Restoring Big Red - 1973 RT headed to RV Hall of Fame

[markopolo]

Spotted this on Facebook and copied here for everyone who doesn't have access to FB.

Great project

Originally Posted by Jim Hammill

A few photos from the restoration file on Big Red, the 1973 Roadtrek we are restoring. We began with the mechanical side, with the engine, transmission, all the HVAC, the dog house, the dashboard, all the brakes, all the steering, all the exhaust, all the gas lines, basically everything mechanical and electrical have been removed, catalogued, photographed and shelved in a special area of the mezzanine. Last week, the under-body was ice blasted with dry ice. The engine has been completely rebuilt, top and bottom, and the transmission also rebuilt. They were in remarkable condition, but they still needed some work to make them new again. Our guys were rebuilding the rear differential last I saw on Friday. Next week to the body shop for a complete undercoat. We had to do this complete restoration without separating the body from the frame because this van was a complete unibody, with hundreds and hundreds of welds holding the body to the frame. Not one body mount or bolt could be found. After next week, the RV dis-assembly, and then to the body shop for complete body restoration using metal. However, I would point out that there is almost no areas needing major restoration. The only exception to that is the area inside the engine compartment under the auto battery. It is rusted out, probably from acid overflow on the battery. I will post more over the next few weeks. This van will be completed by Jan 31rst, and we are going to donate it to the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart Indiana, where the chairman assures me that a place of honour out front is waiting. This is very important to us here at Roadtrek. We want it perfect. Dozens of our employees have worked on this unit, and by the time it is done, all of us will have worked on it.

Originally Posted by Jim Hammill

Big challenges - glass replacement. We need to remove it and put back with new seals after body work. Roof removal. Drip rail is a bit rusty and it is like concrete getting the roof off. But, this one is my personal project. I will remove the roof and make it perfect before putting back on. Of course, it will take about twenty of us to lift it, and it is a serious weight, once I get the glue and screws removed.

[markopolo]

A few more photos from Jim:

[Ron J. Moore]

Marko, thanks for sharing. It would be interesting to see spot reports as the myriad projects come together and the restoration completed. This was the era when metal was true metal, and I would think the folks putting them together weren't pushed in the production due to volume sales. Safe travels, Ron

[Photog]

Any more updates on this project?

[markopolo]

I asked Jim for an update. I think they still shutdown for a break at Christmas.
He had posted a few photos of the interior on Facebook about a month ago but I haven't seen any of the restoration work. It has all been stripping it apart so far.







Big Red is going to be a BIG job!

[markopolo]

1973............ I wonder if Big Red is the first camper van Jac Hanemaayer commissioned for himself?



It makes sense that they would have been building on a 1973 chassis.

It is similar to the 1978 Holiday Cruiser from the Cruiser Series of Roadtreks known then as Home & Park Motorhomes.



Holiday Cruiser, Executive Cruiser, Travel Cruiser
http://www.roadtrek.com/_images/brochur ... _years.pdf