Introduction - first opinion question

[Rdenney]

And that is why I bought my coach from my father in law.

Rick “the Redhead has always been a willing conspirator” Denney

On Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 10:43 AM Jon Roche via Gmclist <

> ... When I brought my coach home, I was seriously risking divorce, and up
> until about an
> hour before I had it home, the plan was to actually bring it to a friend's
> first to let her get used to the idea I bought the thing before she had to
> look at it every day in our driveway. 8 months of testing the
> boundary's of my marriage my wife finally fessed up and agreed the GMC was
> the way
> to go.
>
--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com

 

[johnny]

And as to Opp, in another life I worked for a planning company that did a bit of work down there. Was a retired banker named Studstill (if memory
serves) who kept the town on the level. At the time, they had NO bonded or other long term debt. The City owned the electric company along with the
waterworks. I spent a bit of time with the head guy for the electrics on how to set the city up for cable vision - his approach was when they were
approached about some outfit renting pole space from the City he couldn't see any reason why the city couldn't be in the CATV binniss as well. I
suggested and he sent a couple of his linemen to Jerrold for CATV schooling, and as far as I know (I went back to my first love of broadcasting)
followed up on his plan. If nobody has screwed the place up in the meantime, it's much like where I grew up (Prattville, which has been screwed up in
my opinion).

--johnny

--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[richshoop]

Matt:
I agree with you that if a perspective owner finds a member of the GMC family that does not help they DO need professional counseling. They obviously need to get out on the road more. No better therapy/intervention than sitting in either of the front two seats on your way to anywhere, just so you left your driveway.
The reason this coach survives is this forum and the people who so willingly share all of their collective knowledge. This community will never let this revolutionary piece of history die.

>
>

> > Mike and Jim
> > Yes I am becoming familiar with the dynamic that seems to be specific to this type of coach. It's a sweat spot somewhere between how you evaluate
> > a used automobile and how you evaluate a used boat. I have no problems paying $25-35k for a "ready to go" unit OR $16-25k unit thats highly
> > functional but could use another 10-20 invested. My goal is to be comfortable identifying them. I'm hoping my research gets me to a point where I
> > don't spend $25-35k for a poorly remodeled/upgraded version only to need another $10-20k. I think this community provides a benefit of not only
> > knowledge shared but also knowing the reputation/history behind the seller and their coach.
> >
> > I'm still evolving as a buyer thanks to this community.
>
> So are the rest of us.
> Mike,
>
> Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....
>
> Getting here before you buy is a very good idea, I wish I had, but I have no regrets as it is.
>
> Your resume reads like you are a good candidate to be a GMC owner. To that end, put Tallahassee in your plans right now, and get there even if you
> aren't an owner then. (That could change at the convention, this has happened before.)
>
> Also, you can go over to B'dubs site and download the maintenance manuals just for reading on cold days. Also over there, is a link to the Black (aka
> GMC assist)list. Grab one of those and look for people that are near any perspective coaches. If you run into a GMC owner that is not interested to
> help you, please come back here and tell us and we will get him an intervention and professional help
>
> When Chaumière comes out of the barn, it will be season 14 for us. We got her at just over 100K and have put another 70K on her. More in recent
> years as we are retired now. Been on a hook once and limped home twice. I also just did an engine that then put a fast 3K on her before putting her
> to bed for the winter.
>
> You have gotten almost all the good advice I might like to have put forward - Except - If you don't have a really good grease gun, go get one. Most
> of us have settled on Valvoline SynPro. It isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than parts.
>
> Oh, and take our straight line "A reliable and ready to travel GMC will cost ~30K$ - All at once or as a kit."
> What this line does not say is that sweat is invested at current shop rate. (That is about 100$/hr.) I can tell you it is true.
>
> I hope you understand that by showing up here with interest, you have just collected a few thousand brand new old friends. That is the best part of
> being a GMC owner and why you will see other coaches at any GMC rally. Maybe they had to let the coach go, but did not want to be away from the
> owners.
>
> Keep us informed as you go along.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Ken Shaffer]

Welcome Mike!
I am relatively new to this family as well. (1 1/2 years). You probably
have a sense of "community" that this group is from reading past posts.
Just wait....... You will be blown away like I was about how complete
strangers are not only willing, but excited to help you. I am experienced
with woodworking but am somewhat limited on mechanical ability (I am a
mechanic only with guidance). I wanted a coach that I can take anywhere in
the country (like you) ~ not just a cool old motorhome that I can take to
the local park. I chose to purchase a bare bones 49k mile coach that has
been sitting for 20 years without any mechanical upgrades. For me, I
needed to turn every bolt on this rig and really gain mechanical knowledge
and *confidence* that I can take it anywhere. If and when I have troubles
on the road, I want to know my coach and increase my chances of taking care
of the issue on the road. To each his own, but for me, I needed to do this
for my confidence on the road. For many, purchasing one that is already
upgraded and updated is a much better option.
My wife also didn't share the same enthusiasm for my "crazy" idea of
restoring this old coach. HOWEVER, when my newly remodeled interior
started to take shape and after our FIRST trip together, she now is almost
as excited as I am to travel in it. It really is a great joy to drive and
own a GMC. *but hands down.....* the absolute best part of this experience
is the family or sometimes referred to as our "GMC cult. It's great to
have the support and knowledge of so many awesome people here. With this
wonderful resource, you can rest assured that during your travels you will
have plenty of support along the way.

Ken Shaffer
Marion, Iowa
73 GMC Canyonlands (455)
73 GMC Glacier (455)

> Mike and Jim
> Yes I am becoming familiar with the dynamic that seems to be specific to
> this type of coach. It's a sweat spot somewhere between how you evaluate a
> used automobile and how you evaluate a used boat. I have no problems
> paying $25-35k for a "ready to go" unit OR $16-25k unit thats highly
> functional
> but could use another 10-20 invested. My goal is to be comfortable
> identifying them. I'm hoping my research gets me to a point where I don't
> spend
> $25-35k for a poorly remodeled/upgraded version only to need another
> $10-20k. I think this community provides a benefit of not only knowledge
> shared
> but also knowing the reputation/history behind the seller and their coach.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[MikeB]

Ken
"I needed to turn every bolt on this rig and really gain mechanical knowledge
and *confidence* that I can take it anywhere. If and when I have troubles
on the road, I want to know my coach and increase my chances of taking care
of the issue on the road. To each his own, but for me, I needed to do this
for my confidence on the road."

That describes me 99%. The difference is I would change " I need..." to "I prefer to turn every bolt...". Our plans are to start traveling right away
with small trips so that I can also start identifying those things that need attention or I want to change without being across the country. Our
plans are to visit our family all over Fla. come back work on it then see more family up the east coast. That will ultimately give me the confidence
to expand our travel. On the other hand If I find something on the west coast that meets my criteria and I like I will drive it back with
expectations of an adventure. I've heard a lot of first trips have been the worst...sort of a boot camp...followed by many non-eventful trips. Like
my Dad use to say "sometimes the best way to know where something is broke you have to turn it on and look for the smoke." I just don't want to do
that on every trip

 

[Rdenney]

Michael, that’s how most of us do it. We make it safe and hopefully
reliable, and then we start using it. We learn, repair, and eventually
learn, improve.

I have to say I envy those who had all the money and energy to gut a coach
and do everything at once. But I could never have done it that way. I’m
running out of bolts to turn, and am now working on turning them the second
or third time, but I’m getting there. It’s only taken me 16 years (and
counting).

The rear suspension has been my last big renovation, mechanically, and I
have the major parts on hand to do that—a conversion to rear disks with
reaction rods, later-model pins and bogies, etc.—and that will be my spring
project.

I have (too often) had to make repairs at rallies, and a couple times in a
parking lot, but so far have never had to be towed.

I’m running out of mechanical things to renew and will finally have to turn
my attention to body and paint. But I’m okay with having the highest ratio
of mechanical freshness to outward appearance in the community—I don’t plan
to sell.

Rick “always trying to keep it usable” Denney

On Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 3:22 PM Michael Beam via Gmclist <

>
> That describes me 99%. The difference is I would change " I need..." to "I
> prefer to turn every bolt...". Our plans are to start traveling right away
> with small trips so that I can also start identifying those things that
> need attention or I want to change without being across the country. Our
> plans are to visit our family all over Fla. come back work on it then see
> more family up the east coast. That will ultimately give me the confidence
> to expand our travel. On the other hand If I find something on the west
> coast that meets my criteria and I like I will drive it back with
> expectations of an adventure. I've heard a lot of first trips have been
> the worst...sort of a boot camp...followed by many non-eventful trips. Like
> my Dad use to say "sometimes the best way to know where something is broke
> you have to turn it on and look for the smoke." I just don't want to do
> that on every trip
>
--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com

 

[Jim Hupy]

I'm with you, Rick. I used to have a friend that drove a Studebaker car
made in 1950 or so. Ugly does not describe it very well. But his reply to
critics was, "It isn't ugly from behind the steering wheel". Kinda like a
GMC with faded paint. Looks great from the inside. Cosmetics are only a few
thousands of an inch thick. That will be the last item on my "to do" list.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

On Sat, Feb 9, 2019, 6:51 AM Richard Denney via Gmclist <

> Michael, that’s how most of us do it. We make it safe and hopefully
> reliable, and then we start using it. We learn, repair, and eventually
> learn, improve.
>
> I have to say I envy those who had all the money and energy to gut a coach
> and do everything at once. But I could never have done it that way. I’m
> running out of bolts to turn, and am now working on turning them the second
> or third time, but I’m getting there. It’s only taken me 16 years (and
> counting).
>
> The rear suspension has been my last big renovation, mechanically, and I
> have the major parts on hand to do that—a conversion to rear disks with
> reaction rods, later-model pins and bogies, etc.—and that will be my spring
> project.
>
> I have (too often) had to make repairs at rallies, and a couple times in a
> parking lot, but so far have never had to be towed.
>
> I’m running out of mechanical things to renew and will finally have to turn
> my attention to body and paint. But I’m okay with having the highest ratio
> of mechanical freshness to outward appearance in the community—I don’t plan
> to sell.
>
> Rick “always trying to keep it usable” Denney
>
> On Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 3:22 PM Michael Beam via Gmclist <

>
> >
> > That describes me 99%. The difference is I would change " I need..." to
> "I
> > prefer to turn every bolt...". Our plans are to start traveling right
> away
> > with small trips so that I can also start identifying those things that
> > need attention or I want to change without being across the country. Our
> > plans are to visit our family all over Fla. come back work on it then
> see
> > more family up the east coast. That will ultimately give me the
> confidence
> > to expand our travel. On the other hand If I find something on the west
> > coast that meets my criteria and I like I will drive it back with
> > expectations of an adventure. I've heard a lot of first trips have been
> > the worst...sort of a boot camp...followed by many non-eventful trips.
> Like
> > my Dad use to say "sometimes the best way to know where something is
> broke
> > you have to turn it on and look for the smoke." I just don't want to do
> > that on every trip
> >
> --
> Rick Denney
> 73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
> Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[johnny]

Actually, you can park the '53 - '55 Studebakers in a lot today and they don't look out of place. We had a 55 Commander for a family ride, it steamed
along nicely.

--johnny

--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[Jim Hupy]

The 53 Studebaker was a beautiful car. One of the most slippery
(aerodynamic) cars ever designed. But the 48 - 52 was another story.
Jim Hupy

On Sat, Feb 9, 2019, 8:44 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> Actually, you can park the '53 - '55 Studebakers in a lot today and they
> don't look out of place. We had a 55 Commander for a family ride, it
> steamed
> along nicely.
>
> --johnny
>
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>