| Rally Report [message #217011] |
Mon, 05 August 2013 09:33  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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This is unfortunately not about the fun rally that Mary had hoped to pull off, that died do to lack of response....
We need to always be grateful for the support of GMCMI, the GMCxx chapters and our very faithful suppliers. (If you don't have Applied on your speeddial, think about it.)
We were at a very small rally this weekend that was actually a Tin Can Tourist event. Among the group were a collection of small trailers: a '57 Trotwood, a '71 Lancer, a '64 York and a '68 Shasta all were in the 16~17' range. The Lancer was an as-is, but in good shape and the others were varied levels of "Restored". Then, there was us with our "largely un-molested" '73 23' Glacier and a '95 3-axle Airstream (complete with patio rugs and folding Adirondack chairs). The little trailer people all had some "set dressing" to lay out. We didn't. We set up the screen house and folding chairs and did things we could do while we waited, answered questions, and remarked to people that the door was open and they should go in.
About an hundred plus actually went into our coach. I talked to over a dozen that knew what is was because he/she's family or friends had one, but had no clue that there were any surviving examples. There were many more that read the window-tall detail card. About an half a dozen picked up the pages I laid out with the information and about a dozen picked up the "GMCers.org" cards. One fellow I talked with for some time had work at Thetford when I did and he brought up the time Frank (the father) Sargent's brand new GMC got bent at the dealership. Many were impressed when I told them that the interior they were looking at was largely As-Built. (OK, I hung the microwave and the put in the LED lights, but apart from recovering the front seats - this is how it was born 40 years ago.)
"No, I have no plans to "restore" it." As the window board says, it is in regular use and I have no plan at all to change that.
"We have run it 6000+ miles this year and are planning another 3000 before the end of August."
Other big question from interested people was about what it took to keep in to going.
- Answer -
There are NO Orphan parts (I can buy anything I need), all I have to do is the maintenance one should anticipate on a 40 year old vehicle.
The organizer of this Vintage and Classic trailer and RV display was the owner of the Trotwood. In my discussions with him, I found that he had bought two - one as a parts source, then stripped this one to the frame and got the wood framing that had rotted away remade and replaced at considerable expense. Then, reassembled and rebuild (as required) the interior.
The around the "camp fire" (a metal dish affair), there was continual discussion among the little trailer people about soft places, water leakage and where to locate what-ever. I really could not participate.
I sure am glad that I have good suppliers and such great support.
Matt - at home and getting ready for the next excursion
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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