If
I had a million dollars I would pimp a GMC motorhome. I got the itch watching the movie Stripes. Like a sailboat I have never had a
motorhome. There is something about both
that captures the imagination; they say freedom and self-sufficiency like few
other objects. If the GMC motorhome was a sailboat it would be an Oyster. Although manufactured for only 6 years ending
production in 1978, there still exists a huge community of GMC motorhome hackers striving to not only preserve but also modernize these vehicles of the
future. The primary feature that to this day sets GMC motor-homes apart from all
others is the shell is built from Aluminum, not wood or steel. This is the secret
sauce that has allowed these “26 ft., 12,000 lb. Antique Hot Rods” to keep on
trucking.
Florida
is the center of GMC revitalization. Golby Motor Company purchased the original
GMC molds, along with a host of other re-makers all the parts exist to build a
modern version of the GMC classic. I estimate this would cost $100,000 or
more. This may be expensive, but there
is a lot more bang for your buck in such an investment than purchasing a
Mercedes based Winnebago. However as far
as I know, no one has ever gone this route because there are thousands of
existing models easily restored and driven away by people, even on a limited DIY budget.
But
if I had the money this is what I would do.
Buy
the 1976 Palm Beach for $1,800.
Ship
it to a company that does 3D scanning.
Have
them scan all the fiberglass body panels, chassis and other steel parts.
Modify
the front body panels to resemble the 23D.
Also
create a streamlined air foil that could hold a couple of 250 watt solar panels
and reduce turbulence around the roof mounted air conditioners.
Find
a job shop that could hydroform body panels out of marine grade aluminum.
Find
a shop that could make the chassis out of aluminum instead of steel.
There
are a handful of companies that could do the job, but I would send these parts
to the Cooperative Motor Works with a big deposit and request they build me GMC
Royale with a wet bathroom on the side. In many cases like the rear air suspension, aftermarket solutions have been engineered that far exceed OEM.
Although
new replacement engines with modern features like fuel injection are available,
I would instruct Jim Bounds to obtain electric motors and lithium packs from
Mercedes or Porsche and power the beast with pure electric drive.
In
the engine compartment I would fit a modern diesel, Cummings, GM or maybe back
to European. It would only charge the
battery packs. The battery packs would
be placed to create a perfect load on the front and rear axles.
The
interior would have an executive jet look, no stove; I would have a swing out or
slide out barbecue accessed from the outside. It would only sleep two in the center
bunk bed configuration, and one in passenger seat, which would be a biz class
seat from an airplane. The rear would be an executive road office.
There
would also be a 70 inch TV, a TV that could be attached to the outside passenger
side, which would also be rigged to hang speakers on.
The
paint job would be very similar to the “full tilt buggy”.
Finally
I would restore the Palm Beach in the traditional way; it would be sacrilege to
leave one behind.
Imagine
if more classic cars had been constructed similar to the GMC motorhome. For sure there would be a lot more diversity on
the road. There should be a law that every car company must make one model out
of aluminum.
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