Newbie ready to buy

[richshoop]

Angel:
Unless you buy a coach that has been updated recently and completely, the concept of living in an unknown condition 40 year old motor home while you are doing the necessary updates is going to be very frustrating. Having some kind of short term schedule to 'get it done' is an additional problem, that will bite you.
You are correct in looking at a GMC motorhome. Because of how it is constructed, it is by design, and by community, a very good long term purchase. I can't think of a single part for our 75 Eleganza that I cannot get in less than a week. The knowledge base here is unheard of anywhere else in the RV world.
You might consider doing one of the 49er GMC club rallys before you purchase any coach, getting many insights and to meet some of the nicest and knowledgeable people I have met in a very long time.

>
>

> > Hello GMC community,
> >
> > I'm ready to buy my first RV and completely fell involve with the GMC
> > motorhome.
>
>
> Angel,
>
> You are doing it right, asking here. I agree with what the other folks have said. Especially 16.5 tires- ugh! And with Eagle wheels out of the
> picture the $$ just went up.
>
> Because you are a California resident, I would think '73 - 75, all things being equal. California smog laws will mean you have to trot down and pay to
> have it smogged every other year if it is a 76 or newer. It means you probably will have to stick with the existing fuel system- carburetor, and all
> the goodies CARB put on 70s vehicles.
>
> Don't get me wrong, some coaches pass fine for years. Here in California, mountains are close at hand and Carburetors don't do as well in high
> altitude. Just my 2 cents.
> --
> '74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
> Best Wishes,
> George
>
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[david horowitz]

Hello Angel,

I have a 1975 Avion with twin rear beds and a dry side bath configuration... 200 made and considered by many to be one of the most desirable coaches
for a number of reasons:

1) 1975 requires no smog in CA and is into the middle of the production and several items that got changed during production show up by 1975... a
sweet spot so to speak.

2) This coach was owned first by Alan Singleton, then Joe Echoles, then by me... all participated in the GMC community, and all took great pride in
having a well maintained coach. Most all work by Applied GMC.

3) No expense has been spared to make her one of the finest of her breed. Fresh Imron paint, Alcoa wheels, refurbished interior, re-powered 455 with
moderate mileage, upgraded 3:71 final drive for towing, integrated tow hitch, new electronic waste macerator, new AC/DC converter for shore power and
battery charging, a recently refreshed Onan 6kw, and so much more.

4) Includes the option to purchase a fantastic, frame off restoration of a 1995 4x4 suzuki sidekick TOWD which has a new integrated air powered towd
brake and new tow bars.

5) It's an Avion! ...ask around.

6) Distressed seller. No, i will not give it away, but i will be very reasonable on the price with a cash in hand buyer.

I do not want to sell this amazing vehicle but have a chronic and progressive debilitating spine condition that has me bed bound. This is the first
time she's been offered for sale and have no doubt that once the word get's out that phone will be ringing off the hook with offers. She is a well
known, restored, loved and maintained coach. Whomever takes her home will be very fortunate to have purchased a rig that still needs some TLC to make
her perfect, but that has those hard to find "Good Bones" according to Jim Konomata who serviced her recently. If interested, email me at
mailto:david.del.rio

Sincerely,
Dave
--
David del Rio - 75 Avion - Raymond, CA

 

[unthinkablecreation]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I am now a proud new owner of a 1978 Birchaven. She's completely original with a great running engine and transmission.

I was able to drive her 200 miles the first day with out any issues.

I'll be moving in full time this weekend and can't wait to be a part of the community.

 

[jerry burt]

David - Oh no... I'm sorry to hear you are bed bound and have to sell. Prayers for you.

Angel - Congratulations and welcome to the asylum.

> Hello Angel,
>
> I have a 1975 Avion with twin rear beds and a dry side bath configuration... 200 made and considered by many to be one of the most desirable
> coaches for a number of reasons:
>
> 1) 1975 requires no smog in CA and is into the middle of the production and several items that got changed during production show up by 1975... a
> sweet spot so to speak.
>
> 2) This coach was owned first by Alan Singleton, then Joe Echoles, then by me... all participated in the GMC community, and all took great pride
> in having a well maintained coach. Most all work by Applied GMC.
>
> 3) No expense has been spared to make her one of the finest of her breed. Fresh Imron paint, Alcoa wheels, refurbished interior, re-powered 455
> with moderate mileage, upgraded 3:71 final drive for towing, integrated tow hitch, new electronic waste macerator, new AC/DC converter for shore
> power and battery charging, a recently refreshed Onan 6kw, and so much more.
>
> 4) Includes the option to purchase a fantastic, frame off restoration of a 1995 4x4 suzuki sidekick TOWD which has a new integrated air powered
> towd brake and new tow bars.
>
> 5) It's an Avion! ...ask around.
>
> 6) Distressed seller. No, i will not give it away, but i will be very reasonable on the price with a cash in hand buyer.
>
> I do not want to sell this amazing vehicle but have a chronic and progressive debilitating spine condition that has me bed bound. This is the
> first time she's been offered for sale and have no doubt that once the word get's out that phone will be ringing off the hook with offers. She is a
> well known, restored, loved and maintained coach. Whomever takes her home will be very fortunate to have purchased a rig that still needs some TLC
> to make her perfect, but that has those hard to find "Good Bones" according to Jim Konomata who serviced her recently. If interested, email me at
> -> restless.wind at outlook.com
>
> Sincerely,
> Dave

--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS

 

[gmc2000]

> Thanks everyone for your advice.
>
> I am now a proud new owner of a 1978 Birchaven. She's completely original with a great running engine and transmission.
>
> I was able to drive her 200 miles the first day with out any issues.
>
> I'll be moving in full time this weekend and can't wait to be a part of the community.

sounds like you found a good one! since you are a new owner, what are your driving impressions of it?

best of luck with it.

 

[Matt Colie]

> Thanks everyone for your advice.
>
> I am now a proud new owner of a 1978 Birchaven. She's completely original with a great running engine and transmission.
>
> I was able to drive her 200 miles the first day with out any issues.
>
> I'll be moving in full time this weekend and can't wait to be a part of the community.

Angel,

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
When you get to be a part of the community is completely up to you. You found your way here and that is an important first step.

You have just collected a couple of thousand brand new old friends. These maybe new, but they can be as real friends as you can expect. This
community is an amazing thing. They are helpful and supporting more than you can even hope for. We (the family) could amaze (or bore) you with
stories to this end until the beer runs out. Be aware that everybody here has a not so hidden agenda. That is to be sure that you get to enjoy your
coach and what it can do for you as much as we all do.

If you did not get a whole set of documentation with her, you can download just about everything (including a new Black's List (aka GMC Assist) at
Bdud's GMC site. If you have not done that, do it as soon as you have bandwidth to do so.

There is one thing that we need you to do both for us and so we can better help you. You seem to be working the forum, so go to and scroll down to the Signature box. There put in your real name (this is so we know who you are when we meet), a bit about the
coach (you did write 78 Birchhaven, but this way it will always be there) and a geographic reference so someone that might help will know if he is in
striking range. (This is very common in the community.)
*** Remember to scoll down to when you are done.
As you are planning to be a full time(live-aboard) I suggest that when traveling you be sure to put the location somewhere in your post.

Birchhavens are funny lots of ways. They are 23 and so they are part of that 11% of the build and many things are different than are with a 26.
Fortunately, we have a few here that know this. So, when someone's sig says Birchhaven, take note. That one here that you should always watch for is
Ken Henderson. He has done some serious mods, but he can also tell you what to not do. He has had that coach for about 20 years, I have no clue how
many miles but I know of three engines. (Two of them were Cad 500s.) If KenH says it, take that to the bank.

Now, as I said, this is an amazing community. It is well worth your while to hook up with as many of the local chapters as you can. Most have
collections of technical information that can be incredibly valuable. The community is nearly unique. The only other that I know of like it is that
of the watermen that are my world. And, specifically for that reason, I like to welcome new members here as any new owner or vessel is welcomed
there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Angel

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

 

[unthinkablecreation]

> sounds like you found a good one! since you are a new owner, what are your driving impressions of it?
>
> best of luck with it.

This is my first vehicle so I don't have much of a baseline when it comes to handling. But after the initial 30 minutes of what did I get myself into
feeling I got into a nice groove with her.

It drives much better than those U-hauls Iv'e rented and the suspension works really well to provide a smooth ride. I'm completely happy with my
purchase.

I have everything to learn and nothing stoping me.
--
Angel Rodriguez
San Jose, CA
1978 23' Birchhaven