GMC motorcoach?

[nrvale0]

Seems like we have some folks around these parts with a lot of experience. Anybody ever owned one of the GMC motorcoaches from the 70s with the Olds powertrain? If so, what're your thoughts aside from "Well, its a 40yro coach." Particularly, how do they compare in terms of storage and table top space compared to your Oliver?

There are a couple up for sale around my area and I may pay a few visits.

Edited July 12, 2020 by nrvale0

[SeaDawg]

I didn't own one, but my boss in the 80s owned one. It was quite the cool coach. I usually got to drive it back and forth to the repair shop for him, as I was one of the few willing to take it out in city traffic.

It was the awesome 70s harvest gold exterior, with coordinated brown and gold interior. He used it as his mobile office and showroom when he started his business. It was honestly a pretty nice ride, in its day.

This isn't his, but looks a lot like it. Don't think he had an awning.

Sherry

Edited July 12, 2020 by SeaDawg
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[ScubaRx]

We run across them on the road on occasion. This one was in 2018 at Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska.

[SeaDawg]

The GMC was pretty splashy and often colorful. Check out the 70s green interior of the one in this article. http://www.bdub.net/publications/1973_Magazine_Ad/1973_Ad.htm

 

And, here's a collection of brochures and specs for the various years in its relatively short life.

http://www.bdub.net/publications/

 

 

[Landrover]

33 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

The GMC was pretty splashy and often colorful. Check out the 70s green interior of the one in this article. http://www.bdub.net/publications/1973_Magazine_Ad/1973_Ad.htm

 

And, here's a collection of brochures and specs for the various years in its relatively short life.

http://www.bdub.net/publications/

 

 

They have a you tube video on this unit, very interesting. It was one of the most advanced rvs of its time.

[djpinaz]

Here’s one that is stored next to mine. Inside has been nicely updated. 
 

[SeaDawg]

7 hours ago, Landrover said:

They have a you tube video on this unit, very interesting. It was one of the most advanced rvs of its time.

I agree, Landrover. I always thought it was head and shoulders nicer and more advanced than the stickies everyone else was building. GM wanted the airplane/space age look, and got it right.

 The engineering that went into it is probably the reason that many of them are still on the road today.

[mossemi]

There was one in the parking lot at the RV museum in Elkhart, Indiana last September, as well one inside on display.  They sure were ahead of their time.

Mossey

[SeaDawg]

Seems like GM salvaged some of the original design in the Lumina van? Lol

 

Edited July 13, 2020 by SeaDawg

[nrvale0]

Dad and I have been doing a lot of research on them. I've been thinking of getting one with a solid drivetrain and a decent interior (probably in the neighborhood of $25k or so) to lend to him until he's done with the RVing thing. I know he'll take good care of/improve it because that's just what he does. I *really* like the ones with the green/avocado exterior but Dad says they look like the Scoobie Doo van. 😄

Apparently a lot of the folks responsible for early Corvettes (C1, C2) came over to the team to make the GMC RVs.

Anyway, thanks for the input. Given that we have some real "techies" here I figured if there was much that could be said to their demerit it would get smoked out. On the flip side, a generally positive opinion of them is encouraging.

[Landrover]

I also considered finding one of these units, until i started looking at the very different drivetrain and suspension  components that Gm put into it. They are one of a kind, which means parts availability would be limited Or impossible to find without high cost. It truly is a work of art for its time. But for repair costs, I’ll admire one at a RV rally some day.