Let’s look at a few more oddities of the late 50’s and early 60’s. I was a young tyke during this period but I clearly remember Jeep’s FC-series trucks – they were fairly rare and certainly distinctive. Most were pickups but I also remember one configured as a wrecker, with faded paint and battered body, doing yeoman work at a neighborhood small repair garage. Jeep advertising highlighted the many third-party, after-market manufacturers that could supply custom bodies for the FC. However, there are always those more inclined to “do-it-yourself.”
Let’s start with a third-party after-market model – I’m not sure who manufactured this camper/motor home but it looks very well done.
A little scruffy now but in its day, this looks like it was also professionally done, though it may be more of a mini-bus or jitney than a camper. Perhaps it was built in one of the many foreign markets where these FC’s were also assembled.
I’d say this is a custom-built slide-in, but with some home-built modifications…
This one’s a toss-up to me – could be an aftermarket build or maybe a back-yard project.
Pretty clear this one came together in a driveway after a few beers, though I admire the builder’s creativity. Would be interesting to know if it is front-drive-only, or if the rear axle is powered.
This is obviously not an FC – the picture labels it as a 1950 “flat-fendered” CJ, but I thought I’d include it anyway since it’s definitely an oddity. It must have had some interesting handling characteristics…
Related Posts:
Jeep FC Camper: Trail-Rated Camper Porn by PN
CC Outtake: 1957 Jeep FC-150 Forward Control by JK
Cohort Classic: Jeep FC-170 – Jeep’s Unconventional Truck Is Still At Work Hauling Gravel by PN
When I was a kid, the guy who did landscaping for my parents, had an FC Jeep.
The bed was bordered by a tall wooden “fence” type structure that held lawnmowers and similar contraptions.
Atho the FC was part of the general suburban landscape of the early ’60’s, it caught my attention as an nifty, little compact machine. I classified it along with Chevy Corvans, and VW bus pick-up versions.
These photos, however, are truly unique!
Landscaper? So you guys were rich!
I was my father’s landscaper, no pay, but I got to use his push reel mower!
And so, Ravenuer, Curbside Classics is the great leveler …. where we meet up with common interests. And you may be the one in better shape, after using that push mower!
Push reel mower? You were rich! I had to get down on all fours and graze…
Great collection of these FC’s. I have loved them since they were introduced. My brother and I sat in the 1955 model at The New York Auto Show at The Coliseum, which has since been torn down. That second one is a mystery. How do you tilt the cab to repair the engine and other mechanicals under the cab? IF IF IF – If they had been built with more power, if they had been built with much more sound insulation, if they had been given a nice interior trim option, then they might have seen many more purposes and many more buyers.
I’d never considered FC campers before so thanks for this. And for the link to the one I found, one of my earliest postings…It’s hard to overstate how charming (and small) the FCs are until you see one in person. Very puppy-like really.
I remember seeing an FC around out neighborhood when I was a kid (mid 50s). That one was a dark green, short wheelbase model. Until reading about them here and one or two collector car magazines I just assumed the whole FC was itself a custom/one off fabrication.
The first one is clearly a vintage shot with a lovely slide in camper.
#2 looks to me like a later conversion. Note the big fat wheels and tires, but most significantly, note how the angle of the steering wheel is very different than stock. This is likely something of a “resto-mod”, or whatever you want to call it, with a later steering column and power steering, and undoubtedly a different drive train.
#3 does look like a jitney from somewhere else; doesn’t look American at all.
#4 & 5 look like home brew jobs too. I’ve never seen anything to suggest that any RV manufacturers built units on the FC chassis.
#6 is of course very much home brew. I’m quite sure the trailer sits on a lengthened FC frame, and I can see the big center hub of its driven rear axle.
#7 is pretty wild. Someone really wanted it to look lke a stock flat-fender CJ front end. But obviously there got to be something bigger than the Hurricane flat four under the hood. But it’s hard to fit a V8 under that low hood without a hood scoop or hole for the carb. I wonder if the engine is further back, in a “dog house”? Quite the build, in any case.
I really liked that first pic with the aluminium slide in too – remember seeing those ads while skimming through Field and Stream, etc., while waiting at the barber shop as a youngster…
Good catch on the steering wheel in #2 – it must be a special – maybe something Kaiser commissioned.
I missed the rear hub on #6 also – that’s some long driveshaft.
I found a site with a few more pics of the CJ but it disappeared the last few days, but did find one pic of the interior – doesn’t look like much of a doghouse in there so who knows what was underneath that hood.
I am guessing that none of these will hit much over 50 mph on a good day. Given the brakes and handling characteristics of the underlying vehicle, that’s a good thing, and 50 is probably already tempting fate.
And so, Ravenuer, Curbside Classics is the great leveler …. where we meet up with common interests. And you may be the one in better shape, after using that push mower!
FJ’s are a fun little rugged truck. If I had one and the resources I would turn it into mini gas tanker like the kind you see at small municipal airports. Except it would really be a giant BBQ. like the image below except proportionate.
Another non-FC, but interesting to see the factory’s approach in 1969:
Pretty cool, all of these .
I hope pops at least gave you some pocket money for pushing that reel typ lawn mower ~ I spent a lot of time sweating behind them in the 1960’s .
-Nate
The green one was a concept by Streamline where they mated an FC and a Streamline chassis camper. The axle was “dead” too.