History
This 23' Classic GMC, manufactured as a "transmode" in Tennessee,
was originally outfitted and sold by Coachman. We purchased it fom its
original owner in 1988 with 113,000 miles on
the original 455 engine.
TZE 336V101132
T= manufactured by General Motors
Z= three axel motorhome
E= Gasoline engine
3= Transmode (sold origninally without windows or interior)
3= Model 230 ( 23 ft)
6= Model year: 1976
V= Plant code: Pontiac, MI
1= First digit Production Series
0= Second digit Production Series (all GMC motorhomes have this as a second digit)
132= Production Sequence Number
The coach was running condition, but a
cursory inspection at the time revealed that maintanance and repairs
done in past years were of questionable quality. Thus a complete
overall, including the 455 engine, was performed a month after the
purchase. The interior was also redone in more contemporary colors
shortly there after,
though the exterior with its original white paint was left as is for
the time being.
We preferred then - and still do - the smaller 23' GMC coach because
of its maneuverability and the fact it can generally be squeezed
into the average sized parking space. (IE, a Ford Crew Cab 8' box
Pickup is 22.2 ft long!)
As a transmode this GMC was one of many that Coachman purchased, outfitted, and sold into the RV market. Coachman offered the 23' GMC in only
two interior designs:
a side bath and a rear bath configuration, both called the "Birchaven".
Our GMC was of the latter design. We replaced the rear bed with a
davo couch that converted into two bunks to accomodate our then two
children. Once
both kids on were on their own we refurbished the interior,
trading the bunks for a larger sofa bed...
The coach traveled to Cooperative Motor Works, Orlando in year 2000 (for a new
paint job and interior work) and again in 2018 (for FiTech and
new interior work), but on this site you can see some
of the projects undertaken before that first trip to Orlando. Pictures are also available from the
exterior painting project...