Mitchell & Sons Campers of Colorado
Terry Lee

Hi!  My hobby is to restore Mitchell campers, fifthwheels, mini-motorhomes (called Funmobiles) from the 70's. I also like the campers, fifthwheels, and travel trailers built by the Great Divide Company. Both manufacturers were located in Commerce City, Colorado and about 2 miles from each other. The Mitchell camper company was originally located in Henderson Colorado before moving to Commerce City .

My father owned a 1973 Mitchell "Low Boy" 8' camper and later, he ordered from the factory in 1977 a "Little Sioux" 8' camper.  I was 14 and can remember going with him to order the camper and also picking it up from the factory.  I ended up buying it from him in 1981 and had it on a 1971 Chevy C-20.  I loved that camper and we had the best times in it  I can remember going to the annual Mitchell RV "Open House" to see the latest and greatest.  I also recall when the Mitchell family gave the Broncos Coach, Red Miller, a 23' Funmobile in 1977.  It was orange during the "Orange Crush" rage.  .

I looked on and off over the past 30 years at various Mitchell's and always admired them and on September 10, 2010, I found the perfect one, posted on Craigslist in Colorado Springs.  I called the owner that morning and left my office to race down to see it. The minute I pulled up and quickly looked it over, I knew it was the one.  The owner, George, gave me a tour and the history.  George had  purchased it from the original owners earlier in the year.  The camper was mounted on the original 1979 Chevy C-30 with only 25K actual miles.  The original owners lived close by George and they recently moved into a nursing home and had not used the rig in sometime. It  had the original drapes, tie-backs, upholstery, and even the upholstered valances!  The interior was a little dirty from sitting but I could tell that under the dust, it was a diamond.  I offered George $850 and I bought it on the spot.   My son Austin and brother-in-law Robbie picked it up a month later and brought it home on my '90 F250.  I started work on her right away and began with a good scrubbing to get the mold and grease off.  Hardly a single hail ding on it!  I replaced all of the insert moulding, touched up the paint, replaced most of the Herr window moulding, and painted the rear bumper.  I also totally scrubbed down the interior and celing, restained and polished the paneling.  Washed the drapes and scrubbed the upholstery.  This camper was obviously never used by the original owners as the interior totally cleaned up with hardly any wear and tear and was like new.  The bathroom/shower is spotless.  The original owner had put foil on the windows to keep the sunlight from fading the interior so it really is like new.  The original linoleum is perfect as was the coordinated 70's wallpaper throughout the camper.  There were only a couple of scratches on the original orange formica on the dinette table but I was able to remove them and one of the valances needed to be remounted.  This camper has the rare optional storm windows, AC unit, and rack with ladder.  It also has the famous Mitchell EZ loader system. It's loaded with every option....totally "top of the line".  Per NADA, the original retail price in 1979 was $6275.  Pretty pricey in 1979!   About the only things on the camper that needed work was there was a small "pushed" in part on the rear top ledge and a small indention on the front cabover section.  I used a mallet and wood block and managed to reshape those 2 indentions.  Can't even tell they were ever damaged.  I also had to replace most of the outside clearance lights which was a simple fix.  I purchased a 1972 F-250 Camper Special "Sport Custom"with a 390 V8 in October of 2010.  I thought it would be a great match for the Big Mitchell and fit the "era" of the camper.  I am restoring the '72 as well.  I bought it from the original owners, John and Mary Lou,  in Louisville.  He purchased it new from Sill-Tehar Ford in Broomfield.  It has 73K original miles.  It's extremely clean but it does need a paint job as the paint has faded and worn off over the past 38 years.  The original owners also had an original 1973 10' Mitchell camper and used the Ford to carry it.  They sold the camper a few years back but the bed of the truck still had the original "horseshoe brackets", as part of the Mitchell loader system.  These brackets are for the front of the Mitchell to slide into and it holds the camper down and in place.  John also gave me an original Mitchell Camper metal key ring holder that has the Mitchell ram on it.  In addition to the original 72 Ford truck sales brochure, owners manual, and other documents, I also have a Mitchell owners operator manual.  John and Mary Lou are great people and I've promised to show them the F-250 and Mitchell, once they have both been restored.  They both seemed very pleased that I bought their "baby" and are excited to see new life put into restoring it.  John hated to see that Ford go and I think almost cried when I drove off in it.  I have mounted the Mitchell loading system onto the back of the 72 Ford and tested it out on the Mitchell.  Had to make a few adjustments but it works like it was brand new!

Well, I hope you enjoy the pictures and progress of my projects.  The guys at 5-Star RV in Henderson, have been great.  A couple of other guys there used to work for Mitchell so they have been extremely helpful with offering me advice.  I drove by the old Mitchell and Sons Camper showroom in Commerce City the other day and it is still there but no longer a camper lot.  The Mitchell family is now in the decking supply business and they operate that business out of the original sight.
My 1972 F250 Camper Special w/ 1979 11' Mitchell Camper "Challenger XL"