Purchasing a vintage Class A

WealthyIndustrialist wrote:
I'm looking for advice and information on what to look for (or look out for) in buying an old class A. I want something built prior to 1981 with no fuel injection and straightforward mechanicals that I can maintain myself. I'm fairly savvy on mechanical and electrical things generally but I have little experience on RV-specific issues.
Also, is there a forum or website dedicated to these vintage rigs?
Thanks in advance!

Check out the ViewRVs.com - Motorhomes page for pictures of many vintage motorhomes made prior to 1981.

The Airstream and Argosy units have very straightforward mechanicals since they are on the Chevy P-30 truck chassis.

Thanks everyone for your input.
Roy and Lynne, where is the parts store you mentioned located? I intend to spend some time in the Ashland Oregon area and it would be good to know of a parts source there.
My aversion to fuel injection is really about complexity of diagnosis and repair. I can rebuild a carb or change a mechanical fuel pump at the side of the road if necessary. Was that first fuel-injection car a Caddy Seville?
How do you all feel about tag axles? I've read that they improve stability on the highway quite a lot but haven't heard much about drawbacks aside from the cost of additional rubber. I'm really interested in the GMCs for that reason and also because they are aluminum and fiberglass.

Yeah, a lot of great innovations and special items I saw through the years. When I left the shop that had the Mercedes FI, I ended up in a bigger Import Dealer that handled Lamborghini, Peugeot, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes, etc.. As the new guy they threw everything at me that was in the back row and needed repair to be put on the used lot. I ran through all of that in a few days. The other guys started coming to me for advice on their work and the foreman discovered that I could read the Italian and French shop manuals (not totally, but enough to decipher the needed info). After that, I got most of the Lambo and Ferrari work. Man, those were some fine cars.

Again, the OP shouldn't be afraid of fuel injection. Those naturally aspirated 460's and GM big blocks had their own fuel miseries. IMO, it's difficult to get accurate fuel delivery, especially for start-up, on an engine that big. They ate fuel like no tomorrow.

You have led a blessed life. Bosch didn't invent it but made it turn key. I had a 72 Volvo with aluminum bumpers, factory headers and a 4 cyl EFI 130 hp mill that delivered mid 20s MPG. Not bad for the times.

Guys, you don't have to be as old as the car to work on it, lol.

I'm going to have to ring the bell--ding, ding, ding for tatest. The car was a 1956 Mercedes Benz touring auto (number escapes me). Equipped with a big inline six cylinder, it was made for touring the Alps. This car weighed in excess of 6000 lbs. and, according to it's owner, averaged 30 MPG with 4 passengers on his daily commute. The shop I worked at put a lot of effort into restoring the vehicle and I always thought it was one of the nicest cars I've had my hands on.

Big Katuna wrote:
Morris tried them in the 30s. Alfa offered them in the 40s.
You THAT old?

Geez. I was thinking Daimler-Benz in the late 1950s, borrowing technology from their 1930s aircraft engines.

Morris tried them in the 30s. Alfa offered them in the 40s.
You THAT old?

Dang West, you old. ;)

Most of those vintage Class A's were built on an extended truck frame and their mechanicals will follow the brand of frame. There is no reason to have an aversion to fuel injection, it is a reliable and efficient fuel delivery system.
One of my first careers was as an auto mechanic. I worked on the first fuel injected production car. I'll leave that unknown so others can guess.
Good luck on your vintage Class A hunt.

I think that is exciting and it should be fun restoring it and don't let folks discourage you as depending upon the rig you chose is what will determine the cost to fix. I've seen some beautiful ones for sale that are in excellent condition and since you said your a mechanic you probably already have the tools and space you'll need. We have an RV parts store near us that sells, not only new but reconditioned appliances,parts,and furniture, so check to see if you can find someone like that. It is a Mom and Pop store so they are also great with helpful advise and information.
Happy times are in store for you