Take a road trip back in time with this 1968 Winnebago
By: Daniel Rufiange Auto123
Take a road trip back in time with this 1968 Winnebago
1968 Winnebago F17 | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
The older among you will remember the good old days of Winnebago RVs. In the 1970s and early 1980s, they were seen just about everywhere on the roads. Many families heading out on vacation did so at the wheel of a big Winnebago.
These vehicles, like so many others, disappeared from the landscape over time, leaving us with only the memory of their existence. But if you're the least bit nostalgic, you'll certainly want to take a little road trip back in time by taking a close look at this 1968 edition, which appeared for sale on the BringaTrailer.com website last fall.
1968 Winnebago F17, profile | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
The model, an F17 (Winnebago models were designated by codes), was bought by a family in 1968 and remained in its possession until 2015, which of course helps explain how it was kept in good and original condition. Whoever acquired it in early 2016 made good use of it, adding some 5,000 miles to the vehicle's odometer, which was at 51,000 at the time of the last sale last October.
The model is based on the chassis of a Ford P-350 and is also powered by an engine produced by the blue oval brand, a 300-cc inline-six unit; it works with a three-speed transmission.
On board, everything's there, from the fridge to the oven, from the small dining room to the bathroom. At one point it was freshened to bring everything up to date, including fresh paint on the exterior. Even the engine was redone. Still, from the pictures, it looks pulled straight out of 1968.
1968 Winnebago F17, three-quarters rear | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
And how much did it cost the buyer, in case you might one day be tempted by an act of momentary madness to buy a similar one? This Winnebago sold late last year for $28,500 USD.
Yes, nostalgia has a price. But 28 grand is still very reasonable compared to what you'll pay for a new RV today.
1968 Winnebago F17, interior view one | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, interior view two | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, interior view three | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, interior view four | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, driver's seat | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, front row | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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1968 Winnebago F17, logo | Photo: BringaTrailer.com
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" Once upon a time these RVs were everywhere on the road "
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Back in Toronto, when I was breaking up with my first wife, and retired, before I got the invitation to go to China to teach English, I was thinking about renting an RV and travelling all over Canada and the USA by myself. But after I watched the movie RV starring Robin Williams, I realized it might not be that easy. I never saw the movie Nomadland.
I believe that the table lowers and the pillows you can see in the back corners form a mattress over it to create a double bed across the back. Unfortunately, they didn't show views of more of the interior so here are some from the internet.
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This is from another web site:
A vehicle I never owned but wish I had
I can understand that feeling. It's a little boxy, but that's okay. By the way, none of the pictures show the door side of the RV, so here it is:
Oh, I forgot to say that I always had a good feeling about the name Winnebago, because when I was 18 years old I spent my summer as a waiter at a camp in the Muskoka Lakes area of Ontario that was called Camp Winnebagoe. It was a great summer, I had a terrific time there (beautiful friendly girls, LOL).
Ah, the old ‘’Minnie Winnie’’ and they are still building them but they sure look a lot different today.
A friend of mine has one that is 2 years old and a real beauty for his license plate he has ‘’Ho Chunk’’ which is the correct name for the Winnebago people. He gets a lot of double takes.
What does his Winnebago look like? You can search google images for 2022 Winnebago RVs and get the model. that will be under the image. Send that to me so I can get and post an image here.
Check your mail.
WOW!!! Now THAT'S a Motor Home. 34 ft. Winnebago Forza.
Looks like it might be a little tippy
The one that Robin Williams was driving in the movie RV was also pretty boxy, and if the way HE was driving it didn't tip it, I don't think the Winnebago of this seed would tip in most circumstances. Here is the RV from the movie RV in one of the situations Robin Williams got it into:
Lol they destroyed 32 Winnebagos filming that movie however no info on how many rolled and that was with professional drivers. In my experience movies play loose with reality
LOL. I'm not surprised. The only REAL destruction (besides what you see in the picture above) that I could tell was when they drowned one in a lake.
I've just been checking out small RVs and I'm astounded by the prices - they can cost as much as a small house.