| Origins & Ideas [message #250109] |
Mon, 19 May 2014 10:50  |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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It may be of little interest to many, but I feel the need to tell the story (before I forget the details) of the beginnings of what became the GMC MotorHome.
THE key person here is a GMC Staff Engineer named Ralph Merkle. He was a very interesting guy, a mind always full of new and interesting ideas that might be called an engineers, engineer. It started out for me when I found out about his involvement with the GMC MotorHome and asked for an interview. Ralph had left the motorhome project as soon as the development work was done and was quite bitter at the treatment he received from GMC for his significant efforts with no recognization. My contact with him pretty much stirred up these old feelings and while initially distressed, later thanked me for allowing him to vent and get beyond the angst he had held for many years. We became good friends and he supplied many details to the GMC MH story. Ralph and his wife Mary attended the Fall 1998 GMCMI Convention at Marion, NC where 396 GMC MHs attended. I could tell he was pleased to see what a following had evolved from his initial efforts. Unfortunately Ralph was ill at the time and passed a few months after this. On our last contact he mentioned how much more he had to show and tell me, I never was able to hear what interesting details he might have told me.
One of Ralph's hobbies was a "rock hound" and made many trips all over the country looking for gems, minerals & interesting "rocks". Ralph had an idea of a leading/trailing arms suspension and with a front wheel drive could have a low deck height. This would be great since he wouldn't have to carry his collected rocks up steps, yes, this was an early motivation.
This was an idea looking for an application. Ralph had the pie wagon built with his suspension design initally using the hydropneumatic version (his drawings dated 10/69) and the motorhome design (his drawing 1/71) using the air spring/bag.
Just wanted to provide some background to our favorite vehicle.
Bill
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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| Re: Origins & Ideas [message #250184 is a reply to message #250118] |
Tue, 20 May 2014 09:18  |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Hi Rick,
Just got back from the first GMC Nor'Easter rally of the year, always great to see my GMC friends again. Whenever I see that "Lake Michigan Pebbles & Stones" lamp that Nita bought from Mary I think of you guys. So many great memories when you own a GMC!
Bill
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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