1972 Cheyenne Super Big Block C30 Dually - Beaver RV/motor home

[DeadheadNM]

Obtained this project from an elderly gent in WA - period built motor home from the Beaver Coach Co. Bend, OR built on a 72 C30 Super Chassis w AC and bucket seats and 47k miles. I don't know much about motor homes or big blocks so lots of learning in store. Would appreciate any input.

Thus far It's a little like automotive archaeology - I've found insects and items that predate the bicentennial I'm sure.

Was painted once - can't find bondo nor any rust. Too bad the original paint stripe is now gone. Original covers on the bucket seats.

Vintage shag carpet?!

[DeadheadNM]

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[DeadheadNM]

Motor

[undertaker72]

well pete all I can tell you is I wish it was in my stable , its cleaner than my 71 c30 el rancho , yours is a super and it looks very nice , beaver coach was from bend Oregon , and went defunkt about 2006 sold to monico , here is a Wikipedia link , nice outfit keep in touch kevin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver...ch_Corporation

[flashed]

WOW ,Congrats ,what a nice find .

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by undertaker72

well pete all I can tell you is I wish it was in my stable , its cleaner than my 71 c30 el rancho , yours is a super and it looks very nice , beaver coach was from bend Oregon , and went defunkt about 2006 sold to monico , here is a Wikipedia link , nice outfit keep in touch kevin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver...ch_Corporation

Thanks Kevin! I appreciate the good words and always appreciate your help.

Originally Posted by flashed

WOW ,Congrats ,what a nice find .

Thank you. It's funky no doubt but sold the wife on it - sorta. We'll see how the first outing goes. Finally had some free time so I'm trying to polish it up and figure out what's what.

[DeadheadNM]

I want to say a special thanks to member Praisegeetarman (Keith) who was willing to take the time to inspect this rig for me and who refused any renumeration for his effort. Thanks Keith!

[cooperhw]

That there is one sweet truck/motorhome. Mine was rotted to death when I found it. Very cool.

[redbaron]

Very cool find Pete. Looks like it has center console I'm not familiar with. Can you enlighten me with some more pictures of it?

We all seem to have the same 67-72 disease.

[kcsa75]

That's pretty sweet. Do you have any photos of the interior of the camper?

[SS Tim]

Glad to see this is finally home! Been a long time in the making.

On a motor home probably the best thing to do is start documenting modifications and drawing up schematics for anything added or you think is modified from factory.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks guys.

Posting more pics with console shot for Mike and interior for Willie.

The console is an aftermarket example that just rests atop the carpet. Less the console it's roomy up front.

I've seen one RV where the factory console was rotated 180 degrees - actually seemed like a good way to go as it freed room to allow you to climb in back and allowed use of the set belt holders. Sadly, if this chassis came with a console from GM it's long gone. I have a (new) Hickey steel console I may bolt into place, a nice green OEM console arranged as above would be nice as the female seat belt ends currently just hang loose.

[DeadheadNM]

The interior has several 120v outlets, variously located lights, a heater with a thermostat, sink, stove, propane range top, toilet, and a shower.

The back of the cab was really carved away by the folks at Beaver, much more so than other manufacturers - would be very tough I suspect to patch if you wanted to do a flat bed conversion. The upside though is the bed in the cabover section telescopes to allow really nice view/access to the back from the cab. The cabover rests atop the exterior of the cab - you can see the sheet metal "pads" where the marker lights would otherwise be located.

The mattress in the cab over section will fold flush - not shown in the pic below secondary to an extra piece of foam and all the blankets.

[DeadheadNM]

Lots of cupboard space. There are two additional pull-out beds: one that replaces the table area and another where the "couch" is located along the wall with the door.

[DeadheadNM]

A nice stack of paperwork was included - the Chevy owners manual looks as if it were never opened.

I picked up a windshield shade to protect the interior - it was fairly inexpensive, fits well, covers the cowl, and is held in place by pockets at the top door corners and magnets below.

[redbaron]

You know Pete, with the retro camper thing becoming a hot new trend there is a lot of possibilities to be had with your new ride.

Sounds like fun to me!!!

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

The interior has several 120v outlets, variously located lights, a heater with a thermostat, sink, stove, propane range top, toilet, and a shower.

The back of the cab was really carved away by the folks at Beaver, much more so than other manufacturers - would be very tough I suspect to patch if you wanted to do a flat bed conversion. The upside though is the bed in the cabover section telescopes to allow really nice view/access to the back from the cab. The cabover rests atop the exterior of the cab - you can see the sheet metal "pads" where the marker lights would otherwise be located.

The mattress in the cab over section will fold flush - not shown in the pic below secondary to an extra piece of foam and all the blankets.

Not hard to patch the cab. Open Road built mine and hacked the snot out of it. I just found another cab and cut the roof and back of the donor off and welded it onto my cab. One weekend off and back on.
Now don't get me wrong as I am not suggesting you do this to your truck. I think it deserves to be saved. But since you brought up the question I just wanted to show you that it is doable.

[Hart_Rod]

Nice truck Pete!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by redbaron

You know Pete, with the retro camper thing becoming a hot new trend there is a lot of possibilities to be had with your new ride.

Sounds like fun to me!!!

Thanks again Mike!

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Not hard to patch the cab. Open Road built mine and hacked the snot out of it. I just found another cab and cut the roof and back of the donor off and welded it onto my cab. One weekend off and back on.
Now don't get me wrong as I am not suggesting you do this to your truck. I think it deserves to be saved. But since you brought up the question I just wanted to show you that it is doable.

Thanks Wayne. I've followed your Homer build in awe. Didn't recall that you had replaced that much of the cab so glad you posted those pics. You are bad - now I'm considering a host of possibilities all of which will drain my bank account and in the end may require me living in a motor home when the boss kicks me out.

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Nice truck Pete!

Thanks Rob! Glad to have you aboard.

[trac209]

That truck is super nice and the camper section looks equally nice.

[mx289]

Congrats on the new addition Pete.

[IronCanine]

Whatever happens here...I want a front row seat for it. Sorry it took me this long to find it.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks guys - I'll post some updated pics soon.

I did have the rear axle seals replaced together with the brake shoes - a local parts store had both in stock for the HO72 axle to my great surprise. The old shoes weren't terribly worn but who knows if the shoes will be available in a few years time.

The RV world is totally new to me. I'm surprised that some of the little things like rubber and vinyl trim and marker lenses are still available.

[ls1nova71]

Cool camper! Didn't know you had this until I saw it in the TOTM contest. Am I the only one who wants to know how nice the steering wheel is under that cover?

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks!! I'll post some wheel pics soon. It's REALLY well preserved, lots of grain and a nice shine. I like those old school wheel covers.