Is this the best stealth car transporter?

Christopher Tracy

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I love to look at project cars online. However, I am discouraged continuously because of the difficulty of getting the car home. I don’t own a car trailer, but I have spent time looking for one. I have never considered a Motorhome to solve my transporting issues.

This 1975 GMC Motorhome has been converted into a car hauler. Any passerby will have no idea that you have a vehicle stored inside. The GMC has undergone quite the conversion. The interior of the Motorhome was stripped out. The rear axles were widened to take the wheel wells out of the rear compartment and covered with some sweet flare action outside. The floor was removed and replaced with marine-grade plywood and an E-track tie-down system for securing the vehicles.

What stayed

An Oldsmobile 455ci V8 powers the Motorhome. This is the same engine that is found in the contemporary Olds Toronado. The engine is mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic 425 transmission. Both factory brown velour driver’s and front passenger’s seats have also stayed in place. There is some of the original carpet on the walls near the forward part of the cabin. One of the original upper cabinets still hangs above the vehicle area, possibly to hold the tie-down straps.

1975 gmc stealth car hauler

Load them up

The rear loading area measures 210″ long by 78″ wide between the wheel wells and is 75″ tall through the back door. A 2020 Kia Telluride would fit in the rear vehicle area. The Kia’s 78″ width number is the only one that is stressing the interior dimensions. However, the internal dimensions are close to fitting two 2016 Smart Fortwo’s nose to tail. They are 212″ total in length.

The best RV

I have always enjoyed this vintage of GMC Motorhomes. Mainly because of watching Stripes, but I also thought they had a great look to them while still being a reasonable length.

Therefore I would 100% be getting estimates for what it would take to paint it the same as the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle in Stripes. I hope someone else gets a great deal on this 1975 GMC. Moreover, has anyone seen an update from Speedycop and his GMC RV?

About

Christopher Tracy

Christopher Tracy

Chris works in marketing by day and writes offroad automotive pieces by night. Chris is the producer/cohost of the Off The Road Again Podcast. A dad trying to get his kids outside more. IG: @overlandingdad.

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21 responses to “Is this the best stealth car transporter?”

  1. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmiro.medium.com%2Fmax%2F1038%2F1%2AXjSNFDrZcQxpU8aG_bWVmA.jpeg&sp=1588801668T3dc9f43e0fc96f31e79a1256942288f8ce61828bc3cf1988dbe7d081574259af

    Reply
  2. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Oh boy, half the video is waiting for the rear to open up, an exercise in patience. Then it doesn’t show how he gets out of the Jaguar. Through the window?

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Yes. Note also that the door in the middle of the passenger side is the only way in or out of the GMC when the rear hatch is shut, so it helps to be thin if a car is in the way.

      But the seller is the guy who built Robosaurus, so he could always rip the roof off.
      http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/local/they-ve-created-a-monster-on-purpose/article_3cee5f2f-889a-5883-b02c-bbe05893736b.html

      Reply
  3. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    It’s a clever use of the GM motor home’s design since the original design has a large removable panel between the tail lights and the the interior components were installed by sliding them in from the rear..I’m a little surprised the conversion didn’t just use the existing rear panel but I guess he needed the width.

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      With the frame inside I’m not sure he would have gained much either but maybe it makes all the difference.

      My toy cars are small enough to fit in some vans (just over 5′ wide), plus the Car Camel has always stuck in my mind. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/245aae14c9a56c51a848c575224e488ebf59a51741edd5872f64fce3cb75c656.jpg

      Reply
  4. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmiro.medium.com%2Fmax%2F1038%2F1%2AXjSNFDrZcQxpU8aG_bWVmA.jpeg&sp=1588801668T3dc9f43e0fc96f31e79a1256942288f8ce61828bc3cf1988dbe7d081574259af

    Reply
  5. gord Avatar
    gord

    and all based on this
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d8cc58aa2fc77bd0de7eb9654d1cdeecd4b6b176c3486990ab9fdca3d1b5f47e.jpg

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Photo-by-Neil-Fraser-for-RM-Auctions.jpg
      https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alan-Mann-Ford-GTs-on-transporter-.jpg

      Reply
    2. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Tommy-Ivo-Dodge-truck-.jpg

      Reply
      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        Biggest truck ever with a small van cabin?

        Reply
        1. 0A5599 Avatar
          0A5599

          The Dodge L600 and L700 used a cab similar to the A100. As far as measuring the size of the truck, do you count the trailer portion?

          https://live.staticflickr.com/1401/5120879863_e4c72e2c51_k.jpg

          Reply
          1. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            Ivo also had a tandem axle version of the truck (perhaps added a lazy axle rather than a new truck?)

          2. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            The picture above shows the tandem axle. The single axle wasn’t enough to carry the load, so the extra was added late in the construction process. Same truck.

            http://www.tommyivo.com/_PagesIndivid-31/8-AllOthers-1%205glassT.html

          3. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            Oops shows what happens when you respond via notifications later…

            Bigger truck then – more axles, semi trailer doesn’t count. 😉

    3. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Mmm..Lesney era superkings.

      Reply
  6. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    It wouldn’t have helped me with my ’66 Mercury Monterey, which was 220.4″ long and 79.4″ wide. I realize most cars aren’t that big these days, but who the hell needs to haul a brand new Kia, anyway? Fly out, drive home.

    https://live.staticflickr.com/7925/40548864963_f4e26bccae_k.jpg

    Reply
    1. Christopher Tracy Avatar
      Christopher Tracy

      It was the biggest vehicle that I could find that would fit. Hopefully no one is having to tow a Telluride.

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Apologies– my comment sounded kind of harsh upon re-reading. For a mental “visual” of the size, the Kia is a perfectly useful reference to the reader. My point was that many people transport older classics (not newer vehicles), and some of those can be pretty large.

        Reply
        1. Christopher Tracy Avatar
          Christopher Tracy

          Agreed. I lack knowledge when it comes to more popular classics. Plus the Telluride let me link to another post. Trying to keep that SEO mojo going.;)

          Reply
          1. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            For future reference, don’t include the 1966 Mercury Monterey as a “popular classic” if you want to be taken seriously. I’ve never met anyone else that’s owned one (other than the guy from whom I bought it, and the guy to whom I sold it). Its Ford Galaxie sibling was more popular by a huge margin (though similarly sized). I loved the big Merc, but it wouldn’t fit in our garage when we moved to Ohio.

  7. Manxman Avatar
    Manxman

    I know I should like it, but I would rather upgrade the motor home, turbo the V8, and tow the race car. A great LeMons car carrier….That’s a fact, Jack!

    Reply