Despite their rarity, these front wheel drive GMC motorhomes still seem to pop up for sale a fair amount, and in decent condition more often than not. It makes me wonder if the attractiveness of piloting a more manageable R/V is exciting for a few months and then becomes a burden when the newfound motorhome owner realizes it’s still way more of a pain to park than a full-size SUV. This is a 23-footer and in very good condition, with the seller noting that they believe the 42,105 miles are genuine given the condition on display inside and out. It’s listed here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $9,999 and no action yet.
I’m actually surprised by this, as I consider a no reserve auction starting at $10,000 for one of these GM-built motorhomes a fair deal. Sure, you’re not going to get it for a steal, but they rarely sell for less than this in good condition like this one appears to be. The seller notes the strong suits include a solid roof and body, with no obvious signs of long-term water damage or infiltration. The tires are said to be fairly new, and while the air suspension will leak down on the driver’s side after a few hours, the pumps themselves are said to be working and bring it right back up. Still, there’s an underlying issue that will need to be sorted out.
The interior does look like that of a low mileage motorhome, as it’s clean and bright with seemingly original materials still in place. The “compact” GMC still came loaded with all the creature comforts of home inside, from a sink and stove to couches and a refrigerator. The seller notes that all major appliances still appear to be working, as does the Onan 4K generator that has a mere 537 hours of total use. The furnace provides good heat and the air conditioning still works as well. Now, regrettably, the seller doesn’t go into details about the furnishings, drapes, or carpets, which is too bad considering it all looks to be in good shape.
Fortunately, they hit on the dryness of the cabin, noting that peeling wallpaper is just that and not associated with water entry. The waterlines pass pressure testing and have no air leakage at the moment, and the seller notes the motorhome is properly winterized annually which certainly helps to stave off water leaks and other related issues. The wood paneling that came standard in so many R/Vs of this era also looks to be in good shape. The seller doesn’t mention the functionality of the toilet seen in the back of the photo, but hopefully it, too, works as intended. The GMC motorhome was an instant classic when introduced and quite desirable today, especially with its cheap-to-maintain drivetrain and ease of navigating through crowded interstates. This one seems like a fair deal at the opening bid; do you agree?
239 watchers and no action?
I have seen more than a few of these over the years and all were ratted out and abandoned. I don’t actually recall seeing one that was road worthy.
The key to finding them apparently is buying one. Then they come out of the woodwork…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3lCTPZyyI
12,921 total coaches were manufactured during 1973-78. About 8400 are currently listed in an International Registry, including coaches in some 25 countries around the world. Estimates suggest that at least 5,000 to 6,000 of the original production are still on the road.
And I think the reason some people don’t hang on to them after buying, is that one has to have some mechanical knowledge to maintain a 43+ year old vehicle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKHccFWBcMo
You travel in thr wrong neighborhoods.
Just not looking in the right place! Over 8,000 still out there and roaming.
that’s a fact jack ……..army training sir.
This is a nice Urban Assault Vehicle.
Lovely looking GMC Motorhome. It’s a damn shame that it was discontinued in 1978. I find it way more attractive than most motorhomes of the time, and I find it way more attractive than anything offered today.
I bet that’s not original interior, they usually came in green or orange.
Yellow and beige too
There’s a reason why there’s no action yet. These old motor homes are worthless these days unless you’re a collector and in that case $10k is the max one would pay for this vehicle.
God bless America
They’re worth something to the people who have no better choice but to live in them in dystopian states like California, but I doubt those folks can swing $10K. I’ve heard that the nicer campgrounds place age limits on the vehicles used by their customers, which surely drive retained values to some degree.
I’d pay $10k for it. I disagree with the notion that it’s “useless”. As long as the engine runs, everything on the Motorhome works, and there’s no leaks, rotting floors, or mold, then there’s always a use for such a vehicle.
Yes and to say no reserve with a 10k starting price actually means a 10k reserve does it not? A no reserve auction means just that “No reserve” and the first bid is it.
Worthless? I fail to see how. I can imagine two adults living comfortably in one while traveling the country. I’d pay between $15k and $20k for an original well-cared for survivor.
These were some of the best built and designed RVs available then. If you knew a decent GM mechanic you could get it serviced no problems.
The interiors were well built, not hard to work on.
Fiberglass body was ahead of its time, no rust?
I would go look at this now if it was closer, and if the approval of the boss wasn’t needed.
Seems like a very decent RV at a reasonable asking bid. A couple of grand should be enough to take care of any minor issues.
Someone may end up with a sweet deal here.
Saw one redone at Palm Springs auction 2 years ago bid to $75k….owner kept it. They do have a strong cult following.
I heard a few stories of these selling for $1 just to get them out of driveway.
I think my sister years ago had a toy replica of this exact
Motorhome. She had Barbie and Ken inside camping.
LOL She loved it !!!
I can’t believe this RV hasn’t sold yet. They are some of the best handling and riding units ever built. If has all the features you need but no bling. Even fuel mileage was a bit better than even some modern gas units. Not good in slippery conditions.
I’ve heard of some GMC Motorhomes installed with a Diesel engine, usually with a 6.5 litre Turbo Diesel L65. That sounds like a good diesel engine to have installed.
I have recently been in the market for a GMC motorhome. I believe some of the comments here don’t give this motorhome enough credit. There were over 12000 built back in the day. There is said to be more than 7000 still on the road today. I bet there are not many makes of a car made in the 70’s were over half are still on the road today.You talk about a cult following and people willing to help or answer your questions. It is amazing the guidance I have received in my search.My journey has me planning on making a 1200 mile trip in May to look/buy one of these fine machines. It has been owned by the same man for 35 years and it is his baby. He know the coach from top to bottom and you can tell he is very passionate about whole vintage GMC motorhome experience.
detroit diesel? I was gunna say the 12v as its more powerful/better MPGs & paired toan allison. If goin 4 a repower this is the unit to convert.
I’d think either a Turbo 6.5 litre Detroit Diesel L65, and an Allison automatic or a 6.6 litre Duramax. I would think that would depend on what the original engine was and whether this would fit.
Car Nut- these have 455 gas big block Olds and front wheel drive transaxle. Like a Toronado
I know what they were offered with. From 1973-77, the engine was a 455 cu. in. (7.5 litre) Olds. V8 engine. For the 1978 model year, the powertrain was downsized to 403 cu. in. (6.6 litre) Olds V8. If I bought a GMC Motorhome, I would’ve went for the 7.5 litre V8 engine.
An Allison automatic doesn’t sound feasible in a front wheel drive RV. They have a TH425 found in the Eldorado and Toronado.
I owned a 26′ GMC for 10 years and they are wonderful machines. There are GMC clubs all over the country as well as many repair shops that specialize in these coaches. They do require work to make them roadworthy but there is a ton of info and web sites and forums to aid any owner.
I believe that. I’d give anything to be able to acquire one. It wouldn’t have to be perfect in terms of cosmetics. But as long as everything is intact, carefully cared for, not abused in any way, then I’d be willing to part with anywhere between $10,000 for a rolling resto and $20 grand for beautiful rig.
With Aluminum roofs and upper body, and fiberglass lower, they don’t tend to leak unless there is a bad vent or AC.
In the midwest like anything made from metal there are rust issues with the frames. They are repairable but need to be checked by a good shop
If I had the money, I’d buy a GMC 23’ and then convert it to a EV drivetrain with battery packs under the floors, and the entire roof covered with solar panels. The interior would duplicate an Airstream Globetrotter design. Dream on!
The winning bid was 22K. I guess that blows a lot of theories about the value.
No it just means someone has more dollars than sense.
I’m curious if you’ve ever owned this specific RV? Your de-valuation of them is way off, imo. I’ve owned two and they are worth way more than $10k if in decent shape.
A couple of them show up at Bonneville Speed Week every year, one is a race car, cant remember the record it set, but pretty good. The other one the body was shortened, so it became a 2 door pick up with a great flat bed on the back to haul a race car