Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] How old were you when
| [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193890] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 12:49  |
Jim Decheine
Messages: 27
Registered: July 2007
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were driving
down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod field.
It really looked sharp.
We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would like
to take a ride.
He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
We said come & look at it first.
It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that coach.
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193893 is a reply to message #193890] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 13:00  |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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I was subscribing to Trailer Life or maybe Motorhome Life
back when the GMCs first came out. I have always thought
they were the neatest thing. Saw one (prolly a 23) sitting
in front of a restaurant in Grove, OK with a FOR SALE sign.
That was probably in early 2010. Owner didn't live in the
same town and I didn't follow through. Ended up with the
Money Pit in March 2010, spending too much. Oh, well!
BTW, Jim, when Jim B speaks of the Jim D. coach that
is just coming up in the waiting list for rehab, is he
referring to your coach?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> From: jadecheine@frontiernet.net
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:49:46 -0700
> Subject: [GMCnet] How old were you when
>
> It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were driving
> down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod field.
> It really looked sharp.
> We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would like
> to take a ride.
> He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
> Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
> She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
> We said come & look at it first.
> It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that coach.
> JADE
> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
> Ajo, AZ
> KC7QGC
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193928 is a reply to message #193893] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 17:43 |
Ron77
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Member |
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In April 1973 at age 29 I bought a one year old Boise Cascade "Lifetime"
brand 26 footer for $11,000. It was just like a Winnie with a 440 Dodge. In
the summer I was visiting a buddy of mine who was a salesman at Downtown
Pontiac in Minneapolis. They were the dealer for the "new" GMC motorhome. If
I recall correctly they were about $18,000. I was sick. The GMC was so much
nicer than my Lifetime that it just spoiled mine for me. The gas crises hit
soon after and I sold the Lifetime the next year and thought no more of
motorhomes.
Until, in about 1982 a buddy of mine had a little class C that I bought and
had for a year. We moved to the San Diego area in 1997 and in 1998 we bought
a new 1997 left over Winnie 37 foot Adventurer. It was great to tow my race
car trailer to the nostalgia drag races and travel with my wife as well,
50,000 miles in 4 years. In 2002 we moved up to a new 36 foot Winnie Horizon
with a 330 Cat. That took us 45,000 miles and in 2006 we moved up again and
got a new Beaver Monterey 40 foot Pacifica.
Last year my vision was failing and I decided we'd probably have to sell the
big guy because with the Cackle car trailer on the back I was 65 feet long
and at age 77 it was getting to be a bit much. We decided that we would
explore selling but not do it until we found a suitable smaller replacement.
We started prowling the GMC sites and my wife and I settled on a 120,000
mile 1977 Eleganza that was up North of Sacramento. Almost always kept
inside it was in great shape. So we planned to use it occasionally and see
if the GMC would do the job. Then in late Fall I had cataract surgery. Oh
Boy! I could see again and the first big difference in lifestyle was driving
the Beaver was no longer a challenge and my wife really likes it better than
the GMC, specially since it won't get dirty at race tracks anymore. No
surprise there, I guess.
So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino and 74
Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car shows. I can
tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more than one, the El
Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well.
We are upgrading the GMC gradually, macerator, new air pump, rebuilt chassis
AC, radiator, new exhaust, Cruise Control, soon to get an equalizer hitch
and a Caddy T and T column. Fortunately the PO spent a bunch with Jim K and
all the front end stuff that wears out was replaced along with belts, hoses,
tires, rear bags and brakes. Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has
the original paint and striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was
done once maybe 15 years ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape. It
gets the looks wherever we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars
or the cackle cars do. And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I
can!!!
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of D C _Mac_ Macdonald
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 11:00 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when
I was subscribing to Trailer Life or maybe Motorhome Life back when the GMCs
first came out. I have always thought they were the neatest thing. Saw one
(prolly a 23) sitting in front of a restaurant in Grove, OK with a FOR SALE
sign.
That was probably in early 2010. Owner didn't live in the same town and I
didn't follow through. Ended up with the Money Pit in March 2010, spending
too much. Oh, well!
BTW, Jim, when Jim B speaks of the Jim D. coach that is just coming up in
the waiting list for rehab, is he referring to your coach?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> From: jadecheine@frontiernet.net
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:49:46 -0700
> Subject: [GMCnet] How old were you when
>
> It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were
> driving down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod
field.
> It really looked sharp.
> We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would
> like to take a ride.
> He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
> Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
> She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
> We said come & look at it first.
> It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that coach.
> JADE
> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
> Ajo, AZ
> KC7QGC
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193929 is a reply to message #193890] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 17:48 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| Jim Decheine wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 11:49 |
It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were driving
down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod field.
It really looked sharp.
We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would like
to take a ride.
He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
We said come & look at it first.
It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that coach.
JADE
73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
Ajo, AZ
KC7QGC
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Jim, If my math is correct, that makes you 75 years old! I sure hope I'm in as good shape as you are in 19 years! 
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] How old were you when [message #193931 is a reply to message #193928] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 19:18 |
 |
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Ron77 wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 15:43 |
...
So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino and 74 Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car shows. I can tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more than one, the El Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well. ...
... Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has the original paint and striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was done once maybe 15 years ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape. It gets the looks wherever we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars or the cackle cars do. And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I can!!!
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
|
I did not know what a "cackle car" was so I looked it up... I found several sites. It seems that "cackle car" refers to old time drag cars. (I suspect that the actual definition is a bit tighter than that... just couldn't actually find one.) I am assuming the name comes from the sound of the Nitro fueled engines.
Anyway I noticed the "contact" on the bottom of the following page: "Contact: Ron "Big Yohns" Johnson"
<http://bigyohnsracing.com/Shubert-Herbert.shtml>
One of these "Cackle Car Events" might be an interesting to attend.
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: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193932 is a reply to message #193931] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 19:25 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Mike, Bakersfield meet. "Cackle fest" Nothing like it on the planet.
Slingshot dragsters, Competition coupes, Fuel altered, AA/F GASSERS. Far
Out man.
Jim Hupy ( probably why I can't hear today)
Salem, Or
78 Gmc Royale 403
On Dec 24, 2012 5:18 PM, "Mike Miller" <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Ron77 wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 15:43
> > ...
> > So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino and
> 74 Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car shows. I
> can tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more than one, the
> El Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well. ...
> >
> > ... Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has the original paint and
> striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was done once maybe 15 years
> ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape. It gets the looks wherever
> we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars or the cackle cars do.
> And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I can!!!
> >
> > Ron Johnson
> > 77 Eleganza II
> > Escondido, CA
>
>
> I did not know what a "cackle car" was so I looked it up... I found
> several sites. It seems that "cackle car" refers to old time drag cars. (I
> suspect that the actual definition is a bit tighter than that... just
> couldn't actually find one.) I am assuming the name comes from the sound
> of the Nitro fueled engines.
>
> Anyway I noticed the "contact" on the bottom of the following page:
> "Contact: Ron "Big Yohns" Johnson"
>
> <http://bigyohnsracing.com/Shubert-Herbert.shtml>
>
> One of these "Cackle Car Events" might be an interesting to attend.
>
>
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> (#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23'
> Birchaven Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193934 is a reply to message #193932] |
Mon, 24 December 2012 19:47 |
Ron77
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Yup, Hupy has it just right. If you want to see more, look at
www.cacklefest.com. That's my website also, webmaster Don Ewald lives in
lovely Grants Pass. Click on The Cars tab, scroll down. The Tommy Ivo
"Barnstormer", Chris Karamesines "Chizler VI" and Shubert/Herbert are mine.
We'll be at Bakersfield from the 7th to the 10th of March for the March
Meet. We do about a dozen events a year. I don't know if there are any major
events planned in Oregon, but either the March Meet or better yet, the
California Hot Rod Reunion in October are worth whatever it takes to get
there.
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of James Hupy
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 5:26 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when
Mike, Bakersfield meet. "Cackle fest" Nothing like it on the planet.
Slingshot dragsters, Competition coupes, Fuel altered, AA/F GASSERS. Far
Out man.
Jim Hupy ( probably why I can't hear today) Salem, Or
78 Gmc Royale 403
On Dec 24, 2012 5:18 PM, "Mike Miller" <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Ron77 wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 15:43
> > ...
> > So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino
> > and
> 74 Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car
> shows. I can tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more
> than one, the El Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well. ...
> >
> > ... Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has the original paint
> > and
> striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was done once maybe 15
> years ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape. It gets the
> looks wherever we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars or the
cackle cars do.
> And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I can!!!
> >
> > Ron Johnson
> > 77 Eleganza II
> > Escondido, CA
>
>
> I did not know what a "cackle car" was so I looked it up... I found
> several sites. It seems that "cackle car" refers to old time drag
> cars. (I suspect that the actual definition is a bit tighter than
> that... just couldn't actually find one.) I am assuming the name
> comes from the sound of the Nitro fueled engines.
>
> Anyway I noticed the "contact" on the bottom of the following page:
> "Contact: Ron "Big Yohns" Johnson"
>
> <http://bigyohnsracing.com/Shubert-Herbert.shtml>
>
> One of these "Cackle Car Events" might be an interesting to attend.
>
>
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> (#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23'
> Birchaven Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193951 is a reply to message #193931] |
Tue, 25 December 2012 08:57 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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They were the serious stuff. The 'rumpety - rump' loud pipes and cam overlap was where someone had been playing with the engine to a greater or lesser degree. But when the car in the other lane was spitting and spatting and jumping up and down and crackling at 2200 RPM because it simply wouldn't keep running any slower, you had a serious competitor.
Next time you run I 75 into Florida, stop off in Ocala at the Garlitts Museum. It's right at an exit.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach.
From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when
Ron77 wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 15:43
> ...
> So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino and 74 Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car shows. I can tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more than one, the El Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well. ...
>
> ... Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has the original paint and striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was done once maybe 15 years ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape. It gets the looks wherever we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars or the cackle cars do. And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I can!!!
>
> Ron Johnson
> 77 Eleganza II
> Escondido, CA
I did not know what a "cackle car" was so I looked it up... I found several sites. It seems that "cackle car" refers to old time drag cars. (I suspect that the actual definition is a bit tighter than that... just couldn't actually find one.) I am assuming the name comes from the sound of the Nitro fueled engines.
Anyway I noticed the "contact" on the bottom of the following page: "Contact: Ron "Big Yohns" Johnson"
<http://bigyohnsracing.com/Shubert-Herbert.shtml>
One of these "Cackle Car Events" might be an interesting to attend.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193973 is a reply to message #193890] |
Tue, 25 December 2012 15:26 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I was about 8 when my Dad took me to Transpo72 and I saw my first GMC Motorhome. For a kid awe struck at the DisneyWorld monorail, this was a chance to have your own monorail. 35 years later I bought a "monorail" of my own.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #193977 is a reply to message #193973] |
Tue, 25 December 2012 15:56 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Let me see. Bought a 1968 VW Double Cab PU (Transporter) in 1972. Same
year I bought a 1969 Dodge Camper Special D200 Long Bed PU with a 10 foot
Open Road Camper in the bed. It had never been off the Pickup, and it had
12,000 miles on the clock. Still have the Dodge but it has a Oakland
Utility box on it now. I use it for my shop truck. VW is long gone, sold it
for more than I paid for it. Bought a Class C Open Road Motor home 26 foot
on a Dodge 1 ton Chassis with a 360 engine. Used it a few years and in 1993
I sold it and our 1977 Cadillac Sedan deVille along with a 2nd mortgage on
the house and bought a Flower Shop. Learned how to work 12 hour days 6 days
a week and all holidays as well. Not much time for camping out. In 2008
while driving down Lancaster Drive SE in Salem, a 1978 GMC Royale yelled at
Mary and I from the side of the road. Hey, you guys, Buy Me. I did, and it
changed my life, for better and for worse. Met an enormous number of new
friends, and sold the Flower Shop, lost my wife Mary to a botched cardiac
surgery. Got reaquainted with a life long friend who is now my fiance, on a
motorhome rally to Palm Desert. Work on GMCs for others now. Busier than
ever. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Life is good in a GMC.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403
On Tue, Dec 25, 2012 at 1:26 PM, Randy <Acrosport2@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I was about 8 when my Dad took me to Transpo72 and I saw my first GMC
> Motorhome. For a kid awe struck at the DisneyWorld monorail, this was a
> chance to have your own monorail. 35 years later I bought a "monorail" of
> my own.
> --
> Randy
> 1973 26' Painted Desert
> Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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>
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194017 is a reply to message #193890] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 04:35 |
David Greenberg
Messages: 222
Registered: September 2010
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I bought my 1st GMC at age 39. A spanking new 1975 PB. The GMC choice
was the result of renting a '75 SportsCoach a few months earlier.
Trying to level the SportsCoach using 2x12 boards on a wet weekend in
a hilly NY campground nearly ended my camping experience. After
hundreds of thousands miles (including a one year tour of the lower 48
with two pre teens in '77) I never doubted the purchase decision of #1
in '75 or #2 in '93.
On Mon, Dec 24, 2012 at 1:49 PM, Jim Decheine
<jadecheine@frontiernet.net> wrote:
> It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were driving
> down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod field.
> It really looked sharp.
> We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would like
> to take a ride.
> He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
> Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
> She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
> We said come & look at it first.
> It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that coach.
> JADE
> 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
> Ajo, AZ
> KC7QGC
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194025 is a reply to message #193890] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 08:42 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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I'd been dreaming of / looking for a motorhome for about 10 years (though not being retired for nine of those years reduced the need to more of a mild interest). However, my wife could never get by the whole "ugly white fiberglass box on a truck chassis thing". And let's face it, she has a point... they ARE pretty ugly. Then last summer, we were cruising across NM on the way to CO in our Jeep, and spotted a very tidy beige 23' GMC towing a Suzuki toad (that almost matched the paint on the GMC - I've always wondered who that was so I'd know who to blame). We were both smitten with the looks, the size and the layout of the rig, and some serious research started as soon as we got back to AZ. With some help from the registry, I was able to recreate the history of the '78 Royale Center Kitchen I located in Los Angeles, and realized that the two PO's had dropped a small fortune into renovating and updating it. So at the ripe old age of 54 my motorhome dream finally came true, and my wife is at least as excited as I am. We've got about 5,000 essentially trouble-free miles on the old girl so far, and (of course), I've continued pouring love (read "time and money") into the rig to bring it up to my specs.
This forum / community is one of the main reasons we were confident to buy a 35 year old motorhome, and (so far) there hasn't been a single regret.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194064 is a reply to message #193890] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 15:16 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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mine started with a garage.
I tried to get the city to allow me to build onto my garage, they refused. I have a 2 car garage and 4 cars. While out with some car guy buddies I said "I'm going to buy the biggest ugliest motorhome and park it in my driveway, that'l show the city!" ( not much restriction on motorhome parking here)
One guy said, "yeah!, then you can tow your car to the track behind it AND have a place to sleep!" SWEET!
So I bought a $8000 22 foot class C with a 454 and bad brakes. Good little machine once I fixed the brakes. Towed my vette around just fine and took the family on a trip to yellowstone and the grand canyon. But every time I worked on it I hated spending money on it, big ugly black hole.
Then I found the GMC And I announced..I'm gettin one!
Found a nice one in Wisconsin dells, put new tires and wheels on it and drove it 250 miles home with the engine smoking like crazy.
rebuilt the engine, the wheel bearings, fixed tons of stuff the POs screwed up and finally got it out camping!
This summer I hope to take a decent trip in it.
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194070 is a reply to message #193890] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 17:27 |
Francois
Messages: 161
Registered: October 2012
Location: Southern California
Karma: 0
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I was a full on hippie in the mid 70s. Started in a Dodge van and after that went to a cabover camper on a pickup truck.
When I saw my first GMC motorhome back then, of course it was sleeker than anything of that size you could imagine. I remember looking at my camper and looking at the GMC and just saying "Wow".
Now, later in life when I acquired some cash, I started looking for a motorhome and did not have the GMC in mind. Then I saw one on craigslist and, even though it was kind of ratty, it got the wheels turning. I went looking here and there, and seeing what was out there and for how much.
The one I ended up with was owned by Miguel Mendez (MGM/GMC) and he wanted a fair price for it. I had the advantage of getting some additional work done by him while it was there. Exhaust, headers, final drive, generator.
I have been just taking it around local, and have been slowly familiarizing myself with its quirks and issues. It rides nice, that is for sure.
A 1978 Royale. Everything I have so far tried works. Still have to try the propane system. It just feels good to fulfill that old fantasy.
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194075 is a reply to message #194070] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 18:20 |
LarryInSanDiego
Messages: 336
Registered: September 2006
Karma: 0
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I first saw the GMCs in HS (Class of '73!) and KNEW one day I would own one. Finding the right deal (read cheap) and having cash at the same time was the challenge. I came sooo close in around '88 when I saw a local mobile TV repair guy have one for sale for around $3000. I now know it was a Transmode - year unknown, I didn't even realize there were two different lengths.
I even stocked up on Cadillac 500s (an idea I had since abandoned) and TH425's including the desirable '66/'67. With the internet, I got my self edumacated enough on GMCs that I knew I wanted a 26'. Every time we would go camping at Silver Strand with our popup camper (which I got tired raising and lowering every time my wife asked me if we had paper plates), I would chum around who turned out to be Pacific Cruisers.
After one member told me which sites to look at, especially fixer uppers, I replied to an ad from a guy who had the one I now own in Perris, CA, 77 miles from me, with no transaxle, for $500.
Slowly making improvements as the family budget allows (or more like isn't aware of), we enjoy taking it camping, both overnight and day camping. Thanks to wonderful suppliers like the Jims and Miguel and this community, our family loves just it. Looks like it's 40th birthday is coming up soon.
Larry Engelbrecht
San Diego, CA
'73 26' ex-Glacier
TZE063V100319 03/07/73
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194095 is a reply to message #193890] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 08:40 |
Erv Troyer
Messages: 125
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lagrange, IN
Karma: 0
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| Jim Decheine wrote on Mon, 24 December 2012 12:49 |
It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were driving down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod field.
It really looked sharp.
<snip>
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In the early 70's I was working for Duo-Therm as a Service Engineer, and was making regular calls on Winnebago, who was the biggest Class A builder at that time. Summer of 1973 they were cranking out 366 units each week from their one plant, which they called Big Bertha.
I was helping put on a dealer service seminar at Winnebago when someone asked the instructor "What about the GMC - is Winnebago worried about their entry into the RV market?". The reply was "No - they are not our competition - they are building for a different market than we are." Which proved to be correct, as we can see now.
I worked on many brands of motorhomes during those years, but never got to get any hands-on experience until 1984, when a GMC dealer in Michigan brought us a GMC motorhome to work on. Sol-Aire (the furnace maker) had gone out of business, and I was given the job of removing the Sol-Aire and installing one of our Duo-Therm furnaces, while also writing up an instruction sheet on how to do this. I had to completely remove the sofa/bed to get to one bolt that attached the Sol-Aire furnace to the floor, but I finally "got 'er done".
During that time I got to drive the GMC, and I was impressed with it, but never imagined that I would ever be able to afford one of these. When the GMC was returned to the dealer a copy of the Service Manual was left at Duo-Therm, and the dealer said we could just keep it. I still have that Manual.
I was 55 in 1999, and I was part owner of a custom truck sleeper company, and I started thinking about getting a GMC motorhome. I put a bid on Ebay on a coach in Florida, but was outbid by a buyer in Washington.
In March 2000 I saw another GMC on Ebay, and put one bid on it, and the ad changed to "Reserve has been met", and I thought Oh, my, I hope those other two bidders go higher. They didn't bid again, so I finally told my wife what I had done - "YOU DID WHAT?!!" However, she now enjoys driving and using the motorhome about as much as I do.
That GMC was located about 8 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge, and we live in NE Indiana, so we got one-way plane tickets and flew to SF to pick it up. After we saw it, and heard it run (both exhaust manifold gaskets shot) we felt we had made a BIG mistake, but we already had too much invested to back out now. If you want to read about the adventures we had on our trip home I posted them on my web site: http://www.reoengine.us/ervt/firsttrip.htm
I had joined this GMC Net several months earlier, so I had a great source available for information, and I have used it many times. Thank you all.
Erv Troyer Lagrange, IN
74 Sequoia
reo43@aol.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194119 is a reply to message #194075] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 07:10 |
Jim Bounds
Messages: 842
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Had not had a chace to read this thread, very interesting stories. Everyone has on on how they met the GMC and fell in love-- I hear many.
I have one too so here goes:
My style of camping in 1991 was with the Boy Scouts, being a past Scoutmaster, I've done sections of the AT, did Philmont with each of my sons seperatly. When we were camping and came upon a camper trailer or motorhome I had my scouts trained to look at those folks as worthless and weak! One day working as autosound install trainer for Circuit City, a guy came in saying he was restoring a classic motorhome and would like our shop to install a kick butt sound system. I drove an installer over to see the coach in my 1960 LeBaron, one look at the type of rolling stock I appreciated and Tony Bell said "I think we'll get along well". We built a sound system that flattened all the batteries in the coach after @ 30 minutes! This is when I learned about energy management. Building the first CLASCO coach, I fell in love with the GMC, I saw a ground floor situation with a machine that could be a platform for all sorts of unique applications and now
after what 22 years-- after blowing off a 15 year career in consumer electronics I have never looked back. It's taken a bit more time than I anticipated but today, the GMC is coming into it's own--- again. The next generation is becoming at least as excited about the GMC as the folks that have loved their special machines to this point. I look at myself as one of those, I never considered a motorhome much less a GMC until I was bitten and boy did the venum take hold! Never looked to have a business doing this, I was happy playing with wires and megga-sound systems but now here I am, here we are and the world has put us all where we are. You could say no products beat the marketing "bell curve" but in the case of the GMC motorhome, I feel the best years are yet to come, all of us have reinvented this classic for the next generation which is a huge success story. Tell me any product that was designed and popular when it came out and has
enjoyed a resurgence in popularity later. Well-- OK, plad shorts is one and bicycles but I am proud of being a part of rediscovering the usefulness and timeless beauty and sense that the GMC represents. My CPA constantly tells me to go back and get a real job-- I tell her I'm still not done! If retirment is stopping what you were trained to do to make money and pick up a trade you always wished you could do-- then I've been retired since 1991-- you should be so lucky...
Jim Bounds
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194122 is a reply to message #194075] |
Wed, 26 December 2012 23:07 |
Gary Worobec
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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Saw my first GMC in 1973 at the Westwood racetrack in British Columbia. I
was racing Lotus cars for the Western Canadian importer Checquered Flag
Garage. A very good driver, Alan Lader had come up from Portland in a bright
orange '73 GMC towing his Formula Atlantic car. I was towing my Lotus 18
with a Valiant station wagon with a Slant 6. This was the most awesome RV I
had ever seen. Vowed to get one someday. Got one now, but wish I would have
kept all of the Lotus cars I had back then. Probably could have bought a
really nice Newmar with the money.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Engelbrecht" <lengelbrecht@sandi.net>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when
>
>
> I first saw the GMCs in HS (Class of '73!) and KNEW one day I would own
> one. Finding the right deal (read cheap) and having cash at the same time
> was the challenge. I came sooo close in around '88 when I saw a local
> mobile TV repair guy have one for sale for around $3000. I now know it was
> a Transmode - year unknown, I didn't even realize there were two different
> lengths.
>
> I even stocked up on Cadillac 500s (an idea I had since abandoned) and
> TH425's including the desirable '66/'67. With the internet, I got my self
> edumacated enough on GMCs that I knew I wanted a 26'. Every time we would
> go camping at Silver Strand with our popup camper (which I got tired
> raising and lowering every time my wife asked me if we had paper plates),
> I would chum around who turned out to be Pacific Cruisers.
>
> After one member told me which sites to look at, especially fixer uppers,
> I replied to an ad from a guy who had the one I now own in Perris, CA, 77
> miles from me, with no transaxle, for $500.
>
> Slowly making improvements as the family budget allows (or more like isn't
> aware of), we enjoy taking it camping, both overnight and day camping.
> Thanks to wonderful suppliers like the Jims and Miguel and this community,
> our family loves just it. Looks like it's 40th birthday is coming up soon.
> --
> Larry Engelbrecht
> '73 26' ex-Glacier
> TZE063V100319 030773
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194124 is a reply to message #194075] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 15:17 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I got mine last year,
i am not sure if the GMCnet is working testing please for give me if it is just slow now,
test test day after boxing day.
mickey
77 palm beach
anaheim ca.
On Dec 26, 2012, at 4:20 PM, Larry Engelbrecht wrote:
>
>
> I first saw the GMCs in HS (Class of '73!) and KNEW one day I would own one. Finding the right deal (read cheap) and having cash at the same time was the challenge. I came sooo close in around '88 when I saw a local mobile TV repair guy have one for sale for around $3000. I now know it was a Transmode - year unknown, I didn't even realize there were two different lengths.
>
> I even stocked up on Cadillac 500s (an idea I had since abandoned) and TH425's including the desirable '66/'67. With the internet, I got my self edumacated enough on GMCs that I knew I wanted a 26'. Every time we would go camping at Silver Strand with our popup camper (which I got tired raising and lowering every time my wife asked me if we had paper plates), I would chum around who turned out to be Pacific Cruisers.
>
> After one member told me which sites to look at, especially fixer uppers, I replied to an ad from a guy who had the one I now own in Perris, CA, 77 miles from me, with no transaxle, for $500.
>
> Slowly making improvements as the family budget allows (or more like isn't aware of), we enjoy taking it camping, both overnight and day camping. Thanks to wonderful suppliers like the Jims and Miguel and this community, our family loves just it. Looks like it's 40th birthday is coming up soon.
> --
> Larry Engelbrecht
> '73 26' ex-Glacier
> TZE063V100319 030773
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when [message #194125 is a reply to message #193928] |
Thu, 27 December 2012 07:33 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Ron,
Have we ever talked about the nostalgia drags that Russ Meyer hosted at
the old Carlsbad?
Steve
On Mon, Dec 24, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Ron Johnson <Ron77@gltcinsurance.com>wrote:
> In April 1973 at age 29 I bought a one year old Boise Cascade "Lifetime"
> brand 26 footer for $11,000. It was just like a Winnie with a 440 Dodge. In
> the summer I was visiting a buddy of mine who was a salesman at Downtown
> Pontiac in Minneapolis. They were the dealer for the "new" GMC motorhome.
> If
> I recall correctly they were about $18,000. I was sick. The GMC was so much
> nicer than my Lifetime that it just spoiled mine for me. The gas crises hit
> soon after and I sold the Lifetime the next year and thought no more of
> motorhomes.
>
> Until, in about 1982 a buddy of mine had a little class C that I bought and
> had for a year. We moved to the San Diego area in 1997 and in 1998 we
> bought
> a new 1997 left over Winnie 37 foot Adventurer. It was great to tow my race
> car trailer to the nostalgia drag races and travel with my wife as well,
> 50,000 miles in 4 years. In 2002 we moved up to a new 36 foot Winnie
> Horizon
> with a 330 Cat. That took us 45,000 miles and in 2006 we moved up again and
> got a new Beaver Monterey 40 foot Pacifica.
>
> Last year my vision was failing and I decided we'd probably have to sell
> the
> big guy because with the Cackle car trailer on the back I was 65 feet long
> and at age 77 it was getting to be a bit much. We decided that we would
> explore selling but not do it until we found a suitable smaller
> replacement.
> We started prowling the GMC sites and my wife and I settled on a 120,000
> mile 1977 Eleganza that was up North of Sacramento. Almost always kept
> inside it was in great shape. So we planned to use it occasionally and see
> if the GMC would do the job. Then in late Fall I had cataract surgery. Oh
> Boy! I could see again and the first big difference in lifestyle was
> driving
> the Beaver was no longer a challenge and my wife really likes it better
> than
> the GMC, specially since it won't get dirty at race tracks anymore. No
> surprise there, I guess.
>
> So the GMC is in the shop with the cacklecars and the 66 El Camino and 74
> Estate Wagon push cars and we take it to the races and some car shows. I
> can
> tow one cacklecar with it and since we usually take more than one, the El
> Camino and/or the Buick are put into service as well.
>
> We are upgrading the GMC gradually, macerator, new air pump, rebuilt
> chassis
> AC, radiator, new exhaust, Cruise Control, soon to get an equalizer hitch
> and a Caddy T and T column. Fortunately the PO spent a bunch with Jim K and
> all the front end stuff that wears out was replaced along with belts,
> hoses,
> tires, rear bags and brakes. Rebuilt 455 a few years ago. It is still has
> the original paint and striping, has Chrome steel 16" wheels. Inside was
> done once maybe 15 years ago but it's a nice Tan color and in good shape.
> It
> gets the looks wherever we go and it gets as much attention as the old cars
> or the cackle cars do. And I'll keep on doing what I am doing as long as I
> can!!!
>
> Ron Johnson
> 77 Eleganza II
> Escondido, CA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of D C _Mac_ Macdonald
> Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 11:00 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How old were you when
>
>
> I was subscribing to Trailer Life or maybe Motorhome Life back when the
> GMCs
> first came out. I have always thought they were the neatest thing. Saw one
> (prolly a 23) sitting in front of a restaurant in Grove, OK with a FOR SALE
> sign.
> That was probably in early 2010. Owner didn't live in the same town and I
> didn't follow through. Ended up with the Money Pit in March 2010, spending
> too much. Oh, well!
>
> BTW, Jim, when Jim B speaks of the Jim D. coach that is just coming up in
> the waiting list for rehab, is he referring to your coach?
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ______________
> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
> *--OO--[]---O-*
>
>
>
> > From: jadecheine@frontiernet.net
> > To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> > Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:49:46 -0700
> > Subject: [GMCnet] How old were you when
> >
> > It was the Spring of 1983, I was 46 years old, when my son & I were
> > driving down Hwy. 65 in MN. & spotted a 1973, 23' GMC parked in a sod
> field.
> > It really looked sharp.
> > We stopped to look at it, when the owner came out & asked if we would
> > like to take a ride.
> > He took us across this sod field at about 40 mph. & it rode like a dream.
> > Lets go & tell your Mother what we found.
> > She said, YOU DON'T NEED a motor home.
> > We said come & look at it first.
> > It will be 30 years this coming Spring & we still have & enjoy that
> coach.
> > JADE
> > 73 23' ?? 73 26' Painted Desert
> > Ajo, AZ
> > KC7QGC
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
--
Take care,
Steve
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