$500,000 RENOVATION ON 1977 GMC MOTORHOME

[@chestercopperpot9294]

Surprised no one makes an updated version of the GMC as it’s so unique and would sell for a premium.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

I have a custom build planned of which the design is based upon that chassis.

[@loganmccutcheon9990]

My husband and I, just got a 1975 version gave to us! We plan to gut it and start with a whole new build for out first conversion! We are so excited. Their look is so unique and I love the windows!

[@Buick_the_rd.master]

@@loganmccutcheon9990 how’s the build going? Thinking of picking one up myself

[@rajonrondo78]

The original on is way cooler. If I could choose I’d rather have the original one restored than to have the updated one.

[@mariamaria2751]

Same , the old one was way better. The new one looks like a standard boring RV ..now

[@mariamaria2751]

​@ronnie doorzon replace them with new a couple new personalizations in the old one. Way better than the renovation

[@djrocket6670]

Its absolutely beautiful. And a perfect waste of $500,000

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. It's a damn shame that they didn't keep the RV after spending that much money on upgrading it. If I spent close to that much money on something, I'd use it! I'd travel the country in it. Live in it, even part-time, for a few years, and *then* sell it to someone else. But to upgrade it, and *then* sell it? Seems like a waste of money.

[@weapons_ofmassdistraction_9550]

Big waste of 💰.

[@cedarwest37]

The king....EP could pay 100 million...so... It's ALL reverlent....

[@cedarwest37]

A FOOL and his EGO... Are soon parted...

[@krazzygranny7032]

this is a perfect definition of the Republican trickle down economics all the people hired to do the build then used for awhile so other expenses where the money trickled down then they donated to a museum so more people can enjoy and pay money in buying tickets to see this, and then you know these people spent a couple million on having another RV custom made therefore providing opportunity for others to have a job and make money

[@billwright8257]

In late August 2020, I drove my 1977 GMC Eleganza II to the RV hall of fame. I really enjoyed the museum. I preferred the '74

[@curbowman]

I understand the 1977 cabinetry was much better than the early ones. What did you prefer about the '74?

[@billwright8257]

@@curbowman As I re-read my post it looks a bit confusing. What I meant was I prefer the 74 to the $500K Gmc. I believe the Cadillac motorhome was on a similar GM front wheel drive chassis, albeit probably with El Dorado components

[@seanthornton9969]

LOL this is the same model of RV used in the Bill Murry movie Stripes as the "Urban assault vehicle."

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I also loved these! The Oldsmobile Toronado front wheel drive and that amazing rear suspension. It freed up the whole interior of the coach, no driveshaft.

[@BoSS-dw1on]

Oh yeah - it is front wheel drive with the independent rear suspension. That’s why the floor can be so low and still have headroom.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@BoSS-dw1on It is too bad that the bean counters at GM decided that they didn't want to be in the Motorhome business. They only wanted to supply the chassis to the coach builders.

[@bd5av8r1]

@@mitchellbarnow1709 GM killed the GMC Motorhome because it needed the room to make pickups.

[@sarahj.8372]

This is soooo much fun...I want to go here so bad...thanks sooo much. I have a mostly yellow with black stripe footlocker from JC Penney in 1977 and bought with mom then,,,,that is a piece my friends say to NEVER change..so far still waiting in garage. I started college in 1977..17 years old..lol. You have the greatest ending...to the video.

[@AaronPaluzzi]

The GMC Motorhome had an option for a rear bath. You gave up the rear bedroom. The upgraded motorhome probably started off as a rear bath model.

[@shekharmoona544]

Wait till Tesla makes a commercial chassis that's motorhome friendly...it's over.

[@ovmn]

Shekhar Moona that would be the death of all those Sprinters vans :)

[@BlackHeart_YouTube_Channel]

You guys belive in santa..

[@hawkdsl]

@@BlackHeart_KZbin_Channel Elon fans.. I just smile and wave at them.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

I wish they had more inside head room.

[@LouisSubearth]

GM made the Brightdrop vans which are FWD like the Motorhome, so it's possible for GM to get into the electric RV chassis business

[@philw7174]

GMC Motorhome memory. Neato piece of history, thanks for the show. Happy trails!

[@jaredlazaron8414]

I'd give quite a bit if my 73 had it's original Painted Desert interior. Being almost 50 years old, cushions have been recovered and carpet has been replaced. I really like the vintage look of the original 70's interiors.

[@PrevostJoe]

Andrew, that's not automotive paint on the cabinets, its called VITRICOR. Its a high end laminate. Been used in Prevost's for decades

[@nobodynoone2500]

So where did the other 480k go?

[@steeldavidson]

Congratulations on the 50K Andrew and another great Video. Love seeing older coaches even the yellow one lol Thnanks for sharing this with all of us out here in KZbin land.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Thank you!!

[@JettRink-b8k]

You're square, you don't realize how wonderful the 70's was... but thank you for this video

[@accessaryman]

the retro one is by far the better choice, colours can be changed :)

[@jamesklein6898]

I LOVE THE YELLOW. Cabinets and everything.

[@gramsofmoney2723]

Glad to see you are still pumping out quality content, around one of your first 500 subs I think. keep up the great work!!

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Thank you! I remember you being around at the start!

[@patrickoconnor8774]

I love the yellow in the outside and inside counters

[@robertwolis99]

Me 2❤❤

[@thomash681]

Thanks Andrew. I always liked the GMC’s aerodynamic design. Still has appeal (outside more than inside....) /:-)

[@KT_One]

At the RV museum are you usually able to walk into the RVs? If so just surprised the bathroom was so dusty in the classic GMC.

[@michaelschneider-]

+1. .. Fond memories the GMC MotorCoach. .. I knew two GMC coach owners back in the day, both coaches were new having Cadillac Eldorado running gear; Tri-spoke steering wheel w/tilt column, 500 C.I.D., long chassis, Rear Bdrm. .. White exterior with an understated mid-beltline stripe. .. I was 17 - 18yo or so and fortunate enough to drive the boss's new GMC motorhome around the block or to fetch fuel / LP. .. Man o man, the boss & family loved that motorcoach. .. Each GMC coach owner had garage additions built at their homes. .. Living large for the mid-1970s I must say. .. IIRC, the bossman spent about $26,000. grand for that top-shelf model GMC motorcoach. .. Fond memories.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

I enjoyed hearing your story, I remember being a lot attendant at a dealership and having getting to fuel up some amazing machines so can relate to the feeling. Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelschneider-]

@@RVingwithAndrewSteele .. Enjoy following your Prevost / Newell endeavors. .. Meine Frau and I have the juice for a Liberty-Prevost build,,,, however, if I came home with a Prevost coach she would cut my balls off sliting my and your throats. .. She's not an RV'er , not on any level. .. And just think of the boondocking that can be done with the Volta - Liberty Prevost setup! .. Cheers, M/S Vail, Colorado

[@michaelschneider-]

Here's a formable Euro Motor Coach by STX out of Belgium on a Mercedes Actros cab-over chassis. .. 650hp to 750hp with a DSG auto-manual 12sp gearbox. .. It would climb highway I-70 .. 12,000ft Vail Pass elevation no sweat! kzbin.info/www/bejne/poWTl2hjmN1-ldk .. Make mine Porsche Stone Grey metallic, color LY7U.

[@1982MCI]

Michael Schneider have you ever thought 💭 about trading her in for a nice Prevost? There’s almost too many places to go and a short time to get there to be shackled like that Brother, I’m sorry. I learned the hard way many years ago that my partner didn’t have to have all my same interests but there’s no shackling one or the other down because she’s not interested and this last 27 years now has been a dream now because of it!!! Take care brother and stay safe out there!!! Good luck buddy!!

[@bigggmustang73]

I'd like the interior of the renovated one with the exterior of the original one. The original interior colors are cool, you could sprinkle those in too

[@BoSS-dw1on]

Supposedly the suspension is very good for these RVs. I think it is an independent suspension more like a car than a bus or truck.

[@jeraldbond1931]

They donated it so they got there money back as a tax deduction im sure. They didn't loose much if any

[@aaaaaaa4821]

What if that was their purpose from the start im sure if you have 500k for a van you could hire mechanics at your shop and charge yourself at a hefty rate for a incredible tax deduction

[@kitdinker]

Yep. They had to donate it to get anywhere close to even on it. They would have taken a gigantic bath if they tried to sell it.

[@RealJohnWayne]

I would much rather have the original one. Everything together is called a "Wet Bath" Andrew. 👍🇺🇸

[@BigMOFAKINRed]

I was really hoping the interior would've been a modernized vintage look. I think that would've really kept that uniqueness this motorhome has. It's still a beautiful build, though.

[@michaelbayliss1794]

Are all museums taxed deductible? My parents had a 1975 GMC , I remember it having a air bag between the two rear tires . Don't recall what the front suspension was .

[@ryanpomedli6550]

I love these things. They are amazing.

[@Militaryman64]

Thanks for posting, this is what I always envision when I see this classic coaches,,mad respect 🙌

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Doesn't ride like a Prevost? LOL, More money than brains.

[@toddrunyon]

...or another way to put it "More dollars than sense (cents)"

[@jasoncarpp7742]

That depends. Not everyone needs such a large RV. Some RVers, particularly newbie RVers, need something smaller, easer to handle, something that gets better fuel economy. I know I would.

[@curbowman]

Actually, the GMC motorhome made history by being one the best handling RV ever. By having a front wheel drive layout they were able to lower the floor, and thus its center of gravity. The dual fuel tanks were installed between the tandem rear wheels as well, which also have independent pneumatic suspension. The result was a RV with a remarkable ride that was way more advanced than any other in its class, and it kept that place for decades. That's why most current owners try to remove the ugly 70's decor style while keeping the mechanic underpinnings just like it was.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@curbowman Where does one fill up the fuel tank? I seem to remember seeing what looked like a fuel filler underneath the driver's side front window.

[@zachwheeler9846]

Very interesting restoration. Very interesting to see how much you can modify an rv with half a million dollars. To me it looks like a modern representation of what a GMC rv would look like if they were to bring it back or something which they should definitely do i bet it would be very successful, as old ones were. Great video Andrew!

[@yamahaguy1732]

While the modernized one is nice the 70s one has a certain charm to it that nothing modern has or will ever have.

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

Man I was in high school when they came out. I thought they were space age through and through. I bought one, but then I found out how they ‘like’ to rust out around the rear suspension. I sold it off to a guy who could restore them. Olds 455 engine and trans package from the Tornado. Then I got into a deal with a resto shop in Orlando as a headhunter. I bought 4 of them in the 90s for a resto. They are just too tight a fit for a 6’6” 270 lbs guy.

[@shekharmoona544]

Someone had one in Hubert and he said he never had any leaking issues.

[@jibguy6516]

I believe that color will make an absolutely come back on a Ford Pinto 1977 with the white door

[@andyandnancy]

The inside of the original RV matched the house I grew up in, yellow countertops and all.

[@NJ-Cathie]

They need to reincarnate the size and shape these RVS!

[@wesm3915]

I had three of these at the same time, a fun coach but don't plan on using them in the winter time, on wet grass or gravel. I went from three MCI's to the GMC's to a Scenicruser to two Bluebirds and finally settled on a Neoplan

[@shekharmoona544]

I wish they could bring this back with modern suspension and steering. I think more people would be okay with a single color instead of the graphics. Maybe a mini split system instead of two zone HVAC systems. We could bring down cost and focus on volume.

[@1982MCI]

Shekhar Moona sure you could bring down cost and focus on volume but then you’d have just another Winnebago or any of another dozen cheap RV manufacturers that are selling brand new RV’s that nobody is happy with at all due to poor quality construction and lack of options. It would just be another chapter in the same book unfortunately I’m not giving you a hard time Shekhar, I just don’t think your able to cut costs and still deliver an RV that would be dependable, and desirable at a price point that would compete but I’ve never done the research either. I have always loved the style of these since they came out tho, that would still be a winner today I think Take care buddy and stay safe out there!!

[@bd5av8r1]

A Tesla chassis would be worthy of the GMC

[@CP-ux9zd]

They had excellent and highly engineered suspension.. and design.. and aerodynamics. That’s why they’re still very popular to this day

[@charlestait5303]

If he says “Automotive Paint” one more time I’ll scream!

[@jethrezelquizol6690]

Luv GMCs

[@marykent4380]

That’s crazy dude!!

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

Are there no lights?

[@Jon_2218]

500 grand with no sleeping quarters, no wonder they got rid of it. Wayyy too much wasted space.

[@sneville44]

There’s a guy in Empire Nevada who has a dozen of these rigs sitting in the desert east across Hwy 447 from the town and gypsum wall board factory. You can see the rigs on Google Earth.

[@1939Masterdeluxe]

I just bought one of these for $300.00 at a auction have to pick it up tomorrow and start the build on a budget

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Awesome!

[@adamfischer6768]

Is it just me or is that 500k GMC Renovation missing a bed to sleep on? I saw a bathroom, wine cooler and washer/dryer but no bed!

[@albertvela8712]

I would love a donation line that.😄 hell even the original would be great for my current situation.

[@LandoMorales]

Where do they sleep?

[@TrailToughTrailers]

Who designed and did the upgrade for $500,000?

[@rick49721]

Too bad they didn’t think things through clearly when they renovated the GMC, way too heavy to actually drive!😂😂😂

[@MohammadWassef]

how much is the new one ???latest model !

[@gbmoves7902]

Thank you Andrew. How's Big Tony doing?

[@geraldmccloy7146]

Rule #1 in the fashion and decor industry- colors from the past ALWAYS eventually make a comeback. Prove me wrong!

[@stratolestele7611]

Thanks Andrew! I've always liked the style of those coaches. Way ahead of their time IMO. If only they built them with better power. THANK YOU DEAN! I just have a thing for all turtles. I can't tell you how many I have stopped to help across our hot Texas roads. Lil' things sometimes need a helping hand.

[@cchoffat8620]

They ducted the roof airs. I did that in my GMC. As far as I know this is the only other one done this way. You cannot be a tall person and do this. Made a big difference in air circulation. I guess they also just use the jackknife sofa and dinette for beds?

[@jay0726]

Andrew How are you doing I hope your enjoying the weather...Wow that's amazing some one fixed the motorhome just to donated to the museum it's amazing Wonderful people!" ⭐🚐⭐🚐⭐🚐⭐🚐💨

[@jibguy6516]

Father son and holy most why would somebody spent 500 grand to refurbish I need to get a brand new one modern day

[@lorrainemudd5022]

Love the original

[@bunkie2100]

Nice content, but the quick edits (both audio and video) and the jerky camera work make this video hard to watch.

[@bodibmf]

Great drinking game! Every time you say “automotive paint” , I take a shot ! Got shitfaced in 8 minutes.

[@alexanderdeburdegala4609]

So the new one has no bed?

[@Scott924m]

100k for that paint job it must look better in person than on camera even custom colors on a rolls royce dont cost that much i've seen how to do that faux woodgrain not that hard even with paint . it is really nice though . i really hope they didn't think it was going to compare to a Prevost though

[@stratolestele7611]

Thanks Andrew! I've always liked the style of those coaches. Way ahead of their time IMO. If only they built them with better power. Edit: Andrew, awesome to see the respect with which you treat people's equipment. Good on ya brother! THANK YOU DEAN! I just have a thing for all turtles. I can't tell you how many I have stopped to help across our hot Texas roads. Lil' dudes sometimes need a helping hand. I've also watched the annual sea turtle egg-laying in FL.

[@adrianstanciu8876]

It's beautiful, but 500.000 man?!😱

[@kennedy67951]

Thanks for the walk through. I have a 1978 GMC 26 Foot that I put a lot into it. Due to health problems can't finish. Need to sell. If you or anyone would like to own a GMC Motor Home please leave me a comment with some details how I can contact you. Again thanks for the walk through.

[@TheWolfeFam]

The yellow GMC is not original on the outside; paint like that was never offered. Supposedly the $500k rig wouldn’t drive correctly because of the weight (or lack of weight distribution) they added to it It. The GMC from the factory drove like a big Cadillac.

[@bryantford3054]

Those GMCs were state of the art when they came out, with front wheel drive, aerodynamic styling and air ride suspension. There was no comparison to the 70s boxy style of other motorhomes. Pretty sure they came in 2 lengths-23 & 26 feet. GM wasn't making enough money from them to justify to continue building. That baby shit yellow was giving me flashbacks. 😜

[@curbowman]

You are right - they were sold in two lenghts. Eventually, GMC decided to build their RVs in the longer size only, while the shorter ones were sold, empty, to independent coachbuilders. That's why there was a GMC motorhome built by Winnebago.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

While I love the overall design and styling of the GMC Motorhome, I'm not sure I'd like the colours offered.

[@avpr1c]

The price tag seems high... but, there's plenty of "builders" on YT fitting out Rams and Sprinters for ~100K+

[@bd5av8r1]

Rear bath in a GMC: "poo with a view" 😂😂🤣🤣

[@justinjoyit13]

500k for that? Robbed !

[@asnormalasitgets2819]

Nice video, however the completely original GMC motorhome is not completely original. The inside is, but the outside has been repainted. They never offered that paint scheme. My parents were looking to buy one and we looked at them new. They had names on them, such as the one we liked at the time was green and was called, Palm Beach.

[@rayfreeman7778]

Yes the pineapple yellow will make a comeback

[@Brian-os9qj]

Pretty Jimmy, but where do they sleep

[@DallasCityGurl]

Yes, that co.or is coming back.

[@krazzygranny7032]

I think the main expense of the paint is in the Black ask any painter Black is the hardest color to get perfect and this has large open spaces of nothing but black

[@cobeath1]

after the $500k Reno it wasn’t road worthy. They overloaded the chassis

[@matthewmortiere4620]

Exactly...when you spend 500k and don't have a good ride? Whoever did their chassis work must have been idiots. No excuse for a bad ride after spending that kind of money!

[@andyandnancy]

Have either of you driven a Prevost? My MCI E4500 drives nicer than any full size van I've ever driven and a Prevost is supposed to be nicer yet.

[@cchoffat8620]

They probably did the "quadrabag" rear suspension upgrade. It ruins the whole ride of the coach. I regretted doing that crap upgrade in mine. It went from the smooth Cadillac ride to a Box on a truck frame, everything it was supposed to not be.

[@CurtisDrew1]

So they spend more time in the bathroom than they do a bed???? Never saw any sleeping quarters, so I'm thinking that is a High End Transport to the next Hotel room. But a Half $Mil????? I'd stick with the Precost too!

[@3DPeter]

It looks great, but there's no way that the restoration did cost 500k. So i gues 100 up to 150k and that's it.

[@ryanforrest168]

At least the old one is vintage and interesting looking, the one they re-did might have some newer features, but it looks so boring with its 50 shades of grey interior and the front end looks like a 10 year old bus

[@martinbaxter2616]

I am a Proud Child of the 1970s. That said, answering your question about that paint color - prithee NEVER. It doth make maketh mine eyes BLEED.

[@brookesgrammy]

lmao i had those counters in my house as a kid that was built in 1975. mom had those same counters til she sold the place! that carpet is just gross lol

[@rvvideoswiththomyt5263]

I have always been a big fan of the GMC~! But I don't think that YELLOW interior appointments will ever come back. Remember the Winnebago Retro Model that I don't think took off! Thomyt

[@brandih7518]

They spent all that money but did anyone else see the bed? Or did I just miss it lol

[@seeburg220]

I like the yellow one better, actually. The other one screams "all money, no brains".

[@thesparewheel]

is your mic in a pringle can?

[@Buick_the_rd.master]

i went there in 2015

[@jasoncarpp7742]

While I like the upgrades to the black GMC Motorhome, I wouldn't want to spend *as much* on those upgrades as whoever did these upgrades, certainly not all at once! Maybe a little bit at a time, while I drive it. I'd want to be able to enjoy driving it, living in it, possibly working with it.

[@georgeb1364]

Looks good but would have been better if restoration would have been done by one of the GMC specialist out there.

[@erezyoal]

100k $ on paint ? That's weist Of money, the rest is spot on.

[@rickhodges1731]

Those GMC coaches were really good looking. 455 Olds Tornador drive line. Very innovative set up. Hard to image they actually spent $500k on it, but who knows?

[@hottubz1965]

On my bucket list...but they over-paid. Surprised they didn't like the ride...those things floated down the road on air bags!

[@livelrge1]

That looks like the biggest waste of a half a million dollars I've ever seen in any of your videos. There was nothing nostalgic about what they did with it, nor should it be in the museum. At least the yellow one gave you the nostalgic feeling from the past. For the money they spent, it didn't give you either a classy modern look, or any feeling of nostalgic from that era. Unfortunately, the interior didn't really flow well from the front of the RV to the weird configurated bathroom. I hope they received a good tax write-off because they'd never get close to what they wasted.

[@uzis4life]

Over a half a mil in upgrades? I dont see it and donated? Sounds like an awsome tax right off lol

[@WadersInAlaska]

You were asking about if those colors should come back in vogue....only on another planet that was in development and didn't have good taste! LOL Cheers from Alaska!

[@EL90291]

It’s a $500,000 tax deduction and not a 1/2 mil built.

[@BoSS-dw1on]

Was this the RV that they used in Breaking Bad for a meth lab in the desert? Maybe not but it would have been a good one for that.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

😂😂

[@jimgunther3378]

In a word...NO. Not even close. There's OLD, there's CLASSIC, and then there's TIMELESS - which is how most GMC owners regard their RV. Personally, I always felt the "weak link" was the 3 speed GM transmission. I owned a "GMC II" -ground-up rebuild by Explorer Coach in the 1990s and the finish would hold its' own with that $1/2 Million Dollar deal. For 26 feet, it has plenty of room and comfort. Should someone ever put a GMC on a Dodge ProMaster Chasis (modern power, transmission, and braking) with something like the Travato Lithium system, they would really have something.

[@Teladian2]

What a pity. That rig should be driven....

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. If you're gonna spend money upgrading it, you might as well use it.

[@FadeToBlackLLC]

Nope, never, please don't bring those colors back...no....lol