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| [GMCnet] Getting a GMC (????) [message #260541] |
Sat, 30 August 2014 19:48  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Hi and welcome!
It is best if you put your location and name in the signature line so we can best help.
The coach you are looking for does exist and can best be found by joining the closest GMC club and going to their rallies. There you and your wife will see first hand a number of different floor plans and once you see them and talk with the owners one or both of you may change your initial perceptions of what you want. For example, we have two coaches, a late 1978 Royale with dry side bath and large rear U shaped lounge that makes into a larger than king sized bed. But, in order to get that it has little in the way of socialization area up front other than the dinette. Our other coach is a 1977 that was restored in 1994 by Clasco. It has great socialization area up front but a wet side bath and a standard double sized bed in the rear - the most common GMC layout.
Which do we prefer? Hard to say as they both have their advantages. If we are going for long distance in good weather and not going to be around other people much we favor the Royale because of the large bed. If we are going where we will be with a bunch of our GMC friends or might encounter bad weather then we favor the Clasco. Wet bath vs dry bath not an issue in day in day out use. I actually prefer the wet bath because it is larger. The dry bath is a bit like Clark Kent trying to change in a phone booth but my wife likes the dry bath better if she is second into the "room". If she is first there it is a toss up.
I recommend the later models, 1977 and 1978 as they have some design upgrades (like better dash air) but condition trumps all else. Your pocketbook will dictate where you begin your search. I always recommend buying the very best one you can possibly afford. Stretch your $$ now and you will be on the road enjoying your new coach. Be overly miserly with your $$ and you might find it sitting up on blocks for far too long and one or both of you may loose interest.
No matter where you start you will have $25,000 invested by the time you can go out somewhat reliably, $40,000 by the time you really like your ride and $60,000 or more when it really suits your every desire. You can have someone totally rebuild the drive train for around $15,000 and can replace every appliance for less than $5,000. Redoing the interior and exterior paint will cost quite a bit more so my recommendation is go first for the cosmetics and layout that you like, and then find someone who can do what you want with the mechanics.
I really like the Clasco restorations even though they are now twenty years old and most have wet baths. Jim Bounds who now owns GMC Coop was production manager for Clasco in the mid 1990s so he can build a modern interpretation for you or can really do a number fixing up one of the originals. Here is one example:
http://www.gmcmh.com/DeMartino.html
I have never seen this coach nor do I know anything about it but think it is worth a look to see the pics and have someone to call to discuss it if for no other reason. It might give you some idea about what is out there.
Don't fret about finding the perfect coach. Find one you both will enjoy using and then make it right for you. First step is to go to a rally so you both can meet, greet and see lots of examples.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gary
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2014 9:43 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Getting a GMC (????)
OK, I'm a newbie so be gentle in responses please!
I've been an RV'er in past lives but never a GMC'er, although I've loved
them since they first hit the road. Now that I'm retired I thought I would
get the wife convinced that we should hit the road and I thought the GMC was
the ideal coach for us, not humongous like some couches, more like a car to
drive (at least psychologically) and comfortable ride (plus I'm a bit
nostalgic). So after several hours (days) googling everything available on
the web I think I'm ready to seriously find one.
Here is my dilemma, I am mechanical inclined and enjoy projects but more of
the tinkerer type than the total over hauler so I don't want a total
remodel. After perusing everything on every sales site on the web and
checking some out locally I think I have come up with a list of what I want
so here goes:
- Substantially restored 5 or fewer years ago including
interior/exterior and systems.
- Engine/tran/drive/suspension/steering/axles overhauled less than 15K
miles ago.
- Model would be the rear bed; the wife doesn't want to convert
couches to go to bed.
- Here is the real sticker - dry bath. Again the wife has a thing
about standing in the toilet and showering. I've found a couple in this
model but
they didn't meet my other criteria.
- Of course the other obvious things like no rust/wood rot/leaks etc.
I know I could go to one of the restorer companies and get one done but I
thought I could find one that someone had done that to a few years ago and
now for some reason wants to sell it and is not worried about his sunk
costs.
So finally here is my question, have I been smoking something illegal (at
least here in California) and having a bad pipe dream or would it be
possible to find the perfect coach for me? My second question would be what
would be the best way to find it?
Any suggestions or additional things I need to think about would be
appreciated.
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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