- Seller: Lee R
- Location: Caldwell, Idaho
- Mileage: 143,708 Shown
- Chassis #: TZE368V101589
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 403 cu. in. V8
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic
There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in an RV. Since your transportation also acts as your home away from home, you’re free to explore, take in the sites and do it all at your own pace. Unfortunately, new motorhomes are incredibly expensive and are, well, bland. This 1978 GMC Royale is anything but boring, with is retro futuristic styling and novel packaging. This example has had a ton of work done by the seller and is ready to drive, but they have another vintage camper that’s a bit smaller, so they’ve decided to let someone new have a chance to live the Royale life! It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction and resides in Caldwell, Idaho.
The seller, Lee, has owned this GMC for a little over 4 years. The prior owner lived nearby in Emmette, Idaho and kept detailed records of all the maintenance and repairs they had done during their ownership. There’s a mountain of paperwork for it going back several decades. It also comes with some spare parts. Lee asked us to come take the photos of it, we had the chance to see it in person and it is an impressive machine.
The interior is better than most of the motorhomes we’ve looked at in the past, especially for one of this vintage. The carpets are showing some discoloration, but the interior is in otherwise impressive condition. We didn’t note any odd odors or see any signs of water intrusion. The seat upholstery looks great and everything seems to be functional. When the seller got it, the air conditioning wasn’t functioning, so they had the system rebuilt and converted to R134a. If we were going to do anything to the inside of it, it would be to replace the carpet, but it would be a shame to lose the retro looks. The seller also notes that the mirrors are power adjust and heated, which is a nice feature to have when trying to navigate RV parks and congested roads.
The previous owner had just replaced the twin beds before selling it, so it has relatively new memory foam mattresses. The Norcold refrigerator was installed in 2011 but doesn’t appear to have ever been used. Lee has tested it, and it works as it should. The kitchen appliances are all in clean condition, including the countertop-mounted blender! It features a four-burner stove, a microwave, a large double sink, and the blender.
Moving this 26′ motorhome down the road requires a lot of power, so it’s equipped with a 403 cui V8. The drivetrain was essentially the same as what was used in the Oldsmobile Toronado, so power is routed through a 3-speed automatic transaxle that turned the front wheels. The engine has recently been serviced and runs great. The records show the engine was fully rebuilt in 1997 and the valves were done in 2002. The seller overhauled the brakes in 2022, including replacing all the lines and upgrading the calipers to 40mm units. They also had the hubs rebuilt by Dave Lenzi in 2023. In 2024, they had an external vacuum pump installed as a safety measure, in case you ever lost engine vacuum so that you don’t also lose the brake booster. At some point, the engine received a set of Gibson Exhaust headers and Bilstein shocks up front. It rides on KYB shocks in the rear with airbags.
It really was amazing to see this Royale in person. It’s such a novel design and is packed with all kinds of unique features. All the major systems function as they should and it goes down the road nicely. While we didn’t have a chance to test it, the Onan generator is said to work well and has a little over 300 hours on it and it comes with the exhaust standpipe. The awnings are all in beautiful shape and the roof top storage bin has a few extra parts in it, plus room to stow anything you don’t need inside. It looks like it’s pretty much ready to hit the road, so if you are ready to go on an adventure, be sure to bid. If you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comment section.
Bid On This Auction
Calidude_805 bid $12,500.00 2025-03-21 11:20:49
Rich bid $12,000.00 2025-03-20 20:55:32
Keith McD bid $10,500.00 2025-03-20 16:35:43- Rich bid $10,000.00 2025-03-20 13:03:28
- Keith McD bid $9,000.00 2025-03-20 12:44:50
- Rich bid $8,500.00 2025-03-20 11:36:40
Garlind bid $7,000.00 2025-03-20 10:40:05
James Russell bid $6,500.00 2025-03-18 21:14:03
TAG8015 bid $5,200.00 2025-03-17 17:18:31
Denino bid $4,700.00 2025-03-17 10:40:34- TAG8015 bid $4,150.00 2025-03-17 09:48:46
explorer bid $3,650.00 2025-03-15 23:41:19
Don R bid $3,000.00 2025-03-15 12:45:15
Kelly bid $2,500.00 2025-03-15 12:33:07- Don R bid $1,500.00 2025-03-15 11:39:05
- explorer bid $1,000.00 2025-03-15 08:53:47
David bid $500.00 2025-03-15 08:44:14
The movie Stripes had one of these!
I was just thinking of that. “Oh, Chicago–bang, bang!” “Such a truck would be great for picking up girls in Minsk!” “Local boys repell Yankee horde!” I think it’s time to drag Stripes out and watch it again…
I still use “Lighten up, Francis” to this day, but it’s normally reserved for people who have a clue.
I don’t like anyone touching my stuff and I don’t like anyone touching me!! Lighten up Francis
Yes, my very first thought was to wonder if it is equipped with EM50 Project technology!
Looks like a lot of fun!
Nice motor home. I’ve always wanted one but nowhere to park it! Stripes has one of my favorite put downs delivered by the great Warren Oates (Sgt. Hulka) “Lighten up, Francis!” (a reference to Francis the Talking Mule-a 1940’s comedy film series)
@hat of pork. “Stripes has one of my favorite put downs delivered by the great Warren Oates (Sgt. Hulka) “Lighten up, Francis!” (a reference to Francis the Talking Mule-a 1940’s comedy film series)” WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!! Sgt Hulka was speaking DIRECTLY to the character “Psycho” who’s real name in the movie was FRANCIS!!! It had absolutely NOTHING to do with the talking Jackass!!!
This exchange was classic. It goes further where Hulka says to Frances that one of these men may save your life someday and Bill Murray’s character says “Then again, maybe one of us won’t”
Lighten up, Francis! (?)
There’s a few of these in Australia, I saw a convoy of 4 on the Bruce Highway a few years ago.
Though I’ve got 32 years in the RV industry, I’ve never seen one at work.
G’day from the USA. Were these assembled in Australia from CKD parts?
@Car Nut Tacoma several years back they were supposed to start producing them again. I also heard shortly after that it was in another county. 2nd run could have been there.
Great machines I own 3 of them.
This will make someone very happy.
The rear bath is my preferred layout.
Beautiful looking Motorhome! It’s too bad this was the last year it was produced. I find it way more attractive than the Winnebago of the same vintage.
Too bad a lot of RV parks won’t let you in.Their no older than 10 years rule.
@ David C Smith: I don’t understand why that is. I don’t think it should matter how old the RV is. I believe what should matter is how well maintained the RV is and how safe it is. If you can drive into the park under its own power and then leave the park under the same power safely, that’s all that should matter.
Too bad a lot of RV parks won’t let you in.Their no older than 10 years rule.
Too bad a lot of RV parks won’t let you in.Their no older than 10 years rule.
I thinks more based on how they look than their age. If not, they don’t deserve their money anyway.
You can say that again David c Smith and again and again ! LOL
That green carpet would definitely have to go wonder why a total engine rebuild and then a valve job ?
That 403 was a slug my brother had one in a trans am and it barely moved that! Prefer the earlier gmac with the 455
I beleive that these GM built motorhomes were very mice driving, and good handling compared to the more truck based models. This one looks great. Very nice shape.
It sure is, she’s a beauty, and they were very nice driving. I had a 26′ Eleganza with a rebuilt 455 that had been completely restored and it was a breeze to drive. I spent six weeks living it in the Coconino National Forest outside of Sedona once and I loved it.
I own a 1978. These are an amazing design – previous owner upgraded the 403 on mine to an earlier 455 with headers. Love the sound. I’ve driven this from Seattle to Burning Man 3 years now, bulletproof reliable.
Kendra, did you get stuck in the mud last year? What a mess.
Anyway my first question is what is the fuel tank capacity?
As to parking in RV overnight parks WHY? These are self contained. Find a rest area or place to get away from all the BS and stop and crash out for a few. Sometimes simple pleasure is made so complicated.
I didn’t get stuck in the 2023 mud – actually it wasn’t a problem at all. I designed and operate a fully self-contained theme camp with an automated solar powered freshwater system and wastewater handling system. Entire team had a blast.
I avoid most RV parks – KOA is “Kamping on Asphalt” ….might as well park at a Wal-Mart and avoid the fees. I prefer gravel roads.
If anyone here has any interest in owning one of these, GMCMotorhome.org is an excellent source of information and people helping each other, costs nothing. Also GMCMI.com is excellent.
This particular auction appears amazing – I’d buy this one but I don’t need two.
workin on 1 right now looks identical cept the interior. Guy gutted to ‘custom’. Needs master cylinder, hada gas leak…
I remember when the usa space program started, the astro – nuts getting a last ride up to the ship in one of these (big NASA painted down the side). I say put in a 12v/allison. The toranado (Olds) was more anemic than the buick/poncho – sm bore/long stroke. The cummins is performance oriented ( = MPGs [here diesel] AND power) & U can (I can) fool around w/the line pump. It ‘has it’ thru all revs while the Olds power band is for mid-revs only.
If I’d gofer an RV this might B the one, but Realto, Vixen are more my style (smaller). What a great design ! The shell, low step up due to FWD/no drive shaft back, 9ft tall even w/AC up there/9 wide (fits between a 2post lift), and 23 ft (rarer than 26-er) make the 6 yrs of manufacturing a shame (most said so back then, even more today). This one, great shape it seems, cause me to say: nxt owner “Happy’, this owner “Sad”. Love to tow that lill 19ft run-about top of today’s page behind it…
This could be a great deal for somebody. One of my friends started working for a dealership back in high school. He became chief motorhome mechanic. Pulling these engines is a trick ! They got to come through the motorhome ! They were put together right when they designed them.
With my Eleganza the front frame was cut and it was brought through the front end for the rebuild, and the guy I sold it to said that’s what he expected to see with one that had been rebuilt. No doubt they were put together right though, I can’t imagine a motorhome of this vintage being built any better.
JohnMichael that’s crazy ! Of cites midst mechanics would never know unless they worked at a gmc dealership back then. And most pickup trucks if today they remove the cab to get the diesel out. Stupid engineers. In Japan I read it is Honda that makes all engineers wrench on them for 2 years before they can become an engineer.
This is my idea of what a motorhome should be.
If I had the money and someone to share the experience and responsibilities with, I’d buy a GMC Motorhome and I’d keep certain things as original as possible , while also upgrading what needs to be upgraded. Among the upgrades I’d have done would be a 6.5 V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
Would that be considered to be a class A – B – or C class? Thanks
Ron, this is a class A. The B’s are vans that have been retro-fitted with an interior and the C’s all have truck cabs.
I’d HAVE to make it an EM50 replica!!!
When we were racing Formula Fords in the mid 70’s one of the guys bought one of these new and we were travelling in style with our double deck car trailer towing behind. We went to an event at Laguna Seca and as we entered the track there was a rather steep hill to climb. Well, there we sat with the front wheels spinning and going nowhere as all the weight had shifted to the rear along with the trailer weight. Fortunately one of the guys manning the entrance had an old pickup truck and chain and he hooked on to the front and pulled us ingloriously over that steep incline.
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City had one of these that they had converted to an ambulance for long-haul critical pediatric transports (in the days before helicopters). Never got to drive “The Blue Goose” but seeing the inside was an awesome pediatric ICU on wheels! Always wanted one!
The author was being too nice when he said current motorhomes are “bland”. How about cheap crackerboxes? They all look about the same and some are downright shoddy. Think “tiny home” on a van chassis. This MH was from a time when they actually built them decently and you could tell one from another, and these models were featured as rentals too, along with the Southwind.
Bland? I don’t agree. Even today it still looks beautiful!
I keep looking for it, but it says “Reserve not met” yet nowhere does it say what the reserve is. Given that this camper is in such great shape I would expect it to be over $50G.
Jeff, you’ve been around here long enough to know that no seller is going to reveal the reserve price.
Otherwise, what would be the reason for having a reserve? Might as well have a open auction.
That’s ALL Folks!
I already did.
Say, I’m about 40 miles away from Caldwell. I go over to the VA Monday. If anyone would like me to take a peek at this lounge on wheels let me know.
What happened to your commanding officer? Blowed-up, Sir!
So;
What happened to the 1 hour notice for the auction ending from Barn Finds?
I didn’t get it and wanted to know what the highest bid is.
The reminder email was sent to you. Did you check your spam or promotions folder?