| In the 1970's, General Motors entered the RV market. | | | | coolant loops, which produced water so hot it could |
| Drawing on the exuberance of the times, the company | | | | actually present a scalding hazard since coolant |
| set out to create the ultimate American Motor | | | | temperatures usually exceed 200 degrees |
| home.Their aim was to produce a top-of the-line | | | | Fahrenheit.The refrigerator was powered by a |
| vehicle with cutting-edge design and construction, not | | | | standard automotive battery, adequate only for |
| just another competitor in the already crowded | | | | overnight use before recharging.The prototype was |
| vacation vehicle market.The common design in this era | | | | first displayed in May 1972 at the Transpro '72 trade |
| was a boxy, ungainly and top-heavy unit on a truck | | | | show in Washington, D.C. Production started in 1973 |
| chassis. The GMC vehicle was intended to be a | | | | with two models, Model 230 and Model 260, 23 and 26 |
| completely new design in every way.Design work | | | | feet long respectively.They were sold with a finished |
| began in 1970, with the market introduction planned for | | | | interior for the public as well as unfinished to other RV |
| 1973. "Doesn't look like a box or ride like a truck" was | | | | manufacturers such as Avion and Coachman, who |
| the GMC ad slogan.The new vehicle would be unusual | | | | then provided their own interiors before reselling to |
| for this era in several ways. First of all, it was to have | | | | consumers.30 different floor plans were available, and |
| a front wheel drive, a rare concept in cars of that day | | | | models were priced from $35,000 to $40,000.The |
| and unheard-of in mobile homes.The drive train and | | | | GMC vehicle changed slightly over time, the most |
| suspension were taken from the design of the | | | | notable alteration coming in 1977 when the 455 cubic |
| Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic | | | | inch engine was replaced by a 403 cubic inch model in |
| inch Oldsmobile engine was attached to a | | | | response to the energy crisis.This decade caused |
| Turbohydramatic 425 transmission with torsion bar | | | | hardship for all RV manufacturers as the increased |
| suspension.The rear suspension was a product of | | | | price of fuel pushed large gas guzzling vehicles out of |
| GM's bus design, using dual swing arms, one leading | | | | the market.The GMC motor home had never sold at |
| and one trailing, with a single air spring on each | | | | high volumes, and the company decided that the RV |
| side.Instead of a auto body steel, the body was to be | | | | production facilities could be more profitably used to |
| made of lightweight aluminum and molded | | | | make light trucks. After the manufacture of 12,921 |
| fiberglass-reinforced plastic such as was used in the | | | | vehicles, production of motor homes was discontinued |
| Chevrolet Corvette.The front wheel drive and | | | | after the 1978 model year.Almost immediately after |
| independent swing arm rear suspension brought great | | | | production ceased, GMC motor homes became |
| improvement to the standard motor home design.The | | | | collectors' items, with owners' associations being |
| lack of drive shafts and axles underneath the coach | | | | established to provide parts and service for these |
| allowed a very low floor height, leading in turn to a low | | | | vehicles.Small manufacturers and garages developed |
| overall vehicle height and lower center of gravity.Aside | | | | a cottage industry servicing them. In 1992, as General |
| from easier entry and exit, this reduced rollover risk | | | | Motors prepared to scrap all remaining tools and parts, |
| and wind resistance and made the vehicle much safer | | | | Cinnabar Engineering purchased all the motor home |
| and easier to operate for buyers accustomed only to | | | | manufacturing supplies and negotiated a deal to |
| car driving.A six-wheel braking system, with disc | | | | continue to provide parts for the discontinued |
| brakes on the front and drum brakes on all four rear | | | | vehicles.In 1992, a monthly magazine called GMC Motor |
| wheels, further enhanced drivability. Previous motor | | | | home Marketplace was introduced, and in 1994 |
| home design focused mainly on the use of the vehicle | | | | Cinnabar started publishing a quarterly newsletter |
| as a temporary home once it had reached its | | | | called GMC Motor home News.The vehicle's futuristic |
| destination, an extended stay in a mobile home park or | | | | design has even found a place in pop culture: Mattel |
| a camping spot.Ease of getting to the destination was | | | | Toys created die-cast versions of the GMC motor |
| of secondary concern, and cumbersome handling on | | | | home for its Hot Wheels line.More than 50 different |
| the road was taken for granted. GMC made a special | | | | GMC Hot Wheels are available, and in 1977, Mattel |
| point of targeting this feature for improvement by | | | | released three toy GMC versions in a Barbie Doll Star |
| adding visibility from the driver's seat with a panoramic | | | | Traveler promotion.In an amazing example of |
| expanse of glass.The motor home was featured in 23 | | | | customer loyalty and product durability, more than |
| foot and 26 foot lengths, fairly small even for this | | | | 8,000 units are still registered by owners.An internet |
| era.Nowadays, much larger models are common. The | | | | search of "GMC Motor home" produces 771,000 |
| motor home's interior design was compact, with no | | | | results, as sites advertise motor home parts, engines |
| permanent sleeping areas in the original design. All beds | | | | and upgrades as well as classic car rallies for |
| were converted from seating areas when required.Hot | | | | owners.Used GMC motor homes sell for $10,000 to |
| water was provided by water heaters using engine | | | | $15,000 depending on the condition of the vehicle. |