"1973 Ford CamperVan"

This 1973 Ford Econoline is my idea of the perfect adventure RV.  This fully equipped camper is based on a Ford Econoline 200, a 3/4 ton chassis, with a 302 V8 and C-4 transmission, all in a package only 16 feet long. It is an ideal boondocking vehicle.  

Pre 1974 vans are not subject to the smog regulations of later models. That makes it a hot rod. Back in those days they designed extremely simple & elegant living quarters  She has dual exhausts, Cragar Stainless Steel Wheels and a Spartan interior with LP Gas stove, ice box and couch which converts to a double bed.  I added two 12V. house batteries charged by the 302's alternator and, most recently, a Solar System that I cobbled together during a trip to Quartzsite.

Though modest looking, this CamperVan has all the living comforts of many larger and newer RVs, including DVD, hot shower, toilet, an awning and my laptop computer which is constantly connected to the Internet using 3G networking. There are some great beach spots to enjoy along the Southern California Coast and I make the most of them.

Here I'm set up along the Santa Monica Bay Bike Path. Note that some shots were taken before I finished the tropical camoflauge paint job. The camo-paint was a strategy to cope with the growing amount of rust that became noticeable particularly around the roof line. More on that later.

A Wilderness System two person Kayak is hung on two steel straps mounted high on the left side of the top.  In addition two bikes can be mounted on a rear rack connected to the spare tire. These days I travel with my five year old Pugaranian, "Maile". She is a great little companion, but we hope to someday find our perfect travelmate. 

On July 4th, 2006, we had our own fireworks show when the van engine blew up in a puff of blue and than black smoke. We had been preparing for some time with our mechanics to install a new powerplant and went right to work on the project.

Ordered a rebuilt 302 long block from PowerProEngines.com of St. Louis. In a few days the engine arrived at City Automotive, exclusive menchanics for Cruiser Bob's CamperVan. Justin Lambert, son of owner Moe Lambert, shared my passion for old Fords and gave much of his time (and a few choice accessory parts) to the project. For anyone visiting north county San Diego and having mechanical problems, Check out City Automotive for help if you find yourself in our part of the world.

One problem with putting a beautiful new engine in a CamperVan is that it is darn hard to see it . . . unless I open the engine boot in the interior and that's a big pain. So here's a shot taken just as the powerplant was slipping into position in the van.

We installed the rebuilt (in America) 302 V-8 engine with new Edelbrock intake manifold and four barrel carburetor. Justin "just happened" to have the perfect air cleaner, which he donated to the project. And off we went . . . to La Buffadora, Lake Havasu, San Felipe, Santo Tomas, Morro Bay and all the sights of Southern and Baja California.

As we built up the van's technology and mechanical base, we discovered a problem that had been built into the little camper since 1973. When the original fiberglass top was installed, they did not caulk the rivet holes all the way around the roof line. They compounded the problem by covering the rivets with a rubber gasket. Water leached it's way under the gasket and into the frame. The rust percolated in a belt around the roof line for 35 years. For several years we patched up the problem by resorting to spot repairs and camouflage painting.

In early May 2008 the decision was made to repair the "rust belt" that had been created. An amazing group of young craftsmen at Spain's Muffler and Flow Design Fabricating, in San Marcos, CA went searching for a "doner" van that had good metal to cut into my CamperVan.

After two weeks of grinding and fabricating the fiberglass top was riveted onto the "new" roofline.Only a few days more before she will be assembled and ready for her new paint job. After careful deliberation we have decided that her base color should be ginger, because that is the original. Because we tend to trek offroad, we are preparing to redo the tropical camoflauge over the ginger base. That way if a cactus scratches her, we can effect quick touch up. Soon our trusty [no longer rusty] van will be back on tour showing at Southern California vintage car shows.