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The Collectible GMC Motor Home
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:
J Shipper is really interested in the GMC collectible
motorhome. http://www.gmc-now.info and
http://car-donations-charitable-donations-aacharity.info
http://www.aircraft-charter-2006.info
The Collectible GMC Motor Home
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BC Camping
The kids are not allowed to blow the whistle unless they are in trouble. You can get in to trouble very easy in the mountains if you are BC camping. If you find your self lost stay put do not wander around because every tree will look familiar and every stream is the one you pasted on the little walk you took. They are a very dedicated group of people and will not give up, no matter how harsh the weather gets.
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Driving Your Motorhome For The First Time
When traveling without reservation, the earlier in the day you stop, the better are your chances to get to a good campground. A large log, a hydrant or other obstacles can punch through the paneling, tearing pipes or wiring and causing costly repairs. It also helps to check the members of your travel party. It can be very dangerous.
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Buying Tips When You're Camping
Many of the supplies can be expensive and some items may be hard to find. For maximum convenience, you can rent a recreational vehicle which will supply cooking, eating and sleeping facilities. Some items are also available for rental. Not all stores have comparable prices and if you forego the convenience of getting everything at one store, you may get better prices.
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Camping in Lead King Basin
The last house on the edge of town had a somewhat cared-for appearance, with a circa 1974 Ford pickup parked in front that prominently displayed a bumper sticker that advised "51% Nice Guy, 49% SOB. This is the same rock formation made famous in Colorado postcards of the Maroon Bells. When I finally regained control of myself, I crawled along the greasy, shale-slicked road in 4-Low, and considered myself lucky to be leaving Lead King Basin. The rain gradually diminished and ceased by mid-morning, and it was time to continue on my way.
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The Collectible GMC Motor Home
Mattel Toys created die-cast versions of the GMC motorhome for its Hot Wheels line. Their aim was to produce a top-ofthe-line vehicle with cutting-edge design and construction, notjust another competitor in the already crowded vacation vehiclemarket. 30 different floor plans were available,and models were priced from $35,000 to $40,000. Nowadays, much larger models arecommon.
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Yellowstone Camping In The Fall
Normally, you have to make a reservation at one of the five major campgrounds well in advance of arrival. William Smith has lived and traveled full-time in an RV for over twelve years. A few of us old-timers remember the rich texture of the night sky from our youth. The park is a singularly impressive place and most of it resides above 7,500 feet elevation.Wildlife viewing is superb to say the least with buffalo, elk, and black-tail deer sightings a common occurrence.
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travel the world in a motor home makes cents
Have you been looking for the best sourced opinion regarding motor homes. You can then make a judgement about the vendor's qualifications and experience to give recommendations about motor homes. The Motorhome That Drives Like an SUV! With Roadtrek class B motorhomes and camper vans, enjoy all the comfort and conveniences of a larger motorhome with the ease and efficiency of driving a van.
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Camping Requirements And Safety Measures
Carry a waterproof jacket and pants with you. A flashlight is useful in the dark to illuminate the surrounding. A portable stove is a lightweight stove used for camping. Register yourself before going out for a hike and similarly sign in after coming back. Always use a DEET-based insect repellent and check for bites behind your ears, under the arm, and in the groin area.
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Class A Motorhomes Have Taken a Backseat to Travel Trailers as the Most Popular Type of RV Searched
Scott Vollmer, the Business Development Manager for RVTraderOnline.com states, "well this doesnt come as a complete surprise, certainly sales have been trending this way for some time now. Advertising their inventory on RVTraderOnline.com, dealers and independent owners alike are reaching RV enthusiasts who are interested in researching and purchasing new and used recreational vehicles online.
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Benefits Of Owning Motor Homes
Motorhomes can be helpful not only for vacation purposes. Different types of motorhomeswill have different prices so it is up to you to decide whichmotorhome to purchase. You can even attach other equipment andvehicles (boats, jet skies and other sport equipment, forexample) to your motor home. Owners of motorhomes can prepare them in suchway that everything that is needed for the enjoyable trip isavailable at all times. Motorhomes will provide you with the simplesolution for all these dilemmas.
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