Key Questions to ask the seller: Hot on the trail for a 1974 Eleganza

[crushingsunsets]

Hello!

I have been on this forum many times but only just signed up yesterday because I'm hot on the trail to buy one in my city. I feel bad doing this, like
I'm sucking resources from the wealth of knowledgable of GMC Motorhome owners, even though I'm brand new here. I'm going to go ahead and ask for some
help, hoping for the best, any advice would be so greatly appreciated, and I promise that if I don't buy it, I can pass any interested buyers from
this forum over to the seller.

A 1974 Eleganza just went for sale, its through a friend of a friend (which is what I always look for). Apparently the guy cares for things
meticulously, is a collector, and in his words it is mint. It is currently at the shop getting a new alternator, and having the air bags fixed, and
I'm going to view it soon. It has 88,000 miles and is selling for $32k. The interior and exterior look immaculate from the pictures.

I know I need to ask if the engine has been redone, when the brakes have last been re-done, etc. If anyone can give me some ideas in terms of what to
ask the seller, that would be a big help. What I'm getting at here is; what are those keys major things I need to know in order to determine if this
coach is priced accordingly?

Thanks a million! I will own one of these coaches, just a matter of time! Can't wait to join the crew.

Adam

 

[sgltrac]

Adam,

Where are you?
Where is the coach?

If you’ve never owned a gmc take someone with you to look at it who has.
There is someone on this list who will do that for little or no
compensation. GMC motorhomes are different. Than anything

Sully
Bellevue wa

> Hello!
>
> I have been on this forum many times but only just signed up yesterday
> because I'm hot on the trail to buy one in my city. I feel bad doing this,
> like
> I'm sucking resources from the wealth of knowledgable of GMC Motorhome
> owners, even though I'm brand new here. I'm going to go ahead and ask for
> some
> help, hoping for the best, any advice would be so greatly appreciated, and
> I promise that if I don't buy it, I can pass any interested buyers from
> this forum over to the seller.
>
> A 1974 Eleganza just went for sale, its through a friend of a friend
> (which is what I always look for). Apparently the guy cares for things
> meticulously, is a collector, and in his words it is mint. It is currently
> at the shop getting a new alternator, and having the air bags fixed, and
> I'm going to view it soon. It has 88,000 miles and is selling for $32k.
> The interior and exterior look immaculate from the pictures.
>
> I know I need to ask if the engine has been redone, when the brakes have
> last been re-done, etc. If anyone can give me some ideas in terms of what to
> ask the seller, that would be a big help. What I'm getting at here is;
> what are those keys major things I need to know in order to determine if
> this
> coach is priced accordingly?
>
> Thanks a million! I will own one of these coaches, just a matter of time!
> Can't wait to join the crew.
>
> Adam
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[jim kanomata1]

Are the front grommets replaced, are the fuel lines been replaced with the
tanks down????
That is a lot for a 74 unless they have been done.

 

[crushingsunsets]

Got it. Front grommets, fuel lines. Adding them to my list

I am in Winnipeg, Canada. I would have zero problem paying someone to take a look at it. When you mention 'someone from this list', how would I go
about finding someone from my town who may be knowledgable? Is there a database or registry that shows everyone's location?

Thanks again guys! Appreciate the responses big time.

Adam

 

[sgltrac]

Include your city/ state or province in you sigfile. Then everyone reading
your posts knows where u are and where they are in relation

Sully
Bellevue wa

> Got it. Front grommets, fuel lines. Adding them to my list
>
> I am in Winnipeg, Canada. I would have zero problem paying someone to take
> a look at it. When you mention 'someone from this list', how would I go
> about finding someone from my town who may be knowledgable? Is there a
> database or registry that shows everyone's location?
>
> Thanks again guys! Appreciate the responses big time.
>
> Adam
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[jim kanomata1]

> Are the front grommets replaced, are the fuel lines been replaced with the
> tanks down????
> That is a lot for a 74 unless they have been done.
>


--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[ken & dennis 2013]

Try this (it does have listings in your city):
https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-Black-List-GMC-Assist.pdf

Ken H.

> On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 4:08 PM Jim Kanomata

>
> > Are the front grommets replaced, are the fuel lines been replaced with
> the
> > tanks down????
> > That is a lot for a 74 unless they have been done.
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata ASE
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[Bruce Hart]

-Another item has the heater hoses to the hot water heater been replaced.
Does it have the standard points system or HEI ignition. How old are the
tires?

On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 6:48 PM Ken Henderson
wrote:

> Try this (it does have listings in your city):
>
> https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-Black-List-GMC-Assist.pdf
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 8:27 PM Jim Kanomata

>
> > On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 4:08 PM Jim Kanomata

> >
> > > Are the front grommets replaced, are the fuel lines been replaced with
> > the
> > > tanks down????
> > > That is a lot for a 74 unless they have been done.
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jim Kanomata ASE
> > Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> > jimk
> > http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> > 1-800-752-7502
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
LaGrange, Wyoming
GMC=Genetically Modified Chevy

 

[mike]

> Hello!
>
> I have been on this forum many times but only just signed up yesterday because I'm hot on the trail to buy one in my city. I feel bad doing this,
> like I'm sucking resources from the wealth of knowledgable of GMC Motorhome owners, even though I'm brand new here. I'm going to go ahead and ask
> for some help, hoping for the best, any advice would be so greatly appreciated, and I promise that if I don't buy it, I can pass any interested
> buyers from this forum over to the seller.
>
> A 1974 Eleganza just went for sale, its through a friend of a friend (which is what I always look for). Apparently the guy cares for things
> meticulously, is a collector, and in his words it is mint. It is currently at the shop getting a new alternator, and having the air bags fixed, and
> I'm going to view it soon. It has 88,000 miles and is selling for $32k. The interior and exterior look immaculate from the pictures.
>
> I know I need to ask if the engine has been redone, when the brakes have last been re-done, etc. If anyone can give me some ideas in terms of what
> to ask the seller, that would be a big help. What I'm getting at here is; what are those keys major things I need to know in order to determine if
> this coach is priced accordingly?
>
> Thanks a million! I will own one of these coaches, just a matter of time! Can't wait to join the crew.
>
> Adam

Did you read this:
https://gmcidiotsguide.com/chapter-2

--
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan

 

[tyler]

16.5 inch wheels are original, at that price I would want high quality 16 inch wheels
If original air bag setup on rear suspension, is it original bag, is it aluminum cones?
Records for all rubber lines replaced in last ten years, gas,fuel, coolant, etc
What house battery setup is in place…original, 2 six volts, combiner, etc.
What appliances are original, fridge furnace, roof ac,etc
Brake condition, including parking brake
Test everything, fill everything. (My black tank only leaks if it is full for example)
Try to squeeze a little scope camera behind the kitchen cabinets and below front side windows to look for floor rot.
Can you get it on a lift to safely check underside?
Enjoy!
(Some of this is not possible in a normal sale situation…do your best and respect the situation, the seller, and the coach)

--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC

 

[powwerjon]

All good suggestions! Somewhere out on one of the GMC Sites there is a
buyers checklist. It covers almost 90+% of the items that you should be
looking at. Have not found it yet, maybe someone else knows where it is
located at.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

> > Hello!
> >
> > I have been on this forum many times but only just signed up yesterday
> because I'm hot on the trail to buy one in my city. I feel bad doing this,
> > like I'm sucking resources from the wealth of knowledgable of GMC
> Motorhome owners, even though I'm brand new here. I'm going to go ahead and
> ask
> > for some help, hoping for the best, any advice would be so greatly
> appreciated, and I promise that if I don't buy it, I can pass any interested
> > buyers from this forum over to the seller.
> >
> > A 1974 Eleganza just went for sale, its through a friend of a friend
> (which is what I always look for). Apparently the guy cares for things
> > meticulously, is a collector, and in his words it is mint. It is
> currently at the shop getting a new alternator, and having the air bags
> fixed, and
> > I'm going to view it soon. It has 88,000 miles and is selling for $32k.
> The interior and exterior look immaculate from the pictures.
> >
> > I know I need to ask if the engine has been redone, when the brakes have
> last been re-done, etc. If anyone can give me some ideas in terms of what
> > to ask the seller, that would be a big help. What I'm getting at here
> is; what are those keys major things I need to know in order to determine if
> > this coach is priced accordingly?
> >
> > Thanks a million! I will own one of these coaches, just a matter of
> time! Can't wait to join the crew.
> >
> > Adam
>
> Did you read this:
> https://gmcidiotsguide.com/chapter-2
>
> --
> Mike K.
> '75 PB
> Southeast Michigan
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[Bruce Hart]

Look under Eugene Fisher's GMC Information Site

- Eugene Fisher's GMC Information Site http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/

BUYERS (gmcmotorhome.info) http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/buyer.htm

> All good suggestions! Somewhere out on one of the GMC Sites there is a
> buyers checklist. It covers almost 90+% of the items that you should be
> looking at. Have not found it yet, maybe someone else knows where it is
> located at.
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker
> GMCGL Tech Editor
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> TZE Zone Restorations
> 78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
> 75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
>
>
>

>

> > > Hello!
> > >
> > > I have been on this forum many times but only just signed up yesterday
> > because I'm hot on the trail to buy one in my city. I feel bad doing
> this,
> > > like I'm sucking resources from the wealth of knowledgable of GMC
> > Motorhome owners, even though I'm brand new here. I'm going to go ahead
> and
> > ask
> > > for some help, hoping for the best, any advice would be so greatly
> > appreciated, and I promise that if I don't buy it, I can pass any
> interested
> > > buyers from this forum over to the seller.
> > >
> > > A 1974 Eleganza just went for sale, its through a friend of a friend
> > (which is what I always look for). Apparently the guy cares for things
> > > meticulously, is a collector, and in his words it is mint. It is
> > currently at the shop getting a new alternator, and having the air bags
> > fixed, and
> > > I'm going to view it soon. It has 88,000 miles and is selling for $32k.
> > The interior and exterior look immaculate from the pictures.
> > >
> > > I know I need to ask if the engine has been redone, when the brakes
> have
> > last been re-done, etc. If anyone can give me some ideas in terms of what
> > > to ask the seller, that would be a big help. What I'm getting at here
> > is; what are those keys major things I need to know in order to
> determine if
> > > this coach is priced accordingly?
> > >
> > > Thanks a million! I will own one of these coaches, just a matter of
> > time! Can't wait to join the crew.
> > >
> > > Adam
> >
> > Did you read this:
> > https://gmcidiotsguide.com/chapter-2
> >
> > --
> > Mike K.
> > '75 PB
> > Southeast Michigan
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
LaGrange, Wyoming
GMC=Genetically Modified Chevy

 

[Richard RV]

Hi Adam/Reid. Here's the link to the buyer's guide BruceH mentioned.
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/buyer.htm

That's a long list. The odds that the owner would possess the saintly patience that would be required for you to go through the list item by item are
slim. There are lots of tire kickers with GMC Motorhomes. Just look at the "completed" sales on eBay. You'll frequently find the same GMC sold two
or three times - it's not a scam, it's buyer's remorse for unknown reasons, valid or not. I once flew from Phoenix to Houston to pick up another
Birchaven which I was going to drive back. The owner had misrepresented so many things that I questioned his grasp of reality. I ended up flying
both ways with some additional experience. With any used vehicle you are taking a leap of faith. Just don't jump too far!

The advice to have a knowledgeable local GMCer check it out with you is without a doubt your best option. It's also very likely that the owner and
GMC are known to the local (or further) community. In many cases I wouldn't hesitate to buy a coach sight unseen if I knew, or knew of, the owner's
reputation.

Please be aware that GMC owners frequently age out of ownership, they don't sell willingly (they'll be prying mine out of my cold dead hands). Those
coaches might have had tons of work and large dollars spent on them, but not been used or maintained in a number of years. Approach all potentials
with the assumption that they haven't been adequately maintained unless there's documentation to the contrary or the aforementioned reputable owner
vouches for the work.

Good luck!

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn

 

[boybach]

My coach was represented as "only needing a little bit of carpet" ..I am still to find that "bit of carpet" needed, but everything else in the house
systems was needing something!
You may as well just buy it if it's as immaculate as you say - just deal with the little things that crop up as time goes by.

Whatever questions you ask, you aren't REALLY going to know what the answers mean til you own one, so just plop down the cash and be done with it.

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses

 

[douglas smith]

> My coach was represented as "only needing a little bit of carpet" ..I am still to find that "bit of carpet" needed, but everything else in the
> house systems was needing something!
> You may as well just buy it if it's as immaculate as you say - just deal with the little things that crop up as time goes by.
>
> Whatever questions you ask, you aren't REALLY going to know what the answers mean til you own one, so just plop down the cash and be done with it.
>
>
> Larry

Larry,
For the most part I agree with you, and I think your advice is good. But I have been active in several CMC transactions and I've observed what is I
think a common tendency.

I would quote Richard in a wise previous post:
"Please be aware that GMC owners frequently age out of ownership, they don't sell willingly (they'll be prying mine out of my cold dead hands)"

I have owned my coach for 25 years and it is a beloved member of our family. I have also put thousands (and more thousands) of dollars in it to update
it. I struggle to remember its actual value in the current market. If the owner asking $32K isn't currently active in the GMC community they may well
be pricing their coach based on their investment, sentiment and ignorance of the current market. The current market for RV's is white hot. But it is
an entirely different buyer interested in a 45 year old vehicle and its maintenance.

It's just my opinion but I think the $32K coach should be road-ready and current with ethanol capable fuel system and alloy wheels with new tires. On
your average used car lot "pristine" is worth several thousand dollars premium, but for a GMC Motorhome, it's what's unseen that will cost you and
very possibly bite you. I would carefully balance that relatively high purchase price with the condition/quality of the running gear and would inspect
the vehicle accordingly.
Just my opinion,
Doug

--
Douglas & Virginia Smith,
dsmithy18 at gmail,
Lincoln Nebraska,
’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels/Sundry other

 

[sgltrac]

Doug,

Agreed.

Sully
Bellevue wa

> > My coach was represented as "only needing a little bit of carpet" ..I am
> still to find that "bit of carpet" needed, but everything else in the
> > house systems was needing something!
> > You may as well just buy it if it's as immaculate as you say - just deal
> with the little things that crop up as time goes by.
> >
> > Whatever questions you ask, you aren't REALLY going to know what the
> answers mean til you own one, so just plop down the cash and be done with
> it.
> >
> >
> > Larry
>
> Larry,
> For the most part I agree with you, and I think your advice is good. But I
> have been active in several CMC transactions and I've observed what is I
> think a common tendency.
>
> I would quote Richard in a wise previous post:
> "Please be aware that GMC owners frequently age out of ownership, they
> don't sell willingly (they'll be prying mine out of my cold dead hands)"
>
> I have owned my coach for 25 years and it is a beloved member of our
> family. I have also put thousands (and more thousands) of dollars in it to
> update
> it. I struggle to remember its actual value in the current market. If the
> owner asking $32K isn't currently active in the GMC community they may well
> be pricing their coach based on their investment, sentiment and ignorance
> of the current market. The current market for RV's is white hot. But it is
> an entirely different buyer interested in a 45 year old vehicle and its
> maintenance.
>
> It's just my opinion but I think the $32K coach should be road-ready and
> current with ethanol capable fuel system and alloy wheels with new tires. On
> your average used car lot "pristine" is worth several thousand dollars
> premium, but for a GMC Motorhome, it's what's unseen that will cost you and
> very possibly bite you. I would carefully balance that relatively high
> purchase price with the condition/quality of the running gear and would
> inspect
> the vehicle accordingly.
> Just my opinion,
> Doug
>
> --
> Douglas & Virginia Smith,
> dsmithy18 at gmail,
> Lincoln Nebraska,
> ’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
> Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy
> wheels/Sundry other
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[mark1]

The bit of advise I'd add is that there are some nice coaches out there for that kind of money, and you could buy one of them with very little risk
(particularly if it was a "known coach" to the likes of this group).

That's not to say that the coach in question isn't a good deal, but personally (being a perpetually cheap SOB) I'd be looking for something pretty
special in that price range (and wouldn't come close to selling my own coach for that kind of money).
--
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen

 

[LQQKatJon]

Adam -

Having owned and been around quite a number of GMC's over the past 10 years, I can say that buying/selling GMC's is like nothing else out there, and
it is really tough to come up with questions and check lists.

This is a new thought because I just assisted a widow in selling her late Husband's GMC. What is a pride and joy to one person, maybe junk to the
next. The numerous amount of systems and things going on in these coach's bumper to bumper is immense. labor to pay anybody to do any work to
these is very high, and the cost to re-do something that someone else did poorly or not to your taste is also expensive and sometimes very time
consuming.

When you start looking over these things, there is almost never an end to what is "wrong".... on the other hand, you can look at what is "right" and
put value to that, and come up with coach values that are unaffordable.

the biggest things for these, is time flys by. Owner thinks they just did the brakes and bearings and bought new tires, but you realize that is 6
years ago. owner might say the transmission was rebuilt, but either that was ages ago, or it was just "serviced" rebuilt engines are only as
good as who rebuilt them, and who took care of them. Lots of rebuilt engines have blown up on people on their drive home.

they might say "no leaks" and the coach has never driven down the road in a rainstorm.

That is some big $$ for a coach, and I would expect it to be pretty mint. but I have seen some nice $15,000 coaches that people spend $15,000
dollars on brakes, plumbing, tires, black water tank, fresh water tank. new A/C, ect... it ads up fast, especially if someone is doing the work for
you. I know of a couple coaches that were dropped at a shop to have basic items done and end up with $12-$15k bills, once people start diving in.

Even my coach that i feel I have worked on almost non-stop for 10 years, still needs items. and some items I worked on 10 years ago now needs to be
fixed up again.

lastly! Ask Questions! lots of money, time and a coach's future ride on the best choices made. always trust but verify information out there.

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

 

[Jim Hupy]

For what it's worth!
I almost believe that it makes sense to buy a cosmeticly passable
coach with some known mechanical faults with the expectation of having to
repair stuff to suit your intended needs. Something like a $5000.00
drivable coach that needs $20,000.00 of sweat equity and parts. That way
you wind up with a safe, usable machine for less than the down payment of a
new RV.
I Drove by a local RV dealer's sales lot a couple of weeks ago, and
they had an Airstream tow behind trailer in the featured special spot, with
a price of $98,000.00 and change. And you provide your own Dodge Ram truck
to tow it with.
Such a deal! It was on their lot less than a week before someone
parted with enough bucks to tow it off.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> Adam -
>
> Having owned and been around quite a number of GMC's over the past 10
> years, I can say that buying/selling GMC's is like nothing else out there,
> and
> it is really tough to come up with questions and check lists.
>
> This is a new thought because I just assisted a widow in selling her late
> Husband's GMC. What is a pride and joy to one person, maybe junk to the
> next. The numerous amount of systems and things going on in these
> coach's bumper to bumper is immense. labor to pay anybody to do any work
> to
> these is very high, and the cost to re-do something that someone else did
> poorly or not to your taste is also expensive and sometimes very time
> consuming.
>
> When you start looking over these things, there is almost never an end to
> what is "wrong".... on the other hand, you can look at what is "right" and
> put value to that, and come up with coach values that are unaffordable.
>
>
> the biggest things for these, is time flys by. Owner thinks they just
> did the brakes and bearings and bought new tires, but you realize that is 6
> years ago. owner might say the transmission was rebuilt, but either
> that was ages ago, or it was just "serviced" rebuilt engines are only as
> good as who rebuilt them, and who took care of them. Lots of rebuilt
> engines have blown up on people on their drive home.
>
> they might say "no leaks" and the coach has never driven down the road in
> a rainstorm.
>
> That is some big $$ for a coach, and I would expect it to be pretty mint.
> but I have seen some nice $15,000 coaches that people spend $15,000
> dollars on brakes, plumbing, tires, black water tank, fresh water tank.
> new A/C, ect... it ads up fast, especially if someone is doing the work for
> you. I know of a couple coaches that were dropped at a shop to have
> basic items done and end up with $12-$15k bills, once people start diving
> in.
>
> Even my coach that i feel I have worked on almost non-stop for 10 years,
> still needs items. and some items I worked on 10 years ago now needs to be
> fixed up again.
>
>
> lastly! Ask Questions! lots of money, time and a coach's future ride on
> the best choices made. always trust but verify information out there.
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[LQQKatJon]

That is the truth! We have the cheapest RV on the market by 10's of thousands of dollars. The only issue with the GMC is I don't know of any
extended warrantees. but we are also not sitting at home paying a payment while our RV is at the RV place waiting for months to have them fix
whatever went bad under warrantee. That is if they can get the part.

they were claiming they had a shortage of RV's to sell. I noticed our local RV sale center seems to have a pretty full lot when I stopped there
Saturday to buy a tube of lap sealant. What I found out is 75% of those units sitting in the lot are now on the service shops roster for warrantee
work. now that our MN RV season is over, they all brought them in to get the stuff fixed!

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/