The powertrain is 100% Toronado with the 455 CU engine and the sidewinder transmission, connected to the engine by a mesh chain. The Toronado was originally assembled on a dedicated assembly line in Lansing, MI; I used to walk by that line every day, in the late 60's early 70's. It was the most hand-built car in all of GM. The assy line was off in one corner of the huge Olds main assembly plant. The engine and transmission were mounted on a cradle/sub-frame, then the Toronado body mated to the powertrain. Periodically, an engine/tranny/frame set was assembled, but pulled off the line, and never installed in a Toronado. That powertrain unit was then diverted and shipped to the site where the GMC RV was assembled. Voila, the powertrain was installed in the RV. So all GMC RV's of this vintage were running GM Olds Toronado powertrains from Lansing, MI. I believe the front brakes should have been disc brakes, from the Toronado, as well.
Yes, absolutely front wheel drive! These RV's were WAY ahead of their time! Do a search for GMC Motorhomes and you'll find plenty of interesting info. on these babies!
I've seen them whip through Death Valley, and they're smooth as silk. And an owner told me in Reno that on her way back to Oklahoma she expects absolutely no problems with crosswinds. The GMC, Tee Gee, has a non biological twin in the Revcon, which was introduced shortly thereafter as competition to the GMC. It, too, was front wheel drive and exceedingly well built, the long being some 33', called the Revcon MLK II (don't hold me to the exact name, but I'm somewhere in the ballgame). I think, but cannot prove, the Revcon was built heavier and sturdier in order to compete with the GMC. Tee Gee, are you old enough to remember the old Cortez, the only stick shift RV of its time?
@Tee..., I met a lady in Reno once who had just come in from the Oklahoma territory who said it drives beautifully, with no pull to it. The wind just didn't bother her in any way. Something tells me you'd be equally as impressed with the Revcon King...!
My GMC has the rear SETTEE. Can't imagine having this model unless you mount a mirror high over toilet area so you could take a sit while enjoying the view of that river he talked about.
this use't to be mine, same color same every thing ,traded mine in on a new truck,i an in Kentucky i drove it around the US SEVERAL TIMES , i should of had my but kicked for leting it go ,oh the memerys ,i saw this an said oh my god that mine ,it rode better than my new truck ,her name was ole girl .if you warry about gas you dont need one , you did a awsome job with the tour thinks again.
Great idea. A little reserch is needed. These were built by GMC and are sought sfter by enthusiasts. There were all powered by olds motors as GM adapted the olds toranado front wheel drive plarform to power the unit. Not surd about the duramax but the 6.5 diesel could probably be fitted as it fit so many eariler pick ups through the age. Only one i would steer clear of is the diesel gm adapted from a 350 olds in the early 80s. You cant use a gas lower end and modify to diesel top end. The gas eggine was not beefed up enough to handle the compressjon of a diesel, created a lot of problems.
Great motorhome, but this particular model with the rear bathroom is terrible. What a waste of that big back window and view. It's better to have a dinette/livingroom back there.
I generally agree plus you'd need to put the blind down or everybody can see in when your havin a slash or whatever LOL. The way these are laid out I haven't seen one with a side bathroom I'm sure there is a floorplan with that though the one with the 4 bunks in the middle you either have to decide do I want a side bathroom or sleeping capacity.
@@Samspianopage most were built with the side bath. I love the view from the rear window but the side bath was a little toilet-in-shower/wet bath affair. I like the rear bath better.
Yeah. That was the feature in GMC's rival, the Revcon! It, too, proved to expensive to produce and went out of business. Whenever you can, check 'em out. The Revcon is smooth!
+Jay Young I've heard of the GMC front-wheel drive motorhome, but I've never seen one in person. I've never heard of the Revcon. I would think that because of the weight of the entire vehicle, the engine would be incapable of pulling the vehicle without spinning the front wheels, unless the engine is heavy enough to pull the rest of the vehicle.
Yeah, you would think so. But apparently it worked. My neighbor had one, and it was just awesome. I tried unsuccessfully to find that Revcon King but couldn't. So you'll have to take my word for it. But back to your point about the front wheel drive. I've never met any owner who complained of problems. Moreover, when you take both the GMC and the Revcon on the road, the drive is as smooth as pulling an Airstream.. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe a local RV retailer could.
Yes. Those who've kept their GMC's in good shape have a treasure, for sure. I've seen them breezin' along with the breeze on I-5, I've mentioned already its equally ahead of its time competitor, the Revcon. But I'll betcha I'll stump with this one: The old stick shift, Cortez! Now long off the market but still will catch the eye assuming its been kept up. I guess a Cortez would be the equivalent of having a Hudson.
Jason, take a look at its competitor, which is heavier, longer, yet front wheel drive, too. I've read it somewhere that it's more "cumbersome" to drive due to the weight. I wouldn't know, since I've never owned, either. Thought you might be interested. Take a look at this link: www.bing.com/images/search?q=Revcon+King+II&id=1C15048D5DD05B217F91592FB51C7206AFCEBB8F&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=1C15048D5DD05B217F91592FB51C7206AFCEBB8F&selectedIndex=0 If this doesn't work, simply key in Revcon King II, and Wiki'll bring it up. It's the brown unit that gives the best view of the unit.
Stay far away from this rv, front wheel trash box.... Not that many because the stopped production after the cost became the same as 100 trucks. Also they got junked fast too.
The powertrain is 100% Toronado with the 455 CU engine and the sidewinder transmission, connected to the engine by a mesh chain. The Toronado was originally assembled on a dedicated assembly line in Lansing, MI; I used to walk by that line every day, in the late 60's early 70's. It was the most hand-built car in all of GM. The assy line was off in one corner of the huge Olds main assembly plant. The engine and transmission were mounted on a cradle/sub-frame, then the Toronado body mated to the powertrain.
Periodically, an engine/tranny/frame set was assembled, but pulled off the line, and never installed in a Toronado. That powertrain unit was then diverted and shipped to the site where the GMC RV was assembled. Voila, the powertrain was installed in the RV. So all GMC RV's of this vintage were running GM Olds Toronado powertrains from Lansing, MI.
I believe the front brakes should have been disc brakes, from the Toronado, as well.
Awesome back story I love listening and hearing stories of this
Rich, we should thank you for the treat! A Wow! tour for sure!
It took other motorhome companies 20 years to catch up to this design. GM hit a grand slam home run with these.
Yes, absolutely front wheel drive! These RV's were WAY ahead of their time! Do a search for GMC Motorhomes and you'll find plenty of interesting info. on these babies!
I've seen them whip through Death Valley, and they're smooth as silk. And an owner told me in Reno that on her way back to Oklahoma she expects absolutely no problems with crosswinds. The GMC, Tee Gee, has a non biological twin in the Revcon, which was introduced shortly thereafter as competition to the GMC. It, too, was front wheel drive and exceedingly well built, the long being some 33', called the Revcon MLK II (don't hold me to the exact name, but I'm somewhere in the ballgame). I think, but cannot prove, the Revcon was built heavier and sturdier in order to compete with the GMC. Tee Gee, are you old enough to remember the old Cortez, the only stick shift RV of its time?
@Tee..., I met a lady in Reno once who had just come in from the Oklahoma territory who said it drives beautifully, with no pull to it. The wind just didn't bother her in any way. Something tells me you'd be equally as impressed with the Revcon King...!
Beautiful!
The Barbie Star Traveler! God, how I want one!
Long Vans, love it !
Loved it! Thank you.
My GMC has the rear SETTEE. Can't imagine having this model unless you mount a mirror high over toilet area so you could take a sit while enjoying the view of that river he talked about.
this use't to be mine, same color same every thing ,traded mine in on a new truck,i an in Kentucky i drove it around the US SEVERAL TIMES , i should of had my but kicked for leting it go ,oh the memerys ,i saw this an said oh my god that mine ,it rode better than my new truck ,her name was ole girl .if you warry about gas you dont need one , you did a awsome job with the tour thinks again.
You took the words right off my keyboard. Doesn't know squat about this unusual machine.
I believe the only difference between the toronado drivetrain and this was the heads, and the final drive ratio.
This is the one I want with the rear bath. I know this was years ago but how much was it sold for?
very nice!
What to say when you don'y know what to say... good job!
it's not Chevy
455 Oldsmobile engine and TH475 transmission
I'm sold, I love a huge rack.
All kidding aside, I really have been interested in these. Interesting design. Maybe a diesel conversion to a duramax?
Ron Finch had the exact same thought lol hell it could work & better fuel economy
Great idea. A little reserch is needed. These were built by GMC and are sought sfter by enthusiasts. There were all powered by olds motors as GM adapted the olds toranado front wheel drive plarform to power the unit. Not surd about the duramax but the 6.5 diesel could probably be fitted as it fit so many eariler pick ups through the age. Only one i would steer clear of is the diesel gm adapted from a 350 olds in the early 80s. You cant use a gas lower end and modify to diesel top end. The gas eggine was not beefed up enough to handle the compressjon of a diesel, created a lot of problems.
yes its based on a toronado
Thumbs Up Liked !
Remind me of grandpa max
nice rv
Great motorhome, but this particular model with the rear bathroom is terrible. What a waste of that big back window and view. It's better to have a dinette/livingroom back there.
I generally agree plus you'd need to put the blind down or everybody can see in when your havin a slash or whatever LOL.
The way these are laid out I haven't seen one with a side bathroom I'm sure there is a floorplan with that though the one with the 4 bunks in the middle you either have to decide do I want a side bathroom or sleeping capacity.
@@Samspianopage most were built with the side bath. I love the view from the rear window but the side bath was a little toilet-in-shower/wet bath affair. I like the rear bath better.
how hard would it be to convert this to rear wheel drive if,lets say one day soon the trans goes out on it
I find it interesting he tells you its front wheel drive and then tells us it has a tag axle for handling and performance? LOL...
I thought that was odd since it had no rear axle.
Actually GM built these from 73 to 78, unless you mean they only had the big block engine for one year?
Put up 7yrs ago, so how much was it ???
They average 10 mpg
If they are so had to find why are there dozens of them for sale on the internet?
That’s an EM50 urban assault vehicle
How much is it?
How much?
Where r the curtins on da windows and in bathrom ???
The glass is tinted.
John Fiskin.
that's true
Lol I was number 454 to like this video. Like the GM 454 engine
El precio cuánto vale
FWD WITH A 455??? what a strange bird is it based on a tornado
tingokuman the drivetrain and frame is.
Front-wheel drive in a motorhome?
Yeah. That was the feature in GMC's rival, the Revcon! It, too, proved to expensive to produce and went out of business. Whenever you can, check 'em out. The Revcon is smooth!
+Jay Young I've heard of the GMC front-wheel drive motorhome, but I've never seen one in person. I've never heard of the Revcon. I would think that because of the weight of the entire vehicle, the engine would be incapable of pulling the vehicle without spinning the front wheels, unless the engine is heavy enough to pull the rest of the vehicle.
Yeah, you would think so. But apparently it worked. My neighbor had one, and it was just awesome. I tried unsuccessfully to find that Revcon King but couldn't. So you'll have to take my word for it. But back to your point about the front wheel drive. I've never met any owner who complained of problems. Moreover, when you take both the GMC and the Revcon on the road, the drive is as smooth as pulling an Airstream.. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe a local RV retailer could.
Yes. Those who've kept their GMC's in good shape have a treasure, for sure. I've seen them breezin' along with the breeze on I-5, I've mentioned already its equally ahead of its time competitor, the Revcon. But I'll betcha I'll stump with this one: The old stick shift, Cortez! Now long off the market but still will catch the eye assuming its been kept up. I guess a Cortez would be the equivalent of having a Hudson.
Jason, take a look at its competitor, which is heavier, longer, yet front wheel drive, too. I've read it somewhere that it's more "cumbersome" to drive due to the weight. I wouldn't know, since I've never owned, either. Thought you might be interested. Take a look at this link:
www.bing.com/images/search?q=Revcon+King+II&id=1C15048D5DD05B217F91592FB51C7206AFCEBB8F&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=1C15048D5DD05B217F91592FB51C7206AFCEBB8F&selectedIndex=0
If this doesn't work, simply key in Revcon King II, and Wiki'll bring it up. It's the brown unit that gives the best view of the unit.
26 foot and its a tri axle? I have a 30 footer and its not tri axle
Get a new Mike . Horrible audio
Stay far away from this rv, front wheel trash box.... Not that many because the stopped production after the cost became the same as 100 trucks. Also they got junked fast too.
How much is it?