In the video above from AdventureVanMan, we get a walk-through tour of Pat and Jackie’s vintage classic 1976 GMC motorhome.
We talked a little about GMC motorhomes in a previous post and about which vintage RVs you should buy if you ever find deals on them.
Pat and Jackie have done an amazing job restoring their vintage motorhome. GMC made these motorhomes from 1972 to 1978, so this one is right in the middle. The couple has owned it for about 15 years. They have done some major remodeling over that time, including interior and drivetrain work. The rig also sports a stunning exterior paint job.
When it comes to the interior, they majorly changed things around from the original. To me, it’s a HUGE improvement that makes this vintage motorhome far more livable. While I always liked a lot of features in the old GMC motorhomes, the layouts, usually with too much bench seating for my taste, were never one of the highlights.
The GMC motorhome has a cozy cabin feel now. There is even a raised hearth with a wood-burning stove. (Believe it or not, this is NOT as crazy as it sounds. See this post for more information.)
They also added an additional water tank, solar power, and a 3,000-watt sine wave inverter for extended boondocking.
The kitchen was upgraded with modern appliances and a water filtration system. The motorhome’s original built-in liquor cabinet is now a pantry that’s fronted by a big-screen TV.
Other than a composting toilet upgrade, the bathroom is pretty much original, and these did have great bathrooms.
The bed area is modified to be highly modular and can be a full-sized bed, a queen-sized bed, or a day bed.
If all that was not enough, they even built a small cat bedroom for their pet!
What do you think of Pat and Jackie’s restored 1976 GMC motorhome? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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The GMC was built so well, you can easily remove the entire interior without damaging the basic structural integrity of the vehicles. Parts at your local auto store. Only a handful are not available new. I’ve owned two. Any experienced mechanic can work on them.
Pat and Jackie, you did a fantastic job. Beautiful motorhome. I can tell you put a lot of pride and professionalism into the build. Have fun out there and be safe.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. There is one of these parked near my son’s house in Marin County, CA. It’s been sitting there for years, just rusting away. I even got a picture of me standing next to it. I always stop to look at it whenever we visit my son and think, “Man, that would be cool to own”. But I’d only want to own it if it was refurbished like the one in this video. Once again, I truly admire those with the skills to do this kind of work.
I never see one of these restored that I don’t think, “Wow! It’s the EM50!” (Everyone, go and watch ‘Stripes’ right now!)
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 This is such a cool RV! The renovation makes it extremely functional. The tub/shower looks like a real compromise, requiring one to kneel or stoop, given how little headroom there is. These always make me think of a spaceship or a lunar vehicle. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂