vintage camper shells

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 65tacotruck

This one was made by pleasure way I have the receipt from 1965 made in CA

Several neat features on this one! I like the rollers on top to hold a canoe.
Does the whole back panel hinge up as well, or does just the center door open?
I found a vintage topper for my long-bed, but I'm gonna have to totally rebuild it. I'm thinking of adding a swinging door like that one has, so I can use it as a sportsman camper. Any construction details of the back panel would be REALLY appreciated!

[roll_the_dice]

Glad I found this thread. All those pictures sent me back in time. My father had a seasonal (winter) business here in Savannah. In the summer to supplement his income he made camper tops and also had the local Apache trailer dealership. I will see if I have any pictures...awesome pics!

[jmarkha1]

Some cool shells out there - I fitted a (Custom Hardtops) shell to the long bed last year - makes the truck useful in rainy UK.
Just need to figure out how to attach to bed sides without using temporary clamps...

[Lokin4AReason]

i have been looking for one for some time for a fleetside long wheel base ...
but no luck so far =/

[Brad54]

I picked this one up about 18 months ago.
It cost $50, and worth just about that! I got it as a template, and for the window and end cap hardware.
I'll rebuild it, with some modifications. It's for a fleet side long bed, and I've got a long-step. I'll keep it wider to match the width of the cab, and over hang the bed rails.
Passenger side will be as-is, driver's side will get a new small window and a notch for the spare tire on the fender.
I'll use it on my '62 K10 as a sportsman's camper, with a cot in the back and my vintage camping gear. I'll most likely replace the rear lift gate with a full-height, hinged panel with a short door in it, as we've seen in other pics in this thread. It won't live on the truck, I'll only use it when I'm going camping or on hunting trips.
The back of the cap has half-turn oblong fasteners for a canvas extension, and I'll keep that too, and have a water-proof canvas awning made to use as an extension to cover my vintage camp kitchen and Coleman stove.
I'd like to add some kind of rack system to the roof, to hold my vintage aluminum canoe, and also to hang the whole thing from the ceiling in my shop when it's not on the truck. I'm envisioning a Harbor Freight electric winch and pulley system to lift it on and off the truck.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by jmarkha1

Just need to figure out how to attach to bed sides without using temporary clamps...

Check out my non-invasive solution starting at post #86 in the following thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=609701&page=4

[jmarkha1]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Check out my non-invasive solution starting at post #86 in the following thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=609701&page=4

those stake pocket fixings are very innovative - many thanks.
the larger camper shell and the work you have done on the red truck - just wow - good work

[UK62LW]

Just thought I'd bump this one up with my score here in the UK!

Been casually looking for nearly 10 years and ideally wanted a Gem Top, but you can imagine how rare any vintage shell is over here so when this Ridge Runner turned up for pennies I snapped it up.

Needs a little work but I pretty happy with it

[66x3]

That's cool! And seems like a really odd find over there. Gonna fix all the chicken lights ?

[jocko]

Man o man, I can't even find one of those in the US, and I've been looking. Nice score!

[UK62LW]

Originally Posted by 66x3

That's cool! And seems like a really odd find over there. Gonna fix all the chicken lights ?

There are lots of trucks over here but hardly any get shipped with their toppers, so really pleased to have found this. Ha! not heard them called chicken lights before, but yes - most new ones seem to be LED but I want good old 12v bulbs..

Originally Posted by jocko

Man o man, I can't even find one of those in the US, and I've been looking. Nice score!

Thanks Jocko - it's been a long wait!

[66x3]

What they're called on big trucks (eighteen wheelers, tractor trailers) over here. Definitely more period correct with 12 volt lights.

[GerhardH]

One more from Lake Ammersee

[Idaho64GMC]

Got this out of the shed the other day. Not sure on brand but it was purchased for this pickup in the 60's, was painted to match a 73-87 but I plan to paint the stripe back to the correct color and fix up the interior a bit and actually go camping in this this summer

[crewguy]

Picked up this a while back. Came off a supposed 1 owner 65 ford. Needs some clean up and paint, but should look great. Anyone know anything of Fibre Top canopies from Seattle area?

[UK62LW]

Nice one for sale over in the 67-72 section:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806319

[dracko]

Here’s some pics I sniped from Chippa Wilson’s IG page. Pretty cool camper with a slide out roof.

[dracko]

Originally Posted by Idaho64GMC

Got this out of the shed the other day. Not sure on brand but it was purchased for this pickup in the 60's, was painted to match a 73-87 but I plan to paint the stripe back to the correct color and fix up the interior a bit and actually go camping in this this summer

That top is killer. Nice shape too.

[studeclunker]

Originally Posted by UK62LW

We have one of these, identical to this. However the livestock haven't been kind to it. Also have two others very similar in even worse condition. Pity too as all of them have aluminum construction. I can and do move them around easily by myself.

[LostMy65]

This would go nice with our trucks.

[LostMy65]

Another I like

[cwcarpenter98]

LostMy65,
I like both of those as well. Maybe I should find a period correct shell for my trailer

[LostMy65]

Does anyone have a link to the other canopy/camper Shell thread?
I know I was posting in it for awhile but can't find it now.

Edit... I found it searching "Campers"
.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=534588

[Rubbertiredtramp]

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[55-72 GM trucks]

This is a very cool old thread - just bought this 66 GMC 1500 series (3/4 ton) w/ 1966 Highway Cruisers brand "Sports Cab". This was the brand GMC most promoted at the time and this topper shows in the Silver book as well.