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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 8, 2018 17:45:22 GMT -8
  Hi all! Just purchased a 1971 GMC Class C RV, similar to an Open Road; however the only naming/badging on the camper is “Sandpiper”. It looks very similar to an Open Road, but the window is solid in the front and it has an enclosed back (not the patio/slider option). Will try to add a pic or two. Truck is a 1971 GMC 3500 (350 V Eight on the truck badge). Looking for information or suggestions on where (or how) I can find out more info on this camper. Thanks! |
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Post by vikx on Jan 8, 2018 21:01:00 GMT -8
Welcome VintageCamper71,
We can help some with the RV portion of your motor home. I believe the brand is indeed Sandpiper. Many manufacturers built the camper portion to fit on a truck chassis.
Try researching Sandpiper (trailers too) and see what you find. We can help more when you post a few photos.
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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 9, 2018 7:53:02 GMT -8
Trying to get pics to load but not having any luck with posting the public URL. Any suggestions? I’ve looked at the “how to post pics” link...but still nothing.
**Figured it out. The Flickr App does not provide the full BBCode HTML, so must use the Browser client log-in.
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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 9, 2018 8:11:47 GMT -8
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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 9, 2018 8:14:05 GMT -8
Searches for Sandpiper all come back to Forest River brand (or the bird!), which is a new line...I'm not finding any oldies in that search. Any thoughts on who the manufacturer was?
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Post by vikx on Jan 9, 2018 20:40:39 GMT -8
It's a cute oldie! Love the truck portion, dualies too!
I think you may have a lot of work to do on the RV portion. The front overhang looks to be a little low, could be the angle, might have some rot. Take your time and lift the skins to see what you have. I'm guessing it's a full build but certainly has a sturdy chassis.
I did a search for vintage motor home and didn't find much either. They actually are very similar, regardless of brand. Most were built with the same components (appliances, fixtures, electronics, plumbing) and didn't come with owner's manuals for the RV. Instead, they provided individual brochures on each part or piece.
Have fun with it.
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Post by vikx on Jan 9, 2018 21:05:33 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2018 21:45:04 GMT -8
Although it looks like an Open Road with the canted roof line, I'd guess GM made their own through the GM Coach division. GM Frigidaire did a lot of interior work for the GM Coach division at the time, so I would guess they played a huge part as well. Do you have photos of where this Sandpiper logo is?
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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 10, 2018 11:54:39 GMT -8
Thanks for the comments everyone! I added a pic of the back where you can see the Sandpiper badge. This is definitely a project for sure. There are structural issues as you noticed which will need to be addressed and essentially the entire skin replaced. We are starting with a great foundation...the truck is in amazing shape, only 55K original miles and one owner. Literally only one area with rust and a dent in the passenger-side front fender to be fixed. We were thrilled to find this rare combo as it's the perfect project for us. Old GM muscle for my husband and the vintage camper resto for me.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2018 12:42:51 GMT -8
The Sandpiper badge doesn't appear to be original to this camper, so I wouldn't base any search on that. Do you have any interior photos? Are all the appliances Frigidaire? If so, I would expect this was made by the GM Coach division.
I worked for GM in the 80's and visited the Tech center in Warren, MI a number of times. They had lots of memorabilia type photos showing work from the different divisions. GM Coach and GM Frigidaire teamed up together before Frigidaire transitioned to focus on appliances and eventually split away from GM. Ironically, I am now employed by Electrolux, which owns the Frigidaire name today.
By the way...I'd love to have that rig for my collection! I'm a GM motor head like your husband, and now enjoy working on vintage campers like you. What a great combination!!
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Post by vikx on Jan 10, 2018 20:57:49 GMT -8
I think the Sandpiper badge IS original. I've seen other badges of the same era that were plastic like that. You may never know more but keep searching.
You might as well take it down to the frame. I'm guessing lotsa rotsa and that will give you a chance to rebuild it the right way. Take the skins off and float the roof (or roll and remove) and you will know what needs to be fixed. There may be some pretty good wood in the middle of the walls. The front will be a mess. Wonder how I know that?
Please keep photo records of your journey. I'm very interested to see the "guts" after the skins are off...
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Post by bigbill on Jan 11, 2018 7:44:19 GMT -8
It is hard to tell who built it or where it was built. There was at least two companies in the Dayton Ohio area that started out building rigs on Cadys and Olds chassis then switched to one ton chassis in mid to late 60s then went out of business in the early 70s. I don't remember any company names. My guess was that type on camper was built in small shops all across America and most went out of business when big operations started making motor homes that offered much more luxury.
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Post by vintagecamper71 on Jan 11, 2018 17:25:12 GMT -8
Thanks for the info on the refer, BW, I’ll check the appliances and report back. Thankfully we have all the original components and this was not parted out. Yes, Vikx, this will definitely go down to the frame...my husband and I have a running bet on who guessed the amount of dry rot correctly! My vote is 70%+ rot on the door side and the front is a gut job, he is more optimistic...I think I will win.  We’re excited to start peeling back the layers and I’ll post more pics from this weekend’s fun. |
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Post by vikx on Jan 11, 2018 21:51:02 GMT -8
This is the coolest old motor home.
It depends on what you consider percentage of rot. We know the front is gone, the bottom edges and at least part of the back. Don't know about the wood edges, but guess they are bad, too.
From the above, I'm saying 50%, counting on much of the wall studding to be good.
It's all in the eye of the beholder. LOL. Take tons of photos! Gonna be a fun build...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2018 22:13:59 GMT -8
I am really intrigued as well and did a little more research today. Bigbill is correct in that there were smaller camper companies that did these conversions. I read somewhere about (15) existed. One of them being "Skamper", and of course "Open Road". Skamper and Open Road have that same canted roof, however the front and rear ends are different than yours.
A search that I used was "1971 Chassis Mount Camper". You'll see lots of neat images that might lead you in the right direction. Frigidaire may have been used, however the camper company that did your conversion would have dictated what appliances are in there. GM transitioned into doing their own larger coach style motorhomes beginning in 1973.
I'm really looking forward to your project posted on this site. I'd love to come across a find like that myself!
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