I'm new to the topic. Have decent mechanical knowledge and to some extent RVs in general. I like vintage, what's not to like, and have considered another RV for a long while. I've only had trailers past.
Dropped my seat off for restoration, we walked across the street to greet an 85 yr. old man with the disposition of someone in their 50s. We popped some cans. He's an engineer type, DYI and then some, and has quite a shop with restorations in progress, he does everything from paint to rebuilding an engine.
He has a 73 GMC that's in remarkable condition. It's been in storage since at least 2004ish. Says the paint is bullet proof and it looks it, the exterior is fantastic. New gas tanks, rebuilt 455. Real clean drivetrain, aluminum wheels so you can change a tire within reason, perfect chrome and glass everywhere. Sounds like everything works short it needs a fan switch and the propane indicator doesn't work in the panel, easy fix if you have too. I haven't dove that deeply into it yet. Even the orig. AC works. Lots of improvements inside and out, this old man is something else. He even invented a method to air-cool the engine and dash. 2000W Inverter, generator with improvements, and lots of elect. upgrades. He basically kept it original short complementing mechanical and elect. improvements. Everything looks clean.
I thought against it due space concerns, but now I'm giving the rig serious thought. It would be a blast to remodel the interior to suit, though it's intact as is. Sounds like he'll take 25K, thoughts?
How difficult is it to find parts, windshield etc. etc. should replacements be needed in the future? How are the transmissions, never heard of a 425TH, but if they're anything like the 400TH they're golden. Sounds like these motorhomes are reliable as heck.
Other then basic structural, mechanical, and say test the air bags, what kinds of things should I look for?
Thank you for any input.
Dropped my seat off for restoration, we walked across the street to greet an 85 yr. old man with the disposition of someone in their 50s. We popped some cans. He's an engineer type, DYI and then some, and has quite a shop with restorations in progress, he does everything from paint to rebuilding an engine.
He has a 73 GMC that's in remarkable condition. It's been in storage since at least 2004ish. Says the paint is bullet proof and it looks it, the exterior is fantastic. New gas tanks, rebuilt 455. Real clean drivetrain, aluminum wheels so you can change a tire within reason, perfect chrome and glass everywhere. Sounds like everything works short it needs a fan switch and the propane indicator doesn't work in the panel, easy fix if you have too. I haven't dove that deeply into it yet. Even the orig. AC works. Lots of improvements inside and out, this old man is something else. He even invented a method to air-cool the engine and dash. 2000W Inverter, generator with improvements, and lots of elect. upgrades. He basically kept it original short complementing mechanical and elect. improvements. Everything looks clean.
I thought against it due space concerns, but now I'm giving the rig serious thought. It would be a blast to remodel the interior to suit, though it's intact as is. Sounds like he'll take 25K, thoughts?
How difficult is it to find parts, windshield etc. etc. should replacements be needed in the future? How are the transmissions, never heard of a 425TH, but if they're anything like the 400TH they're golden. Sounds like these motorhomes are reliable as heck.
Other then basic structural, mechanical, and say test the air bags, what kinds of things should I look for?
Thank you for any input.
Last edited: