DEEP DIVE Tour GMC Motorhome All-Original Vintage RV
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- Опубліковано 29 кві 2023
- Since filming this, the Motorhome has been sold.
A deep dive tour of a 1978 GMC Eleganza II Vintage RV. It closely resembles Grandpa Max’s RV from Ben 10 and the EM 50 Urban Assault Vehicle from the movie Stripes.
#ben10
#gmc
#rv
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I worked at a Oldsmobile/GMC dealership in 1977 in Woodlawn (Cincinnati) Ohio. We sold these fantastic RV's. WAY ahead of there time. Made 1973/1978. The earlier models had the 455 engine. Better than the 403. Huge following for these wonderful RV's. Thanks for sharing!!
So awesome
I own a 1986 chevy champion titan unfortunately is no longer original condition I have been trying to rebuild it. It's not going so well for me
Grueninger Oldsmobile
I loved the look of these motor homes way back in the day and i still like their look now.
Yep. Unfortunately, the 403 had issues. However, GMC designed, and built by Gemini, I was always impressed with these.
GM did an excellent job designing these vehicles. They were certainly ahead of their time.
Absolutely
I had no idea Ray Romano was doing RV walkthroughs on UA-cam now. Good video, Ray! 👍
Hope you enjoy!
Agreed! Could totally be a voice double for Ray!
😂
@@jdorozco1275 on weekends
He sounds very little like Ray!
GMC had a winner there. they now have a cult following and are very collectible. 1973-78 production run. Great find.
My neighbor has one that he restored. No bunks and orange shag carpet.
Dancing Hula on the dash. 😄He headed down from NY to Mississippi to the convention this week! WooHoo! He has traveled all across the country in it. Cheers!
Pretty cool, I’m sure they would enjoy this one
A neighbor when I was a kid had one, thought they were the most beautiful thing ever back then! Theirs was blue, and looked like a spaceship back then, LOL! ❤
Pretty cool to get to climb through one
*My dad bought one with a burnt orange interior when we were kids an we thought life didn't get any better. We called it the Captain Tang and he used to peel out with when it was empty every time. George Ballas died in 2002 but his Ballas GMC still lives on in Toledo.*
It still looks like a spaceship
@@FreeportHometown -True! 🤣
These were absolutely amazing when they were new. I still love the design, which is absolutely timeless. So much care went into the development of this, and ironically, its production rather short for GM to allocate factory space for other vehicle assembly. Inside and outside, pure luxury, and to my young eyes, the Cadillac of motorhomes. Its unfortunate that GM was beginning to lose its way when this was on the market because this was what GM meant to many people: innovation, generally class-leading, etc. Man, I am just happy that so many have survived and are cherished.
Yes...but sad to see this one in such poor condition. I'd hate to see what shape the engine, transmission and chassis is in. Guessing LOTS of money will be needed to fix it up to just being decent (and safe to drive), let alone MORE money if restoration is the goal. And they were only 3-season RVs, not for use in serious cold (freezing) weather.
And who makes those Oldsmobile Toronado front wheel drives anymore if you need parts? Or Oldsmobile large block(455) engine parts?
-- BR
3:55 😅rřyy😅😅Iowa😅
@manofthehour6856 GM didn't end production of the TVS-4 for other vehicle assembly, they ended production as GM wanted expand truck operations, wanting to more effectively tackle growing truck demands. Look at how well that decision worked for them. 🙄
@@billredding2000suck poor condition?
😂
That ol' girl is 45 years old, and, considering it was stored in a barn (for who knows how long) in really good condition. Like anything mechanical that has been sitting for a long time, everything should be gone through (for reliability & safety reasons). After hearing it start up so easily (yeah, pretty sure the dealer had it running prior to him arriving) i'm sure it needs nothing more then a tune-up, fresh fluids & filters, and the brakes thoroughly inspected.
As for your assertion that everything is old, and parts being scarce, i can tell you've never dove into this motorhomes before. They have a huge cult following, with many enthusiasts around the world (yes, they are indeed still driven outside of the North America) with a few companies dedicated to sourcing/supplying the hard to find items. The mechanical aspect of these trucks used off the shelf GM parts, with many parts still available today.
@@1oldskoolluvr Thanks, but while I don't know GMC as well as an owner would, I still know know GMCs well enough, and WAY more about them than most people today as I'm in my 70s so I was around WAY before they came out, around WHEN they came out and saw them brand-new out on the road many times. Later on, I looked into how they're restored, their Pros & Cons (even when new) and more. I DO like them, but wouldn't get one (for several reasons, even when new) and parts are NOT easily found and that only gets worse over time.
I also like OTHER "vintage" Class As but still upscale/quality-made (not crap, as many were, like most RVs TODAY are crap), from the 1960s/70s such as Sportscoach, Vogue, Foretravel, Travco, FMC, Argosy, Airstream (their 300 series Classic is nice!) just to name some of the brands...but again, it's WAY too much trouble tracking-down parts, wiring/plumbing diagrams, and other such things. While GMCs likely DO have more parts/diagrams available for them, you have to hunt for them -- I really don't have the the time nor inclination (at my age). So I will leave the GMCs and all that work restoring them/keeping them running to others who have the money, and LOTS of time to buy/use them.
Right now though, I'm collecting all the lost change I find in my couch cushions to save up for a 2024 Prevost Marathon. Almost there... ;-)
-- BR
These were always such cool motorhomes. I remember seeing them when they were new and it was obvious how far they were ahead of everything else. Show me any other motorhome from the 70's that people still want!
So happy you enjoyed the video
Dodge Xplorers!
Never camped in one, but did ride down the road a couple times with family friends. Front wheel drive with a big V-8 and drove more like a car than a truck. Rode very well. Visibility was fantastic. This was clearly a vehicle well ahead of it's time (didn't look like a box) designed by a company that didn't do Recreational Vehicles (which probably worked to their advantage).
Appreciate the feedback
That bin behind the kitchen faucet is called the beverage dispenser compartment..so '70's! Another unique feature for it's time is the engine coolant/heater hoses ran back to the hot water heater in the bath, so you had hot water during and after the drive. Otherwise, the water heater was electric so you would need to run the generator, or plug into shore power for hot water.
Thanks for the useful information
Awesome!
What a fun video! Please do more vintage reviews whenever you come across a blast from the past. This brings back fond childhood memories for this longtime car head!
Always trying to find them
These were the best possible for their time. GM was serious about getting into the motor-home business and it shows in every detail. There's some bespoke parts in the drivetrain which are unobtanium or nearly that, so know your specifics of you have or want one of these for regular use. If I win the lottery, the best one of these I can get is on the list 😍
Thanks for the useful information
Awesome looking GMC Motorhome. I've seen a few over the years. I find them more attractive than anything offered today.
Definitely ahead of its time
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures I consider it unforgivable that it was discontinued when it was. It may not have been for everyone, but I would think it would've given RV buyers something different to consider, other than the truck based Winnebago that was offered at the time. 🙂
Arrrrgh! $15K?!?! What a deal!! That was nicer than my first apartment. Thanks, Patrick.
It sold at a reasonable price
BEAUTIFUL ENGINEERING❤❤❤😊! Even the gas pedal and brake pedals are trimmed in chrome, I love the attention to detail on this magnificent beast.
Good Ol' GMC motorhome. Front Wheel drive (using the powertrain from the Oldsmobile Toronado), truly ahead of their time.
They really were and most are still around today
You're spot on the rear axles were commonly known as floater axles
George Ballas Buick Opel GMC Was a fine dealership. I was 18 yrs old when this was sold there. I was a Toledo OH native then. Good Luck !
Very cool!
These are so great even my Barbie doll had one that was bright yellow and orange.
Sweet
One of these motorhomes was used in the movie Stripes in the early '80's. It was converted into a military vehicle with weaponry and metal shutters that would roll down over the windshield and side windows. Used a periscope to drive when the shutters were down. It's worth watching just to see the GMC conversion. Enjoyed the video!
Classic movie 🍿
Yep, the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle.😉👍
The GMC Motorhome, back from the days when GM build great cars that were inspiring, and they wonder why they are in decline! The Interior is the original material, I think that is adorable.
Thanks for checking out the tour
Very well designed!!! You would of never think you left home!
My dad restored a 76 Eleganza II from front to back and frame up. A beautiful vintage RV.
Very cool!
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures He bought it as a near wreck and restored by hand in his garage for 5 years. He even rebuilt the engine and levelling system. Then he took my mom and neice and a 2500 mile vacation in it. I'm hoping to update some of the tech in it someday and do the same trip with my kids.
@@WireHeddIt would be great to see it presented showing its features & benefits...
@@garypaul1033 I'd love to but I don't know if my dad would want me to. I'll simply say that if you are ever in south western Ontario and attend a car show you'll see him there either with the Eleganza or in his daily driver which is his 78 Ford F-100.
Amazing machine. So much more sophisticated than any other motorhome.
As a young Australian in my 20s I dreamt of exploring the USA and Canada in one of these mighty GMC machines.
It ended up with the complete opposite to do 15 months around Europe, UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA in a new RHD 1982 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston. With 2 cylinders and 602cc I used less than 20% of the fuel. It was a lot of fun in the little French 4 door convertible...
Glad you found this video
At least you did not waste tons of petrol in this thing ... :D
It’s a money pit, but it’s fun to look at. I knew you were going to pick up that branch on the roof. It’s who you are! Thanks Patrick
I couldn’t resist
What would Scotty Kilmer think?
This was fascinating, I've never seen one of these. What an amazing home on wheels, built my first year in college! Thank you! 😊
I was just as fascinated as you
I was only 3 years old when this one was built.
Back in that time, late 70’s, my uncle had a Titan motorhome. And when we were out on the road, the GMC motorhomes would pass us and he would tell me the GMC was the top motorhome on the road, costing about $1,000 a foot. If they were making them today, an updated version, they could easily dominate the motorhome market. RV manufacturers just couldn’t get away with producing the crap they put out today.
another great tour Patrick. I always liked these things, never saw one in person.
Appreciate it Jimmy
Unbelievable, nice find, like engineering art. Thanks for sharing Patrick, nice job. 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
So happy to have the opportunity to feature this
Oh please god, don't shine a black light on that shag carpet!!! 😂 In all seriousness, very cool!
I wouldn’t even want to know what’s in it
For me personally, I find that the esthetic design of the GMC motorhome from the 70's to be the most beautiful of them all. It just looks gorgeous. How great it would be to restore one of these.
Well said!
26’ and a 23’ was offered, though I’ve never laid eyes on a 23’. Hitchhiking in Arizona in 78’, semi auto transport with assorted vehicles, dodge power wagon to corvette, pulls over. It’s being followed by 2 new 26’ GMC RVs. A guy in the semi runs back to me, ask if I have a valid drivers license, of course I do. Says go relieve the guy in the rear RV. One minute I’m looking around for a camping spot for the night after a hot day, then I’m driving a new motor home with air conditioning and music cranked. Best ride I ever caught, with those guys 4 days cause the semi had mild breakdown in Barstow. Rode into San Francisco in the back of the auto transport trailer, everything else delivered. I turned 71 Saturday, sweet memory! Just bought a Class C 86’ Kountry Aire made by Newmar for a friend. Quality build once again, 100k miles, solid oak raised panel cabinetry, rig leveling knobs behind drivers seat, 460 Ford E350. Quality craftsmanship stands the test of time!
Oh wow, great information
But of course, it's sold! Yeah, I am looking for a vintage one myself! Thank you, Patrick, for showing this one!
Hope it’s helpful for you
I love that carpet! 💚
Me too, pretty cool
Outstanding find whoever bought it got a steel of a deal for $15,000.. They were an awesome motorhome back in the day. If memory serves me correctly I think that motorhome was also a front-wheel drive motorhome based on the Oldsmobile toronado / Cadillac eldorado chassis... What a find for 15000. It will probably Outlast a lot of the newer motorhomes we have today and tomorrow? I will hopefully soon be looking for a Motorhome & remember you guys when I was looking before but decided to buy a home instead. I'll be back to talk to you all soon. Thanks for sharing!!!
The new owner is very excited
My favourite RV of all the Time 🌟
Pretty cool
That looks really familiar. I think my friend Kim’s family had this or something very similar, back in the 70’s. I remember Kim and her sister had to share that first bed that you showed, that comes from the table booth. They grouched about it endlessly, lol. What a blast from the past.
Glad you found this
That's outrageous ❤
Thanks Mary
Love this big motor home. Looks like they made the homes much sturdier than 2023.
Built to last
You always find the coolest rigs, dude! Thanks for the great content! !✌️
Appreciate it Katy
As always, Really cool tour! Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate the support
The front drive unit was from an Oldsmobile front wheel drive Toronado. It wasn't heavy enough and front axle bearings were an often repair. My neighbor had one and carried a set of bearings with him. The other problem was that GM didn't know much about RV's and these units took some understanding. Some RV dealers would not winterize them.
Good information
Really cool vintage RV
Es estupenda, esta genial😍 me encantan estos vehículos históricos ❤
Happy you enjoyed it
In the 70's those weren't cup holders... those were cocktail holders. Thank you for this video.
Very 70s and also futuristic in a Star Wars way! May the force be with you!
Yes
Nice urban assault vehicle! I have been searching for 30 years for one.
Now you found one
Love From Punjab India
Appreciate the love
I'd say $15K was a pretty fair price to both buyer and seller. Like so many others, we've found the GMC motorhome design very appealing but I'm wondering if they're nearing the end of their useful lives. The really good and super-well maintained and stored ones should hold their value but the fixer-uppers (like this one) will be a challenge to bring up to higher resto goals. For now, if it runs, brakes, shifts OK and the basic RV systems function, best just to enjoy it as is. Good parts are hard, to impossible to find and I understand the GMC Coop in Orlando recently closed as well. Good luck to the buyers, may they have happy adventures!
appreciate the feedback. The buyer has reached out to me and I look forward to seeing the finished project
GMC coop?
Not sure what you are talking about as far as finding parts. I have been restoring one for almost 4 years (almost done) and have never had a problem getting parts. Some original parts may be hard to find but the upgraded parts are more desirable if you want a viable RV and are not making a museum piece. They made about 12,000 of these and they claim there are still over 9000 of them on the road.
@@mattmoore9812 good information
I loved then
Love ‘em now
Me too
Sweet!
That GMC motorhome was sold in Toledo, Ohio. George Ballas dealership. A highly respected person and dealership here on the Central Avenue Strip. George and his wife Maryanne Ballas were very involved in the community. Since his death, she's been at the helm running the dealership very well!
Awesome information. Thanks for sharing it.
RVs still can come with electric/LP absorption fridges. Dometic makes most of them.
Great motor home.still on great condition 🎉🎉
It sure is!
Lap of Luxury...
Dude, if i had the money, absolutely i would buy😮
They really did put them together well
I agree
I owned a 1976 Palm Beach Model, very similar layout except for bunks in the back it was just platform for a bed. You got the small motor here, mine had the 455 Olds Rocket. It did not drive like dream however. They are known for the suspension upfront needing attention as the Toronado front end was taxed by the weight of the motorhome. Many people do an upgrade to a heavier front end. I didn't have the 5k to put in to that so mine wandered a bit even after new suspension parts. The cruise control and wipers ran off a vacuum. The cruise control would slowly increase on mine needing to be reset every half hour or so. The wipers would occasionally do a wipe on their own..lol. My biggest complaint was keeping the thing cool inside. The dash air when driving was pretty much useless and the rooftop air couldn't keep up if it was over 90 outside and the sun beating down. It was like an oven, and running the generator while going down the road wasn't ideal. A second rooftop air may have solved that. My air bag lines leaked but I could manually pump them up and they held, that part was a very comfortable ride. The hole you pointed to upfront was the release for the panel covering the motor. My was rebuilt the previous owner and it ran like a top. Mine didn't have awnings, the ones on this rig are aftermarket. Fuel mileage was pretty good too consistently over 10mpg even running 65-70mph. In my opinion if someone paid more than 10k for this one it was too much, its a bit rough on the outside. I purchased mine for $6,500 with 95k on the odometer in 2010 and sold it for $9000 in 2017 with 107k on the odometer. The first and last time I will probably make money on an RV. I did put money into it with new tires and suspension work.
Major adjustments were made and designed through Oklahoma City, Jackie Cooper Dealership. Steel engineer, Tom Jones, That is where the second generation began!!
Very cool!!!
Love these old RVs
So cool
I’m happy I was able to get this I’ve been looking for one of the film for a long time
Oh my gosh. Love this video. We had the yellow one growing up, I think it was Glenbrook. Exact same floor plan.
You are correct about a rear AC. That was an option because ours had it in place of that fan. It had two AC's. On the roof there was also a giant storage pod for things like your outdoor chairs, small grills, etc. The generator does slide out, it's a giant teal Onan that pulls out on a track. The area right inside the door on the left was used mostly to store the vacuum cleaner since the port was right there. The airbags were so loud for leveling the camper, but they did a great job.
There was a downside to these, or at least with ours. Like most American made motor vehicles of the 70's, it broke down all the time. Seemingly every big trip we took, something would go wrong. Service men coming in and out of the rig to work on it because as you pointed out, it was accessed at the cab.
We didn't care. We loved it. We went everywhere in ours and it's lead me to buying a camper today for my family. My brother and I will never, ever forget our many family adventures in our GMC. Thank you for this video.
Oh wow, happy you found this. Thanks for sharing
I think they would have done much better on the reliability front if there was widespread use of heavy duty synthetic lubricants. This would have helped lower the engine operating temperatures and protected the components better.
love it !
Awesome 👏
Thanks 🤗
This is awesome! It's very reminiscent of a train compartment! I'd love to live in something like this! Thanks for the tour! By the way, the like button isn't working for me, but I tried.
So happy to have the opportunity to feature this
Love it would love to have that for camping
Pretty cool
This is just amazing motorhome, i want one, awsome video😍👌🔥🇧🇻
Glad you like it!
Love it 😍
So glad!
I just hear ray Romano lol
Hello 👋
Great RV… glad you didn’t get stung. And I dare ya to brush your teeth with that toothbrush! Thanks Patrick!
I double dare you
I would make it all modern on the inside and keep the looks on the outside retro. It reminds me of my living room in my house when I was a kid
That’s a great idea
If I recall these were based on the Tornado front wheel drive assembly. Tornado being the first in the market with front wheel drive, and a huge motor on top. That shag carpet brought me back to my old 'hippie van', at least what I can remember of it LOL..
Glad you enjoyed the tour
Supa shaggadelic mr patrick ..😍😎😁pip pips
Glad you like it
Compared to Winnebago lunch boxes on wheels these were absolutely beautiful futuristic designs
I'm not that old but my dad bought one of these (this exact model and paint scheme as well) when I was a kid and we roadtripped across the country with it in the early/mid 2000s. As a kid I never appreciated it, since to me it was just an old motorhome that was embarrassing to roll into campsites with. It definitely was an eye catcher for those from older generations! It's interesting you make the point that it's still only dual axle since this created a ton of arguments at tollbooths on bridges that charged significantly more per axle. My dad was never able to convince anyone it really only did have 2 axles. These were well ahead of their time. I recently watched Stripes for the first time and got a laugh out of it being used as an Urban Assault Vehicle.
I believe there is/was a guy here in the Denver area who modified one of these to be the fastest motorhome ever, running it on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
This is better built than any rv made after this model
These will still be good tiny houses even when not road worthy any longer .
True
They were amazing motor homes. I saw the dealer decal : George Ballas Buick-Opel, Man that was decades ago for sure. Mid-70s GM stopped selling Opels thru the Buick dealerships.
So cool to find this one
Buy it Patrick. Just offer them more and take it. You will care for it a lot more and feature it on your channel.
By the time I got there, it was already sold. The person is about halfway through the renovation now.
Stunning vehicle !
It really is!
Must have looked so futuristic when new back in the day.@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures
Good review! As always very informative.
Appreciate the support
I would absolutely pay 15k for this. ❤️❤️ What a fun video.
What a good price
I wouldn't say it's ahead of its time, but more like a product of its time. The '70s was the golden age of vans of all types and sizes.
Glad you found this
The big sliding windows rattled as they got older needing the felt changed. Made 10 mpg with my two used, old ones. Never got my dash air working. Had a model converted by Avion with a dry bath. The Onan 6.5 ran it all. Loved the vacuum cleaner. Sorry GMC decided to stop production. I would still have one today. Just quality! Some refrigerators only ran on 12V. Most interesting…
Excellent information
Very cool RV! 👍
Been dying to feature one
OMG HILLARIOUS! I trailered and motorhomed with my parents and sisters in the 60,s, 70's and 80's! so i'm familiar with this right down to the bad upholstery and awful shag carpeting! he avoided mentioning the am/fm radio was also an 8 track player!🤣🤣! If this video ends with a price over $5000 i'll vomit! love the ladder for access to rooftop firewood storage area!🤣
I want! Good review!
Appreciate it
i would take one of these over a new one any day,with a basic set of tools and know-how you could keep it going FOREVER
Go for it
I saw two I of these in Tennessee once, pretty cool to see the inside
Yes 🙌🏼
This thing is so cool and well thought out. I would hazard to say that this is the Tesla of 1970s motorhomes.
It was definitely ahead of its time
They got also famous by the movie 'stripes' (with Bill Murray) where such a motorhome featured. Although that was the military version 😁
Yes 🙌🏼
Изумительная планировка!
It really is
That big rear window reminded me of the movie "Race with the Devil" (though not the same motorhome) from 1975.
I’ll have to check it out
Wow! George Ballas Buick, that motor home came from Toledo, Ohio
He was a top of the line dealership, when I was growing up.
So cool to know
We are parked right next to you….so cool!
Oh wow, where?
NICE. TO. HAVE THAT MODERN 8 TRACT
Oh yeah, lots of new releases
I need one of these vintage RVs in my life
Go for it
This is crazy, I didn't even realize I'd watched this video before and had commented on it.
It must've been a few months after I posted on this video; but I did find an old RV very much like this, with the big windows, and only one driver's side door (no passenger door), just not a GMC model. It was parked in my local Walmart's parking lot w/ a for sale sign, so I left a msg w/ my number saying I was interested.
Long story short, I ended up getting semi-scammed. I paid $1,000.00 to a guy who didn't have the title for the RV but said he was gifted the RV by the actual owner, who had lost the title.
The RV didn't run either, and ended up getting towed before I could get it fixed; I decided to just let it go rather than follow the tow guy to the vehicle graveyard. I've already got too many projects going on heh
What a beauty! I just hope the new owner can respect what it is and not try to "reimagine" it.
Exactly
Patrick is a real Salesman describing the door, “It’s curved to fit..” Um Patrick its actually warped lol. So are the squirrel and mice skeletons in the walls included too😝
The body is curved so the door has to be too
You would be a really good RV salesman. I want one of these now
Glad you like it
I love it apart from the green carpet
Easy fix