As you may have seen over the years some of the stuff out of our “skunkworks”, projects like those are less about income and more about keeping the enthusiasm going. Working exclusively on ald machines has no “cake” or easy work in it. Everything is broken, greasey, worn out, rusty or simply fallen apart or any combination of those. You must have interests other than the almighty dollar to do this….unique projects keep all of us interested.
Some projects come from supporting the GMC platform and our resent purchase taking on saving the original SMC molds that our coach body parts were made from is one of those projects that had to happen. There is a cohesive team forming to who knows, make new parts….or even motorhomes! Slow down…I know…take it slow but none of that would be possible without the molds and the knowledge that put the GMC on the road.
We have taken responsibility for approximately 450,000 pounds of these molds because without those NOTHING can be started! Without the builder books we also have shows us specifically the manufacture. These assets have great value if the goal is to keep this dream alive. I could not let them be scrapped out!
The molds are some 6 miles from our shop in storage, unavailable for anything other than looking at them Our first step is to get these molds out of storage where we can get at them. We have had a good estimate of $5000 to get the molds transported to us.
So the dream starts again, I’m opening an LLc., “Save our GMC Molds” and will be seeking support in this endeavor. Help us move these molds, members will get a “save the molds” T shirt, hat and other trinkets we can come up with for those willing to donate to help this project. This is only the start of something big we hope …..the only way to know is try.
Yes, there is damage to the molds after years of storage and yes, these molds take a 100ton oil heated press to reinstitute them. Advances have been made since the 70’s in vacuum forming, mold design and use. Technology has maybe made these molds viable components again….anyway we are going to try!
Right away we will have the option of spashing repair body panel repair sections with what we now know. We have a GMC owner who builds vacuum form machine….here is his coach and others in the community that have expertise. Wheat Motor Company had the ide first to bring the iconic GMC back to the road, he has passed it on to us and now it’s our turn. If you are interested to help, please call the shop today 407-857-5777 and get on the project list. As things progress I’ll let you know. members will have a direct line on progress.
This is a skunkworks project like no other, it’s BIG and it will be work but hey, we have to try……get involved, just wearing a Tshirt to tell others will help! More info will come out as we have it. What say ye?
See you tomorrow………… please pass this on
Can I suggest hats with “Save the Vintage GMC Motorhome” or “Resurecting the Beast” or… I’m brainstorming.
Make Gmc’s great again
This soundes fantactic to find all ?? Of the original molds. Now with the new advances in fiber glass and molds alonge with vacuum molding we could BUILD NEW G M C s with new disels and 8 speed auto trans. The big thing is naturally $$$$ and the Proprer people with the know how to run it. GREAT. Need more info. Keep on keeping on. 👍👍
My thought is if you are going to do this, you should do it though a gofundme.com page so that the money donated is transparent.
So Jim, are you looking for customers, contributors, or investors?
Absolutely wonderful to see these molds. Would be happy to help to assure they can be safely stored in a way that enables them to be accessed to move them to and from a press. They deserve the attention to prevent further deterioration.
I gave my GMC to my son and his wife but I’m still a member of the cult.
This project is ambitious beyond by imagination but if anybody can do it I’d bet on you Jim.w
I gave my GMC to my son and his wife but I’m still a member of the cult.
This project is ambitious beyond by imagination but if anybody can do it I’d bet on you Jim.