Cockpit Heating -now: how they named our coaches

[richard waters]

> Gary wrote: designed this? >>
>
> Probably the Kingsley Inn, just down Woodward Ave from Pontiac, notorius
> GM hangout. Great lake perch and martinis. No doubt the inspiration for
> the "Kingsley" model. ;-)
>
> Tim Brown

Hi Tim!
I never thought of that. I live only about 2 miles from the
Kingsley Inn and I drive by it all the time. As you know
its only a couple of miles from the plant where all of our
coaches were built. Naming a coach after that place would
make sense. After all they named the Birchhaven after Alex
Birch who I think still lives about 3 miles in the other direction
from me.

Now about the Royale. I don't know of a current motel
or restaurant around here with that name. There is a
party store up in Flint called the Royale Party Shoppe.
But, I think that's too far away. However I sort of remember
that there was once there was a Royale topless bar near
the GMC factory. Yes, I think there was. As I recall I
was there once (back in the 70s I sometimes went to places
like that) and I sort of remember that there were quite a
few guys there with white shirts, ties and pocket protectors.
Engineers from Truck & Coach it would seem due to the
close proximity to the plant.

Tim, could it be that your coach was named after a topless bar?

That would explain the bar they installed in most of the
Royales. Now how about the topless part???

At least I know there is actually a city named Palm Beach
in Florida. So I'm pretty certain that my coach wasn't named
after a topless bar.

Richard Waters
1976 Palm Beach
Troy, MI
Its Friday, so I'm feeling goofy

 

[blank]

That's what I thought too. But wasn't the Birchaven also a Coachman model?
Was the Birchaven really named for Alex Birch or is this another myth?
Kinda' hope it's not as I've heard that Alex is a prince of a guy that
deserves the recognition.

Patrick

> -----Original Message-----
> From: EMERYSTORA [mailto:EMERYSTORA]
> Sent: Friday, March 03, 2000 10:57 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: Cockpit Heating -now: how they named our coaches
>
>
> Wasn't the Royale named by Coachman? As far as I know, they
> just bought Transmodes from GMC and could name them anything
> they wanted to.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM
>

 

[david l greenberg]

On Fri, 3 Mar 2000 10:03:09 -0600
writes:
> That's what I thought too. But wasn't the Birchaven also a Coachman
> model?
> Was the Birchaven really named for Alex Birch or is this another
> myth?
> Kinda' hope it's not as I've heard that Alex is a prince of a guy
> that
> deserves the recognition.
>
> Patrick

Coachman made only two models off the GM chassis, Birchaven and Royale. I
asked Alex once if the Birchaven was named after him and he just smiled.
He didn't say no but didn't say yes, either.

Actually Alex retired from GM in 1972 and the Birchavens didn't appear
'til '75. I doubt that Alex was in contact with anyone at Coachman prior
to his retirement.

I hope Alex is feeling better. He had been in poor health for a while. He
has always been an enthusiastic GMC motorhome supporter and is a great
gentleman. He and Bea are both members of the Sunshine Statesmen but due
to his healthwe haven't seen them in a while.


David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Classic GMC Motorhome
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm