Home » Public Forums » GMC Swap Meet » High school pastor is looking for a coach....
| High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177848] |
Wed, 25 July 2012 20:34  |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Nope, it's not me.  But I've worked with Dave (the High School Ministry pastor who's been doing great things at our local church for years), and have been helping him find a coach.
Dave is one of the reasons I ended up buying a GMC (a '78 Royale, the search and purchase of which was documented on a couple threads earlier). He's been dreaming of a budget coach for years - he's looked at some seriously retro-design coaches, including a Flxible and a couple old Barths. But his more practical side (and wife) is pulling him toward a GMC (I'm doing my share of prodding in that direction, too). 
Anyway, the reason Dave needs this coach is to support the Uthbuild effort (see more at http://uthbuild.com). This is where Dave heads to Mexico to build a couple (small!) houses for needy families a couple times a year. My wife and I have gone when we could (I recently retired, and will be heading down more regularly now), and can tell you that this kind of effort is where the rubber really meets the road. As you'd guess, some very needy (and nice) families in Mexico get a serious leg up on getting their lives together. But even more, the American kids who go down come back changed. They suddenly realize that "they're rich", and the act of helping out someone who doesn't have an X-box and flat screen in every kid's bedroom has a profound effect on them.
Dave plans to use it as a virtual program management office for these trips (maybe even converting it to haul extra furniture down, but that's part of GMC 2.0 plans at this point). This would give Dave the option of offering hot showers (currently the kids either take cold showers in a makeshift bath house, or "wash up" with a garden hose), and would provide some of the comforts of home for Dave's family (including his wife and 1 year old daughter).
So if anyone knows of a rig that's mechanically solid, and that can be purchased for under $5k (give or take), let me know. Dave's not afraid of twisting wrenches, and could probably turn some of the goodwill he's earned in Mexico into some auto body and/or interior work. Also, Uthbuild is a registered charitable entity, so someone might make out donating a hard-to-sell rig (which could be worth about as much as a tax deduction as it is on the market right now).
Sorry for the infomercial - I just wanted to give y'all a chance to see where this rig will be used... drop me a line if you know of any candidate rigs out there. Dave and I are in the Phoenix, AZ area, though I'm sure we could "go where the rig is".
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177955 is a reply to message #177855] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 18:56  |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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I recently emailed with this gentleman and this coach will need to be towed. It's been sitting for several years and at the very least, the batteries are dead. It is beautiful though, I love the orange cabinets.
We're actually going to look at this one tonight.  I can report back later (I am not sure we'll buy it, but want to look). I can already tell you after speaking with the gentleman a couple of weeks ago on the phone that according to him it has several minor to moderate problems (water pump doesn't turn off automatically, gas gauge doesn't work, horn doesn't work, generator doesn't work, and something was wrong with the propane tank (when they tried to fill it the nozzle wouldn't go in), there are loose wires, etc. etc. etc. It doesn't have roof AC, just fans. He said the engine runs perfectly, so I guess we'll find out tonight!
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177959 is a reply to message #177955] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 19:46 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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| Coelli wrote on Thu, 26 July 2012 18:56 |
...We're actually going to look at this one tonight. I can report back later (I am not sure we'll buy it, but want to look). I can already tell you after speaking with the gentleman a couple of weeks ago on the phone that according to him it has several minor to moderate problems (water pump doesn't turn off automatically, gas gauge doesn't work, horn doesn't work, generator doesn't work, and something was wrong with the propane tank (when they tried to fill it the nozzle wouldn't go in), there are loose wires, etc. etc. etc. It doesn't have roof AC, just fans. He said the engine runs perfectly, so I guess we'll find out tonight!
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Have you considered this one: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/rvs/3147891201.html
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177970 is a reply to message #177955] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 22:15 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Thanks - please do let me know the status on anything you look at (unless you buy it, and then it's not quite as urgent). I know Dave's seen both of those ads, and I (we) think they're both potential contenders. Thanks for any info you can pass along!
| Coelli wrote on Thu, 26 July 2012 16:56 |
I recently emailed with this gentleman and this coach will need to be towed. It's been sitting for several years and at the very least, the batteries are dead. It is beautiful though, I love the orange cabinets.
We're actually going to look at this one tonight. I can report back later (I am not sure we'll buy it, but want to look). I can already tell you after speaking with the gentleman a couple of weeks ago on the phone that according to him it has several minor to moderate problems (water pump doesn't turn off automatically, gas gauge doesn't work, horn doesn't work, generator doesn't work, and something was wrong with the propane tank (when they tried to fill it the nozzle wouldn't go in), there are loose wires, etc. etc. etc. It doesn't have roof AC, just fans. He said the engine runs perfectly, so I guess we'll find out tonight!
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Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177972 is a reply to message #177959] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 22:23 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Maybe, but the craigslist posting is expired.
I (we) would appreciate any first-hand feedback on "contenders" from those who live near enough to cast an eye on them without going to any extraordinary effort. That would seriously reduce the risk that a trip 'cross country (to look at a coach like C. Boyd's, for example) a whole lot less risky. I know that it would make Dave's life (and ultimate choice) a lot easier too - the time and money to travel to are going to eat into his "renovation budget", and I suspect he'll need every cent he can scrape together to make this all come together.
Thanks!
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177980 is a reply to message #177848] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 23:03 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Oh, I remember seeing the Torrance one - it looked a little rough from the outside but we considered looking at it once our closer leads dried up.
The '73 in Burbank is pretty rough (keep in mind this is the very first one I've stepped in so I may not be a good judge). It's not something you'll get in and drive away on a camping trip in, although the owner swears he would drive it to Texas on a bet.
The plumbing does work and the upholstery on the interior is in perfect condition. Overall, it has a million little things that need to be fixed. It needs tires. Needs a fan in the bathroom. Windshield has a large crack on the right side. It has a wet side bath and window over the kitchen sink. Some pieces of wood appear to have been nailed up along the interior seams to hold up miniblinds. Plastic pieces around some of the windows were cracked.
My mechanic boyfriend said it's pretty rusty underneath, not east coast rust or rust belt rust, but still more rust than he'd expect from something that lived on the west coast all its life and while the airbags are not leaking, they are cracked. It has 92K on the engine. He says it runs "okay" and the engine looks like it was taken care of. He says there's some random wiring stuff that needs attention. There is no in-dash AC. The vent fans worked great.  The dash is not in great shape and the front seats are worn out.
Again, I'm not experienced in GMCs but I didn't see anything in the interior that couldn't be fixed with some money or elbow grease thrown at it.
I took pictures of the interior and exterior and uploaded them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81469578@N00/sets/72157630769894590/
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
[Updated on: Thu, 26 July 2012 23:03] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #177989 is a reply to message #177983] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 00:09 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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| habbyguy wrote on Thu, 26 July 2012 21:31 |
Wow - thanks VERY much for the "virtual walkthrough" of that Burbank coach. I forward it on to Dave (who is hanging on every blip of the radar at this point - this might send him over the edge). Your onsite intel adds a LOT to the story - it sure sounds like the rig needs its share of work, but the ante is certainly reasonable enough. Dave knows he's not going to get a showcar-quality coach in his price range!
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You're welcome! I just remembered the owner also said a bunch of the light fixtures don't work. He was actually very forthcoming about what needs to be fixed. He's looking to sell this one and put the money toward one that needs less restoration, as this one has turned out to be too much for him.
The ceiling panels are bowed downward, but were in cosmetically good shape and could probably be fixed.
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 00:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #178000 is a reply to message #177980] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 01:20 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Something interesting of note: It looks to be a 1973 coach (windows, furniture and other items) but it looks to have an Electro-Level system. (EL was not released until mid 1976.)
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: High school pastor is looking for a coach.... [message #178064 is a reply to message #178062] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:07 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| 59ona64 wrote on Fri, 27 July 2012 13:45 |
Coelli, if I get out there I will definitely post photos and an update. I'm looking for one that is mechanically sorted, so this isn't on my main radar, but sickness is sickness, right? I wish I could buy a dozen of 'em...
By the way, thanks for the walk thru and first hand impression of that coach--and the thoughts of the master mechanic!
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I just remembered, http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rvs/3140490436.html also needs brakes and the e-brake either needs adjusting or a new cable. Sorry this info is all coming in pieces.
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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