9 Retro RVs That Bring Old School Charm to Modern Camping

RV campers have long been a staple of American road-tripping culture, embodying the freedom of the open road and the comfort of home all in one. While today’s RVs boast modern conveniences and advanced features, there’s an undeniable charm to the classic, retro RVs of yesteryear.

Though modern RVs offer numerous advantages, the appeal of cruising in a vintage-style RV can’t be overstated. There’s a certain nostalgia that comes with these old-school campers that many enthusiasts find irresistible.

In this article, we’ll explore 9 retro RVs that will transport you back in time to the golden days of camping.

1. The Volkswagen T1

We’ll kick things off with the Volkswagen T1, an absolute classic still loved by campers today. This retro RV has a timeless appeal that’ll seemingly never go out of fashion. 

It was produced in the USA and Europe between 1950 and 1957 before becoming popular in the 1960s. Strongly associated with the ‘Hippie Movement,’ the T1 was a popular choice regarding maintenance and running costs. 

Available in vibrant colors, it had a spacious design measuring 4.28m long, 1.72m wide, and 1.94m tall. Key features included a sliding door, split rear window, kitchenette, storage cupboards, and a bed.

2. Fiat-Talbot Elddis 300 Special

The 1991/92 Fiat-Talbot Elddis 300 Special had a simple design with big stripes down the sides, but it packed a punch in terms of performance. This class A motorhome was fitted with a 2.5-liter diesel engine and was perfect for small families exploring the great outdoors.

This RV has a small kitchenette, a dining area, and enough sleeping space for four people. The dining area becomes a large double bed. Meanwhile, another bed can be dropped from the ceiling. 

3. 1960 Holiday House Trailer

For a couple of years in the 1960s, a smaller camper brand called the Holiday House took the RV market by storm. Available in 17, 19, and 24 feet, these trailers were lightweight, attractive, and surprisingly spacious inside.

They were clad with a shiny aluminum exterior and pastel-colored trim and featured a wrap-around window that offered panoramic views from every angle.

These dainty campers had countertops, 60s-style furniture, and a small bedroom. 

Holiday House stopped trading in 1962 when the original models sold out. However, in 2014, they revived their business and have been selling recreations with modern touches ever since. 

Maybe now’s your chance to get hold of one!

4. 1977 GMC Motorhome

Next, we have the 1977 GMC Motorhome. Built by the GM Division, this beast of an RV wouldn’t look out of place in a Sci-Fi movie. It features a unique aerodynamic fiberglass design and a 455-cubic-inch Oldsmobile Toronado engine with front-wheel-drive transmission.

This allowed GMC to keep the floor low without making room for a driveshaft, increasing the headroom inside. 

This spacious camper could be customized to suit the owner’s needs. Most GMC Motorhomes featured multiple beds, a seating area, a dining area, a toilet, and a small kitchen.

5. 1979 Toyota Chinook

If you enjoy truck camping, you’ll love everything about the Toyota Chinook. Between 1973 and 1980, Chinook enlisted Toyota’s help to build weekender-style campers for couples and small families. 

Together, they created the Toyota Chinook, a reliable camper built on a half-ton chassis. Surprisingly spacious inside, the Toyota Chinook was a great base for a camper. 

The small rigs could accommodate a couple of people and a small child, and there was still enough room for basic amenities. Most Chinook campers had a small kitchen and a bed. That’s it!

The camper also had a pop-top roof and canvas to create more space. 

6. The Airstream Flying Cloud

The Airstream Flying Cloud might be this list’s most retro RV camper. This iconic trailer has been a staple in the RV community for almost a century and shows no signs of declining.

Featuring an aluminum exterior that’s clean and simple yet stylish, newer models of the Airstream Flying Cloud are somehow both vintage and modern. 

Extremely versatile, they can be customized with several interior options and typically come equipped with a wide range of features, including TVs, kitchens, solar panels, office space, and spacious bedrooms.

The only downside to this epic trailer is its price tag. The Airstream Flying Cloud will set you back approximately $90,000.

7. Gulf Stream Coach Vintage Camper Cruiser

The next RV we have for you is a modern camper with a retro design. This vintage camper built by Gulf Stream brilliantly captures the spirit of 1950s campers with vibrant red and white or turquoise and white exteriors and interiors with a 50s vibe.

This stylish and elegant trailer is lightweight, aerodynamic, and spacious. Campers can expect vinyl flooring, laminated walls, a small bedroom, and a kitchenette inside.

If you want to travel in style, the Gulf Stream Coach Vintage Camper Cruiser could be perfect, so why don’t you check it out?

8. 2015 Winnebago Brave

If you’re in the market for a retro Class A motorhome, look no further than the Winnebago Brave. There isn’t a more iconic name on the road to many campers than Winnebago. 

You could opt for the classic 1970 Winnebago Brave, but a newer model that perfectly maintains the vintage feeling was released in 2015. This RV has a classic exterior and an interior jam-packed with modern comfort and features. 

This 29.5-foot beauty can sleep a family of 6 and take you almost anywhere. The interior has a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining area that converts into another bed, and a bathroom with a shower.

What’s not to like?

9. Alfa Romeo 35 AR8 Ravello

Nowadays, we’re more used to Alfa Romeo giving us luxury sports cars like the GTV or Spider, but back in 1979, they brought us an RV called the 35 AR8 Ravello. 

This compact camper was designed for small families and couples and fitted with everything needed for a long weekend or week-long adventure. Inside, the Ravello had two rotatable captain’s swivel seats, a table that clipped in place to create a dining space, and two single beds. 

Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a Ravello for sale anymore, so you’ll likely struggle to buy one. 

There you have it: 9 retro RVs that will have you dreaming of old-school camping! So, what do you think? Are you left reminiscing about memories of camping with your family? Or are you now considering buying a retro RV to travel around in? 

We can’t say we blame you for doing either of those things!