Bought a 1976 Dodge Sportsman Camper at the KOA - Will it Run & Drive Home?

We got a call from one of our customers at the shop that was moving cross country and decided to sell their vintage camper to us. We get to our local KOA Campground and see "frog" - it was a 1976 Dodge Camper that had been lived in but still had all of its true vintage glory left untouched. It had been parked for several years in the same spot and we decided to drive it back to the shop.
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[@jeremyTallen1]

I just got a 1979 Dodge sportsman can't wait to see your progress!

[@jaysonmccrea]

I have a 1976 sportsman!!

[@TheForza65432Dude]

My great grandpa had one just like this, he passed away in 2012 but I was lucky enough to buy it a few years after my great grandma sold it off.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Its always a cool achievement when you can recapture vehicles you have had history with, especially when they seem to have gotten away

[@paulywally1957]

I have a 1977 Dodge Mallard class C with a 360 V8. I have gone through the entire thing mechanically everything is new! And I did some modifications Edelbrock high intake manifold and an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor a new aluminum radiator the timing gears on the 360 breakdown and get into the oil so new gears new chain new oil pump yes I did spend a chunk of change but now I've got a really nice fully solar-powered classic we call Lucy! I wanted to say so bad put your finger down the carburetor hold that butterfly open and it'll start right up!

[@unclesamsgarage]

wow i didnt know that campground was that big. such a cool camper

[@rstare1798]

Awesome Brougham. Same as mine (a 77) that has the aqua blue paint accents. This one is in better shape overall than the Beasty Boy. Just taking lots of elbow grease.

[@zBrainlezz]

In my admittedly limited experience, this is one of the nicest '70s Dodge RVs I've seen... at least on the outside. The interior looks like it could use some work. Still better than others I've seen, though. Most of the ones I've seen have been completely clapped-out junk. Very nice overall, seems as if it was well taken care of.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

It was a fairly well cared for survivor, some carpet and upholstery would have made the interior 10x nicer

[@hunny1968able]

Hahaha those guys trying to get it going must of been unborn when this camper was made. Cool and it’s a Dodge sweet.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Very true, but all of the mechanics that worked on these back when they were new are at or nearing retirement age. Our guys all have at least 15 years of experience in varying areas of mechanical repair.

[@125sm3]

Those doors are awesome, What a great job you have done. Nice one mate.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@Decap1956]

love the old speakers

[@ronaldsleath3118]

I got a 1976 Dodge home I love it so much I need to find a front grill for it

[@ResurrectedGarage]

That's awesome! Hopefully you find one!

[@MrsPinkyChiChi]

I want a restored model just for that stove/oven and keep the green exterior. I would take out the couch or dinette to give our small dogs a space. I would love something retro when visiting relatives so we could take our 3 small dogs without inconveniencing anyone and no evil eyes directed at me. It’s easy to pop up a little temp fence outside the door these days too. Works well as long as you supervise.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Definitely a cool vehicle for the right person who will put it to use

[@morningdew2594]

Wow! It started. Can only imagine the crud at the bottom of gas tank from sitting so long.

[@motorhomeman1949]

Only two years, not that bad.

[@AnthonyCourter]

rebuild the carburater, put in fresh gas, set timing at 16 degrees, and it'll be all right.

[@RC-Homesteaders]

Picking up a 1978 today and cant wait!!!!

[@lloydwarren3832]

I would love to buy that camper I waited all my life trying to find one and I am just 62 I just was tired I need a camper so bad I want to go places

[@ResurrectedGarage]

We didn’t have this one long, it found a new home in a few weeks. We always try to keep an eye out for more.

[@UcanCallMeChewy]

@@ResurrectedGarage I am in the market! if you come across one, let me know!

[@Al-ls1dk]

I have one for sale

[@moparfan4388]

One of the coolest mods you could do to one of these old motorhomes would be to put a late FI engine and trans in it. I had an 83 Dodge 4X4 that I put a 93 Magnum motor in with the factory injection that turned it into a totally more enjoyable ride. The power and fuel economy difference was unbelievable.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Getting away from the early smog era engine in general would make for a good upgrade, overdrive would also be a big plus for highway cruising. This one has already found a new home and was too much of a time capsule to chop up but we have some projects on the to do list you might be interested in

[@tonykartracer8032]

Yeah... if you got $10K to spare on a $2K motorhome!

[@moparfan4388]

@@tonykartracer8032 Only if you are incapable of doing it yourself. It can be converted to a fuel injected magnum for less than $2k. Of course if you have junk to start with it's not worth it, but starting with a clean motorhome could make it worth the effort. I've done it and it ain't that difficult.

[@tonykartracer8032]

@@moparfan4388 I'll stick to my Japanese Toyota RV..... what you know bout the LEGEND of the 22R motor! Ahhh YEAH! People be swapping motors into them Yota RV's too. It's the best!

[@motorhomeman1949]

There's nothing more enjoyable to me than just driving them as is and experiencing all the ridiculousness. Swapping in a modern drive train would completely ruin it.

[@morganholloway4697]

I’m diggin it !! ✌🏼

[@sl-usa-lions6526]

You two are amazing 👍👍🙏🙏

[@luverigtous116]

Dodge did produce a large number of sportsman RVs. The best one I had was a travel all sportsman and it had a California test engine in it and was deemed 447-7 it was a attempt at a flexible fuel vehicle, it has propane and gas and natural gas, and it would run on ethel or gas. It got around 16-19 on highway and kept up with the big boys without being sucked around from the wind. 234k finally it fell into disrepair and I sold it for the engine and cage that was the walls and roof of the heavy beast, no wood we xcept the cabinets rest was all angle iron and 1x4 steel tubing. And a few panel sheets to hide it all in the wall. Heavy bitch and tires it needed were very expensive and around 4k for a new set with correct weight limits. Otherwise the cheapest set for 2 k tires only lasted 2 years before unexpected blow outs occurred at highway speeds.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

That's something we haven't took a look at it but will eventually need to fix. However it is currently in this video is how we found it.

[@johnhaggerty6688]

i just bought a 79 flair 64k original miles

[@DEANHAITANIMUSIC]

Hi Guys, cool old camper. I have one of these in Australia. Just wondering if you guys can still get parts for these old machines in America? Cheers. Dean

[@EliveSummer]

I just bought one are they good to keep and fix them to get them on the road?

[@CNMN-np4zf]

I own one that is similar in age and it is also a dodge, I am in the process of fixing it up.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

That’s awesome! Luckily this one was in pretty decent shape as it was. We love seeing vintage campers back in use again! Best of luck to you!

[@borrisrichards662]

That's looks nice

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Thanks, we enjoyed getting it back on the road again

[@waynekaczmarek946]

I am just wondering if you still have this motor home.after 2 years

[@ResurrectedGarage]

After we brought it home and cleaned it up we didn't have it very long. It ended up selling to a person out of state and they redid the entire interior.

[@lailanitaganap6314]

Are these reliable I am thinking about getting a 1976 Dodge Sportsman should I get it I have to drive 40 miles home?

[@ResurrectedGarage]

They are as reliable as anything else from the 70's. We have messed with Dodges, Fords, and Chevy's alike and I don't have anything bad to say about any of them. They are however old and you need to be aware that rubber parts such as belts and hoses don't age well. Just keep those things in mind and you should be ok.

[@johnhaggerty6688]

where was that dealship at "Nolan" looks like Cheyenne Wyoming " below it

[@ResurrectedGarage]

It originally came out of Colorado, However I'm not sure which dealership it was purchased at. I just know the original owners were from Colorado.

[@caitlynwilson317]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@EliveSummer]

Could someone let me know how to turn one on with the liquid inside am trying to turn one on as I comment here

[@trinitypatrick8682]

If it’s not turning on you might need a starter

[@harrypretzel2587]

So whatever happened with this RV?

[@ResurrectedGarage]

After making sure it was good to go and cleaned, we listed it on marketplace. We didn't have this one very long at all as it sold rather quickly. The new owners then did a complete overhaul of the interior and had it listed online.

[@gertraba4484]

360

[@masokolis3596]

gett gass

[@yesgumball]

what is that large black pot looking part called on the inside? i just bought a van 4 days ago i believe its the last part i need before i can get it running perfectly