Despite traversing a reported 86,555 miles over nearly 50 years, this 1975 FMC Motor Coach in Grass Valley, California could pass for two or three years old! The blue color scheme feels like a refreshing wave from a decade known for colors like Harvest Gold and Avacado. The high-end FMC cost $29,500 or more new, nearly $200,000 today. Racing legends Mario Andretti and Parnelli Jones owned them, as well as celebrities like Clint Eastwood and Carol Burnett. The FMC featured a rear engine and rear-wheel drive. With no need to elevate passengers above a 39 foot long drive shaft, designers offer stand-up height in a lower, more aerodynamic fuselage. The resulting lower center of gravity, plus four-wheel independent suspension, offer much-improved handling over competitors that begin life with a standard truck chassis. Check out more details and pictures here on Craigslist where $24,777 can put this luxury RV in your driveway. Thanks to FMCMotorcoach for some details, and to reader T.J. for spotting this sporty classic RV.
As a future potential classic RV buyer, I’ve never seen a nicer FMC. While cockpit and engine pictures escaped the listing, nearly everything shown looks great. Buyers will want a run-down of all the systems that make a truck into a rolling home, like fresh and waste water systems, HVAC, generator, and general running condition.
People call small travel trailers “canned hams,” and, ironically, FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) literally made food canning machines, though it still seems like a less-than-obvious horizontal leap to the Recreational Vehicle market. While other RVs use a fully vertical front and rear to maximize interior storage, the FMC’s slanted nose and tail give it style and aerodynamic advantages. The roached-out spare tire cover marks one of few visible deviations from perfection. Toss that in the trash and you might get an even $25,000. Like many ’70s RVs the FMC uses a gasoline-powered 440 cid (7.2L) Chrysler V8, though the rear-engine, RWD configuration may be unique.
FMC experts might notice deviations from stock, but the upper and lower cabinets and appliances certainly look original. Despite my joking about long driveshafts, the FMC’s 29 foot length puts it near the small end of the Class A RVs, with the smallest checking in around 25 feet. Seriously long Class A units, suitable for large families, rolling parties, and rock bands, reach 45 feet or more. This size generally offers plenty of room for two plus a couple kids or close friends. Would you prefer this classic or a modern one for your tour of National Parks?
National Parks in a huge motor home? No thank you. They not only get in everyone’s way there, they also are a pain to maneuver. Either camp with a tent or better yet, rent a nice room where you can take a shower once in a while so only the game seems gamey, not you.
Plus, they tailgate other vehicles going down the twisties. I hate getting in front of one, especially in a 4cylinder 5 speed Corsica
My problem was always getting behind one, usually driven by an 80 year old who is happily “looking around” at all places but the road. Then there are the times coming around a blind corner on a mountainside on the outer edge with a 14 million foot drop off and no guard rail. Along comes scared sally holding onto the wheel of one of these for dear life and she has a piece of both lanes leaving you with in a hairs breath of sure death. Yeah, these are a treat to share the road with.
Awesome looking Motorhome. IMHO, it’s the best looking motorhome offered at the time. It’s way better looking than anything else offered at the time, among them Winnebago. I also find it way more attractive than anything offered today. If I had a partner to travel with, I’d buy an FMC Motorhome, and travel North America.
Nope, we had a class c MH for years and loved it we put plenty of miles on it going to places we wanted to be after a few years we decided to upgrade to a class A like this one it got worse fuel mileage and when you had to stop and fuel you couldn’t just get out you had to walk back then get out. So we are going back to a class c. May go-ahead and get the super c but waiting for this years RV show to see one in person rather then on tv or going down the road
I remember working at FMC, Airline Equipment Division in early 1975 in San Jose, Ca. Up the road in Santa Clara, Ca, they were building these motorhomes. I believe they used the Chrysler 440 V-8’s, along with the Torque-Flite trans. I saw several being tested on the grounds at that time and they were very impressive. I believe the last FMC motorhomes built may have been the year 1975. FMC president at that time, Robert Malott, ordered no more motorhomes to be built. In his eyes, he claimed they were a total piece of c@%p in the day. FMC Ordnance Division began building Military ground vehicles and continued right up thru 2015-2017 and folded.
As a Class A owner (Airstream 30′) I have not, yet, had any issues or problems trying to “maneuver” into a site, I just drop my toad first if I have to back in. As for tailgating, that is an issue with the driver, not the rig. My Banks-equipped 8.1 liter is great up hill and I have brakes and use them to drive safely. My Airstream, like this FMC, has a driver’s door so I can use it when I fuel up, or use the side door that is right next to the filler. either way, it is a “long” 15 foot walk.
The older FMC probably won’t match my 11-12mpg but they have a great reputation for deisn and quality builds, just plan on the usual 10-20% additional to get it in the best shape.
If i wanted an old carburated gas guzzler i would go for the gmc of same years
With front whhel drive and all
Gmc parts are available and there is plenty of support on line
But i like camping and am not looking for a full time job fixing an old rv
But i must admit that this one was not a bad design
If I could afford such an RV as this, I’d keep as much as original as possible, while also upgrading the engine and gearbox, and also the brakes.
This is my idea of what a motorhome should be. It’s large enough that two adults could live in it full-time if they had the means to do so. Among the mechanical upgrades would be a 5.9 litre Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and automatic gearbox.
Many people have converted to diesel with these. Even if staying with gas, fuel injection also helps with power and mileage. I’m not sure what your reference to an automatic is, as these were all autos. However, they are from the days prior to overdrive transmissions for automatics.
Automatic gearbox. Transmission. I like something you can manually downshift while ascending or descending a steep hill.
Assuming the original automatic is durable enough, I would bet that a Cummins ISB would work just fine.