Josh lives in a beautifully rebuilt RV, a powerful symbol of vintage camper restoration.
Once a worn-down vehicle passed down from his grandparents, it’s now a stunning tiny home on wheels—a tribute to memories, craftsmanship, and independence.
A family memory reignited a vintage camper restoration dream
The story begins with a 1970 Crown bus, once owned by Josh’s grandparents, who traveled across the U.S. after remodeling it decades ago. As a child, Josh was always drawn to the vehicle.
“It was just like in my blood; I always loved it and always had a dream of using this bus as a motorhome,” he recalled.
Josh inherited the bus after his grandfather passed away and lived on it briefly.
But the full vintage camper restoration didn’t begin until a turning point in his life pushed him to reflect on what truly mattered and the dreams he had left unfinished.
The dream turns into a major life project
Josh, a seasoned general contractor, initially planned to finish the camper in six months.
But as many grand ideas go, this tiny home transformation became a four-and-a-half-year journey.
“I didn’t want to know [how much I spent], I just wanted the dream to become reality,” he said.
The original $40,000 budget ballooned to over $200,000, but the result became more than worth it.
From broken to beautiful: a restored vintage camper like no other
Today, the bus—lovingly renamed “Crown in Style”—is a striking example of a restored vintage camper.
What once sat neglected is a fully functional mobile home infused with character, history, and state-of-the-art systems.
It’s also a powerful reminder of the RV living freedom Josh grew up admiring.
The vintage camper restoration: A technical and artistic marvel
Size and Structure
The bus stretches 35 feet from bumper to bumper.
One of the most ambitious changes was lifting the roof by 13 inches, making the inside space open and livable.
The exterior was re-skinned entirely, and new dual-pane insulated windows replaced the old ones.
Solar Power and Mechanics
On the roof, a sliding solar rack on pneumatic cylinders offers off-grid energy while preserving the bus’s rounded silhouette.
The 3160-watt solar array charges 400 amp-hours of 48-volt batteries, and an 8,000 kva inverter powers the entire bus.
The engine is a customized 855 Cummins diesel “hot rod,” delivering about 500 horsepower.
Josh engineered a clever airflow system using side vents and louvers to keep it cool. Cameras around the bus assist with driving and security.
Heated mirrors and a custom leveling system add comfort and safety.
Classic Touches and New Foundations
Josh preserved the original Crown emblem, decorative stripes, and even the back doors and windows.
“The back end is off the ground ‘cuz we’re on a slope,” he explained, showing how the jacks lift the bus for balance.
A new 109-gallon fuel tank and a 187-gallon custom-built water tank extend travel time between fill-ups.
Where style meets comfort: Inside this vintage tiny home
The Living Area
The living space mixes original features—like the 1954 ceiling and steering wheel—with modern upgrades.
A Cubic Mini Stove is installed for looks, while diesel heaters and mini-splits handle actual heating and cooling.
Josh added an electric steering assist, updated gauges, and custom captain’s chairs.
Large windows—including a favorite “picture window”—fill the space with light and mountain views.
Under the couch is the complete electrical system, allowing the whole operation even while driving.
The Bedroom
Tucked at the back, the bedroom offers walk-around space, a 12,000 BTU mini-split, custom drawers, and a washer.
“We wanted it to feel like a real bedroom,” Josh said. A headboard with storage, a bookshelf, and a compact closet add to its practicality.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is designed for openness and includes under-counter refrigeration, a convection microwave, and an induction cooktop.
The beetle-kill pine wood throughout the bus adds a unique character.
A thin pull-out pantry doubles as a bedroom door, and custom latches made from railroad spikes add an industrial charm.
Josh extended the stainless steel tile from the bathroom to the kitchen, finding its aesthetic too good to limit.
“We lived in this thing full-time for two years,” he said, and the kitchen proved more than capable.
The Bathroom
Compact but luxurious, the bathroom has a stylish mirror, a small sink, and an electric marine toilet with a macerator pump.
Heated floors add comfort, while the shower—with a stone shelf and a Nebia showerhead—is large enough for two.
“We splurged on the size of the bathroom,” Josh admitted.
How vintage camper restoration led to a simpler, freer way of life
Living on the bus brought more than travel flexibility—it changed Josh’s perspective.
“How relieving and like freeing and like you feel light. I felt light doing that,” he said of downsizing.
For him, vintage camper restoration wasn’t just about creating a stunning tiny home.
It was about simplifying life, honoring the past, and chasing freedom.
He advises others to be patient: “Give yourself some graces and realize that it’s challenging, and that’s okay.”
Final reflection: A legacy restored, a life reimagined
This grandparents’ camper makeover wasn’t just a renovation but a transformation of life, space, and spirit. Josh’s journey with his family heirloom shows what can happen when dreams, history, and craftsmanship come together.
Whether you’re drawn to restored vintage campers or the joys of RV living, this story proves that with passion and persistence, a tiny home can hold a lifetime of memories—and even more miles of possibility.
Take a tour of Josh’s tiny home—a vintage camper restoration filled with love, family, and freedom:
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