Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Our 1st GMC post
 Our 1st GMC post [message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 08:11  |
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Scooby Doo
Messages: 92
Registered: May 2012
Location: Miami, Florida
Karma: 4
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Hello GMC.net-ers,
My name is Glenn Gardner.
My wife, Elaine & I, are in our mid fifties and live in Miami Florida.
We recently bought our very first GMC motorhome about six weeks ago.
It is a 1976 Royale - transmode (by Coachman) TZE366V100733
We spent the first 4 weeks replacing things that may have been too old to be road worthy. Fuel pump, water pump, alternator, rebuilt our carburetor,belts, hoses, and a few other little things.
We had some pretty bad leaks in the roof & windows, but have filled them with 3M marine 5200 adhesive, and we are now dry on the inside.
Overall, we feel, the previous owner took pretty good care of it.
We made our maiden voyage a couple weeks ago on memorial day weekend.
It was a 400 mile round trip and we "dry camped" at a lake in mid Florida for two days. On our way up the state (Florida) we made a stop at Alex Sirum GMC in Okeechobee, and met Jeff & Norma. They were so very nice to us and made us feel welcome to the GMC community.
They put "Scooby Doo" (GMC vehicle name) up on the lift and gave it the once over. Found a few small issues, but gave it a road worthy thumbs up.
We continued on our way and had a wonderful weekend in our new home away from home.
The reason I am writing today on the forum (I have been lurking every day for 6 weeks), is to thank you all, for all the stuff that has been, and currently being written about this wonderful vehicle.
At the time we purchased it, we had no idea of all the support that is available out there. It is a good feeling to know that you all come together to support one another, and I do hope that one day, I too can be of help to someone else.
I took a bunch of photos of the interior, but have not had much of an opportunity to take some of the exterior, since it has only been out of the back yard once.
Here is a link to some photos : Scooby Doo
So for now, thanks again for all the information and we look forward to meeting others that share a passion for this very cool and wonderful machine.
Sincerely,
Glenn & Elaine Gardner
Glenn & Elaine Gardner...
Miami, Florida...
1976 Royale (transmode)
TZE366V100733
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172105 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 08:32  |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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WELCOME !!!
and thanks for the report. It is always great to read of adventures in the GMC.
Look forward to meeting you at some of the rallies. I know you will enjoy your coach.
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172114 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 08:57 |
1275gtsport
Messages: 272
Registered: September 2009
Location: Rothesay NB
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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welcome aboard. That was the floor plan we thought we wanted but I couldn't wait for one to come along. and we wanted the bunks. those couches don't appear to flip up to bunkbeds. other then that it is one of the best layouts.
Oh and it is orange...we like green 
and orange too.
Adam Raeburn
Rothesay, NB
1976 Austin Mini
1977 GMC Palm Beach
---------------------------------------------------
Once you replace everything that is attached to something else. It will all be fixed.
[Updated on: Tue, 05 June 2012 08:58] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172116 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 09:15 |
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Tangerine
Messages: 192
Registered: February 2004
Location: Livonia, MI
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 6/5/2012 9:11 AM, Glenn Gardner wrote:
>
> Hello GMC.net-ers,
>
> My name is Glenn Gardner.
> My wife, Elaine& I, are in our mid fifties and live in Miami Florida.
> We recently bought our very first GMC motorhome about six weeks ago.
> It is a 1976 Royale - transmode (by Coachman) TZE366V100733
>
> We spent the first 4 weeks replacing things that may have been too old to be road worthy. Fuel pump, water pump, alternator, rebuilt our carburetor,belts, hoses, and a few other little things.
> We had some pretty bad leaks in the roof& windows, but have filled them with 3M marine 5200 adhesive, and we are now dry on the inside.
> Overall, we feel, the previous owner took pretty good care of it.
>
> We made our maiden voyage a couple weeks ago on memorial day weekend.
> It was a 400 mile round trip and we "dry camped" at a lake in mid Florida for two days. On our way up the state (Florida) we made a stop at Alex Sirum GMC in Okeechobee, and met Jeff& Norma. They were so very nice to us and made us feel welcome to the GMC community.
> They put "Scooby Doo" (GMC vehicle name) up on the lift and gave it the once over. Found a few small issues, but gave it a road worthy thumbs up.
> We continued on our way and had a wonderful weekend in our new home away from home.
>
> The reason I am writing today on the forum (I have been lurking every day for 6 weeks), is to thank you all, for all the stuff that has been, and currently being written about this wonderful vehicle.
> At the time we purchased it, we had no idea of all the support that is available out there. It is a good feeling to know that you all come together to support one another, and I do hope that one day, I too can be of help to someone else.
>
> I took a bunch of photos of the interior, but have not had much of an opportunity to take some of the exterior, since it has only been out of the back yard once.
> Here is a link to some photos : http://www.g2photosmx.com/Events/GMC-Scobby-Doo-Mobile/22716313_dSwJ7C
>
> So for now, thanks again for all the information and we look forward to meeting others that share a passion for this very cool and wonderful machine.
>
> Sincerely,
> Glenn& Elaine Gardner
>
Glenn
That is a real good looking coach. I do not think I have ever seen one
like that. Thanks for the pictures. Looks very clean and well cared for.
Gary W. Mills (Livonia MI)
. ___________
./_][__][] []| 1974 GMC M/H
.*O-------OO-* Painted Desert
"Tangerine Dream" W/New Frame
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1974 GMC 260
Tangerine Dream
Livonia Michigan
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172120 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 09:50 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Glenn and Elaine,
Congratulations on the purchase of a VERY nice looking coach. Kathy and I are about the same age as you, and she was reluctant to buy a motorhome at this stage in life. She was afraid we wouldn't use it much as we are both still employed full time. One of the first things we did was to join the local (Arizona) GMC club, the Saguaro Jetset. This gave us, not only some great networking opportunities, but also an excuse to get out in the coach regularly. The club has monthly rallies during the winter season. We mow belong to GMCMI and GMCWS as well and have had the opportunity to attend two international and one Western States rally. The Sunshine Statesmen looks to be a fun and active group in your area. Even if you are not "joiners" (we're not) I would encourage you to look into joining.
Kathy LOVES the GMC and the fun times we have travelling in it and is happy that we took the plunge. We have owned it just shy of four years and have put over 16,000 miles on it. We have been to some awesome, out of the way places and, best of all, have met some wonderful people. I would encourage you to get out and use the coach as often as you can. We try to take a three day weekend every month and a couple of week long (+ sometimes) trips per year.
Have fun and enjoy.
Kathy and Carl Stouffer
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172124 is a reply to message #172118] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 10:26 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 10:28 |
Stick,
With the two couches that fold out into beds facing each other why would
they need more "living room" space?
If they take the dinette out what do they eat on?
Regards,
Rob M.
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I guess you could say the same about our twin bed layout in the Royale. We could sit on the beds and talk to one another. Verbal intercourse, I believe, is the term. The bedroom space in either seems like bedroom space.
While I agree that the rear bath configuration is better, I just like being up in the front of the coach with either a sofa or chairs and the ability to turn the captain's chairs around. I'd go a step further and take out about 3/4 of the kitchen - that would necessitate doing away with the furnace which is OK with me, and putting a nice comfortable chair behind the driver's chair.
I have a house in Americus that will seat 20 in the dining room. A breakfast room that will seat 8 and a condo at the beach with a dining room that will seat 8...and I never use any of them.
I eat every meal in the den on a lap tray. That is what we did in our GMC (on the twin beds), or we ate outside on a picnic table or, my personal preference, we went to a restaurant. If we stuck to that plan we could do away with the kitchen completely.
The dinette for me is uncomfortable and useless.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172134 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 11:48 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Scooby Doo wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 06:11 |
Hello GMC.net-ers,
My name is Glenn Gardner.
My wife, Elaine & I, are in our mid fifties and live in Miami Florida.
We recently bought our very first GMC motorhome about six weeks ago.
It is a 1976 Royale - transmode (by Coachman) TZE366V100733 ...
... Here is a link to some photos : Scooby Doo ...
|
An Nice example of early 1976 Royale. Things that "yell" early '76 are the power level and the pocket door for the bathroom. From the pictures it appears to have been stored indoors.
Exterior changes appear to only be the mirrors and wheels. Are those Alcoa or Eagle wheels?
I have always liked the colors used of the early Coachman products, even if I am not that fond of the Coachman stripe treatment under the cockpit windows.
Interior looks almost as it left the factory... even the original curtains! Up... a time capsule from the '70's! Do I "spy" an 8 track radio? (I wonder if you can find any tapes.) The only changes from stock seem to be the steering wheel and the addition of the CB.
General notes on Coachman Coaches (Royale and Birchaven)
As you are reading "the net," be aware that a Coachman product has a few differences from the GMC upfitted coaches. mostly in how they are wired. Royales left the factory with an odd arrangement with the 12v house system. One house battery in the front (next to the starting battery) and a battery in the rear connected to the Onan. The odd thing is they connected them together (paralleled) with a long heavy cable. While it works, it is hard on batteries and it leaves a few safety concerns. Mostly you have to disconnect both batteries if you do not want to work on live circuits. Some of the routing of the heavy cable leaves something to be desired. It was just laying on moving suspension parts on both my '77 and '78 Birchavens. (The 23 foot version of the Royale.) If I owned a Royale, I would consider a change to something closer to the later model GMC upfitted house system, just with a pair of 6v golf cart batteries. But any change could wait until the current house batteries needed replacement... and they will.
The Royales also had an odd system to power a second roof AC unit... that you do not seem to have. Many in the deep south say you NEED two AC's, but with a white coach, you may not.
If your coach doesn't have a macerator, you really should consider one. The black tank on any rear bath coach is quite small so you'll likely need to dump more often. (Even if it isn't as small as the tank on the 23 Birch!)
A comment on the last few photo-shopped pictures.... the Scooby Doo decals should be limited to the spare tire cover. For resale value if nothing else.
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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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172138 is a reply to message #172134] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 12:38 |
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Scooby Doo
Messages: 92
Registered: May 2012
Location: Miami, Florida
Karma: 4
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Member |
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Thank you, to all that have replied (and future comments!) to us.
You have made us feel welcome to the GMC family.
We truly are enjoying your comments and different points of view.
And, to answer the last comment.
#1, I have no intension to put stickers on the GMC.
Elaine & I intend to leave it as stock as possible, since that was our main attraction to it.
The funny thing is, that we were not in the market for a motorhome of any kind.
We saw it one day while out on our weekend motorcycle cruise and just fell in love with it.
As you said, it is like a time capsule (to us).
Now, we hope to trailer our motorcycle and just bring our new home with us.
As for the radio, it is stock, has an 8-track (that works), and also the CB radio is built into the radio itself.
Very strange & cool at the same time.
Thank you for the advise on the batteries.
The whole system is new to us and we are still trying to get a complete understanding of the whole rig.
As mentioned earlier, I have been on the forum every day and also been to the birdfeeder to get some past articles for information there as well.
Thanks again to all for your hospitality and knowledge.
G2
Glenn Gardner...G2photosmx.com
Glenn & Elaine Gardner...
Miami, Florida...
1976 Royale (transmode)
TZE366V100733
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172146 is a reply to message #172138] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 14:00 |
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hnielsen2
Messages: 1434
Registered: February 2004
Location: Alpine CA
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Welcome
Howard and Susie
Alpine Ca
26' Canyon Lands
Not Quite Stock
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glenn Gardner" <G2photos@aol.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:38
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post
>
>
> Thank you, to all that have replied (and future comments!) to us.
> You have made us feel welcome to the GMC family.
> We truly are enjoying your comments and different points of view.
>
> And, to answer the last comment.
> #1, I have no intension to put stickers on the GMC.
> Elaine & I intend to leave it as stock as possible, since that was our
> main attraction to it.
> The funny thing is, that we were not in the market for a motorhome of any
> kind.
> We saw it one day while out on our weekend motorcycle cruise and just fell
> in love with it.
> As you said, it is like a time capsule (to us).
> Now, we hope to trailer our motorcycle and just bring our new home with
> us.
>
> As for the radio, it is stock, has an 8-track (that works), and also the
> CB radio is built into the radio itself.
> Very strange & cool at the same time.
> Thank you for the advise on the batteries.
> The whole system is new to us and we are still trying to get a complete
> understanding of the whole rig.
> As mentioned earlier, I have been on the forum every day and also been to
> the birdfeeder to get some past articles for information there as well.
>
> Thanks again to all for your hospitality and knowledge.
>
> G2
> Glenn Gardner...http://g2photosmx.smugmug.com/
> --
> Glenn & Elaine Gardner
> Miami, Florida
> 1976 Royale (transmode)
> TZE366V100733
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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All is well with my Lord
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172177 is a reply to message #172124] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 18:23 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Stick,
At 6' 1" I agree that the dinette is uncomfortable, however, when we had a
couch in Double Trouble if we wanted to eat up front we would have to set up
a table that went in between the couch on one side and the love seat on the
other. It was a PITA!
Most times we'd pull out the table that was in the top of the night stand
down in the bedroom.
http://www.bdub.net/publications/Avion2/avion-int-262.htm
Helen loved the couch so even though I wanted to install the dinette out of
our parts Avion it stayed UNTIL we had a couple over for drinks before
dinner. The love seat is too small for two people so all four of us sat on
the couch. Ever try to have a conversation with four people sitting next to
each other. Heads pop in and out like an arcade game!
I figgered I'd strike while the iron was hot and the next day I asked Helen
if she STILL liked the couch. Needless to say she agreed that the couch left
a bit to be desired. I made a deal that we would install the dinette and if
she didn't like it I would put the couch back.
The dinette is still installed and the couch got sold!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Stick Miller
I guess you could say the same about our twin bed layout in the Royale. We
could sit on the beds and talk to one another. Verbal intercourse, I
believe, is the term. The bedroom space in either seems like bedroom space.
While I agree that the rear bath configuration is better, I just like being
up in the front of the coach with either a sofa or chairs and the ability to
turn the captain's chairs around. I'd go a step further and take out about
3/4 of the kitchen - that would necessitate doing away with the furnace
which is OK with me, and putting a nice comfortable chair behind the
driver's chair.
I have a house in Americus that will seat 20 in the dining room. A breakfast
room that will seat 8 and a condo at the beach with a dining room that will
seat 8...and I never use any of them.
I eat every meal in the den on a lap tray. That is what we did in our GMC
(on the twin beds), or we ate outside on a picnic table or, my personal
preference, we went to a restaurant. If we stuck to that plan we could do
away with the kitchen completely.
The dinette for me is uncomfortable and useless.
--
Stick
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172187 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 19:35 |
AStasunas
Messages: 58
Registered: April 2009
Location: Winter Springs, Fl
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Glenn,
We met when you came down to the GM Sunshine Statesmen Rally in Marathon. Your coach looks great, just like it came out of a time capsule.
Hope to see you and Elaine at future Rallies.
Regards,
Tony
"Vinnie"
1975 Eleganza,
Winter Springs, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172190 is a reply to message #172177] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 20:08 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 05 June 2012 19:23 |
Stick,
At 6' 1" I agree that the dinette is uncomfortable
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Well, I've tried the dinette and we never used it. It is uncomfortable for eating and uncomfortable for sleeping. I'm going to shoot for a rear bath with comfortable chairs where the dinette should be.
But, meanwhile back at the topic, I really like the preservationist look to this coach. I like the old Palm Beach plaid for the same reason.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Our 1st GMC post [message #172197 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 20:59 |
David Greenberg
Messages: 222
Registered: September 2010
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Congrats and welcome to the asylum! The Registry has history on your
coach all the way back to the selling dealer. Write direct if you have
any questions.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 9:11 AM, Glenn Gardner <G2photos@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hello GMC.net-ers,
>
> My name is Glenn Gardner.
> My wife, Elaine & I, are in our mid fifties and live in Miami Florida.
> We recently bought our very first GMC motorhome about six weeks ago.
> It is a 1976 Royale - transmode (by Coachman) TZE366V100733
>
> We spent the first 4 weeks replacing things that may have been too old to be road worthy. Fuel pump, water pump, alternator, rebuilt our carburetor,belts, hoses, and a few other little things.
> We had some pretty bad leaks in the roof & windows, but have filled them with 3M marine 5200 adhesive, and we are now dry on the inside.
> Overall, we feel, the previous owner took pretty good care of it.
>
> We made our maiden voyage a couple weeks ago on memorial day weekend.
> It was a 400 mile round trip and we "dry camped" at a lake in mid Florida for two days. On our way up the state (Florida) we made a stop at Alex Sirum GMC in Okeechobee, and met Jeff & Norma. They were so very nice to us and made us feel welcome to the GMC community.
> They put "Scooby Doo" (GMC vehicle name) up on the lift and gave it the once over. Found a few small issues, but gave it a road worthy thumbs up.
> We continued on our way and had a wonderful weekend in our new home away from home.
>
> The reason I am writing today on the forum (I have been lurking every day for 6 weeks), is to thank you all, for all the stuff that has been, and currently being written about this wonderful vehicle.
> At the time we purchased it, we had no idea of all the support that is available out there. It is a good feeling to know that you all come together to support one another, and I do hope that one day, I too can be of help to someone else.
>
> I took a bunch of photos of the interior, but have not had much of an opportunity to take some of the exterior, since it has only been out of the back yard once.
> Here is a link to some photos : http://www.g2photosmx.com/Events/GMC-Scobby-Doo-Mobile/22716313_dSwJ7C
>
> So for now, thanks again for all the information and we look forward to meeting others that share a passion for this very cool and wonderful machine.
>
> Sincerely,
> Glenn & Elaine Gardner
>
> --
> Glenn & Elaine Gardner
> Miami, Florida
> 1976 Royale (transmode)
> TZE366V100733
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
--
David Lee Greenberg
Port St Lucie, FL
skype: david.lee.greenberg
http://www.picturetrail.com/gmcregistry
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| Re: Our 1st GMC post [message #172200 is a reply to message #172103] |
Tue, 05 June 2012 21:17 |
Pryzl1
Messages: 100
Registered: November 2011
Location: Toledo, OH
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Welcome aboard! I'm a newbie owner and just participated in the Hamilton workday rally in S. Ohio -- my first GMC event! A wonderful and diverse group willing to help each other and have fun!
John
1976 GMC Eleganza II - "The Never Ending Story"
Partial Restoration - a work in progress
455cc
NW Ohio
Member of the GMCMI, GMC Great Lakers Motorhome Club, GMCES and Dixielanders
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