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35 Years In The Making | GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONALMOTORHOMES INTERNATIONALWow, 35 years!As they say, time flies when you are having fun! GMC Motorhomes International (GMCMI) has been a source of information,fun, and fellowship, and it continues to be an anchor for the GMC Community. It is important to reflecton how it began, how it grew, and how it continues to be a major influence in our lives with our GMC motorhomes.Do you remember the largest membership year? How about the “theatrical” events directed by Trula Bingham, Marty Samsel, and Lucy Weidner? Group excursions (too many to mention)?So, browse the GMC Timeline to see key events in our history. How many do you remember?4 GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE |In celebration of the 35th Anniversary of GMCMI, I spoke to Ralph Luby, its founder. He provided some interesting insights into the adventure that became GMC Motorhomes International.He explained that he purchased his first GMC,a Sequoia, new in 1974. After two years, he found it was not being used due to other activities.So it was sold. When he discovered that GMC was going to discontinue production of the motorhome, he decided to purchase another new GMC Motorhome. He bought a 1978 Palm Beach.He had this motorhome until about six yearsago, when it was sold. He has since done a bus conversion to a motorhome, enjoying thechallenge and the process.Ralph discovered that when he purchased his GMC, the GMC sponsored club was defunct. There were some regional chapters of GMC owners, but not an international organized group. So, in an effort to generate interest in a single, larger group, Ralph produced a letter that he delivered to the GMCs that were attending the FMCA rally in Notre Dame. The first meeting had an attendance of 50 owners, and that was the beginning. Ralph was active in FMCA, but now he was elected the president of the new GMCMI. At first, GMCMI had their Conventions within the FMCA. One reason that the GMCMI stopped meeting within the FMCA is because of one of the unique features of the GMC – its lower height. This resulted in most of the GMCs being putRalph Luby serving ice cream at the 1999 GMCMI Convention in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina.AnInterviewwith Janet Frey and our founder, Ralph Lubyunder the trees! Eventually, GMCMI members met and caravanned to the Convention location. One caravan resulted in a convoy ten miles long!As GMCMI started its Conventions, the typical attendance of 300 to 400 motorhomes made finding a location a challenge. The logical solution was to use fairgrounds. That also became the inspiration for the accumulation of equipment needed for activities such as food prep and clean up, and sound equipment. At first, Ralph towed a trailer with the supplies. But that became difficult with the larger attendance. So, twenty shipping containers were constructed. This equipment allowed the Convention to go to locations without the basic facilities and yet provide the services for the attendees. For many years, these containers were shipped after a Convention to Ralph’s home where they were stored before being shipped to the next Convention location. While these containers were at his property, Ralph went through the containers to clean the equipment and inventory the supplies. He also checked for future locations. Many times traveling to the location and visiting for three or four days, prior to a Convention. In addition tothe supplies needed, Ralph had to anticipate other details such as permits for the Convention tents.Ralph, who was a real estate agent prior to his involvement in GMCMI, was instrumental in the formation of this club that is still functioning at a high level. We owe a big thanks to him for all his ground breaking efforts to make GMCMI a reality.GMCMI.COM