I've been flirting with buying a restoration GMC Motorhome that's nearby. Please refresh my memory- was it the handling on the road that was difficult? Here's a link to what they look like http://gmcrvforsale.com/What were some other problems/issues?

IIRC, it uses the Olds front wheel drive system and that was a major problem area with the unit. The coach itself was a very good unit. You should check to see if the engine/drive train is original.

Here's an older article on the Pros & Cons of Buying a GMC Motorhome.

I'm no expert, but I have heard that the engine and front suspension is from an Olds Toronado. The RV is a bit front heavy for that suspension. I have heard they eat front wheel bearings. Lots of people are restoring them. I feel they were ahead of their time. Today, that RV would sell well. Its the right size, it still looks modern and has a low center of gravity. You could probably buy one already restored for much less than it would cost you to restore it yourself. But then again, there is the labor of love concept.

BUY one!Then soup it up like those good ol' Sequim boys did back in the day, they then using it to set the Motorhome Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats! Link to videoThe record stood for quite some time, though I think it's since been broken. Maybe you can get it back! :B

I looked hard at them, know two guys well that have had them for years and years. They drove well. They are hobbies. 1973-1978, so 35-40 year old vehicles. They have weaknesses eg rust, leaky air suspension, weak spindles and ball joints. There are fixes for almost everything. THere are Hummer suspension part upgrades, the motor and trans are simple to rebuild. Both of the guys I know that have them are dedicated to theirs and gloss over the times they have been left stranded or towed. I toured Golby Motor Corp in Orlando. They do complete frame-off restorations with custom interiors, mechanical upgrades, etc. I had the budget for a completely rebuilt one but went with a new DP as after I sat and looked at it, they are too small, bathroom too small, not enough tankage and very little storage. I like having outdoor cooking equipment, tables, an EZ-UP, etc and the GMC's just don't have the storage. One of the guys that has the short GMC actually bought a 40' Safari Cheetah but kept the GMC for weekends and state parks.

Refresh my memory please-GMC motorhomes | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

flat_twin
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014

Oh, I remember those. My uncle showed up at a family camp out with one. We were awestruck. It looked so futuristic and there we were in our canvas tents. LOL!

Talk about brave! A friend of mine bought a Travco like this one other than his is the short version. His wife saw it last summer and fell in love with it. He's very good at this kind of restoration and has completely redone half a dozen classic cars and trucks.
wny_pat1
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
One at the old burned up tractor dealer on NY 353 in East Randolph, NY.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.171964,-78.948961,3a,15y,186.31h,86.96t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s1woGDyRQ9PDSzIyWroAIvw!2e0

Think he had the motor out of it the last I knew. Don't know his plans or who owns it.
Archie_Kravitz
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
Funny you brought that up. I have a 57' and a 02' sitting covered up in the garage. One drives good but is a POS and the other drives terrible but still keeps on running.The '02 has only 3,400 miles on it.Ford didn't do anyone a favor by bringing the T'bird back and trying to sell them 10 grand over MSRP. You notice ,there gone again.

Anyone interested in the GMC in Ballwin here, I can check on it for you.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2014
Well after listening to the excellent input here, the flirtation is over. The increasing scarcity of parts has me concerned; been down that road before on another vehicle. So we're back to saving for a Phoenix Cruiser. Unless of course GMC decides to revive their mh: after all the classic T-Bird was brought back ;)
robsouth
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2014
magnusfide wrote:
robsouth wrote:
I am going tomorrow to look at a 1976 GMC Palm Beach advertised as "good condition, drives and runs great, etc etc" for $3500.00 and that is the least I have seen one for in this area. I love the looks of them and am curious to see one up close.

Let us know what you find. Whenever someone says "it drives great" I'm tempted to ask them "WHEN did it drive great?". Sometimes the answer is 20 years ago. ;)

Did not get out there to see it. Rained all day and 37 degrees. Raining again today. Will try again when weather is better.
Archie_Kravitz
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
I always ask my wife when we leave Pasta House if she wants to trade the Essex in on it.
Archie_Kravitz
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
I know it has been there for at least three years. I can't remember back any farther. But that is the name of the place.
Daveinet
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
Archie Kravitz wrote:
There is one that has been sitting on jack stands for I know three years in St Louis. It's on a radiator repair shops parking lot next to a Pasta house restaurant
on Manchester Road in Ballwin Missouri.. If someone is looking for one, it looks good except it's been sitting. I know they are rare.
West End Automotive 15605 Manchester Rd Ellisville, MO. A quick google search from what you posted, found this address. Entered into Bing Maps/birds eye and you can see it sitting there with the front end up in the air. Once you find it on BingMaps, you can find it on Google steetview. You have to look down the driveway of the pasta joint to see it on the left. Looks like it has been repainted at some point in its life, as the paint scheme is not stock.
Archie_Kravitz
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
There is one that has been sitting on jack stands for I know three years in St Louis. It's on a radiator repair shops parking lot next to a Pasta house restaurant
on Manchester Road in Ballwin Missouri.. If someone is looking for one, it looks good except it's been sitting. I know they are rare.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2014
Busskipper wrote:
Was perfect for when were were young and all wanted to be close, today give me 4 slides and house on wheels.

BOL,

:B For two it should suffice but the lack of wardrobes would be an issue for Herself. She prefers longer dresses and jumpers. A good cabinet maker might be able to remedy that perhaps.