Chuck Woodbury's
Roadside Journal

Friday, August 31, 2007

What a beauty, the now-classic GMC motorhome


Is this a beautiful RV? It looks really modern, but this GMC motorhome was built about 35 years ago! I remember when I was a young man and was dreaming of buying my first RV, I drooled over this one. My idol Charles Kuralt, who roamed the back roads for CBS News, traveled with one of these for awhile, and it was featured on his "On the Road" segments on the evening news. You would often see the coach pictured as it rolled down a scenic two-lane highway. And when there was a shot of Kuralt inside at his typewriter. . . well, this aspiring young journalist went basically crazy with desire to do the same.

These classic low-profile design motorhomes went out of production 30 years ago, but you still see them, and I don't think most non-RVers would ever guess they are older than just about all the other motorhomes on the road today.

If you want to learn more about this classic coach, do a Google search using the keyword GMC motorhome and you'll find many websites and feature articles. If you own one of these, leave a comment and tell the rest of us what you think of it.

posted by Chuck Woodbury at 11:17 PM

13 Comments:

  • Chuck - you can see more about them at http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:21 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • You are abaolutely correct...still over 7000 on the road and many more parked but could be road worthy with effort and some $$. There is an int'l. GMC morothome rally at Amana Colonies, Iowa, Sept. 16-22, 2007. Expect about 125-150 GMCs there.... Michael Bozardt, GMC Motorhome Reclamation Services, email ilse@earth-comm.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:35 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • Hey I've got a 1975 GMC. There is a active group of owners, rallys, local, international clubs and parts suppliers. There is a rally set for Amana Iowa 9/16-22/07 with 180+ coaches registered to attend.
    Some links
    http://www.gmcmi.com/
    http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/index.php
    http://www.gmccoop.com/
    Dan and Teri have a travel blog on their present GMC trip
    http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com/
    We really enjoy ours!

    By Blogger Wally, at 8:37 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • These are the most beautiful motor homes ever built. They are timeless in design. Could have used a more efficient drive system, but I would buy one today that was well cared for.

    By Blogger Homer, at 8:44 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • If you own a GMC or are interested in them, contact the GMC Motorhome Registry at www.gmcss.com/Registry.htm
    Davegreenberg1@juno.com

    By Anonymous Dave Greenberg, at 9:46 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • When you buy a Classic GMC motor home your buying more than just a motor home. You become a member in a group of enthusiasts that will come to your rescue with advice, expertise, hands on help and more information than you can comprehend. This exclusive group have been known to fly in and help other owners who are broken down. They have an online email and open forum for advice and help. They even have a free teleconferencing system (via your laptop) set up for discussions and live voice conferencing to help (GMCtalk). No other RV can offer you the backup support that you get when you buy a Classic GMC Motorhome.

    John

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:30 AM, September 08, 2007  

  • Hey, great to see this in the Full Timer. My wife and I are on a 4 month trip, now, in our 74 GMC, towing our Vibe GT and have a 150 cc scooter on back of coach. We are having the time of our life. Left Mo. before Memorial Day and are now on our way from Tillamook, Or. to the International gathering in Amana, Ia. Spent 3 years renovating this coach and it has not let us down. Should you wish to see some of our travels, I have a blog where I put information up daily on us, the coach, and the places and people we see. www.danandteri.blogspot.com No motor home group can come close to matching our support system among members. These are timeless coaches. We get lots of "thumbs up" from folks as we travel.
    Dan Gregg

    By Blogger Dan & Teri Gregg, at 10:44 PM, September 08, 2007  

  • We just acquired a 1989 Vixen RV. It was inspired by the GMC, but is only 21 feet long, low profile, and has a Buick V-6 in the rear to make it low profile. Ours is the high top 21 SE, which you can see here:

    http://vixenrv.org/vixen/vixen_se.html

    By Blogger Elaine, at 8:23 AM, September 09, 2007  

  • Have had an interest in vehicles since a very early age and always admired the GMC. Finally bought one and spent 7 years on a total custom and rebuild. We love our GMC and it attracts a crowd wherever we go.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:43 PM, September 09, 2007  

  • I noticed a GMC motorhome for sale about a month ago in Homer, Illinois. It is owned by a Mr. Vetter

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:02 PM, September 12, 2007  

  • i just wanted to say i just read an article published in july 30 2000 by paula bock "everyone has a story to tell" i thought it was great it to me we need more stories like that.

    By Anonymous scoobydoo98168, at 11:05 AM, November 30, 2007  

  • I am John Chalinder and I own TZE033V100250, a 1973 23' Transmode. I bought it from a couple in Indiana several years ago for $15,000. They had purchased it for $5,000 and put $10,000 into it in a new paint job in original GMC Glacier colors, and a nice custom interior done by a master cabinet builder; of native Indiana Poplar. I put another $10,000 into it, adding many upgrades and a full tuneup. Among the upgrades was the addition of custom spacers for the front wheels to bring them in line with the rear, adding 25% lateral stability. She's currently in storage, in need of a full engine rebuild and some work on the transaxle. I'm also working on a total rebuild of the interior. I'll keep the existing woodwork, but rearrange it a bit to suit my lifestyle. I'll upgrade the wiring to 50Amp service, put in a battery array, solar panels and inverter so I can have full AC service even when boondocking. She's a grand ol' lady, and I intend someday to live in her fulltime. This is one investment I will never lose on.

    By OpenID argiod, at 11:19 AM, January 20, 2008  

  • I am the proud owner of TZE033V100250, a 1973 23' Transmode. They'll get my motorhome when they pry my dead, cold body from it... This is an investment that will never lose value, unless I have the misfortune to be involved in an accident. With the custom spacers bringing the front wheels in line with the rear, it has 25% greater lateral stability and drives like a van on steroids. The airbag rear suspension makes the ride more like flying than driving. I shall cherish her until I pass from this world.

    By OpenID argiod, at 11:24 AM, January 20, 2008  

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