Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:57:35 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: GMC Motorhomes - Friday - NVC
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Front wheel drive, Tandem rear wheels, and Air Suspesion made for a great
riding and handling motor home. The Drive train was basically Olds
Toronado-Cadillac Eldorado and the engine of choice was the detuned truck
403. The full fiberglass body made for a long lasting RV without the creaks,
rattles, and leaks of almost everything still out there. Remember most motor
homes of that time actually had wood framing. Also, it was designed and
built by the same company, chassis and body. It was a truly great vehicle
for its time. I guess it just wasnt competitive or profitable enough for GM
to keep going.
Dennis
>From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: GMC Motorhomes - Friday - NVC
>Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:36:49 -0500
>
>Yeah they are front wheel drive. I guess that was quite a thing in 1973
>that
>a motor home was front wheel drive.
>
>I thought they were pretty cool - they have character.
>
>
>On 7/20/07, Justin Mayrand <jmayrand@metrocast.net> wrote:
>>
>>A client of mine was (in the past) President of the GMC Motorhome club. If
>>I ever need to "upgrade" the van, this is what I will get. Very well
>>designed, front-wheel drive via big-block GM engine, easy and cheap to
>>work
>>on, and full-featured.
>>
>>
>>------------------------------------------
>>
>>Justin M. Mayrand
>>
>>Mayrand Computer Services
>>
>>justin@mayrandcomputer.com
>>
>>(603) 817-7572
>>
>> On Jul 20, 2007, at 10:04 AM, Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>>
>> A little back ground before I get to the topic.
>>
>>
>>It is that time of year here in Port Huron, MI when our population swells
>>by
>>tens of thousands of people because of the annual Port Huron to Mackinac
>>sail boat race. It's quite the party every year - starting Wednesday with
>>the "Blue Water Parade" (which was rained out this year), on Thursday with
>>"Family Night" along the river - Friday is "Boat Night" the streets are
>>closed off for a few blocks and basically the town has one hell of a party
>>-
>>used to be a drunken bash but that has calmed some in the last 6-10 years,
>>sail boats leave early Saturday morning. It's a nice time of year lots of
>>food, music, and interesting people.
>>
>>
>>Ok so what does this have to do with GMC Motor Homes? Well, there is some
>>recently cleaned up land here in the city. A local philanthropist has
>>dumped
>>Millions hoping to help revitalize the downtown area. It's great. Part of
>>the land appears to be hosting a campout of all these cool 1970's GMC
>>Motorhomes - like this: http://www.bethunesales.com/special_01.htm They
>>are
>>in all kinds of colors and various conditions, Awnings, Window screens,
>>modifications, names painted on the sides, vanity plates, etc. I mention
>>this because they remind me so much of us Vanagon people. I talked to a
>>few
>>and they are equally passionate about their vehicles. Nice people and cool
>>to see here in our city. I've never really noticed those RV's before.
>>Apparently they were produced between 1973 and 1978. They are kind of neat
>>-
>>Not a VW Bus or Westy but the folks who own them are sort of a kindred
>>spirit. They have CLubs and the whole thing as well.
>>
>>
>>I also found them interesting because they aren't near the monstrosities
>>you
>>see made now - but are much cooler. Then again I'm sure they aren't
>>environmentally friendly at all - Big Olds V8 engines in them.
>>
>>
>>Oh well still neat to see - thought I'd share.
>>
>>
>>--
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Jeff
>>90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful. Now sporting a very unstylish brown
>>interior taken from the parts bus)
>>86' (We call this one Parts)
>>85' GL (Sidelined and feeling neglected)
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>--
>Thanks,
>
>Jeff
>90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful. Now sporting a very unstylish brown
>interior taken from the parts bus)
>86' (We call this one Parts)
>85' GL (Sidelined and feeling neglected)
| 
