Is there ever a good time to buy a project RV? That’s a loaded question depending on whether you fancy yourself a motorhome-kind-of-guy. What is clear to me, however, is that every motorhome starts off in the same place with a handsome interior loaded up with luxurious appointments and paid models in the brochure that are carefully positioned to demonstrate the appeal to life on the road. However, that vision is quickly shattered once the first owner grows weary of trying to park in tight spaces, and motorhomes like this 1990 Dolphin coach end up on the donation pile and listed here on eBay with no reserve.
Bidding currently sits at just under $500, and I’ll bet the seller looks it as a 50/50 proposition if the winning bidder will actually drag it home. I suspect a lot of project RVs are never picked up, owing to the fact that whatever fantasy the bidder had when they won quickly evaporates once they realize they have to park it somewhere. This Dolphin does run and drive, just not every far – the seller speculates the 454 V8 needs carburetor work. The engine choice alone impacts what kind of bidders you might find, as I suspect most of them just want to strip out the drivetrain and junk the rest.
Now, when you look at the old-school Dolphin brochure, it is downright opulent with carpeting, a full bathroom, couches with custom patterns, and both twin and island beds. There are even fake plants all over the place! The Dolphin as it’s shown here is no show truck but its also not been trashed inside, which is a bit of a surprise. The seller is in California and I feel like the West Coast has the highest ratio of RVs to residents, with entire communities springing up around motorhomes being parked (illegally) on city streets. Of course, those residents often have nowhere else to go, and an old RV at least offers shelter. Hopefully, if this one is parted out, the good interior parts will be saved.
The 454 is a compelling reason for plenty of bidders to simply gut this truck of its guts and call it a day. Having witnessed someone do this in real life to a motorhome, I can honestly say whatever money is saved doing the work yourself doesn’t seem worth when you have a mangled shell of an RV sitting in your driveway that no tow company dares to pick up. Still, for some people, the thrill is in extracting some low-mileage V8 gold, and given the current state of the stock market, perhaps a pile of old scrap metal in your driveway may be a good thing to have. Do you think this Dolphin deserves a second chance at life?
Pull the powertrain, then Park it in the back forty, Air BnB.
Stan!!! Thats a definite idea!!!
Could be an interesting project to clean up and spruce up the interior. I always like to tidbit some details. Late 80’s GM steering wheel, the speedo looks like something outta a mid 70’s Nova and a pushbutton heat and vent that looks like vintage 80’s Chryslers. One puzzlement, carburator ????? Werent GM 454’s all Tbi starting 87.
This reminds me. Here in the PNW, many RV campgrounds will not allow RV’s older than 10 years to park in one of their spots for obvious reasons, no matter how nice it may look. Too bad too, because I wouldn’t mind having it if it doesn’t leak, all the accoutrements function and the engine can be repaired easily.
It leaks bad around the roof vents unfortunately.
Nothing EASY about RV engine repairs
Looks more land-based than Dolphin like – perhaps the Hippo would have been more appropriate.
Scrolling through the pictures I would say this thing is done and needs to be used for parts. Pull the low mileage drive train and find a older Chevrolet truck that needs it might be able to salvage other kitchen and bath parts and install them in a garden shed to rent out to someone or build your own tiny house thing. Wish this dealership was closer they have a few more rigs I would be interested in.
It was a major expense just to VINYL WRAP that behemoth!