Does anyone know what this could be?

[Henri Kwakkel]

Hi all!

I was going through the adds, as I am still searching for a nice classic RV and suddenly this turns up 128141173_1_large.jpg

Does anybody know what it could be? The owner tells it is a Chevrolet from 1958 and has a straight 6 of 315ci. I am not very knowledgeable on pre 60's engines, but I did not think GM build such an engine. It's almost 20ft. Is it an original RV or a rebuild bus?

Thanks for your input!

regards,

Henri

The Netherlands

[Henri Kwakkel]

Thanks Pat, I will let you know when I have some more info. I haven't been camping with the family for a long time now (decades actually). Most holidays are spent with the family in Italy, where I am right now. I do some weekend campings when I am away with friends to do mountainbiking. I had a GMC starcraft conversion van that suited me well, but the cost were too high. 

Still, now my son is getting older (he is now 7), he is asking about camping more often. I did a lot of camping with both caravan, sailing boat and free camping with tents when hiking when I was younger and I like to do that again.

The weather here in Italy is great; we had some days with little rain but temperatures are about 77 degrees. Two weeks ago I did some camping in a tent during a biking weekend in the Belgium Ardennes and it was around 32 degrees in the night! 

[Jack Froelich]

Henri,  Starting in 1955, GMC listed a half dozen 6 cyl. engins ranging from 248 up to 503.  Included in this group was one sized 316.6 cubic inches.   This may be the one in the bus.  I hope this helpes.

[Henri Kwakkel]

Well, searching the internet I have found out that it has had a full restoration around 2007. Most body plates replaced and also the original wooden side beams replaced with steel. Full engine overhaul, no idea on the cui though. Somewhere they changed the plates but the ones on the attached pic are from 1964. I have asked the owner for more info. I have no idea if 64 is more or less credible then 58?

I am not a real fan of the iron cross thing, but the bus looks very decent. Also, The interior is quiet new, which in fact is a bit contradictive to the reason I was looking for a classic RV in the first place; the atmosphere of the classic interior and of course the looks on the outside.

I really have to think about this one!

[Leah]

OMG...that is so kewl!!! I don't know anything about it...but I'd be doing research and figuring it out! That is definitely a piece of history!!! Keep us posted!

[Kevin Demers]

Nice!

[Tony durfey]

We have never seen one before but we like it!  Tony, Joy and Cool Paw Luke

[Henri Kwakkel]

It is not too big or heavy, that is really a plus. Here is a link to over 200 pics of the full restoration. Seeing the work he did, although 6 years ago, the asking price of $6500 is not too mad, I would think.

Chevy bus restoration

[Troy Rice]

  Years ago I had a 1965 chevy 3/4 ton 4 speed tran`s  with a blue-flame 230 ci   this eng was a improvement over the 215 ci   I had in a 59 El-Camao   but never heard of a 315 ci as you mention  ,,Wow that is a odd looking camper  , I bet it would be great to have   , and just think of all the twisted necks you would have as you drove on the USA hiways >>As a note that old chevy 6 I had with the grand-maw gear box ,had plenty of power , slow but strong , and Pikes Peak was a snap to make back in the late 60`s >>>>Santa

 PS Notice the replacement small class b  I replace my old big Istica after my wife pass a way  I gave the old 1979 camper to my son He was 9 years old when we bought it new >>>He always love it , now he can enjoy it a lot more .