GMC Motorhomes, Ahead of Their Time?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Part of our visit to GMC Motor Homes of Okeechobee, FL. Check out these cool, front wheel drive motor homes that many would say were ahead of their time. The only motor homes that were ever produced by an American car manufacturer. They were always made on an assembly line.
For more info on this place--
www.gmcmh.com/
I love the classic GMC RVs, but the fisheye lens video has got to go! The distortion doesn't show the true nature of the coach.
Today, though, I find the Motorhome way more attractive than anything produced today. It's small enough that anyone with a standard (non-commercial) driver's license could drive it with no problem.
I remember seeing an old GMC motorhome ad that said: "finally, a motorhome that doesn't look like a box, or ride like a truck." I love all old RVs though.
Truer words were never spoken. Although it was said 48 yrs ago, it still applies to them today. Today's motorhomes look like the cargo crates these motorhomes came in. Not exactly very attractive (IMHO).
After watching this, my eyes turned into fish eye.
Sure, the interiors are often very dated in 1970s decor but the exterior follows aerodynamic principles and the overall design is so classic that these coaches can be indefinitely updated and look modern.
you're wide angle lens distorts everything.. I'd rather watch it on a regular lens
I was thinking that myself it put me off a bit but otherwise beautiful classic RV 😎
... its a gopro
GoPro sucks.
I like that plaid scheme.with the molded seat frames Nice to see that some stil retain their original Oldsmobile steering wheels. I wonder what kind of MPG that 455 Olds gets ? I know most Class C's average about 5MPG
I own 1977 palm beach. It was rough when I got it and did a lot of mechanical work. Been living in it the last 7 years. Thinking about redoing the interior for my comfort and this video has given me a few ideas...thanks
Albert Cassler how much you invested into it?
Awesome!!! I just moved from a 3 bedroom house to an RV in the country.$4000 property taxes a year? No more!!! Bought my 24 foot Keystone RV for $6000 bucks.Free water and electricity at this park.$320 lot rent a month.I love your channel and I would love one these one day.God bless from Texas!!!😃🙏💪🍻
I think that we are in a time where, if GM brought out new versions of these today, following the same format of special-built frame (not using a chassis from trucks like all other brands seem to do) I think that they would sell like hotcakes.
I've seen some many versions of these motor homes, but one I saw yesterday was the best reno I've seen to date.
The people doing the rebuild literally made it into something that you'd expect GM to do today.
Full smart screens up front, totally updated dash design, monitoring everything, to updated appliances, etc.
Even the equipment under the 2 front access panels (where you add oil and such) had several updates. Just beautiful.
They sold that one for something like $70K or $80K and worth every penny.
Not a Toronado chassis, the drivetrain was Toronado - Eldorado front wheel drive. Yes I worked on a few in a dealer. The owner was well healed as they say with Olds/ Cadillac dealership and five more. The reason they sold them is he and his rich buddies wanted them to go hunting in Mexico. They took those things cross country down there. When you have the money and someone to work on them what the hell! Man that was over 30 years ago.
I have a handful of these things myself. Parts for a lifetime!!! I can walk on the roof of any of them, but don't try that on anything built the last couple decades!!!!!!
hello HaWe - I do like your video, jokes & explanations, but PLLLEEEAAAZZZZ get yourself a wind cover for your microphone, that scratch nois is destroying my ears :-p .. in case your actual budget can't provide it : organize some crowdfunding ;-)
Thanks for the suggestion. I have since purchased one and the difference is amazing! I paid for with with money out of my OWN pocket. Thanks for watching...
good boy :-)
With the current trend in tiny homes and people trying to minimize their environmental footprint, along with big advancements in battery technology, I'm surprised that no big auto manufacturer has tried anything like this lately. If they built something that could plausibly be lived in full time, and got it to market for under 80 or 90k, I think there's a lot of potential.
Do you have any idea of how much money they would LOSE if someone starts to make this things popular and without consuming any fuels or derivatives? happy people, wandering around without paying taxes, or spending their money on inflated housing subdivisions that consume a lot of resources like power, water, county inspections for livability...do I need to continue?...
My Aunt and Uncle had a GMC I loved it. But theirs had big miles on it to where it needed new/rebuilt motor and trans. The cost was more than they wanted to spend so they sold it for a good price. They never offered it to me knowing how much I would have loved to of had one... Back then I was still working and making the money to where I could have afforded to get it all fixed up... Oh well that was over 12 years ago. I mostly was traveling on the back of my motorcycle any way. And when I'm physically able to travel again it will be on the back of my Blessed Can Am Spider but now i pull a trailer behind it because at my age I need a few comforts like a cot to sleep on and a tent 11X7 that I can stand up in, and it puts it's self up for me I love it and can hardly wait to be living in it again... It's been 3 years now since I've been able to travel. I was packing on about 20,000 miles a year on my motorcycle that got wrecked... This Can Am Spyder I bought in 2014 and just turned 6,000 miles on it. It's to painful to ride it very far. When I bought it I took a 3,300 mile road trip in 2014. But in January 2015 my walker hit a large crack in the sidewalk under the snow I didn't see and it folded up on me and down I went and going down on my knees as hard as I did more damage to my already nerve damaged hip and spine from the motorcycle wreck in 2013.... But who knows God may choose to heal me tomorrow... Then when this snow is over with come May I'll be heading your way or anywhere south on cold snowy Wisconsin!!!!
Nothing but the best of our great American Products, if any body rides one then you MUST have one
I wish you a speedy recovery.
My brother used one of these for his first apartment. He used to drive it to work and if weather was bad he just camped out in the parking lot. It was a daily driver.
The last two ( including the Christian themed one were the nicest for my pick ).
Greetings from England, yes definitely ahead of their time. They`re like spaceships
Trip down memory lane. I was 8 years old when my father brought home a 1977 GMC eleganza 2. Thanks for the video and the memories!
Nice video And cool mobilehome from GM . Only the price ? What you pay for this type mobilehome’s . i’m from belgium .
Revcon was the true seed of inspiration for GM to start their GMC Motorcoach Division.
GMCs look pretty but they tend to sag after 50 years. Not the early Revcons, which are
essentially an Airstream with FWD.
@Santina Murphy I don't know about the overloading and full tanks making them hog,
I've just read the posts and reviews from GMC owners. BTW: You are not alone. Tanks,
valves and plumbing are a problem for boats, planes and motorhomes! Been through
all that on all of my boats and on our Revcon. I decided to just make f/g sewage-waste
tanks.
sorry, impossible to watch. wind noise, fisheye, darn!
Would love to own the white one wander how much
Time capsules on wheels.
Annoying that you laugh at everything
The lens you are using ruins this video
I worked as a tech for the GM proving Grounds in the late 60's and early 70's. I worked in a group called lighting and visibility. We were asked to evaluate the rear view mirror system on the GMC motorhome. An engineer that I worked with and myself went with a prototype GMC motorhome on a special road at the proving grounds called the Ride and Handling loop. This road had a variety of road surfaces. One of the road surfaces was a series of small bumps around a gentle curve. We are traveling a bit fast and the motorhome started going sideways headed for the boonies. Somehow the driver managed to recover and we finished the drive. I hated to think what kind of trouble we would have been in had we tipped over or rolled that brand new prototype motorhome. Brings back a lot of memories!
That's how every vehicle should be tested. You never know what sort of road surface one might find themselves driving their RV. :)
Larry Deboer, you MUST have been there in 1970 when John Hall (Revcon's designer) wanted to buy 60 Toro stub frames a month for his new company. GM said, ''Oh no, you will take your unproven prototype on our 'special road''' as you've described it. I've always heard it described as the ''24 torture track'.
At any rate, Revcon did so well, John Hall got his 60 stub frames a month and IMMEDIATELY, GM started up the GMC Motorcoach Division. I was employee #18 at Revcon in March, 1971 and saw many, many of these great coaches built over the 3 years that I was there. (Painted most of them in that time).They are still the 'first best'!
Thom, the proving grounds had another road called the Belgium block road. THAT may have been the test road you are referring to. That road would shake your eye teeth right out. This road duplicated block for block a road in Belgium.
@@larrydeboer9477 Thanks for that info.
@@jasoncarpp7742 That is how they tested/still test the vehicles at Milford ...it's just usually not lighting and visibility engineers behind the wheel. Lol
We had 2 78 an Eleganza then a Royal from 78 till the 2014plus another one for parts only. We loved them. Easy to drive. The sofa making 2 bunks that our boys loved. My husband kept them impeccable. My husband passed away, but I’m now ready to buy one for myself. They drive like a car. We had the dry bath, so even my grand kids later could take a bath in the small tub/Shower after a day on the Gulf. Being a flight attendant myself, I felt right at home. Such beauties... thank you for the tour.
GMC/Revcon, Travco, Avco, Vogue, Foretravel, Wanderlodge, Airstream... there were a few really good top-end RV makers in the era. GMC/Revcon's biggest issue to me is that you cannot put an overdrive trans in with the FWD layout. Also, read up on how the idea was originally developed by Revcon, but GM told them that in order to have Toronado power trains Revcon would have to do some durability tests to prove their (Revcon's) concept. Guess who kyped the idea once the testing was done? GMC...www.revcon.org/What
You talk about moulded plastic bathroom. In Tokyo in the smaller flats they use that also..
What are these going for now days?
Hi The GMC is to the USA is what the Land Rover is to the UK GMC should not have stopped
making them I've been on there web site if I could afford one I would get one from them love them
New subscriber nice video . I live in a 1994 Winnebago warrior motorhome on a 1 ton Dooley Chevy frame with a 454 Chevy motor
my Boss had one that had a local engine builder build the Olds engine in his......got a speeding ticket for 123 MPH in Nevada!
Avocado Green! 👍👍👍
Wow I love that style big I want one
Ah man I wish I was young and could get me one of them to restore. They are gorgeous!
GMC should make Full EV Motorhome instead.
It would be HUGE....
Was this place once an authorized GMC Motorhome dealers?
From what we understand, they started working on them when a family member bought a GMC Motorhome. I don't think they were an authorized GMC Motorhome dealer.
I wish Allison would manufacture a FWD version of the MT650 so I could stick a Duramax or a 6V53TA under the floor.
what i found strange which i think doesnt match well is green kitchen with a red counter top in some kitchens back in the day but in the 70's anything gos it didnt matter with anything
The GMC MotorHome was definitely WAY ahead of it's time. With a modern, spacious front drive chassis and fully flat floor, it had plenty of room inside. Giving me some ideas on new design...🤔
yes the gmc is O G off the shelf 1973 -78 those drawers you were looking at have a burned in brand that says GMC custom inside each drawer
WRONG... Dodge made them in the 60s. look up Dodge Motor Home
Not trying to be argumentative but, these were copies of Revcon. Revcon was the first to build a front wheel drive using the tornado drive train after convincing gm it would work. Revcon are Actually better built . All aluminum exterior and interior. Absolutely no wood used in their production. Even Airstream copied Revcon when it built a class a rv. Funny how the inovaters always get surpassed in popularity by copies.
I have a Revcon and once they ditched the flat nose version for the slant nose they truly became the best of the blast from the past RVs!
Stripes
Excellent video, thanks for giving us a sneak peek.. I usually envy these from the road.
my dream rv!
Mine to val
I am not Neil , I enjoyed your video very much thank you , I love these RV's I think they are very cool , did you know they made hotwheels toys of these RV's in many different colours ,I Would like to know how one could get better milage with this GMC motor home ? Are there any clubs for GMC motor homes in Canada ?
I'm not familiar enough to help you with those questions but appreciate you watching our videos!
These guys know nothing about the Classic GMC motorhome plus they start their video with the wind blowing across their mike which is annoying. The guys that are in the GMC Club know everything about these and how to modify them for more power, better efficiency and current technology. Why walk through and describe something you can't teach anyone about? These vehicles were fantastic at the time. I owned and drove one thousands of miles. Now they don't compare to a diesel pusher for speed, efficiency or modern technology but they still look cool and I imagine it's a great experience to be in a club with other people who share your interest and share solutions to common problems.
Sorry you didn't like the sound of the "mike" but so glad thank you enjoyed the video. You sure sound like an expert on them!
my dream mh. right there! but needs a 6v92 detroit under the hood
Can't fit a 6V92, but a 6V53 would (if you want to have that 2-stroke Detroit GMC Fishbowl sound).
At the time they were super cool to own. Would be today too!
Ummmm made from 73-78 and they just came with microwaves???? LOL they WERE ahead of there time then!
There were microwaves back then. Our parents bought one in 1976. Was huge one though.
Watch the movie stripes
Scott McClure McClure
omg lmfao
EM-50 urban assault vehicle
our 1974 GMC is nicer than all of these. #britishcolumbia
I would like to see pictures of your GMC rv i am sure it is beautiful I hope you keep it in your family for years to come they were awesome in there day
green n gold where the popular colors especially in the kitchen in homes
Those had an Oldsmobile 455 V8 mounted longitudinally and a THM400 3 speed automatic that had a chain behind the torque converter going to the gearbox part and final drive unit driving the front wheels. It was the drivetrain straight out of the Toronado and they also had cool rear suspension to maximize the interior space. The only thing that sucks about that engine/transmission combo is that you’re limited on upgrades. The Cadillac 500 V8 can be swapped in, and there are performance parts for it... plus the THM400 is pretty bulletproof and can be built a bit... not sure about the final drive unit or half shafts, but I’d imagine they were pretty beefy from the factory. No overdrive transmissions available to swap in, so fuel economy sucks.
We had a 1975 with the 455 that had a mild build on it by my grandfather. At 70 mph we could get 11 mpg. Alot of it depends on the carb, ignition, and cam setup.
The transaxle used on this and the front drive Eldorado, Toronado, etc. was the THM425.
Gear Vendors overdrive unit would be an add-on option
@@steeltag unfortunately this isn’t an option for front wheel drive. Only rear wheel drive and that’s only if the transmission has a removable tailshaft
Really cool to see the various interiors.
Awesome vintage RV. Shaped like a Barbie RV from the 70's.
NO dummy the Barbie one was taken from the GMC.
We used to sit on top of pur Barbie Camper and put our feet in the open roof, then we would push each other down a hill lol.
Road Wonder, lol..did you really think that an engineer from the Barbie collection designed this GMC Motorhome, then GMC came along and said, “Wow, that’s a really cool design, let’s copy it and build some 22’ and 26’ motorhomes just like it”?
It’s really true what I’ve been saying...at least 50% of the individuals walking down our streets are tards, with a below average IQ!
BRING EM BACK ELECTRIC ;P
the first 1 you went in to has a Hudson's Bay blanket on the bed
the motorhome at 9:54 looks like it has a steering wheel from a Pontiac
Why is this guy laughing at everything he sees?
Nervous Tension 🤔😉😁
The all green one at 7:00 is straight out of STRIPES!
when they came out I thought they were way cool.
Great concept for the video, but...that fish eye takes are not helpful at all. Not suitable for other things than panoramic views buddy.
Fuck this fisheye shit. I’m out at 1:40
What is the web address for this place?
Appear to me you guys make fun of this motor homes, I don't think you realized a value of it,it's a treasure
Not at all! We were impressed with the retro shapes and styles these motorhomes! They are a one of a kind. Thanks for watching!
@@travis8665 , sorry if that was your take on it. Thanks for watch.
Happy Wanderers
In Australia we never had these huge mobile homes. I remember visiting Disneyland many years ago and seeing them all parked back in the 70's in the car park. I told everyone here how amazing they were. I just wanted to see what they looked like inside and was really disappointed in the fact that you used an amateur go Pro with fisheye lens and all you did was snigger and laugh about the tour. I just dont get why you showed the tour to us. Why would you make fun of them?
@@travis8665 , I know that's everyone take on this video. If you had it to do over, no GoPro, no laughing. I was getting a kick out of how retro everything is on them. Brought me back to my youth in the 70's, which was why I was laughing. You people need to loosen up a bit. Thanks for watching.
Those are the one I am wondering to buy, a little TLC and interior change makes this RVs the best on the road,
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa
awesome rides
Y'all are funny "original refrigerator" "has no stove" lift the cover guys.
I'd buy a GMC Motorhome if I had someone to share the travel experience with who also likes road trips. I've never liked travelling by myself.
I can’t believe they let you all just walk through other peoples vehicles/homes!
Thanks for watching!
Love the old GMC
The fish eye lens was totally unnecessary. And please next time use a gimbal. Otherwise very nice video 👌🏼
Get another lens indeed.
We had an Eleganza ll it was AWESOME, drove like our 1973 Cadillac Eldorado (which happened to be a pace car for the Indianapolis 500 so very cool & fast)! It was a dream to drive & use!
I love 70s design
in the 70's faux was the style along with feng shui with earth colors stain glass usually stained plexiglass also simulated wood laminate formica , glass thing that look like real brass really aluminum or plastic using brass paint also door knobs curtain rods. leather aka pleather made to simulate leather anything that was made with leather you can buy the same in cheaper more humane pleather thak the animal rights protesters. buttons on clothes made to look like they hold the clothes together but dont hold anything, fake grass aka astroturf or brady bunch grass. antiquing make somthing new look old worn paint make new clean metal look rusted or make somthing old look new update the old to look modern.
Great vlog, i love the old US RVS , im thinking about one for my next project im in the UK.
retro is a copy, those are original green plaid in style then shag rugs so set the vacuum on high level or the rug will get tangled in the beater bar roller.
Moo l nu nu
that was the idea to be futuristic ahead of it time better that the rv of the day that where just trucks and rode like crap like trucks... like the popular winnebago box then.
during and after gmc discotinued these the next best was airstream motor home rv which was made by gmc and looked same as these only aluminum with standard dual rear wheels, later winnebago and other rv makers copied the gmc since gmc hurt these other rv makers sales for six years. yea a good theory probably the competition gave a good paid off or deal to gmc heads to stop making the gmc rv.
motor coach association is a way to get information and good deals on places to camp and for your rv like priceline . com for rvers also the different names on the rv means different floor plans inside and other accessories some are optional and some are standard the propane stove is still there its under the square wood cover has a oldsmobile toronado 455ci with dual fuel tanks front wheel drive with dual exhaust pipes airbag suspension makes the ride smooth like a car unlike motorhomes of the day that are hard riding like a truck because theyre on truck suspension leaf springs if you see a rv or truck or buse and they have aluminum wheels with round holes in them those are aftermarket alcoa wheels and were popular in the 70's on most trucks since theyre lighter than steel good to have when there was a fuel crisis then also nicer looking lso popular to make custom mods with aftermarket parts and mix match parts from other vehicles you even may see a car grille in those rvs or aluminum tubular grille different headlights rectangle when it supposed to have round etc. square taillights sideways or upside down have painted art on some on the sides they stopped putting the olds 455 in them in the late 70s and replaced with smaller motor because fuel and then they stopped because gmc said theyre was more of a market for trucks vans pickup trucks utility etc. also shag carpet
The running chassis and body must have been solid to still be on the road after 40 years...
C'est la grande classe !
gmc made the bodies maybe fisher,the rv part made by coachman rv manufacturer mechanically a olds toronado even the cockpit guages and steering wheel front wheel drive radio either had an 8 track or a cb radio bult in it made by delco am fm 8 track or cb in the radio where standard in toronado and cadillac eldorado which are both the same car.
the stereo sounded like crap only had tone treble control no bass control so it made the fm stereo sound same as the am also the speaker too did same also the radio being 40 something years old some went bad the sound will start to crackle needing tuner spray or or one of the left or right audio finalds would burn out leaving you with only one side working and/or they didnt want the 8 track cb delco anymore or it didnt have a tape at all and no cd player existed then.
The Royale is nice, they make another one that converts into a nice lab 🧪. It’s called the Chrystall.
tandum wheels are better to change if you get a flat and less of a bouncy ride when the wheels are spread more towards the back length leveling jacks also for uneven land should be switches on drivers left for them.
Only could watch about two minutes and I'm sure this would have been a great video to watch but get rid of the wide angle lens because it makes it unbearable to watch.
a big problem with these was that since the drive train came from a toronado,,,
and they transfered this into the gmc,,,,
the weight the power train was asked to move increased dramtically.
hence, the wheel bearings were inadequate, and they needed frequent replacement.
sems hard fore most that make vids, how to use the mic, normal it use to be coverd with a ball that stop the wind to make that terrible sound he he
the one with the eagle painted on it has new 1980s gmc chevy truck tail lights
different paint per model n year. the coka cola one is the real find to look for which is rare was what youd win in a coke contest then all red in white coka cola colors.
I would put a lift kit on one of these and bigger wheels. Make it an off road vehicle
I don't like the front seats. That high deck makes them look difficult to access with little leg room.
Can someone tell me where the shower area is in the original bathrooms? I see the sink & the toilets and maybe a shower Nozzle above the toilet. ?? Is there a drain on the floor and you shower right there? Not the bathrooms in the far back but the ones ones on the left side.
I'll bet it's what you call a "wet bath" shower sprays into that stall and everything gets wet, the floor is like a shallow tub.
Happy Wanderers ok yeah I was thinking when I heard “wet bath” earlier in the video but wasn’t sure. Thanks for that info!! Cool video! 👍
KOOL !!!! WOW I REMEMBER THEM WELL IN THE 70'S....👍👍🇨🇦🇬🇧✌