It’s not the fanciest vehicle to hit the auction block this year, nor is it the most attractive one. But for those who have gravitated towards overlanders these days, might we suggest hitting up the Mecum auction next month to get a good look at this 1942 Chevrolet Army truck that’s been turned into a full-fledged camper. The owner of this astounding creation is offering the vehicle for auction during Mecum’s auction that runs from November 15 to 17 in Las Vegas. The auction house estimates that vintage camper selling anywhere between $45,000 to $55,000 depending on the makeup of the people who will attend the auction.

From the outside, this 1942 Chevrolet G-7117 military power wagon personnel carrier looks like it belongs in a museum. It’s sporting a burgundy body that appears age-appropriate. Once the war ended, the rig evolved into its new life as a custom camper. That solid oak section on the back with the engraved wood details and brass hardware wasn’t around in the war. That much we can tell you. That section was built on the truck after the war when it began a new chapter in it slide.

Mecum Auctions doesn’t have photos of the camper’s interior, but according to the auction house, it comes with a bed and a kitchenette, two of the most important elements of any self-respective overlander. The interior of the cab doesn’t look a lot different from its original appearance, though if you must know, I don’t think those plushy seat covers were around when this vehicle was in service during the war. The cabin is dressed in the same burgundy color as the body. That’s a nice touch of consistency when you factor in the intricacy of the truck’s design and how fresh every element looks from all angles.

This camper isn’t just about its looks, either, even though it is a stunner. It also features functional accessories like a jack, shovel, and ax mount. A tow hitch, tool boxes, and a front bumper-mounted winch mark are also included, as are the full air horns in case you need to catch someone’s attention or scare off those that have yours. This six-wheeler — notice the dual rear wheels? — is ready for anything the outdoors can throw its way, provided that you actually take it out of your garage if you end up buying it.

It’s not the original engine — the OG unit was a 3.9-liter OHV inline-six — but it is more powerful and more capable, especially when you’re out in the outdoors. Mecum didn’t say how much power it actually has, but it did note that the truck's engine output routes through a four-speed manual transmission, which, in turn, sends all of to both the front and rear tires.

The old school-looking camper is part of the Ardell Brown Estate Collection, which also has models like a 1947 Frazer Manhattan, a 1975 Bricklin SV-1, and a 1969 American LaFrance Pumper Fire Truck available at Mecum’s auction next month. With respect to the models, though, this 1942 Chevrolet Army G-7117 Camper has captured my heart. It’s awesome all the way around. And the best part? The estimate on this beauty is just $45,000 to $55,000. That’s the kind of bargain that’s hard to pass up…if I had the money to pay for it.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado ZH2.