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GMC's Collectible Motorhome
In the 1970's, General Motors entered the RV market. Drawing on
the exuberance of the times, the company set out to create the
ultimate American Motor home.
Their aim was to produce a top-of the-line vehicle with
cutting-edge design and construction, not just another
competitor in the already crowded vacation vehicle market.
The common design in this era was a boxy, ungainly and top-heavy
unit on a truck chassis. The GMC vehicle was intended to be a
completely new design in every way.
Design work began in 1970, with the market introduction planned
for 1973. "Doesn't look like a box or ride like a truck" was the
GMC ad slogan.
The new vehicle would be unusual for this era in several ways.
First of all, it was to have a front wheel drive, a rare concept
in cars of that day and unheard-of in mobile homes.
The drive train and suspension were taken from the design of the
Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic inch
Oldsmobile engine was attached to a Turbohydramatic 425
transmission with torsion bar suspension.
The rear suspension was a product of GM's bus design, using dual
swing arms, one leading and one trailing, with a single air
spring on each side. Instead of a auto body steel, the body was
to be made of lightweight aluminum and molded
fiberglass-reinforced plastic such as was used in the Chevrolet
Corvette.
The front wheel drive and independent swing arm rear suspension
brought great improvement to the standard motor home design.
The lack of drive shafts and axles underneath the coach allowed
a very low floor height, leading in turn to a low overall
vehicle height and lower center of gravity. Aside from easier
entry and exit, this reduced rollover risk and wind resistance
and made the vehicle much safer and easier to operate for buyers
accustomed only to car driving.
A six-wheel braking system, with disc brakes on the front and
drum brakes on all four rear wheels, further enhanced
drivability.
Previous motor home design focused mainly on the use of the
vehicle as a temporary home once it had reached its destination,
an extended stay in a mobile home park or a camping spot.
Ease of getting to the destination was of secondary concern, and
cumbersome handling on the road was taken for granted. GMC made
a special point of targeting this feature for improvement by
adding visibility from the driver's seat with a panoramic
expanse of glass.
The motor home was featured in 23 foot and 26 foot lengths,
fairly small even for this era. Nowadays, much larger models are
common. The motor home's interior design was compact, with no
permanent sleeping areas in the original design.
All beds were converted from seating areas when required. Hot
water was provided by water heaters using engine coolant loops,
which produced water so hot it could actually present a scalding
hazard since coolant temperatures usually exceed 200 degrees
Fahrenheit.
The refrigerator was powered by a standard automotive battery,
adequate only for overnight use before recharging. The prototype
was first displayed in May 1972 at the Transpro '72 trade show
in Washington, D.C.
Production started in 1973 with two models, Model 230 and Model
260, 23 and 26 feet long respectively. They were sold with a
finished interior for the public as well as unfinished to other
RV manufacturers such as Avion and Coachman, who then provided
their own interiors before reselling to consumers.
30 different floor plans were available, and models were priced
from $35,000 to $40,000. The GMC vehicle changed slightly over
time, the most notable alteration coming in 1977 when the 455
cubic inch engine was replaced by a 403 cubic inch model in
response to the energy crisis.
This decade caused hardship for all RV manufacturers as the
increased price of fuel pushed large gas guzzling vehicles out
of the market. The GMC motor home had never sold at high
volumes, and the company decided that the RV production
facilities could be more profitably used to make light trucks.
After the manufacture of 12,921 vehicles, production of motor
homes was discontinued after the 1978 model year. Almost
immediately after production ceased, GMC motor homes became
collectors' items, with owners' associations being established
to provide parts and service for these vehicles.
Small manufacturers and garages developed a cottage industry
servicing them. In 1992, as General Motors prepared to scrap all
remaining tools and parts, Cinnabar Engineering purchased all
the motor home manufacturing supplies and negotiated a deal to
continue to provide parts for the discontinued vehicles.
In 1992, a monthly magazine called GMC Motor home Marketplace
was introduced, and in 1994 Cinnabar started publishing a
quarterly newsletter called GMC Motor home News.
The vehicle's futuristic design has even found a place in pop
culture: Mattel Toys created die-cast versions of the GMC motor
home for its Hot Wheels line. More than 50 different GMC Hot
Wheels are available, and in 1977, Mattel released three toy GMC
versions in a Barbie Doll Star Traveler promotion.
In an amazing example of customer loyalty and product
durability, more than 8,000 units are still registered by owners.
An internet search of "GMC Motor home" produces 771,000
results, as sites advertise motor home parts, engines and
upgrades as well as classic car rallies for owners. Used GMC
motor homes sell for $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the
condition of the vehicle.
About the author:
About GMC collectible Motor
Homes by Frank Vanderlugt About Charitable Car donations by Frank Vanderlugt
GMC's Collectible Motorhome
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Different Types Of Motor Homes
First of all you should select amongmotorhomes that satisfy the size and inside amenitiesrequirements. There are several items that you might want tothink about having in the motorhomes that you are considering.For example, many motorhomes would include such amenities as achemical toilet with flushing capabilities, shower (may use coldand even hot pressurized water), tanks for holding fresh waterand waste water, air conditioner (particularly important if youlive in states with hot weather) and even a hot water system(heated with gas).
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RV Camping at Casinos
I have compiled a list of a few hundred with names, addresses and telephone numbers, and posted the list at www.HappyVagabonds.com. A few Casinos require that you be a customer in order to park; an entirely understandable requirement. Although I have never been inside a Casino, and have zero interest in gambling, I have no personal objections to parking on their lot, and enjoying a meal at their restaurant. If you have moral objections to gambling, then this may not be the parking opportunity for you. Add Casino parking to your list of free RV camping opportunities.
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Top 2 Reasons Why Motorhomes Are The Wave Of The Future
If you've drivenon the freeways recently, you might have noticed that there arean awful lot of people taking to the roads of America in theirnew homes on wheels (motorhomes). However, 2 or more people traveling in amotorhome can see a lot of things for relatively little money.Imagine how much money it would cost you in airplane tickets tofly to each destination individually? Baby boomers haveworked all their lives and have been spending their money likethere is no tomorrow on all sorts of travel accessories.Motorhomes are no exception.
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What To Look For In Motor Homes
If you are planning to purchase a motorhome, you should create alist of different motorhomes that you like and compare them.After comparing technical specification, you might want to checkthe feedback written by other owners of these types ofmotorhomes. Motorhomes should also becomfortable to make sure that they can provide you and yourfamily the possibility to take the enjoyable and relaxing trip.Motorhomes that you look at should suit all your personal andfamily needs and should include all the necessary amenities andequipment.
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Florida Camping
Florida camping can be inexpensive too. My wifa Ana and I paid $23 tocamp in our conversion van one night. Of course, it was at abeautiful state park on the beach, and in the morning we saw adolphin swimming near shore.
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Buying Tips When You're Camping
Research prices and compare stores to find the best discounts available. Discount stores often have sporting goods sections. Not all stores have comparable prices and if you forego the convenience of getting everything at one store, you may get better prices. About The Author Gray Rollins is a featured writer for DreamCamping.
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Family Camping Tips
Camping Inventory 1. Robert Michael Article Source:. Camping can be a wonderful activity for the entire family. My dad and I would grab our tent, sleeping bags and fishing poles and head down to a local lake for a weekend. If you are not experienced at camping then it might be best to start with a commercial campground.
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Camping In A RV For Fun And Pleasure
These can have full kitchens,beds, a shower and toilet in them. Whichever way you choose, you should doa lot of research on the internet first. If you really are not sure you would like to spend $40,000 or$250,000 on a hobby you are not sure you would like, buy a usedRV. Learn all you can aboutRVing.
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A Few Tips for Camping Newbies.
*Depending upon your adventure [ hiking/canoeing/car camping ]don't take along every thing including the kitchen sink, that'swhy you go camping in the first place; to get away from it all!.......but always allow for the worst thing that could happenbecause sometimes it will; freezing cold, sick kids,pouringrain,insect pests,strong winds can all spoil a great time if youare not prepared for the worst and always take along thesunscreen/hat and mozzie repellent.
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