This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

Insanely Expensive 1952 Chevrolet 3800 Truck Camper Once Owned By Steve McQueen

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Many people remember Steve McQueen for his love of motorcycles, fast cars, and all those popular movies he starred in.

One thing you might not know about the late actor is that he was the owner of one darn good-looking Chevy truck camper.

The camper sold recently through an eBay auction.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Do It Yourself RV newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

McQueen’s 1952 Chevy 3800 truck camper has both style and utility.

Steve McQueen truck camper
bighouses

In fact, it was this truck camper that transported he and Reverend Billy Graham to Ventura County Airport in 1980 for McQueen’s last trip to Juarez, Mexico in a desperate attempt to halt the pleural mesothelioma cancer that had overtaken his body.

Cab area
bighouses

This wasn’t just a garage kept relic for McQueen either, and the ad said McQueen used the camper on cross-country camping trips. The styling reflects its famous former owner: understated, rugged, and don’t-give-a-damn cool.

The current owner described the vintage truck camper as follows,

Removable custom camper top built by Harold Van Hoosen, a sheet metal fabricator from Yreka, California. Van Hoosen built the camper (named “Dust Tite”) in October 1952. The camper, made of galvanized metal and aluminum, includes a double-sided bed, storage cabinets, drawers, shelves and heavy-duty diamond plated bumper and tow hitch.

Dashboard
bighouses

The spartan dashboard has few knobs and gauges. And nope, there isn’t any air conditioning.

They sure made truck beds narrow back then.

Rear door
bighouses

This truck’s significance takes on greater historical importance as it was the last vehicle to transport McQueen from his Santa Paula home to the Ventura County Airport on Nov. 3, 1980. From there he would be whisked to El Paso, Texas, for his final cancer surgery in Juarez, Mexico. 

Modern campers might find the interior lacking in creature comforts.

Inside living space
bighouses

The engine dates from 1954, though the truck body is a ’52 model.

Engine
bighouses

A sticker from the original sale in 1984.

1984 sale
bighouses

Yep, it’s the real deal.

Real deal
bighouses

McQueen’s assets were auctioned off at the Las Vegas Imperial Palace over two days in 1984.

Original registration form.

Original registration form
bighouses

Buyers loved the opportunity to own this unique piece of camping history, and would you believe – the auction closed with 42 bids and a final selling price of $98,077!?

Source: eBay

SEE ALSO: This Homemade Truck Camper Is a Work of Art – Wait Until You See the Inside

Leave a Comment

Welcome! Please follow these guidelines:

  • Be kind and respectful.
  • Keep comments relevant to the article.
  • Avoid insults, threats, profanity, and offensive remarks.
  • Refrain from discussing gun rights, politics, or religion.
  • Do not post misleading information, personal details, or spam.

We may hide or remove comments at our discretion.