Check this baby out! 1973 GMC painted desert motorhome

[Baz]

On FB MP here.....

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1684747405238920/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

Always wanted one of these vintage classics.

Not good timing for me to purchase nor do I have a place for it.

Very tempting though.....

=================

$10,500

Vintage camping here you come! Rare, first year, good running and driving 1973 Painted Desert Motorhome that can drive just about anywhere. Before you do that, I would only advise that you upgrade the tires. HOWEVER, you can come buy this and drive this home! We just took it out to the fishing grounds over the weekend. It’s gutted and ready for new groovy interior. Has an older Onan generator that’s sometimey. (I don’t know how to work on one) We do have many parts (curtain tracks, partial cabinets, etc…) but you don’t have to take the old stuff if you don’t want it. Original paperwork. Has new ceiling fans and an ice cold roof top AC. Bathroom is in tact. Plumbing and wiring is in tact. Fires right up! This could make a perfect tiny home on wheels since you can create any floor plan you’d like. 455 with disc on the front and drums in the rear. Ormond Beach.

[Esel Mann]

EM-50 prototype???

[SCadaddle]

Only makes me wonder about the first owner. Were they stoked to get a great deal because of, or were they really bummed when the oil embargo hit?

[rfuerst911sc]

I have read many articles about these motorhomes. They were considered as " ahead of their time " from an engineering stand point . They were so expensive to manufacture that GM supposedly lost $$$ on the sale of each one . They are a cool RV.

[berettafan]

So cool looking.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Esel Mann

EM-50 prototype???

First thing I thought of!

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Very cool but I can't believe how cheap it is

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

Very cool but I can't believe how cheap it is

Driving one would make most evangelists of that price or less.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Cheap? There is no interior and my guess is that is the tip of the iceberg. These are cool. My little brother's dad has one and a guy I used to race cars with has a really nice one he does long trips in. His is restored and improved. They are complex and parts unique to them very hard to come by.

[herr_oberst]

What do we think? 2mpg out of the 455? 8mpg? And the inside needs a retrofit, so 10 grand is the starting price, but that would be driving in style. I wish I could justify one of those; always loved the look.

[ckcarr]

In my town I could buy that, park it by my house, and rent it out as an apartment for $2,000 per month.

[Baz]

Love that it's all open inside. Load it up with my surfboards, bicycles, and motorcycles.....road trip!

Functioning bathroom and air conditioning - now those are the important things!

[Rikao4]

would take but a few weekends for Tim..

Rika

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

would take but a few weekends for Tim..

Rika

Now your talking!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I have read many articles about these motorhomes. They were considered as " ahead of their time " from an engineering stand point . They were so expensive to manufacture that GM supposedly lost $$$ on the sale of each one . They are a cool RV.

Designed from the ground up to be an RV, rear suspension was groundbreaking. Gives a good ride, and a low, flat floor.

I always thought they were pretty cool, that looks like a nice example Baz

There is one down the street from me

[GG Allin]

mpg?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by GG Allin

mpg?

...if you have to ask, ....

[sc_rufctr]

Baz, that van looks great and all that but I also see a "money/time pit".

I'm guessing 18 months of weekends and $40k to get it back on the road with new paint & interior. You'd have to go through every system bumper to bumper but there are lots of diesel engine options now. (The Project Blinky guys started a series on rebuilding a van including engine swap)

If I was 20 something then, yea why not? But at 57 I can't help but feel a "reluctance" when I look at something like that.

Originally Posted by Esel Mann

EM-50 prototype???

BTW If you did decide to go ahead I recommend re-painting it so it looked exactly like this!
- That way you could sell it in about 5 minutes if you ever wanted to get out of it.

The only real concern I have is the availability of replacement glass especially the front windscreens.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Baz, that van looks great and all that but I also see a "money/time pit".

-snip-

Nope - I'd leave it EXACTLY the way it is. Especially the retro livery.

That's the beauty of it - I wouldn't feel the necessity of sinking any money into it - other than necessary mechanicals of course. And anything else like interior stuff would be minimalist. Like something to sleep on - and a maybe a table and chair.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Baz

Nope - I'd leave it EXACTLY the way it is. Especially the retro livery.

That's the beauty of it - I wouldn't feel the necessity of sinking any money into it - other than necessary mechanicals of course. And anything else like interior stuff would be minimalist. Like something to sleep on - and a maybe a table and chair.

Agree. An attempt to demonstrate opulence would be silly.

It really is a good looking vehicle.