#VINTAGE/HOTWHEELS: Tiny GMC Motorhome Is a Classic Hot Wheels Casting; You Can Still Get One

BY Dragos Chitulescu—If you’re dreaming of owning a motorhome one day but can afford one just yet, we’ve got a budget-friendly alternative for you. Sure, it will only be good for display purposes, but it might help you find the patience and determination to go out there and buy a real one soon.

NOTE: This article contains Amazon.com affiliate links. If you buy any product featured here, we may earn an affiliate commission but at no extra cost to you.


Back in the 1970s, a Hot Wheels designer by the name of Bob Rosas got in touch with the GMC management to discuss an interesting idea. Hot Wheels was planning on building a model replica of the GMC Motorhome, and Bob would be working with Larry Wood to bring it to life. 

Corporate management said yes, and asked for a limited edition of gold-plated models to give away as gifts to several people. You won’t just come across these valuable items on eBay, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying.

About a year ago, a user on a Reddit Hot Wheels subforum posted a photo of the gold-plated item, mentioning that his grandmother had received it as a gift back in the day. When that happened, she was the president of a GMC Motorhome club. 

But you can console yourself with the thought that there are plenty of other variations for this casting out there. In fact, between 1977 to 2014, Mattel released just under 40 different takes on this machine. 

If you’re familiar with GMC‘s model, you might notice the fact that Rosas had to shorten it by about 10 feet to maintain the scale at Hot Wheels size. But that’s not going to make this item any less desirable. 

Looking for it on eBay, you’ll find hundreds of listings. Some of these motorhomes are still featured in their original blister, which means they’re brand new once you open them up. Others weren’t as fortunate, but you can always restore them to their original glory with a bit of time and some basic skills. 

GMC Motorhome Model Restoration

There’s a link below that should give you an idea of what it is you need to do to get it done. One of the most expensive items you’ll find on eBay will set you back $400, while some of the cheapest will only cost a few bucks.

If you’re trying to find some of the rarer models, we would suggest looking for the 2005 RLC sELECTIONs Motorhome in Spectraflame Blue. Mattel only produced 9,282 units for that model, but you can still find it for as cheap as $30

There’s even a Treasure Hunt version in Metalflake Silver, which you can buy for about $30. This came out back in 2009, and it seems that there were two slightly different options: one had regular wheels, and the other used Real Riders rims!

This wouldn’t be the last time Mattel delivered this product with Real Riders wheels. History would repeat itself in 2012 with the occasion of the Nostalgia: Atari set. The GMC replica model was featured in a dark shade of Metalflake Blue, with Atari logos on the side. This might just be one of the Top 5 variants available, and we even found one for $40.

In 2013, this vehicle was part of the Pop Culture: King Features Syndicate alongside other castings such as the Volkswagen T-1 Drag Bus, the 1956 Chevy Nomad Delivery, and the fictional Haulin’ Gas. The model was finished in Dark Olive Green. And the livery referenced Beetle Bailey, an American comic strip that was created by Mort Walker.

The last time we saw this classic Hot Wheels casting, Barack Obama was still President of the United States of America. It was part of the Hot Wheels Entertainment: Stripes series and featured a nice shade of Beige and Green with an interior design that revealed quite a few details. The guys over at Lamley Group reviewed this model back when it came out, and it’s certainly one to get for your diecast display at home.

This might just be the start of a new collection for both you and us. Getting all the variations of the Hot Wheels GMC Motorhome might ultimately cost a few thousand dollars, but you can always stick to the more affordable options. 

Now, we have no clue as to why Mattel hasn’t brought back this casting yet, but we hope that the 2023 mainline series will address that issue one way or another. Otherwise, we’re stuck with the cartoonish model that goes by the name of RV There Yet. Even though this was launched in 2020, we haven’t seen it that often so far.

(Source: Autoevolution. No copyright infringement intended.)


About the GMC Motorhome

Built by General Motors using automobile assembly techniques, 12,921 GMC motorhomes were produced from model years 1973 to 1978. Over 7,000 are currently listed at the GMCMI.com international registry. Estimates suggest that at least 8,000 to 9,000 of the original production run are still in operating condition.

GMC Motorhomes International

GMC Motorhomes International is an organization dedicated to promoting the legacy, enjoyment and use of GMC Motorhomes. Our goal is to provide fellowship and technical information through continuous improvement of communications and conventions. Visit the GMCMI website to find out more.

GMC Motorhome Owner Group

GMCMI Regional Chapters – FMCA Chapters

GMC Cascaders
Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia & Alberta (Canada)
Website: www.gmc-cascaders.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMCCascaders/


GMC Classics
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
Website: www.gmcclassics.com
Facebook (closed group): www.facebook.com/groups/gmcclassicsclub/


GMC Colonial Travelers
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland & SE New York
Website: www.gmccolonial.com


GMC Dixielanders
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and the Western Carolinas
Website: www.gmcdixielanders.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMC-Dixielanders-610910142357001/?fref=ts
Facebook (closed group): www.facebook.com/groups/751435414991402/


GMC Eastern States
The Mississippi River and east in the United States and Canada
Website: www.gmceast.com


GMC Flatlanders
Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado
Randy Van Winkle | 417-429-5925
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/884368598352256/


GMC Forty-Niners
Northern California & Northwest Nevada
Club Email: [email protected]


GMC Great Lakers
All States & Canada Provinces touching the Great Lakes
Website: www.gmcgreatlakers.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182402062678966/


GMC Greater Midwest Classics
Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Manitoba and Ontario
Website: www.gmcmidwestclassics.org


GMC Heritage Cruisers
Covering Parts of Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, & West Virginia
Website: www.gmcheritagecruisers.com


GMC Mountainaires
500 mile radius of Denver, CO
Website: www.gmc-mountainaires.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMCMountainaires/


GMC Nor’easters
Northeastern portion of the United States and neighboring Canadian provinces
Website: www.gmcnoreasters.org


GMC Pacific Cruisers
Southern California (Los Angeles to San Ysidro)
Website: www.gmcpc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452658788228404/


GMC Saguaro Jetset
Arizona
Website: www.gmcsj.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmcsj/


GMC 6 Wheelers
Illinois and surrounding states
Affiliations required for membership: none
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  http://www.gmc6wheelers.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/gmc6wheelers


GMC Sunshine Statesmen
Florida
Website: www.gmcss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMC-Sunshine-Statesmen-703965912957918/


GMC Tidewater Crabs
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia & District of Columbia
Club Email: [email protected]
Website: 
www.gmctidewatercrabs.com
Closed Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141736789738596/


GMC Western States
Mainly drawn from the 11 western states and 3 western provinces of Canada.
Website: www.gmcws.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMC-Western-States-426459820808296/?fref=nf


Other GMC Groups

Aussie Classic GMC Motorhomes
Australia
Gail Bennett | Coordinator | [email protected]
Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/groups/369935933206436/


GMC Motorhome Tulsa Lunch Bunch
Join us for lunch and friendship. Every first Friday of the month. Golden Corral 71st and Mingo, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Newcomers welcome!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMC-Motorhome-Tulsa-753600574784610/


#Watch More

Follow our GMC Motorhome owner series on our YouTube channel.

Are you a GMC Motorhome owner? Use our contact form to let us know you’d be interested in having your coach featured in the future. While you there, don’t forget to subscribe to our occasional email newsletter featuring news, competitions and giveaways, and RV owner-submitted photos and videos of their vehicles.