Interesting! Other than the paint job, cabinets being painted and new countertops it looks entirely OEM. Without a doubt that's one of the best Coachmen headliners still in existence.
The exterior furnace/water heater/electrical is missing some stuff. Are the furnace and water heater original and still operational?
Post some more photos and a list of what work has been done and what needs attention. Asking price too.
Sorry for your loss.
My father was an enthusiast and I am a bit over my skis. I'll answer any questions to the best of my abilities. And if there are any specific pictures you want to see, let me know.
The Furnace/Water Heater is original. I do not know if it is operational. The original ONAN generator is still there as well, I don't know if it is operational either. Same story for the overhead air conditioner. Albeit, I have read the AC and generators are all fairly serviceable (again over the tips of my skis).
The water pump, stove and fridge work. I replaced the air compressors and the air ride system and electro level all work. Recently, I put in new batteries and turned her over and drove her for a little bit. Brakes seem good, turning seems good, and the engine runs well. I am sure the engine could use an oil job and tuneup. It still has the original olds v8.
The tires are old and need to be replaced and the back bumper has some damage and needs repair.
As for price, I see prices all over the map. I am open to offers.
The Furnace/Water Heater is original. I do not know if it is operational. The original ONAN generator is still there as well, I don't know if it is operational either. Same story for the overhead air conditioner. Albeit, I have read the AC and generators are all fairly serviceable (again over the tips of my skis).
The water pump, stove and fridge work. I replaced the air compressors and the air ride system and electro level all work. Recently, I put in new batteries and turned her over and drove her for a little bit. Brakes seem good, turning seems good, and the engine runs well. I am sure the engine could use an oil job and tuneup. It still has the original olds v8.
The tires are old and need to be replaced and the back bumper has some damage and needs repair.
As for price, I see prices all over the map. I am open to offers.
Hard to say. 23 footers aren't all that popular -- the extra 3 feet make a HUGE difference. But yours is in great shape for its age, so it could be a project or ready to jump in and go. This combination means that you can't really base your price on anyone else's. Being in SD doesn't help you any, but someone looking for a 23 will go the extra miles, especially for one that looks this good. If you have a friend in the LA area who can help you sell it, you might do better taking it up there.
To give you an idea, I paid $1800 (including flatbedding it 200 miles) for a '77 26-footer that had been converted to a "mobile boutique." I'm in the process of restoring it (not to original, I've changed some things). I have a neighbor with a 26 footer that needs a little work and right windshield, on FB Marketplace for $2000 -- he's had nibbles but we have the same problem with location that you do, we're not in a high-demand area.
You might post a pic of the rear end and damage.
For the right buyer, anywhere in Southern California is the same in my opinion - these usually aren't impulse buys. A serious potential purchaser shouldn't hesitate to drive a few hours. I flew cross-country to look at a 26' when I was shopping (I canceled after discovering too many undisclosed problems). Couple months later I flew one-way to Arizona, finalized a deal and drove it home to Seattle.
I've seen a few people here looking for a 23' past few years. Everyone has their own plans and a 23' is the most desirable fit for some situations.
I've seen a few people here looking for a 23' past few years. Everyone has their own plans and a 23' is the most desirable fit for some situations.
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23 footers are very popular in today's market, you just see more about the 26 footers as of the total 1973 thru 1978 years production of 12,921 units only 1645 were 23 footers.
I believe Jeff Sirum at Sirum GMC might be able to do an appraisal based on photos for a small fee.
Me just spitballing but that looks like a nice shiny straight coach. Too bad someone painted the beautiful cabinets. Steel wheels not alloys. Assuming it runs, drives and stops well, considering it's a 23 I wouldn't be surprised if someone would be willing to pay around 10k for it. Perhaps 15k. Just my opinion.
Call Jeff Sirum.
Aren't popular...? Aren't common, sure, but they're more desirable for some. The extra space on a 26' doesn't help when you can't fit in a parking space. As in everything in this world, there are trade offs.
23' put them in direct line with all the new and popular vans (Mercedes Sprinter, Ram and Ford), but have much more space at the fraction of the price.
I believe they are very much in demand. They look more like the Hot Wheels, drive and park great and you lose some weight.
I believe they are very much in demand. They look more like the Hot Wheels, drive and park great and you lose some weight.
Lose some weight...? Hmm, maybe we have a new GMC marketing angle.
GMC - We Go V(ia GMC)
I parked next to a Winnebago Sprinter a few years ago, late model, and the owner told me they'd popped for the $20K lithium battery upgrade. I nearly fell over. Took amazing amounts of willpower to not blurt out:
That's more than I paid for my GMC!
Contrary to universal opinion, I do have willpower - I just don't exercise it very often.
The Winnebago had some...let's call them curious design decisions. For one, there was a macerator, only used to lift the black tank contents up and over the rear axle, and the grey tank was emptied by stinky slinky. They had to use both a macerator and a 3" hose, and the final outlet was the messier one.
There's only 3X more on my property. Soon to be 2X.
During the Michigan rally, Oki and I boondocked next to to other coaches who recognized that we were from Maryland. The big Maryland flag on the tire cover may have been the big give away.
One was a sprinter and the other was a Ram. The long base sprinter is exactly the same length, but much more narrow between the wheels and such. They were shocked about how much room we had and we had a shower, conventional toilet, and generator. We can actually relax and stretch out in the GMC.
It was an eye opener for us because we had never been in a new style van.
Except for gas milage, we have it all over them at a fraction of the cost. I don't think my total restoration cost half as much as their vans new.
Just saying,
Tom K.
One was a sprinter and the other was a Ram. The long base sprinter is exactly the same length, but much more narrow between the wheels and such. They were shocked about how much room we had and we had a shower, conventional toilet, and generator. We can actually relax and stretch out in the GMC.
It was an eye opener for us because we had never been in a new style van.
Except for gas milage, we have it all over them at a fraction of the cost. I don't think my total restoration cost half as much as their vans new.
Just saying,
Tom K.
Exactly! We can throw $ at our coaches all day and never approach the entry price of a new coach! Unless you consider a paint job....
Preaching to the choir here.
I had a woman in a newer sprinter RV ask me at a gas station about mileage and she visibly cringed when I said 8-9 mpg. I guess they aren't good at math though bc they might pay a few cents less per mile but they will never get back the initial cost of those rigs.
But the gmc isn't for everyone. That's for sure.
