splits all gears, so makes this truck a 6 speed, electric air horn, spot light, 6000 pound American made (Portland Oregon) Bellevue Winch with a 135-1 ration, dual batteries $250 each, duel tanks, UHF and VHF two way radio with a scanner This truck has had two owners, and has 55,000 original miles. This is an original Nevada truck and has no rust except for the drivers door and I have another door. Call if you would like more info.”

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A Couple Willys Trucks

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Features, Unusual, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Robin emailed me the other day asking how rare Willys trucks with tow packages are.  Before answering her question, I did some searches to make sure my answer, which was yes, was correct.  That’s when I came across these two pictures.  One is a beautiful Willys Tow Truck and the other is entirely odd ball.

This is a picture that is being auctioned on eBay:

This image was taken by Randy Brown on February of 2010:

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1920 Trip of 25,000 Miles

• CATEGORIES: Camping, Features, Trips, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A few days ago in Omaha Ann took me to a favorite local chain called PepperJax.  Somebody decided to turn the concept of a buritto shop — where the customer moves down from station to station as someone builds their burrito — into a philly steak shop.  So, you can get steak over rice, in a sandwich, in a salad, and more.  It was quite good, with the bun made fresh minutes before my sandwich was built and piled high with steak.

After devouring my sandwich, I was admiring some of the old pictures hanging on the wall when I spotted this interesting photo.  I tried to find more information about it, but the story escaped my searches.  A caption underneath the picture states the image was of an Auto Camp taken September 23, 1920 at Elmwood Park in Omaha, Nebraska,.  On the car, which appears to sport all metal spoke wheels (or maybe part wood), were the following phrases:

1.  ONLY A FORD
2. 25,000 Miles in 1 YR
3. OVER – 11,000 M in 3 months
4. over 5,000 towns and cities
5. ______ OR BUST (I couldn’t make out the first word).

The car is pretty strange.  There must be a good story here.  Below is the whole picture followed by a closeup of the car.

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