Hi folks:
After reading an earlier comment about suppliers saving the GMC from
oblivion, I wondered about more of the coachs' history after GMC
discontinued manufacturing.
I contacted Bill Bryant, unofficial GMC historian, I guess! And Bill
kindly replied with some interesting facts.
With some new folks joining in the 'Net, I thought it might be of
interest to post his note below....(with his given permission, of
course)....
Anneke Henderson - Houston
76 Birchaven 23'
*******
"GMC had announced in late 1977 that they were ending production. In
their
search to recoup some of the development costs they went looking for
someone to purchase the manufacturing rights (not patents) of the
motorhome. AM General took a look and decided they were not interested.
Next was Donald Wheat; he purchased the manufacturing rights, tooling,
dies and necessary miscellany to build the motorhome, now to be known as
the Wheat Motorhome Company WMC. He located his facility in Rancho
Cocamonga, CA.
There are a couple of WMC ads with pictures (artists conceptions) and
even a list of his organization, most who were ex GM
employees/executives. There were no WMC MHs actually completed. Minor
modifications were made to I believe 2 GMCs and that is as far as it
got.
There were announcements first that a GM 454 cu in engine with a
transfer case to turn the drive back to the front and later the use of a
Ford 460 was to be used. None of this came to fruition. I believe
this
was probably a case of a lot more effort and money required than was
available.
If you have access to a June 1993 issue of GMCMM I wrote an article on
the history of the GMC. I have collected much more historical
information in the past 7 years since I wrote that article, however the
history is still accurate, I just have much more detail.
There are links from both GMCMI.com and gmcmotorhome.com to Don Wheat's
web site gmcmotorhome.net
The GMC body dies were purchased by Clif Golby and Wes Caughlin
(cinnabar) has purchased all OEM repair parts rights for the Motorhome.
If you plan to be at the GMCMI Convention at Forest City, IA please
look
me up.
I hope I have answered some of your questions.
Regards, Bill"
****
After reading an earlier comment about suppliers saving the GMC from
oblivion, I wondered about more of the coachs' history after GMC
discontinued manufacturing.
I contacted Bill Bryant, unofficial GMC historian, I guess! And Bill
kindly replied with some interesting facts.
With some new folks joining in the 'Net, I thought it might be of
interest to post his note below....(with his given permission, of
course)....
Anneke Henderson - Houston
76 Birchaven 23'
*******
"GMC had announced in late 1977 that they were ending production. In
their
search to recoup some of the development costs they went looking for
someone to purchase the manufacturing rights (not patents) of the
motorhome. AM General took a look and decided they were not interested.
Next was Donald Wheat; he purchased the manufacturing rights, tooling,
dies and necessary miscellany to build the motorhome, now to be known as
the Wheat Motorhome Company WMC. He located his facility in Rancho
Cocamonga, CA.
There are a couple of WMC ads with pictures (artists conceptions) and
even a list of his organization, most who were ex GM
employees/executives. There were no WMC MHs actually completed. Minor
modifications were made to I believe 2 GMCs and that is as far as it
got.
There were announcements first that a GM 454 cu in engine with a
transfer case to turn the drive back to the front and later the use of a
Ford 460 was to be used. None of this came to fruition. I believe
this
was probably a case of a lot more effort and money required than was
available.
If you have access to a June 1993 issue of GMCMM I wrote an article on
the history of the GMC. I have collected much more historical
information in the past 7 years since I wrote that article, however the
history is still accurate, I just have much more detail.
There are links from both GMCMI.com and gmcmotorhome.com to Don Wheat's
web site gmcmotorhome.net
The GMC body dies were purchased by Clif Golby and Wes Caughlin
(cinnabar) has purchased all OEM repair parts rights for the Motorhome.
If you plan to be at the GMCMI Convention at Forest City, IA please
look
me up.
I hope I have answered some of your questions.
Regards, Bill"
****
