Rare Dodge motorhome up for grabs

An extremely rare American-built 1970s motorhome in original but tired condition is up for grabs in Shannons Autumn Timed Online Auction.

Believed to be the only one in Australia, and one of just 16 ever made, the eye-catching 1975 Daystar St Tropez motorhome is a real piece of 1970s Americana, with its streamlined styling and bright two-tone red paint guaranteed to get tongues wagging at the caravan park.

According to Shannons the motorhome was built on a Dodge RM400 truck chassis and mechanicals including a 440ci Chrysler V8 Lodeflite and three-speed automatic transmission, plus there’s cruise control and electric windows and a large on-board generator to support the 110Volt electrical system..

While the decor is dated and its suffering from some obvious wear and tear including air conditioners that don't work, there are plenty of period details to admire including the teak cabinetry, leather and cloth trim, and marble benchtops.

Shannons says the DayStar motorhomes were "lavishly equipped with every conceivable luxury of the time, including a full-size Norcold DE-828 fridge hidden behind Rosewood paneling, a fully equipped kitchen, a shower, full-sized bath and Aqua Magic self-cleaning toilet, a full-sized wardrobe, two power-operated sofas that convert to double beds, a teak dresser and 35 separate storage compartments".

"The Bostrom captain’s chairs up front are individually suspended, there is a tilt steering wheel for the power steering, it is fully air-conditioned via two roof-mounted units, there is a built-in central vacuum system, skylights, a sunroof, even a trunk with torsion bar opening mechanism for golf clubs," the online description states.

The left-hand drive classic has clocked up an indicated 60,289 miles in its 45 years, and is being offered unregistered. The price range is $40,000-$45,000.

Online bidding for the classic Dodge motorhome begins at 10am, April 13. For further details click here.