GMC motorhome

GMC Motorhome
1973 GMC Motorhome (26-ft model)
Overview
Manufacturer	GM Truck and Coach Division (General Motors)
Production	1972–1978
Model years	1973–1978
Assembly	Pontiac Assembly Center, Pontiac, Michigan
Designer	Michael Lathers, GM Design center
Body and chassis
Class	Recreational vehicle
Body style	Class A Motor Home
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8 403 cu in (6.6 L) Oldsmobile V8
Transmission	3-speed TH-425 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	140 inches (3,600 mm) 160 inches (4,100 mm)
Length	23 feet (7.0 m) 26 feet (7.9 m)

The GMC Motorhome was produced by the GM Truck & Coach Division for the 1973 through 1978 model years in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. It was the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer, producing what GMC hoped would be their "halo" vehicle. Part of the reason this vehicle is so different from other motor homes of the era is that it was not conceived as just a "camper," but as a vehicle for comfortable travel as well. The design was radical for the day with front-wheel drive and a low profile, fully integrated body.

At the time (as now), motorhomes were built by recreational vehicle manufacturers on bare frames and drivetrains supplied by a chassis manufacturer. GMC built the bodies and in most cases the interiors in-house, and designed the chassis and drivetrain to create a motorhome enclosure that could be adapted to a range of purposes. Empty shells were supplied to other RV manufacturers for upfitting the interiors and also to specialty manufacturers for a range of custom purposes ranging from mail delivery and mobile training facilities to people movers and ambulances. It was built in 23 and 26 ft (7.0 and 7.9 m) lengths.

Prior to the introduction of the GMC motorhome, a handful of other manufacturers made use of a similar front-wheel drive, which went on to inspire the use in the GMC. These included the Cortez Motor Home from the Clark Equipment Corporation which initially offered a four-speed manual transmission with front-wheel drive, available from 1963 to 1970 until the division was sold to Kent Industries. From 1971 to 1977, a redesigned Cortez-SD was manufactured, initially by Kent and later a group of investors, using the same Oldsmobile 455 and three-speed automatic transmission that the GMC motorhome would adopt in 1973.

Another parallel design was the Revcon motorhome, which starting in 1971 was an all-aluminum body front-wheel drive coach, initially with the same Toronado drivetrain as the later GMC. Beginning in 1978, the Revcon took on a more aerodynamic design similar to the just-canceled GMC motorhome, which included a slant nose and dual rear axle, while adopting a Chevrolet 454 engine and Turbo-Hydramatic 475 transmission. These were in production through 1990, with one coach built in 1991 using remaining components before the factory closed.