A rare one for you - and it's for sale

[jocko]

Gents, I have been thinking long and hard on this one - it's truly a rare bird. It's such a great candidate for a full resto that I simply don't have the heart to yank the 6 and stuff in a period 283 or 327. I'm just not a 6 guy, sorry. But, it's kind of breaking my heart, because I'm quite certain I'll never find a 65 bbw custom camper ever again - with or without a V8. But, I'd have to sell a current custom camper project, or two, to fund what I'd like to do with this one. So, here you go - I sincerely hope someone on here buys this truck - I think it is a superb full resto candidate. I know we have lots of custom camper fans on here, and I know you all know that 65s are rare as hens' teeth - around 1500 total compared to over 9000 in 66. And who knows what fraction of those were ordered with bbws. A small one I'd be willing to bet. Anyway, very original, has all the interior still there for the most part, to include the beautiful 65 steering wheel. And it still has its split rims and C20 caps (caps hard to come by). It's a standard trim truck with white over turquoise poly - a beautiful combo - originally. Anyway - enjoy. Seller's name is Jay - he still had this as of two days ago - and the only reason is probably because the ad has only had about 180 views in a month's time listed. Most casual truck shoppers wouldn't even give this one a 2nd look, but we all know better No SPIDs til 66 and seller says there was no build sheet when he had the seat out to replace the tank, so hard to certify true custom camperness, but the tell tale signs are present, to include the overload springs (which you can conveniently view from the top!). For what it's worth, I don't know the seller other than the last weekend when we chatted - I think the price is pretty fair for this truck, all things considered. He has a spare bed as well and it has a good step bumper on it, but I don't think he was including it in the price ($4500 asking price). Here you go: http://www.nextechclassifieds.com/listings/1163756/

[jocko]

more pics

[jocko]

[sodly]

I remember seeing that truck on Ebay back in 2014. Looks like it migrated about 2 hours south since then.

[TJ's Chevy]

Someone will probably get it and screw it up and put a sbc in there. But then maybe someone will leave it original and let it be the rare gem it is.

[AustinBelair]

Okay pardon the ignorance but why is it rare?

[SS Tim]

Since I had to dig it out... 1965 RPO Z81 content as revised 1 March 65.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by AustinBelair

Okay pardon the ignorance but why is it rare?

mid-year intro, not many made - and the first custom camper chevy ever made. 1 year only emblem. 66-68 shared the next fender-side cc emblem.

rare does not equal valuable - but to folks who like 65/66 custom campers, and there is at least a small crowd, it could be valuable to them at least. If it had a V8, it would be valuable to a larger audience.

[dtkarst]

I remember calling the guy on it a few months ago to see about it. Sounded way too rusty for the price. Nice original though, just rough

[Clyde65]

I would LOVE to have that truck but its too rich for my blood and situation.

I would restore it (other than the widowmakers) to factory new, I already have a restomod SWB.

Good luck to who ever does get it.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Since I had to dig it out... 1965 RPO Z81 content as revised 1 March 65.

Notice how much more stuff you automatically got with a '65 or '66 Custom Camper compared to the bare bones '67-'72 Custom Camper package?

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by jocko

rare does not equal valuable - but to folks who like 65/66 custom campers, and there is at least a small crowd, it could be valuable to them at least.

Yes, they could be valuable to a small crowdhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/-/141822263992?vxp=mtr

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Notice how much more stuff you automatically got with a '65 or '66 Custom Camper compared to the bare bones '67-'72 Custom Camper package?

The 65-66 was actually a package as were the 73 up Camper Specials. But from 67-72 Z81 was just a no cost emblem if the truck meet the minimum equipment requirements/options for a given model and there were many different models so offered.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Yes, they could be valuable to a small crowdhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/-/141822263992?vxp=mtr

Remember that one very well - it's actually my desktop background! A great example of an original and way too rich for my blood. Reserve not met at $16.1k - wonder if it sold after the fact or locally - I never saw it relisted on ebay like you commonly see right away. 327/TH400 my favorite combo for these - like sodly's. If the 65 I posted had been a V8 (with a stick or an automatic) the title of this thread would have been "look what I just bought!" The search continues... I'm sure there's a V8 65 custom camper out there somewhere....

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by jocko

wonder if it sold after the fact or locally - I never saw it relisted on ebay like you commonly see right away. 327/TH400 my favorite combo for these - like sodly's. If the 65 I posted had been a V8 (with a stick or an automatic) the title of this thread would have been "look what I just bought!" The search continues... I'm sure there's a V8 65 custom camper out there somewhere....

I believe the final bid was extremely close to sellers reserve, and a deal was made. Unlike the '67-'72 era which have CE or CS in their VIN's which indicate if originally equipped with a 6 or 8, '65 and '66 VIN's have no such permanent factory documentation. '65's do not even have SPID's in glove box. '66's do have SPIDS, but they are glued on and often times are missing. Under seat paper build sheets were originally placed in cabs, but, they are often missing, they simply deteriorate over time. Nothing permanent. You are pretty much free to pop in a 327 in a '65 or '66 C.C. and nobody can prove it was or wasn't factory installed.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by factorystock

I believe the final bid was extremely close to sellers reserve, and a deal was made. Unlike the '67-'72 era which have CE or CS in their VIN's which indicate if originally equipped with a 6 or 8, '65 and '66 VIN's have no such permanent factory documentation. '65's do not even have SPID's in glove box. '66's do have SPIDS, but they are glued on and often times are missing. Under seat paper build sheets were originally placed in cabs, but, they are often missing, they simply deteriorate over time. Nothing permanent. You are pretty much free to pop in a 327 in a '65 or '66 C.C. and nobody can prove it was or wasn't factory installed.

Yep, went thru that whole mental process, only possible proof would be the build sheet or original sales info, but both are long gone on this one. Regardless, I'd know it wasn't original - can't fool myself! Not worried about anyone proving it was original or not - I'd just tell em it wasn't.

[sodly]

Another Nebraska 65 custom camper I saw a few years back.

[sodly]

Couple more 65s...

[factorystock]

Thanks for posting these '65 C.C.'s Sodly. IMO, these trucks are rare in decent original shape, and desirable. In the future, I predict there appreciation will only grow. I really like the weathered turquoise C.C. with the small rear window, correct Chevy accessory below eye line mirrors and of course, with the correct 16" lock ring wheels.