1966 Ford F-250 Custom Camper Special

Description

Ford’s light-duty trucks boasted a mid-cycle redesign in 1965 featuring a heavily restyled front fascia and grille, with turn signals repositioned above the headlights. Also new was the introduction of “Twin-I-Beam”  suspension with coil spring cushioning up front  – a long-lived staple of the Ford light-duty trucks until 1996. The rising popularity of campers in the 1960s saw Ford introduce the Camper Special package in 1965 featuring upgraded suspension, heavy-duty cooling, camper pre-wiring, and a larger alternator to easily accommodate slide-in camper boxes. This unique option remained available through the 1982 model year, allowing customers to take advantage of the American countryside without having to tow a large RV. Today, this rarely seen package is considered highly collectible by Ford enthusiasts for its robust additional equipment and go-anywhere attitude.

Highlights

• Camper Special option package originally featuring heavy-duty front suspension, 4.10 rear axle gear ratio, 55-amp alternator, extra cooling radiator, Camper Special Ornament, heavy-duty 70 amp-hr battery, dual Western type mirrors, extended tailpipe, oil pressure gauge and ammeter, and a camper wiring harness

• Custom Camper option package which additionally included a Custom Cab (woven plastic seat fabric, full foam seat and cushioned back, vinyl padded doors and smart interior trim, bright-metal grille and windshield moldings), deluxe fresh air heater, two-speed windshield wipers, left-hand stowage compartment, and dual horns

• 129-inch wheelbase capable of accommodating a 10-foot over-cab camper

• Finished in two-tone Wimbledon White and Sahara Beige 

• Powered by a 352 cu-in V8 mated to a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed transmission

• Consignor reports installing power steering and power-assisted brakes sourced from a 1977 Mercury Cougar

• New “Camper Special” fender badge inserts 

• Garage kept as per the consignor

• This Custom Camper Special is offered with the five-digit odometer currently showing just over 28,900 miles at the time of listing, however, the true mileage is unknown

Features

• 16-inch steel wheels mounted with Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires

• Dual “West Coast” exterior rear-view mirrors 

• AM radio

• Steering column-mounted gear selector

• Horizontal 100-mph speedometer

• Manual roll-up windows

• Machine-turned instrument panel

• Dual sun visors

• Lap seatbelts

• Glove box

• Embroidered floor mats

• Red “FORD” tailgate lettering

• Rear step bumper

• Steel tailgate supports

Known Imperfections 

• Scratching and paint chipping in truck bed

• Surface rust present on the engine compartment, wheels, and rear bumper

• Rock chips on hood

• Paint flaking on door sills 

Included

• Security brake pedal lock

• Original locking gas cap

Ownership History

Said to have lived on the West Coast from new, this Custom Camper Special was reportedly acquired by the consignor from the son of the original owner in December 2009.