OK, we’re back on track…. well more than yesterday, I was talking to you about this owner done restoration and I wanted it show it to you and show what a resourceful enthusiast can do with the assets available to the GMC owner.
It’s not just about having a nice coach but it’s the chase for some… the finding something that could make them happy and making that happen.
Julie & John E. drove in from Tallahassee… well really they came in from Oregon moving to Florida to take care of a Mom bringing their freshly on the road 1973 23′ GMC number 284 off that first years assembly line The coach is a Glacier being repainted it’s original blue
. but John added a twist. You can see in the last pic, John installed a new Ragusa ladder, LED clearance lights and the upgrade larger tail lights. A side view you can see the new “frameless” windows, Alcoa rims, our frig side and roof vents and 3 louver engine vents, a Dometic Penguin rotory compressor roof AC and Ramco mirrors.
So you say, “Why did he bring it to the Co-op?”. We’re going over it all to make sure the guys he had do his mechanicals got it right.
Found an honest small error in judgement on the 1 ton front suspension. Oh yeah, John has that AND a quad bag rear suspension… I tell ya he’s got this coach goin on… We’re adding our battery switching upgrade along with some other things
Here’s something really wild about their 73 # 284 super early build. Remember how we talked about the 1973 #41 coach we have a project on right now That seems to have the prototype entry door modification using an aluminum plate
. Right…. well…. John & Julies #284 has THE original Bargman latch that was never supposed to be let out
Yes, THIS is the latch GM canned
and look how well Tim finished off the door interior
The coach represents the best of the old and the new all wrapped up just the way John & Julie visioned it…. Guys THIS is how you bring one of these up by yourself…. use the assets and knowledge the GMC community and dealer structure can do for you …. listen and watch, your due diligence can pay off. Was it a cheap restoration?…. NO… John made every decision to be the best for the coach and it’s outcome…. that’s the way you do it… listen and learn from mistakes and expertise other have done and make yours better for you.
If you want us to do this for you… heck, that’s why we are here. We are a restoration shop but also if you want to experience the fun yourself and you are committed you can come out with a nice machine. So there it is, which one are you? Would you like to not have to learn about all of that… maybe would rather someone else do it…. give me a call.. you wanna do it yourself… gimme a call on that too. The Co-op is happy to help you.
OK, I belted this one out…. this is important side of the GMC experience and if you feel you want to do it…. brother get on it but remember, you have nothing until it’s done and any budget you set will be trumped (no pun) by what the coach shows you it needs. Guys just be prepared.
John & Julie did a great job and now we’ll add a few goodies of our own making and make this restoration all it can be.
Thanks for dropping by, we’ll see ya tomorrow. I’ll do some pics of this stretch Hum V limo body repair . Pretty cool looking but you just will not believe how they built this thing! See ya tomorrow…