Insane Custom Camper Lowrider Van Is Worth Way More Than $100,000

CarBuzz

By Jared Rosenholtz

Published Mar 31, 2020

But it doesn't look like anyone is willing to pony up the cash for it.

Silverado 1500

Make: Chevrolet
Segment: Sports Car

Built for the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas, 'Brown Sugar' is a custom lowrider campervan from a fabrication shop called River City Rods based in Davenport, Iowa. It's based on a 1983 Chevrolet C30, a precursor to the modern-day Chevrolet Silverado but this custom creation is far from stock. Under the hood, Brown Sugar is powered by a 5.3-liter LS1 V8 engine mated to a 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission. The truck rides on GSI air suspension which keeps the driver and passengers comfortable but can also slam down to create a lowrider effect. When it is time to get on the move, the air suspension raises into a more practical position.

SEMA creations are not commonly offered for sale but River City Rods actually listed Brown Sugar for sale on eBay. It is difficult to put a price on a one-off custom creation like this but River City Rods did... and it might have been too much.

Brown Sugar was listed on eBay and the custom camper attracted a hefty sum. It was bid up to $100,099 (with 27 bids) but ultimately failed to sell because it didn't meet the reserve. River City Rods didn't mention the cost of building Brown Sugar but we can guess based on all of the custom work that is was well over $100,000. On the eBay listing, the shop mentions Brown Sugar was "a top 40 Battle Of The Builders contender at SEMA, Street Trucks Top 10 pick, and said to be one of the most photographed vehicles at SEMA by Goodguys Rod & Customs Magazine. It also brought home the Peoples Choice award at the QCCA Expo Center Rod & Custom Show."

Inside, Brown Sugar is finished with a custom plaid interior that looks like it came straight out of the 1970s. The camper section is equipped with handcrafted items including the counter and whiskey barrel sub-woofers. River City Rods crafted the sink out of a vintage Coca Cola cooler and the ice chest is fabricated from scratch. After failing to sell on eBay, it will be interesting to see if Brown Sugar is put up for sale once again. If you are interested in buying the truck, we'd give River City Rods a call.