Ford Wagon With a Motel on Its Back

The 1971 Country Squire represented the apex of Ford's full-size wagon ambitions—122 inches of wheelbase supporting enough sheet metal to shelter a small nation. Built on the same platform as the LTD, these land yachts offered V8 power, three-row seating, and the kind of interior volume that made them natural candidates for period aftermarket conversions. The Tote Motel was one such solution: a fiberglass camper shell that turned your daily driver into a self-contained road trip machine without the hassle of towing.

This particular example spent years as a roadside attraction at Colorado's Starlite Retro RV Park, which explains its character. The white paint shows honest age—original finish with a clear coat over accumulated patina—while the aqua-and-white camper unit perches above the roofline like something from a Jetsons fever dream. Under the hood sits a 400 cubic-inch V8 feeding a three-speed automatic, and the seller reports it holds 70 mph without drama. The camper itself includes a king-size sleeping area, two-burner propane stove, ice box, hand-pump sink, and 12-volt lighting. Factory AC is present but locked up; the fuel gauge has given up entirely.

With just 25,880 miles showing and a clean title, this is equal parts transport and conversation piece. The Tote Motel units are genuinely scarce—the seller claims this is one of four roadworthy examples. No price is listed, so expect negotiation. Ideal buyer: someone planning a Route 66 pilgrimage who doesn't mind the occasional curious crowd at gas stations, and who owns a torque wrench.