Been wanting a motorhome for a long time, initially was looking at 40' diesel pushers, when we planned on full timing. Those plans changed.
I've always loved the little Vixens, but they remain out of budget, even for a basketcase.
I came across this 1973 GMC on my local CL:
It has a milk crate and a half of documentation, including all manuals.
It belong to an old couple who loved it dearly, at one time. They did some modifications, some which I've discovered in my limited time with it, including swapping the 16.5" OEM wheels for 16" Alcoas (if I'm lucky, they are the recalled ones from the 90s), installed lockouts/schrader valves on the air bags, reconfigured the kitchen for more storage (it has a 2 burner cooktop with no oven instead of a 3 or 4 burner stove+oven)
It's been resprayed factory color (Bittersweet) at some point - not a great job, but a decent 30'er)
It seems the husband got sick ~2002 and the coach sat, he died in 2006 followed by his wife in 2016. The coach was left to their daughter. She sold it to a family friend who planned on doing a big budget restoration. A brand new septic system later and he decided to sell it.
I bought it for ~60% of the asking price. Multiple people had offered to buy it, but no one could arrange transport. THe fact that the tires are dry rotted meant it needs to be on a trailer, a Landoll trailer is the prefered method of transport.
I planned on using AAA. The day I purchased it, AAA arranged for a tow, but eventually I was told it could only be towed to a repair facility, since it isn't registered in my name. I told the guy I bought it from I'd get it registered Monday and then get AAA to tow it. He didn't think I could get it registered, since I couldn't take it in for an inspection.
Me, being the sneaky bastard I am, registered it as an antique and did the title transfer that way. So she'll get antique plates/registration good for 5 years (and only $50!). Antique vehicles don't need yearly inspections.
I then called AAA and scheduled a tow for Wednesday. I called them multiple times and requested they find a provider with a Landoll trailer. But I was told they wouldn't attempt to dispatch until 45 minutes before my scheduled tow time.
Finally the time came and they couldn't find a provider. So I'm paying out of pocket ~$475 to get it towed (actually the same trailer/company in the photos from the CL ad, which I'll post below) and then AAA should reimburse me.
I should get it to my house tomorrow morning.
Immediate plans are get it running, driving, stopping. So fuel/brakes/tires and check out the other systems. Interior is pretty decent except for needing a mattress in the rear, a panel under the sink, and sagging headliner.
