Constructed between 1973 and 1978, the Toyota Chinook emerged as an entrant in the realm of recreational vehicles. Manufactured by Chinook Motor Coach, this compact camper boasted a fiberglass shell situated atop Toyota’s resilient truck chassis. Roughly 15,000 campers were produced by Toyota and Chinook; however, with the oldest models nearing 50 years old, they have become somewhat uncommon today.
This particular 1976 Toyota Chinook, currently listed on Bring A Trailer, underwent recent refurbishment. While maintaining its 1970s decor, it underwent updates such as new brick-patterned wallpaper, woodgrain flooring, and a collapsible Naugahyde sofa bed. Additionally, tasteful modernizations were made, including the installation of solar panels, a concealed Porta-Potti, and a backup camera.
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Internally, the pop-top camper incorporates a compact kitchenette complete with a sink, a two-burner cooktop, and a 12-volt refrigerator. Despite its modest dimensions, ample storage is available through cabinets, under-couch space, and shelves lining the underside of the pop-up roof. The inclusion of large sliding windows fosters an airy atmosphere in what would otherwise be a confined space.
During the mid to late 1970s, Toyota trucks were equipped with a carbureted 2.2-liter 20R four-cylinder engine, typically coupled with a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. This robust engine exhibited exemplary durability but only generated between 90 and 97 horsepower, along with approximately 122 pound-feet of torque. Consequently, the camper, weighing an estimated 3,500 pounds, could only navigate the countryside at a leisurely pace.
Although the Toyota Chinook pop-top camper is smaller compared to models like the Dodge Ram pop-top or Chevrolet Blazer Chalet, it maximizes its usable space. It shares similarities in size and performance with the vintage Volkswagen Vanagon camper, providing equal livability. Notably, Volkswagen recently announced plans to manufacture a camper version of the Multivan known as the T7 California.
In 2021, Toyota unveiled the Toyota Tacoma overland camper concept at SEMA. Inspired by the original 1970s Toyota Chinooks, this concept vehicle, named Tacozilla, unfortunately never came to fruition in terms of production.
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