A day Cedric will mark down, his coach … the 1973 coach, #41 off the assembly line is now in our assembly line going into exterior refinishing. 
That’s right, after 43 years of holding on, this hand built prototype GMC is getting a lease on life and in process, it’s time for a new skin. Kevin has been working on the exterior breaking it down over at trim while the interior guys have been hard at work. As I said, this coach was a “prototype”, what I mean is the understanding was the first 50 GMC’s off the assembly line were used reportedly as lab rats, GM exec. use, DOT testing and all around figuring out how to build this unique machine. #41 here is a real historical study as to how GM and the UAW figured out how to put them together. I know this because you can see it in the assembly. Many things were not as they are on most every coach I’ve ever worked with.
Example: 
This stainless steel adapter plate found on every 1973 coach resizing the opening from the original spec. Bargman door latch to the latch all later coaches use…. is aluminum! Look at it again, it’s also a different shape but still has that logo badge and the black edge trim. Ever seen a coach with a double ladder on the back that has it’s upper rail extend to the front of the coach and connect together? Well, here ya go 
And then there is the skilled hinged T skirt fabrication 
A master sheet metal fabricator made that piece. Made from metal, for them the medium the engineers were most familiar with it is absolutely a perfect dimensionally and fitment is perfect!
There’s more but I won’t bore you with it. The floor was assembled upside down necessitating a complete floor break down and replacement 
And THIS time it will not be a prototype outcome.
Hey one more, look at these hand hammered and wallowed out bolt holes in the front hood hinges with it screwed into not thru bolted to the hood and check out the filled center lock twist position… the original design had only 1 front hood lock twist. Bet they found out it allowed the flimsy front hood to flap! And is you look real close the actual hood lock position has an aluminum spacer plate under it to allow for proper lock stiker position!.
We’re going to really clean up but leave all of these unique features of the coach… not the crappy floor though….
So last week Cedric went to Kevin’s cocoon… around the corner from where Capt. Pete’s coach is getting it’s love 
and right into the bay 
Zoom in on that middle pic and you can see how GM butchered up the door to fit the new latch we all know and love onto that door. Hey and that trailer hitch that was fitted could pull a Atlas rocket!
This it the sort of project you only run into once in a while, I saved the coach from the salvage yard and am so happy Cedric recognized what the coach represents and what we’re doing to it. Oh yes, and for the mechanicals….. it’s getting a Hum V 6.5 turbo-diesel/ Manny tranny drive train, a 1 ton front suspension, quad bag system…. the works! Talk about a bad ass motorhome, this is going to be a killer. But the coach itself will still be the feature no one can duplicate so guys, stay tuned for more on Cedric’s project… it will be a memorable build…
So now that’s I’m driving Larry on a daily basis I need to take a little time to clean it out.
Up to getting the new building we had materials stored in him. How terrible! I need to give my baby a little love now so please excise me while I spend some quality time with him.
We’ll see ya later….
