1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stoney · 03-13-2012, 03:51 PM

Nice...

**70STOVEBOLT** · 03-13-2012, 04:08 PM

There sure are a lot of these motorhomes in Colorado!

Ah, now I see why! Mitchell built them in CO. Here is a little history on Mitchell motorhomes:

I would like to clear up the history of the Mitchell camper company for those who are interested. The name of the company was Mitchell and Sons because the Mitchell brother’s father started the company. Harry Mitchell Sr. started by building a small camper for himself, and other people wanted Harry to build one for them. The operation grew and in 1961 the company moved from Henderson CO to a larger facility on 64th Ave in Commerce City in 1961.

The sons came to manage the business. Mick (Harry B.) was the CEO and Bud (Charles R.) ran the marketing/ sales. Mitchell and Sons, Inc. built excellent campers and the firm was the largest in the area. They sold factory direct to the customer. The built Truck campers and eventually chassis-mount motor homes, 5th wheels and a small trailer with slide out beds. It may have been the first with slides.

The company survived the oil embargo of 1973. Buy 1976 they had sales outlets in Albuquerque, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and Commerce City. They were the largest RV manufacturer in the US to sell factory direct to the customer. Things were looking good for the business, but disaster struck on March 15th, 1976 when fire broke out at the factory. The damage was severe.
They were able to continue on a more limited basis for a while.

Shortly after the fire, the 1978 oil problems brought huge fuel costs and the market went down hill. They left the RV business about 1980.

71chevy72 · 03-14-2012, 11:38 AM

I love that it is from here I lived in Commerce City when I was a kid an am sure they helped my mom install bunk beds in our chevy van lol
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Lemield · 03-14-2012, 11:41 AM

Mitchell built wonderful campers. My C20 came with a Mitchell 10.5 ft Safari model camper on it. It was HUGE and heavy.

Last ad I saw on Craigslist for the original motorhome in this post was that the guy was parting it out...I do know it was missing some of the good stuff like the original bucket seats......

71chevy72 · 03-14-2012, 11:53 AM

It is still in Cheyenne but no longer has the 350 that was in it or the three on the tree tranny. I thought of making a test trip up there after i do some work on her
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Lemield · 03-14-2012, 12:01 PM

As I recall, the guy is a little bit east of Cheyenne on I-80.

03-13-2012, 03:51 PM	#26
Stoney Farm Truck Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jersey Village, Texas Posts: 547	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome Nice... __________________ 1969 CST/10 1984 K5 Blazer 4x4 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Mike Jersey Village, Tx

03-13-2012, 04:08 PM	#27
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,357	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome There sure are a lot of these motorhomes in Colorado! Ah, now I see why! Mitchell built them in CO. Here is a little history on Mitchell motorhomes: I would like to clear up the history of the Mitchell camper company for those who are interested. The name of the company was Mitchell and Sons because the Mitchell brother’s father started the company. Harry Mitchell Sr. started by building a small camper for himself, and other people wanted Harry to build one for them. The operation grew and in 1961 the company moved from Henderson CO to a larger facility on 64th Ave in Commerce City in 1961. The sons came to manage the business. Mick (Harry B.) was the CEO and Bud (Charles R.) ran the marketing/ sales. Mitchell and Sons, Inc. built excellent campers and the firm was the largest in the area. They sold factory direct to the customer. The built Truck campers and eventually chassis-mount motor homes, 5th wheels and a small trailer with slide out beds. It may have been the first with slides. The company survived the oil embargo of 1973. Buy 1976 they had sales outlets in Albuquerque, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and Commerce City. They were the largest RV manufacturer in the US to sell factory direct to the customer. Things were looking good for the business, but disaster struck on March 15th, 1976 when fire broke out at the factory. The damage was severe. They were able to continue on a more limited basis for a while. Shortly after the fire, the 1978 oil problems brought huge fuel costs and the market went down hill. They left the RV business about 1980. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear Last edited by 70STOVEBOLT; 03-13-2012 at 04:18 PM.

03-14-2012, 11:38 AM	#28
71chevy72 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Golden Colorado Posts: 60	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome I love that it is from here I lived in Commerce City when I was a kid an am sure they helped my mom install bunk beds in our chevy van lol Posted via Mobile Device

03-14-2012, 11:41 AM	#29
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome Mitchell built wonderful campers. My C20 came with a Mitchell 10.5 ft Safari model camper on it. It was HUGE and heavy. Last ad I saw on Craigslist for the original motorhome in this post was that the guy was parting it out...I do know it was missing some of the good stuff like the original bucket seats...... __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

03-14-2012, 11:53 AM	#30
71chevy72 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Golden Colorado Posts: 60	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome It is still in Cheyenne but no longer has the 350 that was in it or the three on the tree tranny. I thought of making a test trip up there after i do some work on her Posted via Mobile Device

03-14-2012, 12:01 PM	#31
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: 1972 chevy c30 mitchell motorhome As I recall, the guy is a little bit east of Cheyenne on I-80. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

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