The GMC Collectible RV
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General Motors 1970
In the 1970s, General Motors entered the RV market. Drawing on the exuberance of the times, the company set out to create the ultimate American Motor home.
Their goal was to create a top-of-the-line, cutting-edge car. The design and workmanship stand out as more than simply another vacation car in the already saturated market.
In this time period, a boxy, awkward, and top-heavy unit on a truck chassis was the most prevalent design. The GMC car was meant to have an entirely original design.
Design work began in 1970, with the market introduction planned for 1973. “Doesn’t look like a box or ride like a truck” was the GMC ad slogan.
In some aspects, the new car would be uncharacteristic of this time period. It was originally planned to feature front-wheel drive. A novel idea in automobiles of the day and unheard of in mobile homes.
Suspension
The Oldsmobile Toronado’s drivetrain and suspension were adapted for this vehicle. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic inch Oldsmobile engine was attached to a Turbohydramatic 425 transmission with torsion bar suspension.
The rear suspension was a product of GM’s bus design. Using dual swing arms, one leading and one trailing, with a single air spring on each side.
For instance instead of auto-body steel. Lightweight aluminum and molded fiberglass-reinforced plastic were to be used for the body’s construction. like what the Chevrolet Corvette used.
The typical motor home design underwent significant advancements thanks to the front wheel drive and independent swing arm rear suspension.
The lack of drive shafts and axles underneath the coach allowed a very low floor height. Leading in turn to a low overall vehicle height and lower center of gravity.
Aside from easier entry and exit. This reduced rollover risk and wind resistance. It made the vehicle much safer and easier to operate for buyers accustomed only to car driving.
Braking System
A six-wheel braking system, equipped with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on all four rear wheels, provides enhanced drivability. Traditional motorhome designs primarily focused on the use of the vehicle as a temporary home, with little attention paid to the driving experience. Once it had reached its destination, an extended stay in a mobile home park, or a camping spot.
The ease of getting to the destination was of secondary concern. The cumbersome handling on the road was taken for granted. GMC made a special point of targeting this feature for improvement. By adding visibility from the driver’s seat with a panoramic expanse of glass.
GMC recognized this issue and made a concerted effort to improve handling and visibility while on the road. The addition of a panoramic expanse of glass from the driver’s seat greatly improves visibility and makes the driving experience more enjoyable.
improve A six-wheel braking system, with disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on all four rear wheels. Further enhanced drivability. Previous motor home design focused mainly on the use of the vehicle as a temporary home. Once it had reached its destination, an extended stay in a mobile home park, or a camping spot.
An advanced six-wheel braking system, featuring disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on all four rear wheels, significantly improves drivability. Historically, motorhome designs have prioritized the use of the vehicle as a temporary home, rather than focusing on the driving experience. However, GMC recognized this shortcoming and made a concerted effort to enhance handling and visibility on the road. This includes the addition of a panoramic expanse of glass from the driver’s seat for improved visibility and a more enjoyable driving experience.
Introduction Of The Motor Home
The motor home was featured in 23-foot and 26-foot lengths, fairly small even for this era.
Nowadays, much larger models are common. The motor home’s interior design was compact, with no permanent sleeping areas in the original design. Therefore, as a result, all beds were converted from seating areas when required.
Water heaters that used engine coolant loops provided hot water. That is to say, given that coolant temperatures typically surpass 200 degrees Fahrenheit, they created water that was so hot it could really offer a scorching threat.
A typical car battery was used to power the refrigerator, however, it could only be used for one night before needing to be recharged.
The Start In 1973
The prototype was first displayed in May 1972 at the Transpro ’72 trade show in Washington, D.C. Production started in 1973 with two models, Model 230 and Model 260, 23 and 26 feet long respectively.
They were then marketed to the general public with a finished interior.
This means that they sold them unfinished to other RV producers like Coachman and Avion, who added their own interiors before marketing them to customers.
30 different floor plans were available, and models were priced from $35,000 to $40,000.
Energy Crisis
As a result, while the GMC vehicle underwent a number of small modifications throughout time, the biggest change was in 1977 as a result of the energy crisis, when the 455 cubic-inch engine was switched out for a 403 cubic-inch model.
This decade caused difficulty for all RV producers. The expanded cost of fuel drove huge numbers of inefficient vehicles onto the market.
The GMC motor home had never sold at high volumes. The company decided that the RV production facilities could be more profitably used to make light trucks. After the manufacture of 12,921 vehicles, the production of motor homes was discontinued after the 1978 model year.
Almost immediately after production ceased. GMC motor homes became collectors’ items, with owners’ associations being established to provide parts and service for these vehicles.
Small shops and manufacturers created a cottage industry to support them. General Motors made plans to destroy any leftover equipment and components in 1992. In order to continue to supply parts for the discarded vehicles, Cinnabar Engineering struck a contract and bought all the motor home production supplies.
Motor Home News
In 1992, a month-to-month magazine called GMC RV Commercial Center was presented. In 1994, Cinnabar began distributing a quarterly bulletin called GMC RV News.
The vehicle’s futuristic design has even found a place in pop culture. Mattel Toys created die-cast versions of the GMC motor home for its Hot Wheels line.
In the meantime, more than 50 different GMC Hot Wheels are accessible in 1977. Mattel delivered three toy GMC forms in a Barbie Doll Star Voyager advancement.
In an astounding illustration of client reliability and item strength, hence in excess of 8,000 units are as yet enrolled by proprietors.
Internet Search
Taking everything into account, a web search of “GMC RV,” for instance, creates 771,000 outcomes, as destinations promote RV parts, motors, and updates as well as exemplary vehicle rallies for proprietors.
Used GMC motor homes sell for $10,000 to $29,000 depending on the condition of the vehicle.
