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TWO NEW MOTORHOMES
GMC Unveils Motorhome Prototype
Long awaited front wheel drive coaches from
automotive giant available in 1973.
By Ken Kelly
With the introduction of the all-new 26-foot Motorhome prototype late in May, GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors became the first major automotive manufacturer with plans to market a motorhome with their name attached to it.
The motorhomes will be built on a specialized multi-purpose chassis, which has a pair of axles in the rear and features front wheel drive. The body is fiber glass and aluminum and displays wide expanses of glass and aerodynamic styling.
GMC is starting with two models: a 23-footer and a 26-footer in the 10,500-pound g.v.w. class. The prototype 26-footer was first shown to the public at the International Transportation Exposition in Washington.
Martin J. Caserio, GMC general manager, has said that the division's goal is to offer medium priced motorhomes at $12,000-$14,000 for fully self-contained unit.
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| GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors recently unveiled its 26-foot motorhome prototype to be marketed by early 1973 through GM car and truck dealers who will provide single-stop service and warranty responsibility for the complete vehicle. |
GMC will make most of the motorhome and handle all sales and service functions. But interiors will be produced by a company with deep roots in the RV field. Once the motorhome bodies have been installed on the chassis at the GMC plant in Pontiac, Mich., they will be sent to the Gemini Corp., Mount Clemens, Mich., for installation of interiors. Gemini is a subsidiary of PRF Industries which makes the Travco motorhome. (on a Dodge chassis) and the Mini-Home (in a Ford compact van) among others.
A selection of interiors floor plans will be available. Interior features will include vinyl faced paneling, a thermostatically controlled LP-gas furnace, air-conditioning and a passenger seat in the front to accommodate two persons.
The motorhome prototype is powered by a 455-cubic-inch V-8, 4-barrel carburetor which develops 265 net h.p. This power package is currently used in the Toronado, a luxury auto with front wheel drive produced by GM's Oldsmobile Division.
In addition, the GMC motorhome offers a 3-speed automatic transmission and a 6-wheel braking system with disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on all four rear wheels. The rear wheels have independent air suspensions. Such axles offer greater stability and weight carrying ability than single rear axles.
The low multi-purpose chassis has been under development for some time now. Initially is was seen as a chassis for a small city bus. Besides the motorhome, there are no immediate plans to use the chassis in any other vehicle but the division has considered offering it under a small bus, an ambulance or rescue vehicle, a mobile showroom or vehicle for physically handicapped riders.
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| Development is continuing for possible application of new motorhome for use by the physically handicapped. |
The best in after-the-sale service will be the number one goal of this motorhome merchandising program, according to Robert C. Stelter, general manager at GMC. "We will offer one-stop service for everything from transmission to toilets," he said.
GMC's current truck dealers will get first crack at the new line but "there will be no mass franchising campaign."
Dealers handling Chevrolet and possibly other General Motors products may get the new motorhome in locations where a dealer is needed and where there is no qualified GMC dealer. All GMC motorhome dealers will have space in which customers can store their vehicles - something like the marinas in boating. And GMC dealers who handle the motorhome will have warranty responsibility for the entire vehicle, including appliances in the living area. MHL
Last modified February 1, 2005