1971 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 question for the experts?

[bobbylong]

Question for the experts:

How much would you spend on a 1971 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 Camper Special?

This truck needs some work, but it's 100% original and 100% of the parts are there with a 350 four bolt and Muncie 4 speed transmission with granny gear. The cab is pretty poor shape. The rocker panels are rotted out, and the floor boards have some pitting. There's also a few small rust spots in the firewall. Truck has been sitting for about 8 years, and doesn't currently run, but it did when it was parked (as I'm told).

$1000.00?

Thanks,
Bobby

[1972RedNeck]

I'd pay $100,000 if it was a true camper special.

[WIDESIDE72]

Its funny how every inop vehicle "ran when it was parked"!

A while back i sold a truck to a guy and told him "it ran til it quit!"
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[jocko]

A K20 custom camper is a nice truck to restore/fix up/whatever. However, no way to give a valid estimate without some pictures. If it's really $1000, that sounds like a decent deal IF the cab, rockers, etc are repairable. If it's pretty far gone, or if you think you might be better off with a better cab down the road, then don't get hung up on how desirable it would be WHEN it's restored, just keep looking, you'll find what you want in better shape. Remember, it almost always costs more to fix it than to buy it in decent shape (when it comes to body work) unless body work is your personal vocation/forte....

[Bigdav160]

I believe "Camper Special" is a Ford term.

My book isn't clear, so I did a search on this forum for 4x4 Custom Camper. They seem to exist but it looked like they were 127" wheelbase. I thought Custom Campers had the longer bed @133"

[jrdv]

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

I'd pay $100,000 if it was a true camper special.

How about $50,000 for a 4x4 Custom Camper?

Look close at the side emblem.

John

[jrdv]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I believe "Camper Special" is a Ford term.

My book isn't clear, so I did a search on this forum for 4x4 Custom Camper. They seem to exist but it looked like they were 127" wheelbase. I thought Custom Campers had the longer bed @133"

Longhorns were 133" and were 2 wheel drive only. Custom Campers usually had dual batteries, auxillary wiring for camper stuff, overload springs, and custom camper emblems. Could be a few other differences that I can't remember.

John

[special-K]

If it just has rusted out rockers and the floors are only pitted,it's not that bad. The cowl rust is a bigger concern. I'd say $1,000 in CA,since it's not running. "ran when parked" makes perfect sense to me. It means it doesn't run now because it's been parked but it wasn't parked because the motor was bad or anything. it means there's a good chance with some TLC you can have a running truck. Gas goes bad,point oxidize,etc. Could be worse,but I just sold my tow truck that ran while parked till the gas went bad. I rebuilt the carb and it ran again. It sat another year then wouldn't run. I replaced the points with about 5 miles and as many years and it ran till the gas I put in the year before started causing problems. I put Sea Foam and fresh gas in and it ran by the time the guy came to buy it. So it ran when parked,then didn't,then did,then didn't,then did for a day,then didn't,then did. So it ran when parked and ran when left where parked.
66-72s were called Custom Campers,yet many SPIDs read Camper Special.

I hope I've been helpful.

[bobbylong]

Thanks for the feedback so far, a few of you are really helpful. I'm continue to think about it. I believe it ran when it was parked, I know the guy selling it. I don't know anything about replacing rockers, so I'd have to pay to get that done. Any thought on how much that may run? Just a ballpark guess.

[Ol Blue K20]

I got a grand ho do I call....LOL
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[jocko]

Just to add to what Tim posted, "Custom Camper" is the terminology (and badging) when custom camper was ordered - RPO Z81. They did not come with anything other than the nameplate that said custom camper. Aux batt, aux tanks, camper wiring, etc are all separate rpos and were not included when ordering a custom camper. Many ordered some of those with the custom camper option though. Also, speaking of emblems, 67-8 got a cool rectangular custom camper badge on the fender. 69-71 got a customcamper20 (or 10 or 30) emblem in that same spot on the fender. Note that the custom camper emblem superceded any nameplate for the trim level (for instance - a 71 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper will have the fender custom camper badge and no Cheyenne Super badging on the exterior. In 72, the script custom camper emblem appeared for the first time (on a chevy, gmc previously had them) and moved to above the door handle -so you could have trim level on the fender and custom camper on the door at the same time.
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[bobbylong]

If anyone is interested... he took the front clip off and pulled the motor apart.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/4020534568.html

[jocko]

Ah, rewind. No, I wouldn't pay the asking price. Maybe for parts only, but if building a truck, would start with a better specimen, personally.

[special-K]

$500. I'm thinking the motor may not be very happy any more. I like that last picture. How much for that one? "...ran out of ability..."? What,did have have the ability when he started,but ran out?

Jocko's right about the what a Custom Camper (Z81) option was. Now,generally the other options would be spec'd as well...and that was the idea. But,the way to look at it is GM offered great options to support the use of these trucks as a camper hauler and even gave the option to badge it as such. I've seen non-Custom Campers have more camper equipment than most Custom Campers. There were recommended options by GM,and some required,to accompany the Z81 option.
And,my '71 Custom Camper/20 was a Cheyenne with no Cheyenne identification what so ever. The SPID,in true '71 style,said Custom Sport Truck. It had carpet,headliner,and woodgrain lower side trim,and tailgate band. People argued all the time that it wasn't Cheyenne,but who cares?

[bobbylong]

He ran out of "ability" due to a sudden and life threatening health issue. I thought this was a truck site, not a bashing on people behind their back site.

I do appreciate the good truck info however, thank you.

[White70C20]

Originally Posted by bobbylong

The cab is pretty poor shape. The rocker panels are rotted out, and the floor boards have some pitting. There's also a few small rust spots in the firewall. Truck has been sitting for about 8 years, and doesn't currently run, but it did when it was parked

This sounds very much like my "new" project truck. If it wasn't my grandfather's truck, I probably wouldn't bother trying to fix it up.



Also, most of us are good guys on here. It's mostly good natured 'ribbing' that goes on here. Try not to bash people behind their backs.

[special-K]

I guess overnight I forgot you said you knew this person...so would know more personal information than the rest of us see in the ad. So,I apologize if I hurt your feelings. I removed the emoticon,but left the rest so your post would remain relevant. I wasn't bashing someone I know nothing about,just commenting on the choice of wording. "Lost ability" would have indicated to me possible health or personal issues,which is what I'm used to reading,and would not have responded the same. In hindsight it may have helped had you let us know his circumstances. Not shifting blame,but this whole thread would have been seen differently and been handled more delicately...at least by me. Knowing what I know now I'd say still consider it and offer a little more than I said just to help the guy out. I've lost the ability to do what I used to with these trucks and have had to sell a lot off. I still have the physical ability,but other major changes in my life have cramped my style...hopefully that will improve.