The late-1960s and 1970s are considered by many to be the golden era for campers and motorhomes. One of the biggest names in the history of motorhomes and arguably the most famous name is Winnebago. This 1973 Winnebago Minnie Winnie is listed here on Facebook Marketplace and it’s located in Ormsby, Minnesota. The seller is asking a we’re-having-a-crazy-blowout-sale-the-manager-is-out-of-town price of just $500!
Winnebago is to motorhomes as Kleenex is to facial tissue. Let’s see a show of hands for those of you who have ever, even once in your life, said, “Please hand me a facial tissue.” One. No, two. Two out of several million, I thought so. Almost no matter what make of motorhome you see traveling down the road, you’re going to refer to it as a Winnebago. And if that motorhome is clogging up the lane that you’re traveling in, most likely than not you’re going to refer to it as a damn Winnebago.
1973 was the first year for Winnebago’s Minnie Winnie, which is a Class C motorhome based on a van chassis – in this case, a Dodge chassis. The Minnie Winnie was just under 20-feet in length which doesn’t seem big but once you have all of that weight behind and above you as you’re in the Dodge van cab barreling down the highway, it’ll feel pretty big. Still, compared to a Class A motorhome such as a classic Winnebago Chieftan 27-foot model or the gigantic monster diesel-pusher bus-type RVs of today, this thing will feel like a rollerskate. Given the easy-to-drive van configuration, it doesn’t really take long to get used to them at all. The seller says that this Winnebago was driven into this barn, or what I would call a shed, in 2005 and hasn’t been started since.
They aren’t sure if it runs or not so be prepared to haul it home. They’re three hours from this rig so they don’t have any interior photos which is unfortunate. Even more unfortunate, they say that mice have been inside, which isn’t hard to believe given that it’s basically been parked outside for the last fifteen years. The drivetrain should be a Dodge 360 V8 with 245 horsepower and it may or may not run. But for $500, it sure seems like it’s worth a gamble to me.
My big brother had one back in the day. We would take it to Boulder Junction fishing. A long cruise from the Madcity back then, no super highway then. Never let him down. Drank fuel like a cheap hooker though. Gas split four ways made it not to bad. The mice and no inside photos make it scarry for me. If you were close to Ormsby go look, like you say Scotty it could be worth the gamble.
Hey Mike, we used to go there too, a place called Sand Lake in Nicolet Forest. There’s a reason why these adorn monster truck shows, with prices today, it just doesn’t pay. Plumbing, electrics, truck mechanicals, just too much and not worth it. When done, it’s still a 40 year old motorhome.
Mice!!! 15 years of mice! Do you have any idea what the interior looks and smells like? I will guarantee that you will need a gas mask to enter and will never get the stink out of it. FREE is paying too much for this unless you need parts.
I get paid handsomely to remove these. Genuine K or J-U-N-K. Good Luck to the new owner.
Mice,piss, plenty of mice and plenty of piss
The smell will be eye burning ,
Best to crush …
I know car guys that are looking for old Dodge powered motor homes for free or at cheap prices as a way to get 440 blocks for rebuilding and performance car use. But a 360 might not be enough.
No interior photos says it all. Smell-o-vision?
Agree w/ Claudio. Crush it.
Already sold
kinda like the sprinter’s version (modern) as just did a roof on one of these. Thinkin its a lill more water proof. Like the 12v & allison beddah 2…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErbRKDpWipE
Shudder…………hilarious listening to this guy, Check out his Don King ring
Thanks Mountainwoodie! That’s 7 1/2 minutes of my life I’ll never get back! The guy must think his customers are really stupid. Maybe $500 for parts.
Nope. You pull the engine and trans. But, even that is not for the faint of heart once you open the door. Have plenty of Lysol spray when you do. The rest is crusher material.
Motorhome demolition derby candidate.
You’d havta pay me more than $500 to consider hauling that bad boy outta there!!