GMC Motorhome Sales Film: A New Standard in Motor Home Performance

Original sales video used by GMC dealers in the early 1970s.
©General Motors Corporation.
#Background: Built by General Motors using automobile assembly techniques, 12,921 GMC motorhomes were produced from model years 1973 to 1978. Over 7,000 are currently listed at the GMCMI.com international registry. Estimates suggest that at least 8,000 to 9,000 of the original production run are still in operating condition.
Visit www.mymotorhomelife.com to read articles aimed at both potential and current GMC Motorhome owners. It's also a good place to pick up parts, accessories, and upgrades for these classic RVs.
For additional information about the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome, please contact the GM Media Archive at [e-mail].

[@briq4409]

I like that the family dentist is showing the RV to the customers.

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Design still looks fresh 50 years later

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Many folks still think these were built in the past 20 years when seeing them in the flesh for the fish time.

[@mrequi1]

@@MyMotorhomeLife In my adult life I've personally only seen three 'in the wild' though may have seen some in the 70s when my parents were RV dealers.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

@@mrequi1 Visit mymotorhomelife.com and take a look at the side bar on the blog and shop. About half-way down you'll see some notices for upcoming GMC Motorhome gatherings ("rallies"). Maybe there's one happening near you? :-) Also check out the national organization at www.gmcmi.com for local owner chapters of the FMCA.

[@markhenry5294]

4:42 "And *look* at that glass of milk." Gets me every time. I love the unlimited amounts of context that this line could be in.

[@yoshstudio]

I own a 78' GMC Palm Beach and its the best handling RV ever produced. Drove it down Donner Pass at night in the rain & fog and lived to tell about it.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Glad to hear you made it! We've owned a 1973 Glacier for over 5 years and have yet to take on such a daunting drive.

[@larryjex6485]

These motor homes were more advanced 50 years ago than the one I have today, lol!

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Indeed! In fact, if you ever want to sell your modern RV and pick up a 50 year old GMC Motorhome, visit the national organization's website at www.gmcmi.com for more info. Alternatively, visit our website for information about local owner chapters in your area.

[@albear972]

Seriously, the coolest RV ever made. And that was some crazy groovy music there man!

[@Dodge34]

The question is why is that old technology not in all modern RV's, when I was a kid, I dreamed about owning one of theses GMC motorhomes, even today, its extremely hard or nearly impossible to get your hands on them, they are vintage and very hard to get your hands on because nothing would ever beat them in terms of comfort, I had an uncle that drove one for over 7 yrs, he spent 3 yrs living in it full time, sadly it was totalled in a engine fire in 1988.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Apologies for taking so long to respond to your comment. It slipped through the cracks. The good news is that finding a GMC Motorhome in good condition is getting a lot easier as the first generation of owners are unable to drive anymore or simply can't maintain them any longer. Visit GMCMI.com and the @vintageGMCmotorhomes Facebook page for more info.

[@1955RKE]

I worked for a well known RV company. There is absolutely no comparison to a GMC. GMC are superior in every way.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Consider visiting with a local chapter of GMCMI.com, the national organization. We have many folks drop by who are curious about these coaches or simply want to find out more. Here's an example of one of our quick coach tours from a rally in August of 2021 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4CQgXVpjbCtf6M

[@danielleclare2938]

Watching the Winnibago-ish Motorhome bounce over the tracks was funny. I imagined dishes and crap flying around everywhere inside... ask me how I know. Remember the GM's new as a kid they were amazing inside and to look at. GOAT Motorhome IMO.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

...and still are! :-)

[@rickc303]

Driver was obviously alternating throttle and brakes to make the bouncing effect exponentially greater

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

​@@rickc303 Exactly. You can make one of those things bounce on flat ground by alternating the throttle and brakes like that. Had he just driven over normally it wouldn't have been nearly as bad.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Also definitely not a Winnebago. They never had slanted forward fenders like that.

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

Definitely still the goat!

[@jamesford2942]

These were and still are the best motorhomes.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

For sure, and still the only motorhome manufactured by a major automobile, truck, and bus maker.

[@mrequi1]

@@MyMotorhomeLife That's right, I believe all the other big three motorhomes were made out of house with auto manufacturers just supplying chassis weren't they. Dodge seemed to pump out a lot.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

@@mrequi1 That's right. The truck manufacturer would supply the chassis and drivetrain, as they still do today. GM were the only auto manufacturer in the USA that I'm aware of to actually design, assemble, and sell a motorhome from start to finish. I must add that GM did produce GMC Motorhomes that were had unfinished interiors ("Transmode") that were shipped to RV fabricators and finishing shops. The final product was still sold in GMC dealerships though.

[@jbrou123]

For grins and dreams, i googled it. There's a '78 Classic Royale about 25 miles from home for sale at $16K. I've seen them for sale between $13k to $40k for a fully restored model. That's a great price. compared to the $100k to unlimited pricing on new motorhomes.

[@MaximillianDeWinterUK]

Indeed, it is great value especially considering the fact that pre-owned GMC Motorhomes will have had many upgrades and repairs done to them, in most cases, making ownership not a financial challenge but one of the owner’s skillset. If one is into carpentry, auto mechanics, electrics, body repair, etc. etc. the GMC Motorhome is both a great Rv to own and use but also a great excuse to pick up many new skills. 😀 Watch the videos on this channel featuring current GMC Motorhome owners talking about their ownership experience (and showing us around their coaches) who remain convinced that this is one of the best investments they’ve ever made, with caveats of course.

[@goojy]

one of the best in its days

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

...and still going strong. Check out some of the owner interviews and interior tours on our KZbin channel and website.

[@truckerenoch8824]

That winnebago with the cover!😂😂😂😂😂😂 It's distinctive ...and that's about the best thing you can say about it!

[@mgman71]

its funny, you look at what was available back then and then look at the GMC. That winnebago looked like a relic when new

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Not a Winnebago. They never had slanted forward fenders like that.

[@mrequi1]

This thing is STILL ahead of. It's time

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

...especially now that folks are thinking about if it's possible to put electric propulsion into these. Jim Bounds, at Motorhome Rehab Ranch, might be toying with the idea, I believe.

[@mrequi1]

@@MyMotorhomeLife That would be ultra cool

[@GroovyVideo2]

i remember those - pants suits

[@johna.4334]

Pants suits as in Hillary Clinton and Camel Toe Harris.

[@markst.germain9286]

I have a 77 with a 455 and it will do a burnout all day long.

[@303nitzubishi4]

Excellent vehicle that was killed off too soon. The investment in R&D of these vehicles was obviously significant, and I doubt those costs were given the chance to recoup in its short lifespan. The Eldo/Toro/Riv FWD package went on thru 84. As for GM trucks of the era, The C/K line went on until 87 here in the US and much longer in other markets. The G van survived until 96. One of the many victims of GMs corporate incompetence. Almost 50 years later and nothing has changed.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Thanks for the information. Very useful to know.

[@ericlipetzky4221]

Built by REAL SCIENTISTS IN WHITE LAB- COATS !

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

...using oscilloscopes!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@MyMotorhomeLife and beepy things with antennas on them !

[@MisterMikeTexas]

"Anchorman 2"!

[@Not_Built_For_This_World]

Still a marvel of "modern" engineering!

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

There's a funny story about the filming of some of the testing of the GMC motorhome prototype for GM executives: the test driver was supposed to do a lap of the road test track, come to a halt, open the door and wave at the crowd. Unbeknownst to him, the first generation lock was faulty so the test driver couldn't open the door! He quickly opened one of the large side windows, leaned out, and waved from that position instead. None of the GM management was any the wiser! 🙂

[@ToyotaCorolla-qs7ml]

Of course this gets recommended to me after watching John’s vinwiki story on Julius

[@darwinjesusnavafinol6641]

Es un vehículo interesante mucho más sofisticado de lo que pensaba tomando en cuenta la época en la que fue diseñado , es un conjunto de tecnologías aplicadas a hacer de los viajes largos un verdadero placer

[@Koexistence13]

The bongo drums are getting a work out in this vid

[@jas4925]

When GM was a truly innovative company.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Indeed. We own a Chevy Volt (Gen 1) and were truly impressed with the build quality, attention to detail, and myriad luxury features. Then it all came apart. :-(

[@bounderchris]

Wow this video should give modern day RV builders nightmares when they see the quality control they went through and how there is near to no quality control on the new rigs

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Yes. There are a number of articles and video reports about how the warranties on many new RVs are so restrictive that even if there's a legitimate issue that needs addressing, the dealer and RV brand can claim its not covered. Not a good way to do business, imho.

[@chuckselvage3157]

Oldsmobile 455 motor.Wow.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Lots of torque!

[@thebikehippie6562]

Shut up and take my money!!!!!!

[@johna.4334]

Whoa!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Is anyone else besides me getting thier twerk on with that background music?

[@RageousMode]

So....did RV salespeople of this era always make their pitch in labcoats?

[@useaol]

Its a scientifically designed rv!

[@seeburg220]

Seeing that Winnebago getting bucked, reminded me of driving near New Orleans on I-10 in a 2008 Winnebago. I hit a bump and I'm pretty sure the front wheels came off of the ground. Not fun.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Yikes! That's not good.

[@themotorman4640]

And it sounds like the engineers did the sound track =b ... all kidding aside, just got one, can't wait to get it out of storage and out on a trip!!

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Welcome to our community of GMC Motorhome owners! If you need generic parts and accessories for your "new" coach, please visit our website and online shop at www.mymotorhomelife.com. You'll find a host of items that we have used on our own 1973 GMC Motorhorme or other owners have recommended to us.

[@brandonwillis4811]

Put a 572 big block with a 6 speed in her and I will take notice. It will fit like a glove too 😂

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Great idea! :-)

[@yoshstudio]

Front wheel drive so that isnt happening

[@Magnus055]

The best made...

[@dragonbutt]

8:53 its pretty interesting how far they went to cover up the competition

[@88corinutza]

lol Winnebego

[@daddyjankie]

I want to Tokyo drift one of those 🙂

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I wanna see a Bud Lindemann road test of one😂

[@johna.4334]

Why is the salesman wearing a white doctor's coat?

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Ah, it's because he's a "scientist" and not a salesman per se. ;-)

[@johna.4334]

So scientists sold cars back in the '70s. Got it.

[@dhumehakawnt7577]

👍

[@vicmclaglen1631]

3:52 you can clearly see the guy is hitting the brakes after every bump to greatly exaggerate the effect; i've done that with a modern box truck in the shop, actually got it to hop the front wheels off the ground.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

That it so interesting! 🙂

[@vicmclaglen1631]

@@MyMotorhomeLife Yeah he's two-footing it, brake-throttle, to make it look as bad as possible for the comparison.

[@johnhall8364]

GM could be so great and awful at the same time. The engineering of this motorhome was spectacular, even by the standards of today. In the early 70’s GM was the world leader in suspension. From the late 60’s to mid 70’s the improvement in ride and handling of all GM cars was amazing. Yet in that same period trim quality declined enormously along with engine performance and styling. Unfortunately this motorhome was released just in time for the first oil embargo. It never recovered from that. Imagine this same motorhome today with a modern diesel engine and multspeed overdrive transmission and modern tires.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Very true. A great machine. Bad timing. The good news is that many GMC Motorhomes are returning to the roads as the first generation of owners passes them down (or sells them) to younger owners. A few folks have experimented with modern engines, transmissions, serpentine belt upgrades, and much, much more. VIsit GMCMI.com or the @vintageGMCmotorhomes Facebook page for more information.

[@skywarp1]

The EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle was built to last

[@bobjohnson1587]

I think they could use some of them over there right now!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

1:47 ooh a (bl)Onan!

[@mikeallmon1]

HAHA!!!! you can see the covered up RV hitting its brakes and goosing the gas!!! holy cow!

[@theschiznit8777]

Why did GM stop making them? Unfortunately they are a rare sight now.

[@jimhaines8370]

They were a small part of GM but one of the economic down turns got the program

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Two primary reasons: the drivetrain was end of life and GM needed the factory to take vans and trucks. The bean counters were slowly taking over the direction of the company so much so that profit margins and cost-cutting became the new priority. R&D and engineering excellence were less of a priority by 1978-79.

[@1983jblack]

@@MyMotorhomeLife Didn't they replace the 455 with the Olds 403 in 1977 for these? Yeah it too was dropped after 1979 - Shame because no other auto manufacturer ever tried this and it could have evolved

[@MaximillianDeWinterUK]

@@1983jblack indeed that did. The oil crisis of the mid-70s was beginning to impact sales of large displacement driven vehicles for all the auto manufacturers by 1977.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I've seen a few GMC Motorhome near where I live. One looked like an EM-50 Assault Vehicle.

[@jamesdesmidt447]

My question is as well rated it is why hasn't some manufacturer today tried to make a clone of this?

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

It may be due to the profit marginsRV manufacturers are making with the current generation of Class A motorhomes vs the reduced profits that the manufacturer would see from building a comparatively-complex modern clone of the GMC Motorhome. Ultimately, it's about the brand maximizing market share, and shareholder value. Unless there was a clear signal from consumers that such a vehicle would not cannabalize sales of existing brands and sub-brands, I doubt a mass market RV manufacturer would invest the R&D, build the tools, and assemble the infrastructure and Human Resources to bring such a vehicle to market unless... it was an electric motorhome. Now that's where things might get really interesting. :-)

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

​@working_country ___ I believe GM sold its intellectual property rights and all the fabricating tools to Cinnabar Engineering www.thegmcmotorhomepeople.com. Also, many of the custom tools have been picked up by enterprising entrepreneurs and enthusiasts over the years, so nothing apart from the GM design team's GMC Motorhome at GM HQ remain. Ultimately, unless GM adopt a Tesla-style business-to-consumer sales model, a new generation of coaches will never see the light of day unless GM dealers think they can make more profit per sq. ft. and per unit than their existing offerings. A tough call, I feel.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Although I'd do without the music, I love the video.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Indeed. I'm sure folks thought it was pretty groovy at the time. :-)

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@MyMotorhomeLife The music, or the RV? If only the sound quality was better, the music might be easier to listen to.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

@@jasoncarpp7742 Sadly, that's what GMC made available. It's possible there's a higher quality version in their archives. I'll see if I can procure a copy when visiting this summer.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@MyMotorhomeLife No worries.

[@ronbrock6153]

I have seen a KZbinr vid with a fellow smoking the tires from a standing start.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Yes, I've done the same with our 1973 GMC Motorhome. It becomes an issue when camping on wet ground and faced with an incline to exit the area. Wheel-spin!! -)

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

My son loves motorhomes especially older ones like that he says motorhomes are like your home away from home 🏡 and if you want or need to move you can just drive away. He even recommended to his aunt and grandfather 👴that they should rent one when they want to go to the mountains ⛰.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Great idea. It's the perfect way to see if the RVLife is for you.

[@JohnShinn1960]

3:53 🤤👍

[@BIGDAVE5352]

Our forklift picks the GMC Motorhomes like nothing.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Now days they could build one with regernative braking .. and electric drive wheels in the back if you get stuck ..

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

I'd love to see that in person. Can you have a word with Mary Bara? ;-)

[@cherre7367]

🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@bounderchris]

I have a 2006 Bounder on a workhorse chassis which was a GM chassis and it is far superior to the Ford f53 chassis in every way… I’ve owned multiple of both.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Please consider visiting our Facebook page and uploading some of your photos. I'm sure our followers would love to hear about your experience with each platform, good and bad. facebook.com/mymotorhomelife

[@danielt.8573]

Busy front wheels. Could use 4 instead of 2.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

It would look awesome too. 🙂 Out 1973 GMC Motorhome drives like a dream with the front-wheel drive system inspired by the Toronado so for now at least, 2 wheels up front do the trick.

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

This better not contain some handcuffed red arms interrupting part of video. I know a certain YTuber did that and it was uncalled for.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

What an awful thing to do. You certainly won't find any macabre interruptions in videos on THIS channel!

[@mohannadalswailem69]

GMC

[@equesfuscus]

Just bring it back. Change literally nothing, not even the upholstery or carpet. Why'd they cancel it?

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Two reasons: the first oil crisis of the 1970s that pushed gas prices to unprecedented levels. Secondly, GMC Truck and Coach Division beancounters determined that light trucks would be more profitable. And so, by 1979 Plant #2 was churning out pickup trucks instead. Sad but true.

[@kirbywaite1586]

The music is unbelievabley awful.

[@samuelanketell8190]

They were cool looking but front wheel drive ? what a joke should have been 6 wheel drive or 4x6 at least.

[@MyMotorhomeLife]

Using the Tornado setup ensured that there would be no drive shaft running along the underside of the vehicle, thereby keep the center of gravity low for great handling. The Olds 450 is more than capable of shifting this 10,000 lbs wonder to 70MPH in several blinks of the eye. :-)

[@retrocompaq5212]

i wonder what happened to the beautiful american dream, now its just karens and fake men, damn gen x, what a shame