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| GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98212] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 11:31  |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
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GM's inspiration for the GMC? [message #97946 is a reply to message #97920 ] Tue, 31 August 2010 14:31
ldone
I find any conversation along these lines to be very informative and interesting....the new gmc owners, I am thinking, might also like to know about the mh origins.
It is too hot outside to work on the coach.....learning more about it is the next best thing.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76PB
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Start talking about GMC MH history and you know it won't be too long before I show up ;^)
Here is what I know:
GMC chain of command (1973)
M.J. Caserio GM VP & GMC T&C Gen. Mgr.
W.W Edwards GMC T&C Chief Engr.
K.K. Stubenvoll Product Development (Motorhome Mgr.)
Ralph Merkle MH Chassis engr. (the motorhome was his idea)
John Locklin MH Body engr.(aeronautical Engr., no wonder the body is compared to an airframe)
Michael Lathers Chief Designer/GM Design staff (GMC "style" his idea).
Nancy Bundra Secty to Stubenvoll, ended up as Chief. Engr. for interior design/HVAC.
Alex Mair replaced Caserio in mid 1973 when the initial design was already completed. Caserio designed the MH to be a reasonably priced large volume vehicle, Mair wanted the MH to be more upscale (GMC Halo vehicle)as can be seen with the Eleganza SE being that first and the 1975 redesign a full blown upgrade.
There were FIVE makes of motorhomes using the Toronado engine/drive train, Revcon, Clark, Travoy, Tiara & GMC. GMC was the last of the five to come out with a MH design.
I have talked/interviewed all of the above with the exception of Caserio, and they all agreed that the review of the other designs led to a list of things they didn't want the GMC to use, rather a list of new/different ideas to be incorporated in the GMC design.
Merkle started with a design of 21' & 24', was unhappy when "sales" added lenght to get everything inside. Led to traction problem which frustrated him no end.
Thats probably enough for one sitting, much more detail is available @
http://www.bdub.net/billbryant/
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
[Updated on: Thu, 02 September 2010 20:00] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98213 is a reply to message #98212] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 11:39  |
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Bill,
I, for one, do not ever tire of reading your posts about the history of our GMC's. It's great that you not only have taken an interest and spent the time to learn about GMC history but it is wonderful that you take the time to share your knowledge with all of us.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98214 is a reply to message #98213] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 11:46 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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Bill
I agree full heartedly. Your stories and knowledge are always a good read and a happy diversion from actual work on the GMC.
Thank you.
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98215 is a reply to message #98213] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 11:48 |
hertfordnc
Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC
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| carguy wrote on Thu, 02 September 2010 11:39 |
Bill,
I, for one, do not ever tire of reading your posts about the history of our GMC's.
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Me neither.
I believe the Revcon was considerably more expensive. GM wanted to get a high level of quality at a more reasonable price point.
And that's probably why they made over 12,000 units versus 2000-4000 Revcons (actual number unknown) And Revcon kept at it for almost 20 years.
Ultimately it appears the RV marketplace would only support the minimalist stick & staple construction.
What do you think is the best motorhome made today under 30 feet?
[Updated on: Thu, 02 September 2010 11:49] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98230 is a reply to message #98215] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 13:29 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
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What do you think is the best motorhome made today under 30 feet?
Distorting your question & applying my own interpitation to fit my biased answer, the GMC of course! I just stood under 30' from my GMC and believe it is definitely the best!
Don't really know, find some of the Sprinter 5 cyl Diesels interesting.
Yes, the price points are interesting. FMCA & Revcon were about twice the money and was that the reason their build qtys were low? The GMCs price about doubled during its production run, a fair amount to improved quality as well as incorporating many items that were originally options as base equipment (chrome bumpers were an option until 1978).
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: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98235 is a reply to message #98230] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 13:54 |
hertfordnc
Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC
Karma: 0
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| bryant374 wrote on Thu, 02 September 2010 13:29 |
Distorting your question & applying my own interpitation to fit my biased answer, the GMC of course! I just stood under 30' from my GMC and believe it is definitely the best!
Don't really know, find some of the Sprinter 5 cyl Diesels interesting.
Yes, the price points are interesting. FMCA & Revcon were about twice the money and was that the reason their build qtys were low? The GMCs price about doubled during its production run, a fair amount to improved quality as well as incorporating many items that were originally options as base equipment (chrome bumpers were an option until 1978).
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I'm inclined to agree, if money were no object I'd probably buy the best restored GMC I could find (unless i found the right Revcon)
Are you saying the FMC and Revcon had low build quality? Definately not in the case of my 72 Flatnose, some of the engineering choices were silly, like the five lug rims, but hte construction is phenominal.
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC
76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98245 is a reply to message #98235] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 15:28 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH Thu, 02 September 2010 14:54
hertfordnc
bryant374 wrote on Thu, 02 September 2010 13:29
Distorting your question & applying my own interpitation to fit my biased answer, the GMC of course! I just stood under 30' from my GMC and believe it is definitely the best!
Don't really know, find some of the Sprinter 5 cyl Diesels interesting.
Yes, the price points are interesting. FMCA & Revcon were about twice the money and was that the reason their build qtys were low? The GMCs price about doubled during its production run, a fair amount to improved quality as well as incorporating many items that were originally options as base equipment (chrome bumpers were an option until 1978).
I'm inclined to agree, if money were no object I'd probably buy the best restored GMC I could find (unless i found the right Revcon)
Are you saying the FMC and Revcon had low build quality? Definately not in the case of my 72 Flatnose, some of the engineering choices were silly, like the five lug rims, but hte construction is phenominal.
>
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NO, what I wrote,"was the reason for the low build qtys (quantities)the higher price".
I believe that Revcon & FMC likely had some of the highest build quality of the period.
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: [GMCnet] GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98250 is a reply to message #98245] |
Thu, 02 September 2010 16:10 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Some have suggested that the flat-nose Revcon is ugly. I think it
shows a certain clarity of purpose. It's styling was restrained in an
era of tacky emblems and vinyl roofs.
Not as pretty as a Palm Beach to my eye, but then what is beauty,
anyhow?
Ljdavick at comcast.net
On Sep 2, 2010, at 1:28 PM, Bill Bryant <bryant374@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
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> Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH Thu, 02 September 2010 14:54
> hertfordnc
>
> bryant374 wrote on Thu, 02 September 2010 13:29
>
>
>
> Distorting your question & applying my own interpitation to fit my
> biased answer, the GMC of course! I just stood under 30' from my GMC
> and believe it is definitely the best!
>
> Don't really know, find some of the Sprinter 5 cyl Diesels
> interesting.
>
> Yes, the price points are interesting. FMCA & Revcon were about
> twice the money and was that the reason their build qtys were low?
> The GMCs price about doubled during its production run, a fair
> amount to improved quality as well as incorporating many items that
> were originally options as base equipment (chrome bumpers were an
> option until 1978).
>
>
>
> I'm inclined to agree, if money were no object I'd probably buy the
> best restored GMC I could find (unless i found the right Revcon)
>
>
> Are you saying the FMC and Revcon had low build quality? Definately
> not in the case of my 72 Flatnose, some of the engineering choices
> were silly, like the five lug rims, but hte construction is
> phenominal.
>>
>>
> NO, what I wrote,"was the reason for the low build qtys (quantities)
> the higher price".
>
> I believe that Revcon & FMC likely had some of the highest build
> quality of the period.
>
>
> --
> Bill Bryant
> 1976~PB
> 1914 Ford
> 1965 Corvette
> GMC MH History CD
> GMC Showroom Films DVD
> http://bdub.net/billbryant/
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: GMs inspiration for the GMC MH [message #98316 is a reply to message #98215] |
Fri, 03 September 2010 03:23 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| hertfordnc wrote on Thu, 02 September 2010 09:48 |
...
What do you think is the best motorhome made today under 30 feet?
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I suspect "the best motorhome made today under 30 feet" is built and marketed overseas. (From the ads, some of the Assie coaches are NICE!)
Not wanting to get into why, but it seems that Americans would rather buy LARGER over quality. Quality doesn't seem to come into it until they have reached the legal limit in size.
Nice "Brick" in the pictures.
Some of the square aluminum coaches (Flat nose Revcon, Clark-Cortez) would look good done in the "steam-punk" style. Slightly cluttered with fancy brass fittings and knobs (from boats?)... old style white gauges with needles having 1/4 moons on them.... manual typewriter style glass buttons... velvet curtains with pull ropes... You get the idea.
I can't see a GMC done in steam-punk... the shape doesn't seem to go with it.
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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