In July 2022, a vintage American powerhouse found a new lease on life when Matthew Alexander became the proud owner of a 1973 Ford F-350 Super Camper Special. The truck, purchased from a private seller who had acquired it in trade for some construction work, came without a clear history — but plenty of character. Driven by curiosity and a passion for classic vehicles, Alexander began researching the truck’s history and breathing new life into its well-worn frame.
Marti Report Provides F-350 Details
To unravel its backstory, Alexander obtained a Marti Report, a trusted resource for verifying the original specs and production details of classic Ford vehicles. What the report revealed added depth to the truck’s story. Built at Ford’s San Jose, California plant, the F-350 rolled off the production line on July 23, 1973, fifteen days behind schedule. It was ordered through the Seattle District Sales Office and originally delivered to Pingrey Motor Co. in Selah, Washington (ZIP 98942). After several decades and unknown miles, the truck eventually made its way back to California — and into Alexander’s garage.
Above and several below: The 1973 F-350 Super Camper Special rivaled the interiors of Lincolns and Cadillacs back in the day, in terms of comfort, style, and luxury.
The F-350 was built with utility and power in mind. It came from the factory equipped with a 460 cubic inch single four-barrel carburetor equipped Ford big block V8 engine, a Ford C6 heavy-duty automatic transmission, a 4.10 Dana 70 limited-slip rear axle, and power steering — all on a substantial 140-inch wheelbase. The truck wore a distinctive Wimbledon White and Durango Tan two-tone paint scheme and was well-appointed for the era. It featured the Ranger XLT package, air conditioning, tinted glass, sliding rear window, towing mirrors, tie-down hooks, rear step bumper, and the iconic Super Camper Special configuration, designed for heavy-duty hauling and extended road trips with slide-in campers.
Today, the F-350 is mostly driven on weekends by Alexander or his wife. On occasion, he takes it to work in Van Nuys, though the massive 7.5-liter V8 engine averages only seven miles per gallon, making daily commutes a costly endeavor. Still, Alexander insists the experience is worth every penny. For him, there’s nothing quite like the feel, the smell, and the presence of a classic truck. "I honestly prefer to drive a classic vehicle over a new modern-day vehicle," he says — and his F-350 is a prime example of why.
Improvements Thus Far
Since acquiring the truck, Alexander has invested countless hours and significant effort into upgrades and restorations, blending period-correct aesthetics with thoughtful modern enhancements. Some of the work he’s completed includes:
- Wheels and Tires: Installed 17" x 9" Cragar Soft 8 black wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar A/T 265/70R17 tires, giving the truck a tough, functional stance.
- Lighting: Upgraded all interior and exterior lights to LED, maintaining a factory appearance using components from Super Bright LEDs. The instrument cluster was also rebuilt and retrofitted with HiPo Parts LED backlighting.
- Audio System: The factory AM radio was disassembled and completely rebuilt to include AM/FM radio and Bluetooth capability, while keeping the original volume and tuning knobs fully operational. He also installed Custom Autosound 6.5" door speakers and a five- by seven-inch dual-coil dash speaker for upgraded sound quality.
- Interior Refresh: Using reproduction parts from Daniel Carpenter, Alexander replaced the door panels, dash pad, dash trim, and steering wheel, revitalizing the truck’s cabin. The bench seat and headliner had been reupholstered prior to his ownership but remain in excellent condition.
- Mechanical Overhauls: Perhaps most notably, Alexander completed a full rebuild of the original C6 three-speed automatic transmission in December 2023. The overhaul included Alto Red Eagle high-performance clutches, friction plates, and bands. He also replaced or rebuilt critical components including the carburetor (a new Holley Street/Strip four-barrel), timing chain, oil pump, brake booster and master cylinder, radiator, power steering pump, and rear axle bearings and brake shoes.
Above two 1973 Ford Truck brochure photos and one below: The Ford Heritage Vault kindly provided these cool brochure photos, filled with the many details of the various Ford trucks for 1973 models, including the top of the line F-350 Super Camper Special.
Though the truck is currently used sparingly, Alexander has long-term plans for a full frame-off restoration, aiming to return the F-350 to its original factory condition. That project is next in line after he completes the restoration of his all-matching-numbers 1969 Mustang Coupe. Based on that timeline, he estimates the F-350’s full restoration will take about two years.
Alexander’s vision is clear: preserve the history, celebrate the craftsmanship, and ensure this heavy-duty classic is roadworthy for decades to come. It’s not about building a showpiece — it’s about honoring the vehicle’s working-class roots while making it a reliable driver with timeless appeal.
His 1973 Ford F-350 Super Camper Special isn’t just a truck: it’s a statement. It represents an era when trucks were built with steel, simplicity, and soul. In a time when new vehicles are dominated by screens and sensors, Alexander’s F-350 rumbles with analog authenticity — a rolling reminder of what made American trucks great.
Classic Industries - The Place for Ford Truck, Mustang, and Other Ford & Mercury Models Components
Mr. Alexander has equipped his almost finished 1969 Mustang coupe with several items from the Classic Industries' vast inventory of early 1965-2004 Mustang components. As his F-350 project begins to gain steam, perhaps the next time he visits the Classic Industries' Retail Showroom, he'll be driving the Mustang as his parts pickup vehicle for his mighty F-350 Super Camper Special. Ford truck owners can shop from the Ford truck shopping page.
Ford Mustang owners can shop directly from the CI website, from the all new digital Mustang catalog, and from the ginormous and free Mustang Parts and Accessories catalog.
