Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Hello! Hunting for my GMC! (I'm GMC shopping - Advice & Help wanted.)
| Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309233] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 18:10  |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Hello - Just joined the forum a couple of days ago. I have been fascinated by these since I saw a picture a couple of months ago, and only recently discovered what they were!! My kind of rig! I am close to retirement (about 2 years) and am on the hunt for my GMC! I'm in Canada and the pickin's are slim up here. I have my eye on a couple (long distance of course) and would love some advice about what is a "need" what is a "want" what is a "nice to have" when shopping. For instance - one 76 Palm Beach with a rebuilt transmission, some other repairs, minor upgrades but nothing special, original engine with I am told 37,000 original miles (he swears) - will need brakes, all 7 tires and likely bushings (bearings?) i am told, within the year<$9000 Cdn; one 73 (also looks Palm Beach by the layout) with rebuilt engine, tranny, lots of upgrades & updates - more than I can list and a lot i wouldn't know what they were if they jumped up and bit me! Will need a replacement generator - the Onan bit the dust - $12,000 (this is the one I am leaning toward); and a '76 with rebuilt engine, original tranny (probably), new tires, some interior updates (range/oven, 3 way fridge, generator) - asking $15,000 Cdn.
I am leaning toward the 73' with a lot of rebuild/upgrades. The last 2 are both in the 100k range for mileage. I am a total newbie to RVing as well as the GMC's - but I can't see myself getting into anything else!. I am working trying to contact folks from the Black List for suggestions regarding someone to do a proper inspection for me (I have NO way of getting that far and back on a weekend!) but I thought I would pick the collective brains of the forum here for any advice. I figured getting into one before I retire is the best bet - first, I have an income to fix anything that may go wrong right off the bat, and time to repair, update, upgrade or generally tweak anything i might like to change before I hit the road for really extended periods of time (like the whole winter - gets nippy up here in the mountains of BC).
So once I have my baby, you will probably be seeing a fair bit from me here. I appreciate any and all advice and suggestions. Cheers from Canada! 
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309234 is a reply to message #309233] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 18:37  |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1500
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Welcome Deb,
Where is the 73 that you are interested in located at? Anyone on the
blacklist in that area?
On Sun, Oct 23, 2016 at 5:10 PM, Deb McWade wrote:
> Hello - Just joined the forum a couple of days ago. I have been
> fascinated by these since I saw a picture a couple of months ago, and only
> recently
> discovered what they were!! My kind of rig! I am close to retirement
> (about 2 years) and am on the hunt for my GMC! I'm in Canada and the
> pickin's
> are slim up here. I have my eye on a couple (long distance of course) and
> would love some advice about what is a "need" what is a "want" what is a
> "nice to have" when shopping. For instance - one 76 Palm Beach with a
> rebuilt transmission, some other repairs, minor upgrades but nothing
> special,
> original engine with I am told 37,000 original miles (he swears) - will
> need brakes, all 7 tires and likely bushings (bearings?) i am told, within
> the year rebuilt engine, tranny, lots of upgrades & updates - more than I can list
> and a
> lot i wouldn't know what they were if they jumped up and bit me! Will need
> a replacement generator - the Onan bit the dust - $12,000 (this is the one
> I am leaning toward); and a '76 with rebuilt engine, original tranny
> (probably), new tires, some interior updates (range/oven, 3 way fridge,
> generator) - asking $15,000 Cdn.
>
> I am leaning toward the 73' with a lot of rebuild/upgrades. The last 2
> are both in the 100k range for mileage. I am a total newbie to RVing as
> well
> as the GMC's - but I can't see myself getting into anything else!. I am
> working trying to contact folks from the Black List for suggestions
> regarding someone to do a proper inspection for me (I have NO way of
> getting that far and back on a weekend!) but I thought I would pick the
> collective brains of the forum here for any advice. I figured getting
> into one before I retire is the best bet - first, I have an income to fix
> anything that may go wrong right off the bat, and time to repair, update,
> upgrade or generally tweak anything i might like to change before I hit the
> road for really extended periods of time (like the whole winter - gets
> nippy up here in the mountains of BC).
>
> So once I have my baby, you will probably be seeing a fair bit from me
> here. I appreciate any and all advice and suggestions. Cheers from
> Canada! :d
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309235 is a reply to message #309234] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 19:06 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Hi Bruce. It's up in Thunder Bay Ontario. I have sent an email to a couple from the blacklist in TB. Haven't heard back yet but I just contacted them today. Not everyone sits on their computer all day (although i am working so, here i am).
In your opinion, how does that '73 sound? The seller is an older fellow, has put a lot into it, but most of it was done by the previous owner (he was listing off a stack of things that I can't remember off the top of my head. SS brake lines? are one thing I remember him saying). This fellow has also purchased SS water tanks (hasn't installed them yet). He's going to get me a list - has the original service manual/booklet as well as the records of all work done & all of the reciepts. I've never been one to buy sight-unseen, but it's impossible for me to traipse across the country to view anything. (Although i did buy a 2007 Suzuki Burgman off kijiji without seeing it. Haven't really regretted that decision. But it was only $1500).
He's a bit of a luddite - doesn't seem to have a computer - goes to a friend's house to deal with his listing. I've reverse checked the phone numbers of both he and his friend - they seem legit. Sounds like a nice older fellow, rambles on a bit, but "sounds" honest enough. But no one sounds honest enough when it comes to $12,000 I guess. He's also willing to take a deposit and hold it, store it or help me find somewhere it can stay till i can go get it in the spring.
So that's my story on that one. I'm hopeful.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309236 is a reply to message #309233] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 19:21 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Deb,
Before you get too far, let me tell you of a standard saying here...
"A reliable and ready to travel GMC will cost (at least) 25k$us, that is all at once or as a kit."
There have been countless examples to prove this out. (Yours truly included.)
This is actually still cost effective when compared to a recent build Class C coach. And a GMC will still out last most of those examples.
That be said, keep digging around on the GMC sites here like [url]gmcers.org[/url] is a great place to start. If you roll down the page, there are a collection of links at the bottom. You might be able to dig through all of those before spring.
Next, make a point of going into Face Book and finding the "GMC Motorhome Marketplace". Many are offered there before elsewhere, but once you get into this be sure to regularly check the sales sites of all of the 16 of GMC specific chapters as there are members (and their heirs) looking for good homes for the loved coach.
I wish you luck in your search.
Matt
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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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309237 is a reply to message #309233] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 19:44 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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If you are going to go that far to get one (Thunder Bay) you need to look at it first. Do not trust anyone selling a coach to be totally honest on it's condition. We have several owners in Minnesota and one I know of east of Winnipeg. You need to at least get one of them to take an initial look for you.
On the one with 37,000 miles, I'll be it is 137,000 or 237,000. The is no 100,000 mile digit on a GMC odometer or 37,000 could easily be 137 or 237.
That said, I favor the 1976 one only because there were improvements made to GMC as the years changed. None of them were major but things like HEI ignition and some rear suspension things were improved on the 1976.
Definitely do not buy one with out having someone GMC knowledgeable check it out first and without going to see it yourself.
I do not know where you are in BC but we have a bunch of GMC owners in BC and some on Vancouver Island. Also there are a few in Alberta. (Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Edmonton) Do not be in too much of a hurry to buy. It is winter time and these coaches do not move very fast in Canada in the winter.
There no reason not to also look in the US. It is not big deal to import one to Canada. It is just a bit of paperwork. We have quite a few GMC owners in Washington State and Oregon that would help if you got interested in one there.
This is a 40 year old vehicle and they come on all kinds of conditions from excellent to ones I would never drive.
Welcome to GMCnet.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309238 is a reply to message #309236] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 19:51 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Thank you Matt. I figure that no matter what I get, if I don't have to sink in another $5000 or more after the fact, I will be extremely fortunate. Thanks for the Facebook hook-up. Hadn't even thought of that. Mind you, haven't done anything on Facebook - have an account, never use it. I've been to a number of GMC sites and continuously checking the classified/marketplace/for sale sections. I've been looking for about a month now, and there isn't much in Canada. Really don't want to have to go through the hassle of importing from the US (no offence  unless I can avoid it. But that doesn't exclude those in the great northwest or down the west coast. I wouldn't get into anything unless I got a good inspection done anyway, even if I COULD see it first hand. I thought now might be a good time to start looking - at the end of the RVing season (for most folks) rather than nearing the beginning - prices might be a bit lower. Who knows - might get lucky or at least I'll have a lot of research done!
I have to say that I am very grateful for all of the help that is being offered here in a very short period of time! Nice to have such a supportive community around you.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309240 is a reply to message #309237] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 20:08 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 23 October 2016 17:44If you are going to go that far to get one (Thunder Bay) you need to look at it first. Do not trust anyone selling a coach to be totally honest on it's condition. We have several owners in Minnesota and one I know of east of Winnipeg. You need to at least get one of them to take an initial look for you.
On the one with 37,000 miles, I'll be it is 137,000 or 237,000. The is no 100,000 mile digit on a GMC odometer or 37,000 could easily be 137 or 237. My suspicion precisely!
That said, I favor the 1976 one only because there were improvements made to GMC as the years changed. None of them were major but things like HEI ignition and some rear suspension things were improved on the 1976. Wasn't certain about that, but I assumed that there had to be some improvements made. How major they were was the uncertainty for me tho'
Definitely do not buy one with out having someone GMC knowledgeable check it out first and without going to see it yourself. I wouldn't consider it - need to get an inspection done. Hard to shop from several hundred miles (kilometers) away - I won't have any opportunity to go and see anything until spring - up in the mountains of BC.
I do not know where you are in BC but we have a bunch of GMC owners in BC and some on Vancouver Island. I'm in Logan Lake - near Kamloops - about 4 hours north of Vancouver on the #5 (Coquihala); left messages with 3 in the area from the blacklist - all within a couple hours drive of me. heard back from one so far. Also there are a few in Alberta. (Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Edmonton) Do not be in too much of a hurry to buy. It is winter time and these coaches do not move very fast in Canada in the winter.
There no reason not to also look in the US. It is not big deal to import one to Canada. It is just a bit of paperwork. We have quite a few GMC owners in Washington State and Oregon that would help if you got interested in one there. I am keeping my eyes open in the Pacific NW too. That is a manageable drive in the decent weather - I could potentially get down that way on a long weekend to view something. I teach and am locked in Mon-Fri, could sometimes get out early on a Friday, but not often. If I see something that looked like a possible I will definitely be knocking on the PNW doors here for some in-put & insight.
This is a 40 year old vehicle and they come on all kinds of conditions from excellent to ones  I would never drive. 
Welcome to GMCnet. Thank you very much 
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309243 is a reply to message #309233] |
Sun, 23 October 2016 20:52 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Yes, if you are shopping and learning, facebook is a good place to go. Lots of pictures, very visual.
Is the one in thunder bay the coach with the bra?
I would go with advice already stated, owners are mostly honest, but still you never know what a picture shows vs. in person. I would also try to find a 75+ coach, and even a 77 would be preferred so you have better dash Air. But it all comes down to the total package for the price you are willing and able to pay for the trade off.
I am surprised there are not more close to you. Alot of owners up towards your way, were traveling down to the rally in oregon, so may not be home yet?? get out and look at as many as you can before taking the plunge so you know what you can find for your money.
there are people that think this is a deal:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/rvs/5815953474.html
so watch out.
this one looks pretty promising:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/5838564490.html
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309249 is a reply to message #309240] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 00:06 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I just looked up where you are located. I have been near or over there in the air several times. I had a friend in Kamloops. He died about two years ago. I stopped and stayed in Kamloops several times. One time we went flying over your area to Lytton, BC next to highway 1. Unfortunately flying over is not the same as seeing the area on the ground.
I'm wondering right now if Tom Burke still has his GMC in Whitehorse. He moved to County Cork in Ireland a few years back and I'll bet one of his kids in Whitehorse or Calgary has the coach. I need to send him a note and see how he is doing and what the status of his coach is. He put a lot of work into that coach.
I realize Whitehorse about 800 nautical or 900 statute AIR miles away and a very long 2 day probably 1200 mile drive on the ground. That coach might be a possibility for you.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309250 is a reply to message #309233] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 00:15 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Hi Ken. I have never been one to turn away from a decent drive (or flight as the case may be). Sorry to hear about your buddy in kamloops, but Yes, seeing it from the ground around here is nice. Flying over-head is a great vista, but the mountains are nice to ride through. Have never done the ride to Lytton - I have 400 Burgman scooter that I will likely take out on more trips next summer and may head up that way - need to find a way to transport it on whatever GMC I end up adopting - either as a toad on a small utility trailer or with a dolly wheel to keep it from making the GMC pull a wheelie!
If you know of a good coach I am most definitely open to hearing about it! A 2-3 day run back would be the perfect shake-down cruise!
Thanks for thinking of me, and for all of the help - you guys are awesome!
Deb
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309251 is a reply to message #309243] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 00:23 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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lqqkatjon wrote on Sun, 23 October 2016 18:52Yes, if you are shopping and learning, facebook is a good place to go. Lots of pictures, very visual.
Is the one in thunder bay the coach with the bra? Yep... That's the one. Waiting to hear back from a couple on the blacklist. Maybe they can take a wee peak at her for me.
I would go with advice already stated, owners are mostly honest, but still you never know what a picture shows vs. in person. I would also try to find a 75+ coach, and even a 77 would be preferred so you have better dash Air. But it all comes down to the total package for the price you are willing and able to pay for the trade off.
I am surprised there are not more close to you. Alot of owners up towards your way, were traveling down to the rally in oregon, so may not be home yet?? get out and look at as many as you can before taking the plunge so you know what you can find for your money. I think that most of them may be in the lower mainland - about 4 hours from me. There are 3 relatively local though - might be able to go for a short visit and take a good look, I've been in touch, but only heard back from one fellow. Maybe the others are en route.. 2 hours in ether direction. Maybe next weekend i can get out of town for the day.
there are people that think this is a deal:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/rvs/5815953474.html 
so watch out.
this one looks pretty promising:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/5838564490.html Saw that one - yes does look interesting doesn't it? Can't take it for a run though - tires shot. But it does look pretty squeaky inside & out.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309253 is a reply to message #309250] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 00:43 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I carry my Honda 250cc scooter on the back of my GMC using a carrier that I built. It in the 2" receiver. The scooter with the carrier weighs about 350 pounds. I have used the same carrier and hauled my 400cc Honda motorcycle on the back on my GMC. Total weight for it is 450 or 500 pounds. I just this afternoon use the same carrier to transport my daughter's 400 Honda on the back of my PU truck.
A load of up to 500 pounds can easily be transported on the back trailer hitch. of a GMC. You will never know it is back there.
I had a picture of the carrier one the back of my Blazer but right now I do not seem to be able to log in and find it. I'll contact the site custodian and see if he can figure out why I can not get in
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309254 is a reply to message #309233] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 00:58 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Sounds hopeful! The Burgman is about 475 on her own. Shouldn't be too bad. But I suspect that a rack will bring me well over the 500 lb mark. Just need to make certain I pack more of my load toward the middle while we're driving. Hate to leave her at home.
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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| Re: Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309255 is a reply to message #309254] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 02:56 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Well, You could go with a trailer but I hate those things following me around. You can not see one back there so you are always wondering if a tire went flat or if it is still there. People tow cars all the time. I also do not like towing them on a regular basis. I have towed trailers with the GMC when I needed to haul a lot of stuff to a rally or something but that is an exception.
I think I would try that 475 pounds on the back first. Then decide if I do not like or do not like it that way. You could always sell that carrier. People ask me about mine at almost every rally I attend.
As soon as I get access to the photo site again, I'll post a link to a picture of mine. My carrier is home made, steel, and weighs less than 50 pounds. It is a simple tilting tray. You can also get commercial aluminum or steel ones. On mine you can drop the air in the coach rear air bags to make loading easier. I usually do not bother.
I am hoping that some of the west coast guys (BC, Alberta, Washington, and Oregon) get in here and post soon. You need to get to know them. They are a great bunch and should be able to help you more than I can here in Indiana.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hello! Hunting for my GMC! [message #309314 is a reply to message #309287] |
Mon, 24 October 2016 15:55 |
Deb
Messages: 349
Registered: October 2016
Location: Logan Lake, BC
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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dan molnes wrote on Mon, 24 October 2016 09:15Deb, I have a 76 glenbrook that I'm gonna let go been working on it for a few years I was thinking of selling it to someone who will join the cascades and support the community its all yellow if your interested, I'm in Seattle ,good luck
Sent from my iPad
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And IMHO, there's Nothing wrong with yellow! More than happy to check it out when the post comes up - many thanks again
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
GMC Alumnus
It's Bigger on the Inside!
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