| In the 1970's, General Motors entered the RV | | | | water heaters using engine coolant loops, which |
| market. Drawing on the exuberance of the times, the | | | | produced water so hot it could actually present a |
| company set out to create the ultimate American | | | | scalding hazard since coolant temperatures usually |
| Motor home.Their aim was to produce a top-of | | | | exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit.The refrigerator was |
| the-line vehicle with cutting-edge design and | | | | powered by a standard automotive battery, |
| construction, not just another competitor in the | | | | adequate only for overnight use before |
| already crowded vacation vehicle market.The | | | | recharging.The prototype was first displayed in May |
| common design in this era was a boxy, ungainly and | | | | 1972 at the Transpro '72 trade show in Washington, |
| top-heavy unit on a truck chassis. The GMC vehicle | | | | D.C. Production started in 1973 with two models, |
| was intended to be a completely new design in | | | | Model 230 and Model 260, 23 and 26 feet long |
| every way.Design work began in 1970, with the | | | | respectively.They were sold with a finished interior |
| market introduction planned for 1973. "Doesn't look | | | | for the public as well as unfinished to other RV |
| like a box or ride like a truck" was the GMC ad | | | | manufacturers such as Avion and Coachman, who |
| slogan.The new vehicle would be unusual for this era | | | | then provided their own interiors before reselling to |
| in several ways. First of all, it was to have a front | | | | consumers.30 different floor plans were available, and |
| wheel drive, a rare concept in cars of that day and | | | | models were priced from $35,000 to $40,000.The |
| unheard-of in mobile homes.The drive train and | | | | GMC vehicle changed slightly over time, the most |
| suspension were taken from the design of the | | | | notable alteration coming in 1977 when the 455 cubic |
| Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic | | | | inch engine was replaced by a 403 cubic inch model in |
| inch Oldsmobile engine was attached to a | | | | response to the energy crisis.This decade caused |
| Turbohydramatic 425 transmission with torsion bar | | | | hardship for all RV manufacturers as the increased |
| suspension.The rear suspension was a product of | | | | price of fuel pushed large gas guzzling vehicles out of |
| GM's bus design, using dual swing arms, one leading | | | | the market.The GMC motor home had never sold at |
| and one trailing, with a single air spring on each | | | | high volumes, and the company decided that the RV |
| side.Instead of a auto body steel, the body was to | | | | production facilities could be more profitably used to |
| be made of lightweight aluminum and molded | | | | make light trucks. After the manufacture of 12,921 |
| fiberglass-reinforced plastic such as was used in the | | | | vehicles, production of motor homes was |
| Chevrolet Corvette.The front wheel drive and | | | | discontinued after the 1978 model year.Almost |
| independent swing arm rear suspension brought great | | | | immediately after production ceased, GMC motor |
| improvement to the standard motor home | | | | homes became collectors' items, with owners' |
| design.The lack of drive shafts and axles underneath | | | | associations being established to provide parts and |
| the coach allowed a very low floor height, leading in | | | | service for these vehicles.Small manufacturers and |
| turn to a low overall vehicle height and lower center | | | | garages developed a cottage industry servicing them. |
| of gravity.Aside from easier entry and exit, this | | | | In 1992, as General Motors prepared to scrap all |
| reduced rollover risk and wind resistance and made | | | | remaining tools and parts, Cinnabar Engineering |
| the vehicle much safer and easier to operate for | | | | purchased all the motor home manufacturing supplies |
| buyers accustomed only to car driving.A six-wheel | | | | and negotiated a deal to continue to provide parts |
| braking system, with disc brakes on the front and | | | | for the discontinued vehicles.In 1992, a monthly |
| drum brakes on all four rear wheels, further | | | | magazine called GMC Motor home Marketplace was |
| enhanced drivability. Previous motor home design | | | | introduced, and in 1994 Cinnabar started publishing a |
| focused mainly on the use of the vehicle as a | | | | quarterly newsletter called GMC Motor home |
| temporary home once it had reached its destination, | | | | News.The vehicle's futuristic design has even found a |
| an extended stay in a mobile home park or a | | | | place in pop culture: Mattel Toys created die-cast |
| camping spot.Ease of getting to the destination was | | | | versions of the GMC motor home for its Hot Wheels |
| of secondary concern, and cumbersome handling on | | | | line.More than 50 different GMC Hot Wheels are |
| the road was taken for granted. GMC made a special | | | | available, and in 1977, Mattel released three toy GMC |
| point of targeting this feature for improvement by | | | | versions in a Barbie Doll Star Traveler promotion.In an |
| adding visibility from the driver's seat with a | | | | amazing example of customer loyalty and product |
| panoramic expanse of glass.The motor home was | | | | durability, more than 8,000 units are still registered by |
| featured in 23 foot and 26 foot lengths, fairly small | | | | owners.An internet search of "GMC Motor home" |
| even for this era.Nowadays, much larger models are | | | | produces 771,000 results, as sites advertise motor |
| common. The motor home's interior design was | | | | home parts, engines and upgrades as well as classic |
| compact, with no permanent sleeping areas in the | | | | car rallies for owners.Used GMC motor homes sell for |
| original design. All beds were converted from seating | | | | $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the condition of the |
| areas when required.Hot water was provided by | | | | vehicle. |