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Projects Truck Camper Canopy, Information Wanted.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Cymro, Oct 29, 2021.

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  1. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
    Posts: 755

    Cymro
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    I came across this image in another thread here, were these styles of campers popular "back in the day" any photographs or information about similar canopies would be appreciated .I'm toying with the the idea of building either something similar for my 51 Chevrolet 3100 or a classic teardrop trailer. I can find plenty of information regarding teardrops, but information regarding the camper canopies appears to be a little sparse.[​IMG]
     
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  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

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    It's called a Camper Shell here.

    My 59 chevy pickup had one when we got the truck in 1977....long gone now...wish I'd have saved it. I've seen a few around here over the years.

    The finish (or photoshop finish, if that be the case) on that truck is hideous.

    (edit: google "pullman camper shell" for some more pictures of that exact style)
     
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  3. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
    Posts: 755

    Cymro
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    Thanks for the info, appreciated.
     
  4. ...should be able to build one like that of your liking.....reminds me of a sheep herders camper.
     

  5. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 924

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    I've found it's hard to find good images of 50's camper shells, and not many on Chevy AD trucks. I'm guessing there weren't that many around in the early 50's? Lot's of late 50's trucks and into the 60's. Also the best ones are for long beds.
    upload_2021-10-30_12-45-20.jpeg
     
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  6. Gofannon
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  7. Gofannon
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    Gofannon
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  8. Gofannon
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    Gofannon
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  9. Gofannon
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    Gofannon
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  10. Gofannon
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    Gofannon
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  11. Gofannon
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    Gofannon
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  12. jerry rigged
    Joined: Apr 18, 2019
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    jerry rigged
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    My God, are you psychic? Yesterday I was perusing the "Vintage Camper" thread in the Antiquated forum, and I decided that I want one for my '46 Chev. The one I saw was the one @Gofannon posted, by Borg Manufacturing in Gardena CA, but sadly, Google hasn't turned up any information. Pinterest had several similar camper shell photos, but no useful info so far. Guess we're gonna have to make our own.
     
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  13. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

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    The Avion is newer than it looks...they're from the late 60s. I had one for a while.
     
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  14. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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  15. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
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    Those Avions were the Cadillac of pickup campers. They also made camping trailers that were better than Airstreams. And yes I have owned both of them.
     
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  16. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 924

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    Steve McQueen's camper. Lots of images out there if you search.

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
    Posts: 755

    Cymro
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    Ifor Williams (trailers) here in Wales produce canopies for pick ups, these are very popular with the Farming community. One of these could be a base for a home made Camper shell, I need to investigate further. The main drawback is that these shells are built with an external frame protecting livestock. upload_2021-10-30_1-41-45.jpeg
     

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  18. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

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    from Tampa, FL

    You might also google shepherd's trucks or vans just to get a look at some less commercial designs.
     
  19. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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  20. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
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    Hey @Gofannon where you find that picture? I have passed by
    that many many times in the last 22 years
     
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  21. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
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    This U haul style box body could work but I would prefer a demountable, upload_2021-10-30_1-51-4.jpeg
     
  22. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
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    Thanks, great for ideas,
     
  23. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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    I have no idea. I would've been searching for campers on Google and saved it from somewhere. I could try a reverse image search.
     
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  24. Almostdone
    Joined: Dec 19, 2019
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  25. Bob Lowry
    Joined: Jan 19, 2020
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    Bob Lowry

    Here's a really cool vintage camper that was sold in the '70's...It had a slide out roof that
    offered great protection from the elements, as well as you could attach a curtain for extra
    privacy. There is a truck with one on it for sale in N.M. A vintage aluminum slide-in camper
    just sold last week in Denver for $350, so they are still out there.

    camper.jpg caravan.png
     
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  26. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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  27. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
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    from Ioway

    I've been looking for something suitable. A lot of them don't end up online, just have to find them.

    I came close to buying a Duracozy, they were a hot item for a while but it was a long ways away and a little too spendy. Toppers or camper shells are great when you need them and not so great when you don't.
     
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  28. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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    Gofannon
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  29. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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    Gofannon
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    Bob Lowry, Truck64 and Cymro like this.
  30. miker98038
    Joined: Jan 24, 2011
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    Those Alaskan’s were pretty popular here in the Seattle area. We had a lot of guys who started out riveting aluminum for Boeing (like 3 generations). A couple guys I knew built 2 of those from plans from one of the magazines. Popular Mechanics maybe? Those plans are probably still out there for a variety of shells.

    Dad had an Airstream Classic motorhome. When Mom wasn’t around we referred to it as the Silver Dildo.
     

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