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

[Ford F834]

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.








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

[Gary Lewis]

That is really cool!  And, I think you are right about the grille - it looks a perfect match.  

[Rembrant]

That caboose rear deck is pretty neat.

[Frank Wyatt]

Really cool looking motorhomes. It's a shame more weren't produced. And I agree, the grill looks like the '59 Ford grill, upside down. Really cool looking.

[Johns3524]

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[Gary Lewis]

That's a cool truck and camper.  

[Ford F834]

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!

[Johns3524]

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[Frank Wyatt]

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

[1986F150Six]

Ford F834 wrote

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.








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

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

[Ford F834]

Neat David! That almost has to be a motorhome. All of the 80’s econoline vans I’ve seen have the dentside type instrument cluster.