It might have Seventies looks and brick aerodynamics, but this 1973 Superior 25-foot motorhome aims for reliability above everything else
09/15/2021
What it lacks in aerodynamics and compound curves, this 1973 Superior 25-foot motorhome up for bid on Hemmings Auctions makes up for in condition and in an updated interior that retains its Nixon-era charm. The drivetrain is powerful and reliable, the chassis has been serviced, and the living quarters look ready for many more annual family vacations. Sure, the shag carpet is gone and a few upgrades and concessions to modernity are sprinkled throughout, but this motorhome is meant for regular use, and who wants to deal with shag with the kids tracking dirt from a string of national parks into the RV? From the auction description:
These Superior RVs were based on a Dodge medium-duty chassis, motivated by the well-known 440-cu.in. V-8, which the seller notes were the "heavy-duty version of the engine used in many well-known Dodge muscle cars." The seller reports that the engine and carburetor were both recently rebuilt, with less than 5,000 miles since being overhauled. The seller reports that the RV was painted in the 1990s, and it definitely has that appearance. The two-tone gold-and-brown paint scheme doesn’t look overly polished or flashy, but the paint appears to be in very good overall condition. The seller reports that the paint has a “few small” areas of bubbling, but “no rust” to report. The sellers have gone to great lengths to improve the functions inside, without disturbing the original early-1970s appearance. The entire interior is either wood paneled, blue-and-yellow plaid, or bright gold upholstery, and it all appears to be in excellent overall condition in the photos. The upholstery on the driver’s and passenger’s seats appears to be solid, with no visible rips or tears to the combination vinyl/crushed velour. The living quarters appear to be period-correct, with the original toilet, sink, kitchen sink, stove, and "striking yellow-padded gas or electric refrigerator from Sweden." The kitchen also contains a microwave and functional exhaust hood and light. The RV comfortably sleeps four. The seller says that the original shag carpet was "a little too 1970s and was a dirt magnet," so it was replaced with wood flooring, with short-weave beige carpet lining the front driver's area. There have been upgrades to the plumbing and electrical systems for modern convenience. The dash A/C has been disconnected, but the seller notes that the rooftop unit is newer and functional for the living area. The seller reports that the power steering is functional and has no leaks. He notes that the suspension was serviced 5,000 miles ago, and is currently in “good” condition. The brakes are air-operated, and he indicates that the air brakes are “more than adequate” to stop the motorhome.
Rare 1973 Superior Motor Coach 2500 Series RV with a Mopar Drivetrain
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Boosted Powertrain
At the heart of this SVT Lightning is its iron-block 5.4-liter SOHC, 16-valve V8 with a supercharger and an intercooler. The blower helped it deliver 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque in 2001, up some 20 horsepower and 10 lb-ft from the ’99 and 2000 models. The Eaton supercharged engine delivered peak boost of 8.0 psi and the engine featured an 8.4:1 static compression ratio, down from the standard 5.4 V8’s 9.0:1, which was rated at 260 horsepower and 350 lb-ft.
Power reached the rear 18-inch cast aluminum-alloy wheels via a four-speed automatic, an aluminum driveshaft and a beefy 9.75-inch, limited-slip rear axle with an acceleration-friendly 3.73:1 final-drive ratio, another upgrade for 2001. Car and Driver magazine reported a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in an E.T. of 13.8 seconds at 104 mph—impressive numbers for a 4,600-pound truck. Top speed was a drag-limited 142 mph.
A Truly Sporting Truck
Trucks generally require a suspension that can handle a full load in its bed while also providing competent driving while empty. But if you fancy one designed to a sports-car standard, then something has to give. In the case of the second-gen Lightning, Ford dropped its payload capacity to a mere 800 pounds. A standard 2001 F-150 Styleside carried a 3,180-pound payload rating, while an F-150 Flareside was rated at 2,005 pounds, some two-and-a-half times the Lightning, which featured the short-bed Flareside body. Towing capacity, likewise, was reduced from 8,800 pounds to 5,000 in the Lightning. But the Lightning’s strengths were never its payload or towing capacities, but it’s ability to perform like a sports car.
As a 21st century performance vehicle, however, the second-gen Lightning was also equipped to handle. A half-inch drop at the front was accompanied by SVT-specific coil springs and Bilstein shocks along with an exclusive 31-mm solid anti-roll bar. SVT’s influence continued at the rear with Lightning-specific five-leaf springs and a 23-mm solid anti-roll bar. The Bilstein setup at the rear included the right-rear shock staggered toward the front of the truck to reduce axle hop under heavy acceleration. The four-wheel antilock disc brakes were cribbed from the three-quarter-ton F-250, with 12.1-inch front rotors at the front and 13.1-inch discs at the rear.
As the years go on, fewer and fewer clean, unmolested low-mileage examples are out there, which is why this 2001 Ford SVT F150 Lightning now on Hemmings Auctions caught our attention. Showing just 5,525.5 miles on its odometer at the time of submission, it is said to be in “mint” condition and have an “immaculate” finish in the seller’s words. No modifications are noted to any part of the vehicle. The 18-inch factory alloys don’t appear to have any curb rash, though the Goodyear performance tires may be original. About the only deviations from stock are the tinted windows.
The latest electric-only F-150 Lightning is certainly a quick vehicle in its own right, but this 2001 edition from the engineers at SVT was built for excitement, not range. It was made with an old-school muscle-car vibe along with modern handling and braking. Which Lightning would you look good behind the wheel of?
Take a look at this second-gen Lightning on Hemmings Auctions before the bidding ends.
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