A 1971 Ford Bronco equipped with a rare period camper insert has sold for $48,531, underscoring the growing appeal of originality and well-preserved imperfections in the classic vehicle market. The sale, completed Monday on Hagerty Marketplace, brought renewed attention to a configuration that blends early SUV utility with authentic vintage camping capability.
The Bronco carries chassis code U15, identifying it as a factory wagon originally equipped with a steel hardtop. That configuration has long been valued higher than the half-cab variants, and this example’s final price places it squarely between values typically associated with good and fair condition first-generation Broncos. Power comes from a 302-cubic-inch V-8 rated at 205 horsepower, a common and desirable engine choice for the era.
Condition played a significant role in the truck’s appeal. The Bronco remains rust-free but shows visible signs of age, including chipped original paint, slightly soiled white vinyl seats, a dirty engine bay, and a grimy undercarriage. The steel hardtop is missing, and the truck rides on aftermarket alloy wheels with 31-inch BFGoodrich tires. A Blaupunkt AM/FM cassette player and other small convenience upgrades deviate from factory originality, though none overshadow the vehicle’s standout feature.
That feature is a Four Wheel Camper slide-in unit installed in 1983. Maintenance records included with the sale confirm the camper and auxiliary battery were added when the Bronco had logged 111,000 miles. The odometer currently reads 66,300 miles, but documentation shows the truck had surpassed 158,000 miles by its last recorded oil change in 2009, making total mileage approximately 166,300.
Paperwork from Four Wheel Campers supports the installation and details the camper’s construction. Built on a welded aluminum frame, the insulated pop-up unit featured a snow load rating of 900 pounds, vinyl veneer wood trim, a couch, a double bed, a sink, and a cooking range. Its interior and exterior finishes matched both the period and the Bronco’s Prairie Yellow paint. The camper also carried a five-year off-road guarantee at the time of purchase.
Four Wheel Campers was founded in 1972 and originally produced hard-sided units before shifting to lighter pop-up designs. By the time this camper was built, first-generation Broncos were already out of production. While exact production numbers were never published, estimates suggest fewer than 100 Bronco-specific units were made, with only a small number surviving today.
The sale highlights continued enthusiasm for authentic, usable classics that show honest wear. Rather than pristine restorations or modern overlanding builds, this Bronco offered a complete, period-correct adventure setup, ready to head off the beaten path exactly as it has for decades.