I think if you do a little research you see that GM had no choice in this matter.
The energy crunch hit them just about the time they were getting their coach
project going. They were forced to drop the 455 from the rolls and so introduce
the 403.
The 455 has been replacing a lot of the 403's as these engines becamae worn and
the owners wanted a little more power, so they switched. Not to say the 403 was
bad. There are several in town that still have the 403 and seem quite happy to
drive them the way they are. One I know of is a 1978 Kingsley, looks just like
new, it came from Hal Watkins Motorhomes in Ventura. He is the original owner and
the vehicle looks just like the day he got it in 1978. I'd love to have it as a
spare, or maybe a replacement for the Eleganzz II.
I am saying that General Motors was forced to make these engine change's because
of EPA and their ruling and during manufacturing so many vehicles produced for on
the road use to sell, had to meet more stringen standards. If you remember back
we had to stand in gas lines to get gas.
I have been told that not only the energy crunch got involved here but several
other manufacturers of motorhomes told GM that if they would subside their
manufacturer of the GMC motorhomes stepped forward and concluded they would
continue to buy frames from GM if they were to quit producing the GMC. I don't
know how true this last is but it sounds reasonable to me. I guess money talks
anywhere you go.
The owners who are fortunate to have a good GMC and take care of it are lucky. One
really has to want to own the GMC. It takes special people to take special care
of these special vehicles. In so many words, it just ain't cheap to do so.
It is however sort of like owning any other antique vehicle, modle "T", or "A" or
another specialty vehicle. It is fun to drive them and they are head turners.
And, in some cases it is sometimes really difficult to justify why we keep them on
the road.
The energy crunch hit them just about the time they were getting their coach
project going. They were forced to drop the 455 from the rolls and so introduce
the 403.
The 455 has been replacing a lot of the 403's as these engines becamae worn and
the owners wanted a little more power, so they switched. Not to say the 403 was
bad. There are several in town that still have the 403 and seem quite happy to
drive them the way they are. One I know of is a 1978 Kingsley, looks just like
new, it came from Hal Watkins Motorhomes in Ventura. He is the original owner and
the vehicle looks just like the day he got it in 1978. I'd love to have it as a
spare, or maybe a replacement for the Eleganzz II.
I am saying that General Motors was forced to make these engine change's because
of EPA and their ruling and during manufacturing so many vehicles produced for on
the road use to sell, had to meet more stringen standards. If you remember back
we had to stand in gas lines to get gas.
I have been told that not only the energy crunch got involved here but several
other manufacturers of motorhomes told GM that if they would subside their
manufacturer of the GMC motorhomes stepped forward and concluded they would
continue to buy frames from GM if they were to quit producing the GMC. I don't
know how true this last is but it sounds reasonable to me. I guess money talks
anywhere you go.
The owners who are fortunate to have a good GMC and take care of it are lucky. One
really has to want to own the GMC. It takes special people to take special care
of these special vehicles. In so many words, it just ain't cheap to do so.
It is however sort of like owning any other antique vehicle, modle "T", or "A" or
another specialty vehicle. It is fun to drive them and they are head turners.
And, in some cases it is sometimes really difficult to justify why we keep them on
the road.
