Jump to content
Bullnose Forums

Off-Topic: rare/unusual Ford powered vintage motor homes


Ford F834

Recommended Posts

3657BF41-EAFA-45AD-A6DC-E470EDE388AA.jpeg.495b48518b6f6f4797d830569ef29984.jpeg

As some of you know, my wife and I have a 1960 aluminum Streamline travel trailer. Evidently the founders of Airstream, Streamline and Silver Streak were all family relatives that went down their own paths (in competition with one another). The Streamline and Silver Streak went obsolete long ago, and there has not been much internet information on them until recently. I joined some Facebook groups and learned that Streamline also made aluminum motor homes from ‘64-‘67. Only about 80 units were made, as the cost of production was too high. I was surprised and pleased to learn that these were Ford powered. I have asked (but no answer yet) as to what the stock engine was... one restorer was building an EFI 460 for his. The instrument panel has the familiar 60’s Ford speedometer and a 4-spoke steering wheel with Ford horn button. Looking at the travel home grille, I can’t help but wonder if it is an upside down 1959 pickup grille? Anyway, off topic rant but I thought some here might enjoy seeing it.

BE58CB50-23F3-4D97-80FD-EF2B823EB200.jpeg.9e1ebace1e6ac6224bd91a7ef7fe6650.jpeg

1D0986EA-EC1C-43C9-8A45-1691213D96B6.jpeg.cbdcb7f31575ad0891bb729535c715db.jpeg

A6AFE28F-38CA-43C4-80B3-6B7E13E46954.jpeg.c5d3a90f92128a724e2807ab5f0f0a3a.jpeg

9FF7DFFC-17C0-4D90-B78A-264981CF7224.jpeg.17807a2d352cb0acc1af08e1dd0de22b.jpeg

I read that only 4 or 5 were made with this caboose rear deck feature:

9632F8AE-1716-407A-9FB8-6BD6414E3089.thumb.jpeg.b1f6ae82170e6903ba35574f6c789209.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was Digging up old past articles I had bookmarked and found this custom F350 300-6 powered with a Clark 5speed OD.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1210319-overdrive-clark-five-speed-information-compiliation.html

interesting history

Evidentley 1966 was a very good year for Ford Transmission offerings.

Very cool link and information! Thanks for sharing. I can’t help but notice that the camper truck had 5.13 axle gears, so even with an overdrive Clark the final drive ratio was still a stout 4.09 to 1. It did, however, have a far better ratio spread than the typical granny 1st four speeds. That would be a neat transmission to find, especially for a straight six. I’m guessing they are all 2wd though, unless the parking brake models could be fitted with a transfer case instead? Doubtful. I’ve run into a couple 60’s medium duty in the junkyards but I have no idea what the transmission was. I will have to pay more attention in the future!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very cool link and information! Thanks for sharing. I can’t help but notice that the camper truck had 5.13 axle gears, so even with an overdrive Clark the final drive ratio was still a stout 4.09 to 1. It did, however, have a far better ratio spread than the typical granny 1st four speeds. That would be a neat transmission to find, especially for a straight six. I’m guessing they are all 2wd though, unless the parking brake models could be fitted with a transfer case instead? Doubtful. I’ve run into a couple 60’s medium duty in the junkyards but I have no idea what the transmission was. I will have to pay more attention in the future!

Here's another link about a Ford powered RV very famous.

https://www.offroadxtreme.com/news/the-condor-rv-that-beat-the-1969-baja-1000/

Condor-Thum1.jpg.f01b5edee904243686960e25b49f84dc.jpg

q5qswmfdzuwav8swqek7.jpg.dc53d63fe2337a175a8c33951ad23e60.jpg

q0cxofqasyqowgs4bkxb.jpg.fa9eadd08870ac40c0c7caf34a91fd15.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very cool link and information! Thanks for sharing. I can’t help but notice that the camper truck had 5.13 axle gears, so even with an overdrive Clark the final drive ratio was still a stout 4.09 to 1. It did, however, have a far better ratio spread than the typical granny 1st four speeds. That would be a neat transmission to find, especially for a straight six. I’m guessing they are all 2wd though, unless the parking brake models could be fitted with a transfer case instead? Doubtful. I’ve run into a couple 60’s medium duty in the junkyards but I have no idea what the transmission was. I will have to pay more attention in the future!

The solution for a transmission not being a four wheel drive version is a divorced transfer case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3657BF41-EAFA-45AD-A6DC-E470EDE388AA.jpeg

As some of you know, my wife and I have a 1960 aluminum Streamline travel trailer. Evidently the founders of Airstream, Streamline and Silver Streak were all family relatives that went down their own paths (in competition with one another). The Streamline and Silver Streak went obsolete long ago, and there has not been much internet information on them until recently. I joined some Facebook groups and learned that Streamline also made aluminum motor homes from ‘64-‘67. Only about 80 units were made, as the cost of production was too high. I was surprised and pleased to learn that these were Ford powered. I have asked (but no answer yet) as to what the stock engine was... one restorer was building an EFI 460 for his. The instrument panel has the familiar 60’s Ford speedometer and a 4-spoke steering wheel with Ford horn button. Looking at the travel home grille, I can’t help but wonder if it is an upside down 1959 pickup grille? Anyway, off topic rant but I thought some here might enjoy seeing it.

BE58CB50-23F3-4D97-80FD-EF2B823EB200.jpeg

1D0986EA-EC1C-43C9-8A45-1691213D96B6.jpeg

A6AFE28F-38CA-43C4-80B3-6B7E13E46954.jpeg

9FF7DFFC-17C0-4D90-B78A-264981CF7224.jpeg

I read that only 4 or 5 were made with this caboose rear deck feature:

9632F8AE-1716-407A-9FB8-6BD6414E3089.jpeg

Jonathan, look how similar this NOS instrument cluster is to the one you posted.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-FORD-E1TS-10876AA-DASH-SPEEDOMETER-CLUSTER-1981-1982-E150-TRUCK-VAN-RV/143090218774?epid=7018086084&hash=item2150d77716:g:Ut0AAOSwLnRcPAbu:rk:34:pf:0

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...