Hello
I am new to the RV motor coach website. I am interested in vintage (70's) coaches. Are there many others with similar interests here? Is there value in buying an old coach or is expense not worth it? I can only seem to find a few pics of 70's Foretravel motor homes. If a coach is parked for many years would it be ridiculous to try to resurrect it?
Thanks for your input, Jake
Jake,
Whether a good or disastrous idea depends on the actual coach (condition), your skill level and interest and also how deep your wallet is.
I know there are no 1970's coaches I would be interested in. Late 1980's diesel-- maybe.
In the 1970's, there are a couple of classic gas coaches-- Revcon, Airstream, GMC for example that may be considerations for you.
Huge number of considerations here, Jake. If you post what your intentions and mechanical capabilities are then you'll probably get better navigation advise.
As a previous 26' GMCMH owner, I can vouch for the liveability and good road manners of those '73-78 coaches. Every older coach will have its pro's and con's and a lot depends on what your lifestyle and budget can handle. The GMC community is large with user forum and technical support similar to the Foretravel. There are several vendors still making almost all the replacement parts, many improved from 70's OEM.
Welcome to the forum, Woody.
Some Airstreams had diesels. Their aluminum skin was good but most others have terrible build quality, zero strength in a accident and the alu skin may have reacted to the insulation and have millions of tiny holes.
Glass GMs had good bodies but are expensive on the used market. FWD and several engines will bolt up. Most everyone likes looking at them. The size is perfect for campsites and big city parking. They drive well.
Why not look for an old GV Foretravel? Good engines, glass skin and aluminum used in the overhead structure.
Unless you have reasonably good DIY skills, any older RV can be a frustrating and expensive experience.
Unless you can overhaul a diesel, a bad engine taken to a shop can cost up to $30K. That's several times what you can pick up a older coach for.
If I would looking for a old diesel coach, I think I would look first at the 5.9 Cummins as there are thousands on the road and they are very reasonable for a used engine. With the killer dowl pin fix, the mechanical versions are very reliable. Unless it's a Detroit 6V-92TA, stay away from the older electronic engines. Front engined Foretravels have some faults but can be inexpensive to purchase and engines are cheap. Cooling was a problem but anyone with skills can find a way around that.
Pierce
I found a time capsule, been in barn for 25 years, 1978 foretravel with 9700 miles, all original. Last inspected in 1996
I went to preview before auction and it is way cool.
I suppose it would be great for someone with a fat wallet, although all original it would need all tires, prob some motor and generator work, and new carpeting etc. (much mouse turds) I had HantaVirus years ago and wouldn;t want to deal with the rodent droppings.
it is item 823 on this auction site if anyone is interested
Anna Kirchemeier Estate Antiques, Jewelry, Coins, Vehicles & | Shamrock... (http://shamrockonlineauctions.hibid.com/catalog/293381/anna-kirchemeier-estate-antiques--jewelry--coins--vehicles-and/?cpage=8&ipp=100)
It is in northeast PA
Thanks for your input, jake
The bidding is not very high I think you can get it for a cheap price clean it up if you think it's to much work you should be able to get your money back reselling it and just lose your time it looks not bad not smashed or banged up looks like you have something to repair
This brings back memories. I bought my first 33' Foretravel, similar to this one after I sold my 1978 26' GMC. I think the only difference is the bathroom was in the very back and it had twin beds, 1 on each side. That coach keep me busy. It was on a Dodge chassis and had a 440 engine. I could not stop exhaust leaks at the heads. I tried everything. Once I went from single exhaust to dual my exhaust problems went away. The other problem I keep having was brakes. It did not like to stop.
I bought it!!!! For $1,000....help. 😳
Congrats and welcome to the group.
Please post pictures of your coach, I find it very interesting.
Have fun and please post pictures.
Congrats on you coach. I would figure every rubber product will need replacement. In your profile you show having a 88 max. Very nice. I have its predecessor 78 Arrow. Actually still use at work as my work truck. Lol. Just like eating a elephant, just take on one bite at a time. Post pictures most enjoy the projects, at least i do! Endless amounts of knowledgeable help here too. 👍👍
Scott
Just for comparison, here's top of the line for 1970, at least in my opinion:
1969 Blue Bird Wanderlodge Is A Wonderfully Retro Motorhome For Auction (https://www.motor1.com/news/508426/1969-blue-bird-wanderlodge-auction/)
I was looking hard at Revcon's and Wanderlodge's before I lucked into my Grand Villa. About the time I bought my coach, my brother in law bought a 76 GMC. It's too small for my family, but it's a fantastic coach and rides like an Oldsmobile! That 78 FT is super cool! Something like that I would want to put a modern engine and transmission in, but would love to keep that period correct style! Congrats!
Just posting some pictures of what I found on round one of going to check out my FTX. A lot of mouse/rodent poop, a mole skeleton and all of his winter stores in the air cleaner, a lot of old gas sitting in the tank 🙄, all 6 flat tires.
This weekend I'm going up to try and accomplish 2 things: air in tires, install rebuilt carb and crank the engine. We shall see....
Don't stand too close to those tires when you try to air them up! One or more might let go with a big BANG!
I like the photo of your dog looking down at the engine - probably thinking "We're in for a LOT of work"!
What engine did you end up with? 440 Dodge or something else?
I applaud your spirit of adventure! Please keep us updated on your project with photos and commentary. I know many members will be interested!
There are things you can do to increase the chance of a successful (gasser) engine "revival":
Reviving Old Engines - Grit | Rural American Know-How (https://www.grit.com/departments/old-engines-zm0z13mjzgou/)
8 Things You Can Do to Revive an Older Car (https://www.motorbiscuit.com/8-things-you-can-do-to-get-a-barn-find-car-running-again/)
Thermal Quad carb came on Chrysler products only. M-600 should have the 440 mentioned by Chuck
I can't begin to describe how nice picture are to get a hint of your project. Just love the air filter doing a fine job all these years. Last week i personally saw a U320 air filter with the vacuator valve missing, but a squirrel gave his life to plug the hole. Wouldn't of believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Too cool. What a project now if the photos could be smelled, would add the rest of the story
Scott
SMELL-O-VISION! (No thanks - I'll pass).
Smell-O-Vision - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smell-O-Vision)
Ohh man I think I would make sure and get rid of all that old gas first. One heck of project but I hope you get it out in the sunshine and we can see some more pics soon! Good luck!!
Absolutely agree take everything that was fuel wetted in any way and replace. Will need to anyway to convert to a new LS7 engine. 505 hp and better fuel economy.
Life is nothing more than a series of upgrades
Scott. 8)
Ughhhhh the motor has EGR......
In most cases, easily defeated.
True..but those 70's smog motors had no torque
I am not familiar with the LS7, but a search turned up this:
The LS7 is the largest displacement member of GM's LS engine family, and it is an absolute beast right out of the box. Rated at 505 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, this 7.0L unit was offered in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 from 2006 to 2013, as well as the 2014 and 2015 editions of the Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
DUDE!
If wanted to stay with a Mopar based replacement engine, plenty to choose from. For instance:
BB Street Krate — Muscle Motors (http://www.musclemotorsracing.com/bb-street-krate)
So I've been buying take out LS engines and running with little work. Fuel injected systems will cost more than the entire drop out engine compleat with stock fuel injection and everything needed to make it run.
2014 CAPRICE 6.0 L77 ENGINE & 6L80 AUTO TRANSMISSION SWAP LIFTOUT 47K MI LSX... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/373415277323?hash=item56f148f30b:g:kw0AAOSwGuBhdrd6&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACcPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSafTQYbq3L7RBVAMi0K9cw5dil3kYgIXr59aZRcKiemLwbu3Q2pqJ8SWtpA08H1bSO1MaPVY04Tf3DLZpd%252Bzl89BsizK5LDhGzKPcBcmzwBZNGeIwO8sRhxJfbnCSlukkot3Gq4hYpr6okNUlayC8ONEuwV3paEobWQvur54DjiPbUogbY%252FiqrKGdq4xVdLx2grSN0sqG3mT5Rm8SL738lULZhqYQvLiArgTPLqmTMF%252BbABF%252B2i1lE2%252FSkBmKmhRtS%252B4CBB%252BVvEvJfWwbEfAlh4Y43pV4UgTs5m%252Bsgc9qFaeRqb9EhrYBpqS7%252FJrBkrqKbe7dWjNNevGq5aWgv8AhD3PjVyZs1yU%252FUJAOFaC8Ic0rfLbYh4ua8H8lINNSXe3eqAhH2H1gR3mZZl3FdYrcFzZJ5X6nPwJ2K0NSNNd4gsmRuI3zHyU%252Bd%252BvHY0Hph2ENbxuMRWF8FdTpwgYDO184vf7sYcIUbecEmXJLwuQA%252B4HUd%252F2OoHW4MB5s0Q6VndpfKX9XZhGHFW9eb26wzIxupmXdeCikeD3fdO8SzG8NzGm%252FnHWLLVrHv3HoBQcko4eg70UmOETlnFO29kO7aTPDh0nPmgd8YZ0Se1oVqkIAoR%252FtwFkwtNLNnhxc8UZ%252B9WwtiL717mDVgA3D270xmEZbFNiZF3ztCEdCe0HGh4VDchFXihrdqpZZHR%252BKpCMftgcvAxMhJVOspzLSfPsY99e7iqxlCkkeX%252BEHud%252BR6hWNeJXKsB5U%252BLMofcVia814WRCDMg%252FAn2MndJwsKr%252BTBis%252Ftw%253D%253D%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8D3tcmfXw)
Go smaller and cost drops $7k and includes computer controlled transmission
Scott