70s era GMC

[MargaretA]

<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1139862"><br><br>I saw this on one of my daily walks a few days ago but didn't have my camera phone with me. Decided to try again today - and it was still there!<br><br>Somebody had one of these (not this one, I think) for sale locally last year so I did a bit of research. From what I remember, they were GMC's only venture into RV manufacturing. They were different from other RVs because they had front wheel drive; I think that's why they're not as tall as most other Class As (or maybe they had a dropped floor - or both). They also weren't very long - just a little over 20', I think.<br><br>GMC made a few different models and I think there were also some other companies that copied the design. They weren't produced for very long - just a few years - and there weren't many made. But the ones that are still around are kind of collectors' items. Some have been repainted, but I'm betting this one hasn't - that color is *so* 70s. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Meg<br><br>

 

[JohnDoeIII]

I have always liked these.&nbsp; I've looked at quite a few on Ebay but have never had the opportunity to check one out up close.&nbsp; If during my search I run across one in good shape within my price range I will scoop it up with the quickness.

 

[Les H]

always reminds me of the movie "Stripes" when i see one of those. " What we have here is one HEAVILY armored rv....."

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; The Cortez is very similar, clubs exist for both.

 

[gadgetMe]

The Cortez is very similar, clubs exist for both.

<br /><br />When I was a younger lad living in Iowa, I worked for a ambulance company that converted Cortez motorhomes into ambulances for long distance transfers, we also adapted one to house a WWII crash cart (very heavy &amp; equipped with defibrillator) as a cardiac unit to transport patients having hart attacks to hospitals.<br /><br />They too were front wheel drive, one had a 302 ford motor with 3 speed manual transmission, needless to say it was not very speedy.<br /><br /><br />Putz

 

[bk2valve]

Interesting about the Cortez RVs....I didn't know they ever had V-8s always thought they were pancake 6 cyls. Weren't they a product of Clark or Towmotor forklift company? I think the transaxles were forklift sourced.....I had a friend who had a 6 cyl. one. He is since passed on and the Cortez is passed to someone else who lives in it here in town I think, but it was an extremely well made, industrial strength vehicle.....<br /><br />He was telling me that NASA used one to transport astronauts out to the launch platforms for a while....<br /><br />Both cool rigs and as Putz says, very active and obsessive clubs for them....<br /><br />Bri

 

[gadgetMe]

Bri,<br /><br />I am pretty sure they were manufactured by Clark. <br />Towmotor was later bought out by Caterpillar. <br />(I also later worked for cat back then) <br />The body shell (I swear was made of 1/8 inch steel)<br />Your friend is correct I also remember them transporting astronauts.<br /><br />I remember that one we had used a 302ford, we also had a second one that used the big block Olds and trans axle for power.<br /> I don't remember the year of their mfg. But I do remember having to remove the engines to repair them. I was quite a job, you had to jack up the body and drop them ( the sub frame assembly) out the bottom.<br /><br />The other one had a couple cots mounted in it, we called it&nbsp; the trauma unit, we used it to transport patients to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Mn.<br /><br />Back then the advantage was it was one of the few vehicles you could stand up in and carry more than one patient and additional personal, such as nurses and attendants.<br /><br />Most of the ambulances at that time were modified hearses.<br /><br />Putz

 

[bk2valve]

Jeez putz you are really old...LOL<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img" /> But I remember that time well...my first motorhome was a 1948 Caddy hearse/ambulance that had been used at the Denver Bronco's home field in Denver as a field ambulance before my friend bought it as surplus and I bought it from him....I wish I had photos from those days...1967 or 8 I believe it was....my wife and I moved to Denver from NYC for a year....then drove it back to NYC...had to park it in NJ due to the expense of parking in NYC and it got broken into and trashed....sad...<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="bbc_img" /><br /><br />Yikes,<br />bri

 

[gadgetMe]

MargaretA<br />Sorry to hi-jack your thread.... with our reminiscing ...<br /><br />bk2valve ...<br />On some-days I feel pretty old <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img" />, although I was doing most of this when I was in High School and college.<br /><br />One thing about the old hearses, they were smoooth riding, with BIG motors.<br /><br />Putz<br /><br />

 

[bk2valve]

Yep...me too...sorry that is,,,, Ill stop now and leave it for the campfire...<br />Hugs to you M...<br />bri