Cheap Explorer: 1977 Chevrolet Eldorado Camper Van
Vintage camper vans are always a cool and stylish way to go and see America. This 1977 Chevrolet Eldorado looks to be a solid camper van with some minimal needs to be nice. Often with vintage campers can come a vintage price, but in this case, this Eldorado is priced at just $800.00! Find it here on craigslist out of Riverside, Washington. Thanks to Pat L for the submission!
With little information, we can see this van isn’t too shabby, although still wears some shag carpeting. The interior overall seems nice needing some minor attention based on your tastes. The sleeper sofa looks to either be a modern unit, or a recovered one. There is a sink, and we suspect there is a stove and a fridge somewhere as well. We are unsure if equipped, but a small furnace would be great for the chillier trips. There are no specs on the engine or transmission, but it is listed as running and driving well. We assume it is powered by a 350 cubic inch V8, but who knows what this Chevy may be equipped with after 39 years in the wild.
There are some obvious issues with this camper in the form of a dented front driver fender, and the sliding door handle mechanism is missing. There also looks to be some minor denting around the passenger taillight as well. Looking hard reveals some small areas that have succumbed to surface rust, though there appears to be no serious rust issues with this camper. Perhaps this isn’t the perfect camper, but there is a lot of potential in this one to make it the way you want on the cheap. Add a set of Cragars, a metallic paint job, and rework the interior to proceed to the great corners of America! Would you buy this Eldorado, and where would you go with it?
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now1 hours$18,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
320000 miles? I wonder if that could really be 32000? I guess either one could be possible.
It would be nice if it was closer to me but, then again, if it were, it would be rusted up to the door handles, not running, and three times the cost. There seems to be a lot of nice old iron near or on the west coast.
An old Vietnam vet friend of mine I knew about twenty years ago had one of these that he lived in. Had a 12′ or so metal row boat with a trolling motor he traveled with. had everything he needed stashed or tucked away in there and could fill stretch out laying down and standing up in it. I’m 6’1″ and had no problem standing in there. I’d be stoked to have this mini rv. Be great for Rockhounding trips.
I’m amazed at the lack of rust. Seriously, at $800 how could you go wrong? Great find, Brian and nice write up as well! If this were closer, I think I’d have a new race weekend vehicle.
Don;t know if it works – but you can see the intake / exhaust for the heater just behind the slider.
Brian unless you have access to a paint booth, painting this van and adding Cragars would defeat the whole purpose of buying a cheap van. Just clean it up, get it road worthy and hit the road.