'73 Pop-Sci Review

[j dexter]

Salutations:

The original Popular Science review of the GMC Motorhome was comparative with some Ford Bus and was published August 1973..

Interestingly, I also have a much earlier review of a 'TourHome' built by L.M. Oltman of Bristol Indiana in the August 1953 edition of Mechanix Illustrated..

This coach was all steel shell, had combined shower, potty, bathroom - pressurized water and holding tank, stove, fridge (electric), underfloor Onan, propane, a huge furnace and about the same profile (low floor, single door - but kinda bus shape).. It had a rear chev engine a (though you could order a Crysler or Caddie) and was sold in two sizes (they don't say how big - but unless we've got a lot taller - it looks about the same size).. Apparently one of them was sold and shipped to Haile Selassie..

A most interesting thing was that it had a low back, rear facing sofa where the passenger seat would have been.. about 3/4 the way across the front..

You know, as I read through though these old editions - I can't help but look at the new ones and think how much the new ones totally suck.. What the hell happened to Guss's Garage - I think I'll fire of a bitter note to the editor..

your pal
J Dexter

 

[gene]

Would like to read that article, wonder if dbub would scan it in ??

gene

>In a message dated 6/29/00 8:34:18 AM Mountain Daylight Time,

>
>> You know, as I read through though these old editions - I can't help but
>look
>> at the new ones and think how much the new ones totally suck.. What the
>hell
>> happened to Guss's Garage - I think I'll fire of a bitter note to the
>editor..
>>
>>
>J.D.,
> How right you are. I began reading Pop-Sci in the 50s, and picked up
some
>back issues from a cousin. (My oldest is 11/47, almost as old as I am.) I
>gleaned up a lot of automotive savy from Gus Wilson's Model Garage, and miss
>it very much. I believe the author died a few years back, so like many
>things, it's gone for good.
> I started subscribing to Popular Science Monthly (or PSM as they style
>themselves) circa 1957, and subscribed more or less continuously for over 30
>years, but I let it lapse a few years ago; just not the same mag.
> BTW, I have the comparative article on the '73 GMC Motorhome you refer
to.
> It was tested along with an FMC coach, which had a rear-engine design.
>Interestingly, they lost an air bag or two, and managed to keep right on
>driving to their destination, just keeping the speed down. Has anyone done
>this?
>
>Rick Staples
>'75 Eleganza
>Louisville, CO
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/

 

[bdub]

I'd be happy to scan and ocr it. Mail it to me and I'll return asap. I'd
like to see this article also. I'd post it on the brochures site at:
http://gmcmotorhome.homepage.com/

bdub

>Would like to read that article, wonder if dbub would scan it in ??
>
>gene
>
>

> >In a message dated 6/29/00 8:34:18 AM Mountain Daylight Time,

> >
> >> You know, as I read through though these old editions - I can't help but
> >look
> >> at the new ones and think how much the new ones totally suck.. What the
> >hell
> >> happened to Guss's Garage - I think I'll fire of a bitter note to the
> >editor..
> >>
> >>
> >J.D.,
> > How right you are. I began reading Pop-Sci in the 50s, and picked up
>some
> >back issues from a cousin. (My oldest is 11/47, almost as old as I am.) I
> >gleaned up a lot of automotive savy from Gus Wilson's Model Garage, and
> miss
> >it very much. I believe the author died a few years back, so like many
> >things, it's gone for good.
> > I started subscribing to Popular Science Monthly (or PSM as they style
> >themselves) circa 1957, and subscribed more or less continuously for
> over 30
> >years, but I let it lapse a few years ago; just not the same mag.
> > BTW, I have the comparative article on the '73 GMC Motorhome you refer
>to.
> > It was tested along with an FMC coach, which had a rear-engine design.
> >Interestingly, they lost an air bag or two, and managed to keep right on
> >driving to their destination, just keeping the speed down. Has anyone done
> >this?
> >
> >Rick Staples
> >'75 Eleganza
> >Louisville, CO
> >
>Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
>GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
>mr.erf
>http://www.california.com/~eagle/