Slammed Chevy C-20 Scottsdale Is Ode to ’70s Truck-Campers
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#VanLife - opens in new window or tab. is all the rage these days. But the siren call of the open highway is timeless. To see how it was done in the 1970s, look no further than the lowered two-wheel-drive, two-tone 1978 Chevrolet C-20 Scottsdale that was recently offered on eBay.
The Slamper (slammed camper) could have rolled right out of a ’70s Hollywood road flick. We're ready for your close-up, Mr. Hopper.
Well-appointed California-style hipster vans have their appeal. And pop-up campers - opens in new window or tab. provide a convenient alternative. But back in the day, the family road trip was served by a pickup truck equipped with a turtle-like slide-in camper.
Slide-in pickup truck campers - opens in new window or tab. hit their stride in the late 1950s. They rose in popularity through the 1960s and 1970s. But the slide-in waned through the 1980s as cargo-van conversions became the thing.
Truck-Camper Time Capsule
An Ozark Traveler truck-camper fills the Scottsdale’s cargo bed. It juts over the cabin, overflowing the flanks and tail. The slide-in looks impossibly large on the C-20, with the suspension drop exaggerating the effect as if its weight overwhelms the springs.
At first glance, you might think it’s a custom job. But look again. The truck is stone stock, except for a digital 3H Air Ride suspension system - opens in new window or tab. and 20-inch MobSteel wheels wrapped with custom whitewalls - opens in new window or tab.. The wheels were color-matched to the OEM cream paint, powder-coated, and fitted with the original Chevrolet bowtie hubcaps.
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The Slamper is a magnificent one-owner truck, with just 7,012 miles on the odometer. The original 350 cubic-inch engine still provides power.
The vehicle was purchased with the camper in Nebraska in July 1978. It’s only been taken two road trips. This is a time capsule with souvenirs from the family’s voyages to Seattle and Orlando hanging on the walls.
The Colonial Yellow and Cream stripe motif makes the truck a work of rolling art. The camper’s green shag carpet and upholstery are oh so seventies. The Dude would love the combo.
While the Ozark brand is still around, the company no longer produces slide-in units. It’s now a part of Forest River, a Berkshire Hathaway company. There’s a Nebraska thread that runs through this story, kids. In my imagined sequel, Warren Buffet hits the road with Charlie.
With the popularity of overland camping these days, slide-ins are overdue for a renaissance. If you’re in the market for a brand-new slide-in truck camper, today’s choices include Lance Camper - opens in new window or tab., Palamino Backpack - opens in new window or tab., and Travel Lite - opens in new window or tab..
Pair one of these beauties with a rugged 4x4 Chevy Silverado, Ford Super-Duty, or Ram Power Wagon, and you’ll have a home away from home. A new truck with a slide-in will provide the latest level of horsepower, creature comforts, and infotainment gizmos. But you’ll have trouble matching the knockout, retro-style of this canary Chevrolet C-20 Scottsdale outfitted with an Ozark Traveler.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.