Page 4 - Fall 2015 GMC Vintage Rving

original fabric of Palm Beach.Sample Sales BoardDale and Jane Ropp with “Happy”, pictured with their 1977 Palm Beach. (their coach is featured on the front cover)4 GMC VIntaGe RVInG MAGAzINE | GTheGmCPalm BeachMCMI.COMIntroduced in 1975...BY JANET fREy | MILFoRD SquARE, PA | 1976 PALM BEACHHISToRICAL ASSISTANCE BILL BRyANT | PLEASANT vALLY, NY | 1976 PALM BEACH“Forty years after the world was introduced to GMC’s halo vehicle, it remains an enduring entry in the RV world. Long “orphaned”by GM, it never-the-less enjoys a support network of businesses, shops and loyalowners. It is estimated that over half of those produced are still on the road. As our culture begins to question the perpetual consumption of resources in the pursuit of luxury and perceived status, the GMC Motorhome’s timeless design and engineering becomes the foundation for a new generation of owners seeking to travel and experience this great world we share.” Thus begins Bill Bryant’s very detailed history of the GMC motorhome. The complete article can be found on the GMCMI website. Here is a short condensation of the history.GM’s interest in a motorhome began somewhere in the late 1960’s. As car designs became more efficient and engines less powerful, manufacturers looked to new markets. Some, like Dodge, had alreadybeen supplying chassis to motorhome manufacturers. It seemed like RV sales were about to explode, and GM wanted to bepart of the action. Their approach was to design a motorhome from the ground up, intentionally producing a chassis for a vehicle that would be used for a modern, functional recreational vehicle. They began to assemble a core of engineers and designers to work on the project. There were already studies regarding the feasibility of using a front-wheel drive Olds Toronado chassis for a vehicle that could be used for such wide-ranging purposes as transit, ambulances, delivery vans, mobile broadcast units, as well as the RV. Designs for exteriorand interior, engines and transmissions, suspensions and a myriad of engineering puzzles had to be meshed to produce asleek, powerful and comfortable finished product. After exhaustive studies, research, considerations for manufacturing requirements and costs, the GMC motorhome finally made its appearance in 1972 and into production.The Palm Beach model of the GMC Motorhome was a new offering in 1975 and continued to the end of production in 1978. The 1975 introduction was a very important year for the GMC motorhome. All the models were new – Palm Beach, EleganzaII, Glenbrook and the TransMode. Many changes and improvements in motorhome construction were offered for this year and a general upgrading in content and appearance were obvious.The Palm Beach interiors with woven plaid fabrics, green shag rugs, furniture with dovetail joints and the Frosted Mint Imron paint were some examples. Other upgraded examples were radial tires, increased GVW, Flexsteel seating, body and air suspension improvements, polybutelene plumbing, HEI ignition, Hehr windows along with many other upgrades. The Palm Beach was actually available in both the more commonly seen Frosted Mint green as well as white Imron, both with the dark green horizontal stripesThose of us who own one of these fascinating vehicles can alternately applaud and curse them, but ultimately savor the enjoyment from owning one of the most enduring vehicles in RV history.