In what is becoming a recurring theme, I’ve written up a few of these GMC motorhomes lately. This one is perhaps my favorite yet, as it wears some great colors and period illustrations on the side that both set it apart. Looking like a six-wheeled bumblebee, the seller notes that this Glenbrook trim model belonged to his father and a good amount of money has been spent to make it a reliable road-tripper. Find the GMC motorhome here on craigslist where it’s listed for $27,900. Be sure to go here if the ad disappears, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
The Glenbrook is a healthy 26-footer, but these GMC-built R/Vs are supposed to be very user-friendly to operate. The body looks very tidy on this one, and the color is a nice change of pace over the drab examples we recently featured. All glass looks good and the seller notes that his dad spared no expense in making this GMC into a reliable cruiser: “April 2014 had Billings RV install a brand new custom 455 engine and transmission. $13,795 worth of work was done at that time: new motor, transmission, batteries, belts, exhaust manifold, filters. There are only 542 easy miles on this new motor, and 54,803 actual miles on the chassis.”
The interior certainly shows off well as a low-usage example. These GMCs provided all of the comforts of home, even if the more compact design seemingly pales in density to typical R/Vs. The interior finishes show no signs of damage and seating areas all look clean and tidy. The seller notes the following interior improvements: “Updated upholstery on couch and leather-like upholstery on captains seats, newer carpet and headliner, dash curtain, and day/night pleated shades, complete bath (sink, shower, commode), very comfortable newer mattress, and owner’s manual.” His description of the camping trips it went on are the best aspect of the listing, however.
Up front, this GMC is a very approachable vehicle. While a back-up camera might be a nice addition, the driving position shouldn’t intimidate most novices and the controls could be out of a Suburban. The amount of work done and proven reliable operating condition – validated by a motor with very low miles – all makes this handsome motorhome more appealing than the other two entries we featured recently. Finding yourself in a parking lot has never been easier, and we hope the only parking this Glenbrook does is under the stars in a moonlit nature preserve.
Or maybe the drag strip…
Nice one, Jeff. These things still look futuristic, at least on the outside. I’d have to make mine into an EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bENF08EyIck
That graphic on the side is hilarious. Not going to be doing many wheelies when its front wheel drive..
Is this RV sitting lower in the back then the front, maybe it’s the driveway angle. I do like the graphic of the RV doing a wheelie.
Exactly the way the GMC motorhome is supposed to be while underway. And boy, do they drive nice.
Might be the driveway, but I seem to vaguely recall that these had air ride, so if it’s been sitting for a while, it may have lost its air out back.
That cartoon is hilarious, given that these are front wheel drive.
If I were looking for an RV this would be my kind of cruiser
This one is awesome. Let’s call it a yellow jacket instead of a bumble bee and get Georgia Tech to buy it! A great tailgating machine for football weekends.
Is it a little weird that it’s in Billings Montana and listed on the Phoenix Craiglist?
The owner (me) has a home in Arizona and Montana. That is why the motor home is listed both in Montana and Arizona.
Yeah, kinda hard to mistake Arizona for Montana; you could maybe understand Missouri as a mistake?
It appears to be in very good condition. They didn’t use it much, or atleast didn’t travel far with it, having only put 542 miles in 4 Summers. The beauty of this colour is, it will be easy to find after drinking all day at the neighbours! I could use this.
Unfortunately for the seller $27K will buy you a lot more motorhome today.
True that Kevin, and certainly not one that’s 43 years old.
True, but the quality of the new motor homes are nothing like they were back when these were built.
I’ve never seen one of these with that wooden wagon wheel tag axle on the back,,,
Rare option for air spring failure.
“Motors” run on electricity, while “engines” run on combustion. It does not have a 455 Motor, It has a 455 cu ENGINE.
Then again, is it a motor home or engine home?
That argument is as old as the hills. While I tend to agree with you in trucking, it was always a diesel motor, and in RR’s, the diesel/electric was called an RR engine.
What about outboard motors? My 100 horse Mercury is not electric.
Motorcycle, outboard motor?
Enginecycle, just does not cut it!
Took care of it, but had to replace the motor at 54K? Shouldn’t a motor last a lot longer than that if properly cared for?
That generator hasn’t seen much love either.
Other than that, not much to complain about. A little nicer than that last one that went for a few grand.
(Ignore me, I’m trying to talk myself out of buying it)
Get in touch with Ozzy Osborne, he is looking for one.
My 1986 GMC Safari has the same steering wheel.
With a graphic like that on the side, they may have been doing this, caution is advised.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlzLasccanU
I truly lol’d on that vid !
Now we know why they had to replace the motor and tranny, lol. Great video Rube.
You know you have something cool when Barbie has a pink one of these!
Interesting. I saw one of these on the road here in central FL just yesterday. It jumped out at me because I haven’t seen one in years.
Yup, air ride rear suspension, my son worked at a MH dealer when these came out, awful lot of trouble W/air bags, in fact he used one and on his trip one bag burst. Probably the first Chinese rubber but they supposedly figured it out.
I’d still rather have a diesel W/jake brakes for long haul, had a 36′ winnebago gas, scary in the mountains relieing on just the transmission and brakes.
There were no problems with the bags when they came out, maybe now so many years later. There is also new bag technology being installed on these. Excellent motorhome. Big enough for comfort, yet easy to manoeuvre and park. Very good at highway cruising, it isn’t effected by winds like todays monstrosities.
Basically, I like it. A bit pricey…would have to keep, rather than attempt to flip. Also, would change carpet for something darker.
The earlier GMC conversation came to mind when I spotted this Dodge MH yesterday. I really enjoy this curved body style type.
Travco 210 or 220. Built on a truck/bus chassis, full frame/spine with metal “Caps” at the front & rear. The fiberglass halves are then clamshelled together on the framework and sealed. Travco also made the 270, 290, and 320. Sold to Foretravel about 1980, they even made a diesel pusher that was a stretch of the shell on a non- Chryco chassis which the government made them abandon as part of the bailout
Awesome. For about $10K less than asking, maybe. There are bound to be refrigeration, suspension (as mentioned), and other fit-and-finish issues. Pretty nice, though.
Must have been stored under cover as that Yellow would fade in decades of sunlight. But man this was state of the art back in the day. Price does not seem too crazy as there sure is some derelict RVs and some even give them away, (we have a LOT of Homeless living in them and they go up in flames often, I suspect from the propane powered fridges) But you dont find a lot in this price range in this condition. Asking price is just that, drop a few Rubles off it and it WILL sell, Spring is here, the open road is calling.
(I personally would have skipped replacing the Gas 455 and would have splurged on a restomod suspension, trans and modern Diesel from a wrecked truck insurance deal if this was a keeper)
Aged class A motorhomes are dime a dozen. I finally had to just give mine away just to get it out of the yard. It was an 85 Newmar with 454 Chevy engine and 6500 kw Onan generator. The GMC models were designed and built to be Motor homes and not truck conversions. I guess that’s why they can still get some money for them.
Always wanted one of these, and while $27K may seem a bit high, I disagree that it will buy you a lot more motorhome, and certainly not one as cool as this one. Brand new equivalent will cost over $100K. Butchb, looks like you found a Dodge Travco, I’ve always liked those too. Last Travco I found that was restored to the same level as this GMC was also selling for $27K. You can always find these that have been sitting for years for $1-3K, buy it and spend the next 2-3 years restoring it, spending tons of cash. Or, buy this and go camping next weekend. BTW, GMC owners group says GMC stands for “get more cash”.
Jeff, not sure what RV prices are like where your from or if you’ve shopped for them lately but as an example I have a well equipped 30’ 2003 Fleetwood Spirit with 35k on it and a Triton V10, 6 speed overdrive, banks performance system, and I’d be hard pressed to get $18K for it. The used MH market is horrible and I get this is super cool (I’ve wanted one since 1975) and maybe for just the right buyer it’s got enough nostalgia to warrant the high price.
Yea, no.
Unless someone wants one of these specifically (and I do get the unique FWD concept and features) there are many better options if camp/travel use is truly the goal. For the same or less cash.
Last September I bought a Foretravel for way less, and it doesn’t need much.
Diesel pusher, drives great. Look around, they’re out there.
I love these things!!!
put a 12 cyl Allison in it, then take it to the track!
Not all motors run on electricity. Ford had an automatic parking brake release motor that was vacuum operated. Also an air cleaner vacuum motor.
Travco 210 or 220. Built on a truck/bus chassis, full frame/spine with metal “Caps” at the front & rear. The fiberglass halves are then clamshelled together on the framework and sealed. Travco also made the 270, 290, and 320. Sold to Foretravel about 1980, they even made a diesel pusher that was a stretch of the shell on a non- Chryco chassis which the government made them abandon as part of the bailout
I’ve got one of these, non running. It has been parked for about 10 years and does not run. Can I get away with the old “running when parked” phrase? $4,000 to anybody interested… and I would not buy it myself at that price. I liked it when one of these was featured in the move “Stripes” as the latest urban warfare military machine, I think it was the first year they came out.
These GMC motorhomes are the coolest. My dad tells a short story about being easily passed by one on the Siskiyou pass.
Clarification Corner:
An engine is also a motor, because it makes useful mechanical force. But an electric motor is NOT an engine. In modern usage, engines are motors that burn or consume fuel.
By the way, it is rare but fair to call a gun a one-stroke engine. You heard that here first.
@bobbylongshot, A gun may be a one-stroke motor, but if it backfires, your in deep dodo.