Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Aerostar goes the Westfalia route, offering a full camper conversion and pop-top roof. Let’s see if this super funky home-away-from-home is worth the mortgage.
While its $42,500 asking price might have been a twenty grand drop from when it was new — just one year back — yesterday’s 2023 Genesis GV60 couldn’t muster much enthusiasm when its 444,000 miles of use in that year were taken into account. Add to that the fact that brand-new Teslas can be had for around that much moolah, along with access to that company’s reliable and robust charging network, and the Genesis didn’t make a lot of sense. An 80 percent No Dice loss was the result.
Electric cars, regardless of make, are all high-tech and extremely cutting-edge. Many describe these modern marvels as “computers on wheels” and often equate them to status symbols instead of simply transportation.
Some people don’t like to stand out in that way. Some like things old school and would rather be known for keeping a flame alive than wielding some future-facing light. For those folks, we’re looking today at a very unique and rare 1995 Ford Aerostar 4X4 Camper conversion. This comforting compact RV would likely make an owner the belle of the KOA campground and would be equally attention-getting at any Saturday morning Cars & Coffee.
This isn’t just some backyard hack, either. The conversion is touted as having been professionally completed by Country Homes Campers out of San Diego, California. CHC is no longer in the business of building camper conversions, but stakeholders still maintain a website offering information about the campers, including free PDF owner’s manuals.
The conversion includes a pop-top extended roof that CHC denotes as the “penthouse,” along with a full kitchenette and a convertible table/bed. The front passenger seat also spins around so as to do double duty for driving or camping. The build appears to be well executed and still to be in usable shape. Included in the conversion are an onboard propane tank for the two-burner hob, a dual battery set up for off-the-grid electrical needs, and a water tank for the sink and shower head.
The base for all this is a long-wheelbase Aerostar with a 155 horsepower 4.0 Cologne V6 and four-speed automatic transmission. That feeds the model-specific E-4WD system, which, lacking a low range, was designed for on-road use only. The camper conversion’s added weight is supported by a pair of air spring helpers, which are adjusted via an on-board compressor.
According to the ad, those air springs have recently been replaced. Also new on the 140,500-mile camper is a deep-cycle marine battery for the secondary circuit and a fresh charge of R134 for the A/C.
Overall, the camper looks to be in solid condition. There are a few small dings noticeable in the photos, but nothing untoward. The screen on the “penthouse” has some wear, but, again, nothing to get your panties in a bunch about.
The interior presents as clean and offers an added bit of whimsy by way of some sarape-style seat covers on the front captain’s chairs. Add-on cupholders and a modern CD stereo make the camper all the more livable.
As far as the mechanicals go, the seller says that all systems are working and doesn’t call out any issues with either the drivetrain or other elements. A clean title closes the book on this camper’s attractions.
What might such an odd offering rightfully go for? The seller is asking $16,500 for the van, and it’s now our duty to weigh in on that price and whether or not this Country Home conversion is worth so much.
What do you say? Is this old Aerostar camper a star at that $16,500 asking? Or does that price tag dim its desirability?
You decide!
San Diego, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
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