by Gabrielle DeSantis

Just look at this beast. The marvelous motorhome here is the 1974 Camelot Cruiser. This thing is so large it has a basement garage housing two snowmobiles. And this huge motorhome could be yours if you’re the highest bidder.

The Elder & Company Camelot Cruiser motorhome is one of only three built

Produced by Elder & Company in Skokie, Illinois, it is one of only three to ever be built. It boasts such necessities as a gourmet kitchen with linens, dishes, and utensils to make a four-course dinner. Says Elder, “I can’t imagine something worse than selling a $150,000 RV to someone and having their first night ruined because they don’t have a can opener.” Indeed!

The living room is the size of what one would find in a house, and the same goes for the bedroom. It features a double bed. A fully appointed bathroom is adjacent to the bedroom. A private sitting room is next to the bathroom. Faux stonework is also part of this package throughout. 

The Ford C-750 cab-over is the business end of this motorhome

A C-750 Ford cab-over truck does the hauling comfortably. A 5.8-liter 352 ci gas engine backed by a four-speed automatic powers the Cruiser. Though a diesel engine is more like what you would expect, the owner says this rig is very reliable. 

The cab-over has “undeniable reliability and exceptionally long service life. You could hardly pick a more reliable classic midsize truck” for hauling your gigantic Camelot Cruiser. And it is so original the paint is even what came from the factory. 

This is larger than any commercial motorhome of the time

Be forewarned; this is a big sucker. Dimensions are 12-feet in height, eight feet wide, and it weighs 40,000 lbs. The wheelbase comes out to 55-feet. It’s so long there is an intercom for those in the living quarters to communicate with the driver. 

This example also comes with the original furnishings, which are all the size of furnishings for houses. It includes matching chairs and tables. Nothing from this period was as luxurious for the traveler as the Camelot Cruiser. 

You could also order two variations of the Camelot Cruiser if the snowmobiles don’t fit your traveling needs. One could house a boat and another could haul your horses. In style. But in reality, each one built was customized for its owner. 

Elder & Company even provided four porterhouse steaks for your first night on the road

To ensure a perfect first night Elder supplied four porterhouse steaks and the seasonings needed to cook up your first meal on the road. All of the funky fixtures, countertops, and details are as they left the Elder factory in 1974. Which means those icky avocado greens and Bahama yellows. 

The current owner is even including a poker and gambling set to attract some of the other trailer park visitors. Sales materials and other ephemera are also included with this Worldwide Auctioneers offering. What are you waiting for?

RELATED: The Ultimate Off-Road Camper Is Built on a Ford F-550

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The post Motorhome Mania: Nothing Tops the 1974 Camelot Cruiser appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford F-150 Lightning has already received over 120,000 pre-orders. And Ford is already committed to doubling the F-150 Lightning’s production goal for 2024. But this electric truck is more than just a party trick, as Ford is already hinting at a second generation for 2025.

The Ford-F150 Lightning will be redesigned for 2025

While it’s too soon for teaser images, the Ford F-150 Lightning is already being promised a redesign for the 2025 model year. Reuters mentioned this when discussing Ford’s production plans for the Lightning. And while the truck is already packed with amenities, such as a backup generator, we could imagine there will be improvements to the bare bones tailgate.

Many new trucks are coming with multi-function tailgates, such as the Chevy Silverado. And then there are electric trucks like the Canoo, which have extendable tailgates. In other words, the next big evolution for the F-150 Lightning would be a tailgate that can do more than open and close.

Though Ford already has the upper hand on the competition with its revolutionary frunk. And from front to back, there are outlets ready to power your gear. So while there’s no saying what the F-150 Lightning’s redesign will look like, there are plenty of features that make this electric truck deserving of a second generation.

One thing we do know, however, is that the F-150 Lightning will ride on a different battery pack than the one it uses now.

The second-generation Ford F-150 Lightning will ride on a dedicated Ford electric platform

GM has already developed their Ultium battery pack, and will be implementing it as well as sharing it with Honda before they release an e:Architecture of their own. And other automakers are going down a similar route, creating a battery pack that’ll fit any body style they put on it. Ford is no exception.

It’s called the TE1 truck architecture and will streamline the process of building an EV and make it cheaper. Two universal battery platforms are set to be made, one designed for light cars and another designed for trucks and SUVs. But manufacturing platforms that can be used across multiple models will make each car easier to build, and cheaper overall.

But those platforms aren’t set to release until 2025. And from there, they have bigger plans for both F-150 Lightning and the company.

Ford’s electrification goals beyond 2025

Every automaker has its own electric car timeline, and Ford’s is fairly optimistic. By 2030, Ford aims for 40% of its global sales to be all-electric. They’ve already released the F-150 Lightning and the Mach-E Mustang, but are sure to make more models. After all, they’re building two different platforms, so we’re excited to see what non-SUVs are in the works.

Reuters also mentioned that Ford’s European lineup, which includes the defunct in America Focus, will be all-electric by 2030. So there’s no denying that the company is shifting toward EVs over gas cars. Almost every automaker is. But one thing is certain: this electric truck isn’t just for show.

RELATED: The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Will Be the Best Work Truck

The post A Second Gen Ford F-150 Lightning Is in the Works for 2025 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.