There are vehicles that look like a tremendously fun way to combine your hobby and memory-making experiences. I often go down this rabbit hole with vintage SUVs; I think to myself, “I’ll have this awesome 4×4 from my youth and be able to drive off-road and find hidden campsites,” or so such logic. Of course, the path to those experiences is rarely as linear as we’d like, and I suspect the same goes for motorhomes like this classic 1975 GMC “Glenbrook” Motorhome. These seemed to having a moment a few years ago, but now you can find one again for reasonable money, especially with some needs. Check it out here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,900.
The seller reports he is listing this on behalf of a friend, who has seemingly spent some money reconditioning it before interest or time ran out. The GMC Motorhome is often a beacon of light for anyone who has wanted to own a house on wheels but was intimidated by the monstrous size of your standard motorhome. With tidier proportions that seemingly didn’t yield any penalties when it came to interior space, the GMC is also a front-wheel drive rig powered by an off-the-shelf Oldsmobile 7.5L “Rocket” V8 engine. It combined forgiving road manners with parts bin components that could be serviced with relative ease. The styling is also quite attractive, in my opinion.
Similar to a boat, however, your maintenance is rarely done on a motorhome, vintage or not. The listing notes that the GMC’s engine is a recent Jasper-provided crate replacement unit, and that it also benefits from a new Honda generator that replaced the original Onin. The engine supposedly has less than 500 miles on it, so the owner didn’t log many miles after his investment before deciding to throw in the towel. The listing notes it needs new airbags, so it may have been a case of the proverbial straw breaking the camel’s back for the seller who was tired of pumping money into an asset he wasn’t using. The interior shows signs of age but it doesn’t appear to have been abused or heavily sun damaged; there’s one photo of the paneling in the back corner that looks like water damage, but I can’t be certain that’s what I’m seeing.
With the generator and motor done, two major pain points have already been addressed. The airbags aren’t cheap but having that job done will be another major to-do off the list of fixes. The listing further notes that the owner has invested over $12,000, and with just the parts and associated labor, it’s entirely believable. It also underscores just how much upkeep these motorhomes need, and while it will be a honey when it’s all done, you’re getting quite close to simply spending $20,000 and having one that is more or less ready for the road. Still, if there’s no major issues with water leakage and you can live with the interior indefinitely, getting the seller down to $7,000 could leave you plenty of room to get it sorted out and start enjoying it this summer.
Looks like they repainted the EM-50. Hope they kept the same armament. I wonder if it comes with a couple of hot MPs?
Seriously, these RVs were fairly rugged and dependable. We had a few of them come through the service department and other than one with a broken rocker arm support, not much in powertrain failures. Oh yes, there was a head gasket on another one.
We weren’t equipped to work on the camper part although there was often someone wanting to have the door to the head aligned.
I think they got rather prohibitive, cost wise, to produce.
Army training sir, Thanks the fact … Jack!
great movie!
If you decide to install a deep fryer in this, just remember that cruise control only regulates velocity, it doesn’t self-drive.
I SURE ENJOY MINE. THERE IS MAINTENANCE JUST LIKE A CAR AND A HOUSE.
Yep, they’re pretty much both. I had an Eleganza II that was completely redone before I bought it, new interior cabinets, gorgeous paint job, the engine and trans were both rebuilt. I lived in for a year and the only reason I sold it was it couldn’t get me offroad as far as I wanted to go. I wish I still owned it though.
What’s an Oldsmobile 455 Rocket, grandpa? Well, years ago, a company named Oldsmobile made rockets for the military, the “455” we called it, took down the Germans singlehandedly it did,( see avatar),,no, I’m not traveling in one of these, although, as far as motorhomes, these were the best. At the time, motorhomes were glorified single axle dump trucks, and rode like one. These had air ride rear, front drive, even old ladies could handle them. I’ve decided the world is far too mishigosh to be hanging out in the back row of the Loves Travel center, and will stay close to home.
BTW, some race these at drag strips, and with 24 second/58mph times, plenty of time to go get a soda.
I knew someone that took an early Toronado and cobbled a RV onto it. He told me that there were 4 classes of RV’s: A class, B class, C class and his, NO CLASS, lol.
Weren’t most GMC Motorhomes powered by a 455 cu in (7.5 litre) Rocket V8 engine?
Yes, they were all 455 cu in until Olds downsized the Toronado engine to a 403 in ’77 and they had no choice but to follow along, so from around mid ’77 through ’78 they were 403.
Why did they discontinue the 455 cu. in. (7.5 litre) V8 in favour of the downsized 403 cu. in. (6.6 litre) Oldsmobile V8? I would think for a vehicle like this would need the much larger engine.
I don’t think I ever saw one of these powered by a 403; they were all 455 but I do remember GM saying that they were downsizing a lot of engines because of fuel consumption regulations. I always thought that didn’t make a lot of sense because the physics of the whole thing says that it takes so much energy to move the mass. It doesn’t matter what size of engine you have, it’s going to take X btu of energy. I used to go the rounds with customers because they always though a lighter engine should be more economical. Not always the case…
403, when the 455 was discontinued
These were and still are the class of the RV world. The competitors were all built on truck chassis and were miserable to drive and you had to climb up a flight of stairs to get into them. These had the fresh and grey water tanks mounted between the frame rails so that had a super low CG and handled accordingly. If you were an RV’r who was into traveling and not just parking in a given campsite for months on end these are the rigs to have. This one is fairly priced and looks like a decent deal.
Were else you gonna find cheap houseing ? Just park at one Walmart parking lot till you get told to move, then go to the next one. Air bags – you can pick them there too . They may even cook for you if your nice and don’t smell to bad.
This GMC Glenbrook looks nice – good floor plan. And appears to have some good upgrades – leather seats, awning, generator, fridge, TV. Looks like replacement vinyl wrap on cabinets. Jasper rebuilt engines have a good reputation. The Alcoa wheels are nice. Will need new tires, new air bags, and a good detailing. BaT talks about possible frame rust and need for inspection. Price seems reasonable at $8,900 but much depends on what more needs fixing. Facebook Marketplace says it’s been listed for 6 weeks so seller must be firm on price.
@ Geomechs: If they wanted better fuel economy, perhaps they should’ve either offered a Diesel engine, or offered a smaller motorhome, or possibly both.