Page 4 - Summer 2017 GMC Vintage RVing

41973 Glacier owned by Sandi Renk | Burnsville, Minnesota.The Beginning of the Legend1973-74 GMC MotorhomesThe first two years of production are the most difficult models to identify since there is little information on the coaches, only clues. We would like to share them with you.BY BILL BRYANT | GMC MOTORHOME HISTORIAN | 1976 PALM BEACH | PLEASANT VALLEY, NY AND JANET FREY | 1976 PALM BEACH | MILFORD SQUARE, PAOver the years, many of us have read about the history of the GMC, especially Bill Bryant’s detailed history, The GMC MotorHome From Start to Finish*. His wealth of information has gone a long wayin solving the mystery of these unique vehicles, and provided fun facts as well as documenting the very serious job of constructing a brand new type of recreational vehicle. In this issue, we are featuring the 1973 and 1974 GMC Motorhome models, the ones that introduced our wonderful motorhomes to the world. So, sit back and enjoy reviewing these interesting and historical facts and figures.*available on cd for $20 from GMCMIProduction of GMC Motorhomes by Model YearModel Names, Colors and OptionsThe 1973 GMC Motorhome was available with a choice of four different models, six exterior colors, fifteen different floor plans, two different body lengths, and then there was the long list of available options!The first series of motorhomes were named for National Parks: Canyon Lands, Glacier, Painted Desert, and Sequoia. The 26-foot and 23-foot models both used the same model names. Therewere three standard exterior colors: White, Camel, and Pineapple Yellow. Three additional colors were offered for an extra $34; they were Bittersweet (orange), Sky Blue, and Parrot Green. The Parrot Green was discontinued for 1974. A horizontal accent color stripe wrapped around the front of the body; continuing the stripe down the sides of the coach was an $86 option.A total of fifteen floor plans were split between the two body lengths, eleven for the 26-foot and four for the 23-foot.Any one of the floor plans was available in any of the four models. The model names defined the interior décor, colors,and upholstery pattern; not the floor plan.Model Year1973 1974 Total23 foot461 168 62926 foot Total1,598 2,059 1,496 1,664 3,094 3,723build quantities unknown by modelGMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM