[KIILew]

Jeff:

Since it is late, and I am just about to turn in, I won't spend much time now on this, but the answer is yes! In fact, Chevrolet offered the Camper Special package for the C30 chassis cab from 1973+, and also in the earlier generations as well. These vehicles bulkheads were frequently cut away to allow complete access between the cab and coach, although not in all cases.

It is funny you should bring up this topic, because this week I have watched two such units come up for sale, right here in this small town where I live. Let me explain...

Several camper manufacturers used this C30 chassis cab/camper format. However, a popular one often seen here in the northwest was produced by Beaver Motorcoach (a company that still exists today). In fact the local Chevy dealership here in Prosser, Hall Chevrolet, used to sell these Beaver motorhomes during the 1973 to 1976 model year time frame. I was only a little kid during that time, but even then I loved the '73+ Chevy's, and not surprisingly, wanted one of these RV's! And, somewhere, I still have one of the brochures.

Well, it just so happens that a used one (a 1976 model) resurfaced on Hall's used car lot just last week. It looked immaculate, at least on the outside, and apparently found a new home after only a week or so. And, interestingly, as I write this, there is a '73 or '74 model that appears to be for sale by a private party, in the nearby town of Sunnyside, Washington. I see it whenever I drive through that town. It also appears to be in excellent condition, at least outwardly.

These Beaver motorhomes (including the two used examples I have noted above) typically utilized the Cheyenne Super/Silverado trim levels, and were usually seen with 454 engines. That engine was one of the benefits of using the Chevy's C series chassis cabs as a platform, given the G van models' maximum engine option, which was, at the time, a 350, or later on, the 400.

The popularity of these rigs tended to diminish after 1976, as the G cutaway chassis became the platform of choice. However, with the introduction of the 6.2 litre diesel engine, the C/K chassis cab platform enjoyed some renewed interest as a chassis-mount camper carrier for the 1982 model year, by several camper manufactures, including Coachman. Of course, only a year later, the diesel option expanded into the G van models as well, so the enthusiasm for the diesel conventional chassis cab models was short lived! Of course, factory 4 wheel drive helped maintain some camper-usage appeal with respect to the conventional chassis cabs too, although that appeal was limited.

Incidentally, next time you pull up next to a 1973+ C/K30 chassis cab flatbed, wrecker, or what have you at a stoplight, look for a "Camper Special" emblem on the cab pillar (in the same location as that used on the pickup models). Many of these so-optioned dually chassis cabs never found use as camper carriers, and were purchased by commercial buyers who pressed them into typical chassis cab roles. This is not surprising, since only the emblems and a camper body wiring harness distinguished them from the regular, and more common "commercial chassis" C30 chassis cab duallys. So take note, and you might be surprised at how many you will find!

Ken