According to the seller, this Winnebago was only driven about 35 miles by the dealer in Oklahoma City to its current location in Wellston, Oklahoma. It’s listed on eBay for $1,500. They don’t say what it was used for, but those of you who have watched “Breaking Bad” may have an idea. In 1978 they would more likely have been brewing lysergic acid diethylamide (acid, LSD) than meth. The Dodge 440 engine does run but this motor home does not drive. The sellers report it needs plugs and a battery, but it surely needs a lot more help than that.
Inside is well-worn 1970s shabby sheik. There are no obvious signs of vandalism. The file folder holders on the wall might indicate it was used as an office. Except for the cabinet door falling off, it looks ok from here and there’s no sign of a lab.
With the bet bumper, the rusty wheel that has been mounted, and the rusty receiver hitch, can anyone believe this was never driven? It’s always entertaining and amusing to read what folks on eBay expect you to believe. Perhaps there are enough usable bits left here to make it worth the $1500 asking. It’s hard to imagine actually fixing it up and going camping, though.
I don’t know why…but there is just something about a big Winnebago that gets my attention.
No low miles on this Winnie, that spare has a few thousand on it.
waste of life.
Why does it say SOLD on the windshield ?
I read the listing twice, and it states that the current owner never drove it, which does not actually mean it was never driven before his ownership. And seller does not claim anywhere that he’s the original owner. I don’t find the description misleading in any way.
That’s the way I’m reading it. The current owner bought it used and has never used it.
Free Meth with a side of ganja. Free motor home.
My thoughts exactly. A Northern California meth lab.
Cut the roof off and grow pot inside.
Whenever I see one of these, I can’t help but think of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where Eddie (Randy Quaid) had been dumping his sewage into a storm drain and Uncle Lewis tosses a match.
Can’t remember seeing anything more ugly, and I have seen Hillary Clinton.
$hitters full!
you beat me to it!!!
Shabby sheik ? Is there a camel involved ?
We know they meant chic … lolz
My parents had one of these in the early ’70’s. No better way to take
a road trip. Yeah, I could get it running and driving again, but due to
old age, the roof and wiring could be toast. It’d be a cross between
a full do-over on the mechanicals, and remodeling an oldobile home.
This definately is one for someone with a lot of time and money to
make this Winnie whole again.
I have one of these as a upcoming project – it drives and has been converted to right hand drive recently, which effectively covered the chassis vin number.
Once local registration is completed the vandalized interior will be replaced with new.
Yip she does not drive well. But is solid – her future will be restricted to short trips (mostly between gas stations ?) LOL.
These things tend to age quite badly if not maintained. Roof leaks allow water into the walls and everything wood rots. The very period wood grain paneling was common on most RV’s and trailers. There really isn’t much point to an old unit like this.
BUT they do offer a good basis for a full gut and redo. Heavy chassis, big engine, trans meant for heavy use and towing, dually rear, etc. Some have gensets. The plumbing system itself will save a lot of hassle. I’ve looked at newer Pace Arrows and had a mid 90’s that worked quite well. I’d like to pick up a 2 axle trailer for use as a mobile office rig. Things like the horrible toilet don’t even phase me since you can buy a new one from Amazon for $100. Just not worth the time to try to clean those things. Start new.
It can be rebuilt. But it will never be worth much, so why not just fix it up and have fun as is.
Before you know it thsee “classic” motor homes will be collectibles and be big hits at cruise ins, just like those crazy little campers from the 50’s are right now. This would be cheap to fix up and only require some time and a few $$ in 70″s paneling and carpet! Lol
Always liked the ol winnies!
After all this time probably would need a new roof.
At least LSD didnt blow up……
The stunning amount of pictures tells any potential buyer the complete story of what they are about to buy.
Poker shack in the woods. My old man had a motorhome just like this, only a 318. I remember him fighting the steering wheel, going 54 mph in a 30 mph headwind, with hot air blasting in the windows. I remember stopping a LOT for gas, which was great to get out of that tin can. It’s a box on wheels, and handles accordingly. Ride was miserable, it’s nothing more than a straight truck chassis. HOWEVER, despite it’s short comings, for the 1st time, you could go camping, and not pull that trailer around. Pull in somewhere, level it out, and hit the sack. That part was great. I’ll agree, sitting outside is the kiss of death for these, but for a grand, be totally worth it for short trips.
Howard A. you are correct sir. Had one of these a few years back. Purchased from a neighbor who was a mechanic. He took very good care of it so it was in excellent shape. Wifey saw it and had to have it. Of couse she would not be the one driving the beast. I hated driving that thing as it handled like a plastic bag in a hurricane. If a semi went by you started praying. Hard. But when you arrived at your destination and got set up it was very cormfortable. Fortunately she got tired of watching our money fly out the exaust (I think it was rated gpm instead of mpg) and we sold it.
Exactly Rob. There are so many of these things parked in quansets and backyards. At 3 gpm who could afford to drive them.
I bought a 74 lie this in 1994. It hd been used to haul a trailer to Jeep races after its tour as a family camper. It had been parked a few years at the Gas station by the racer/sttion owner. He wanted a lot.I offered a little if out was inspected (in Pennsylvania), forgetting they were an inspection station. After 10 years ff rod, it was ready for me in a day. I lost the brakes on the ey home. Master cylinder. Nursed it back. Next dat lost brakes again, rerouted wheel cylinder.. So after tress to turn them in to DMV, they rebuilt all four brakes, and I left with wife and four kids for Florida. First night out huge storm filled the sunshade with water and pulled the whole thing along with the outer skin off the camper. Made it to florida, but first day a front tire blew, taking the passenger flor out with it. The Camper would have rolled or gone into the canal next to us if not for a steering damper installer by the racers. Saved by a lost giant tow truck who couldn’t find his tow, we limped o our pre to St Pete and bought 6 new tires, The old looked new but were dry rotted. Got to Alke above Miami, and the motor (440) would not start, but he camper next to us had parts and after new elections in distributor I replaced the arts at a NAPA store nd we didn’t break dow again. We hid next to a few service station to not get blown over in storms. We later drove to Cincinnati and barely made. A fuel filter in the RF wheel well was completely impacted with dirt. WE got a new filter insert and gasket and it rn fie again. Glad we sold it though.
The RV440 is worth $1k, , so if you’re local to it it’s worth the price in parts
I truly wonder if that was in The Blues Brothers movie
Give me $150 and I’ll make it disappear.
Why does this Winnebago remind of the old 70’s Saturday morning TV show Shazam, loved that show as a kid lol
I remember seeing these growing up, and I always found them hideous to look at. 40 yrs later, and I *still* find them hideous to look at.
All I can think about is Axel’s “condo” in “The Middle”.
Playhouse for the kids.
I bought a 1978 and drove it from the east coast to the west coast over two years back in the mid 90’s. It broke down every time we used it. We met the greatest people that helped us along the way and I became a full fledged winny mechanic by the time we reached the west coast. We lived in it for the next ten years on a persons door and window company property where we got to rebuild allot of it. Aside from all of the repairs along the way it was the best adventure of my life and will never forget all of the aggravation from breaking down. I still have grease under my finger nails from the truck. It was worth it.