Last summer, I visited the national recreation vehicle museum in Elkhart, Indiana, where the director and I got into a conversation about the popularity of vintage RVs and their restoration. He noted that perhaps 60 percent of those doing such restorations are women, and that the GMC front-drive motorhome is particularly popular.
Our Pick of the Day is a 1977 GMC front-wheel-drive motorhome offered by a classic car dealership in Kentwood, Michigan, near Grand Rapids.
From the description and photographs, this unit may not need any restoration. It appears ready to go.
The seller’s advertisement on ClassicCars.com notes that GM produced just fewer than 13,000 of these units between 1973 and 1978. They were available in 23- and 26-foot versions and that “empty shells were supplied to other RV manufacturers for upfitting and custom purposes ranging from mail delivery, mobile training facilities and machine haulers.”
The seller notes that more than 7,000 are listed in an international registry and that as many as 9,000 could still be in running condition.
“This particular example has had an interesting life as hauler of race-car trailers and (the race car’s) owner,” the seller notes. “It was primarily used to attend racing events around the Midwest… and remains in largely original condition.”
The team presumably raced Mercedes, thus the Wisconsin Gullwings emblems on the big RV.
“The vehicle is on consignment and the current owner has had the vehicle about 13 years and has used it sparingly for recreational purposes.”
The odometer shows 11,545 miles.
“It has been stored inside during that time and shows no rust on the underside,” the seller notes. “The paint and decals are fading but the interior is in nice original condition.
“All the maintenance is kept up to date with a brake overhaul just before they brought it in.”
Photographs with the ad show the unit not only has the usual array of RV bedding and such, but also a bathroom complete with a small bathtub.
Unless you really dislike the patterned mauve-colored upholstery, the unit looks ready to roll.
The asking price is $39,900.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
