Page 4 - Fall 2016 GMC Vintage RVing

Transmodes...The Royale & BirchavenCOMPILED BY JANET FREY | MILFORD SQUARE, PA | 1976 PALM BEACH HISTORICAL ASSISTANCE BILL BRYANT | PLEASANT VALLY, NY | 1976 PALM BEACHThe History of the TransModeThe TransMode is the product name designating a vehicle whose chassis and body were produced in the GMC plant, but delivered to another upfitter who completed the coach. The TransMode, an “empty motorhome” advertised as “The MobileAnything” for those who wanted to build their own interiors, was available from 1975 through 1978. Many companies were upfitting the new TransMode as both motor homes and for commercial applications.In upcoming issues of GMC Vintage Rving, we will explore other uses of the TransMode including some of the motorhome upfitters such as Avion, Carriage, LRP, Midas, Norris, Hughes, Landau, Roll-a-long, El Dorado, Foretravel, Winnebago, plus a few others with very low build quantities.There was also commercial usage, where TransModes were completed as people movers and used by Hertz to transport customers from airport terminals to rental car lots. Some units were sold to government agencies and used as mobile labs. Additional uses were: Ambulances/emergency vehicles, bookmobiles, mobile ATM/Banks, airport shuttle buses, mobile showrooms, mobile radio stations, hearses, courtesy coaches for beer and soda distributors, as well as many more.In other words, a TransMode could have seen service as a motorhome or as a special purpose vehicle without living facilities installed.1976 Brochureproduced by General Motors introduced the Cresmont and the Birchaven. Other Royale and Birchaven brochures were produced by Coachmen.4 GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM