At the Spring 2010 rally in King City we announced that the club would pay entrance fees for GMC coaches if members entered them in local car shows. The purpose was to spread the word about the GMC and to introduce it to "car people" who would very likely be prime candidates for Classic GMC Motorhome ownership.
Last Sunday, May 27th, three of our members - they are also members of the GMC Pacific Cruisers - entered their coaches in the 47th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show and had a blast. Below are their comments and photos:
Audree Rowe:
"On Memorial Day week-end Ed and Eileen Staal, Phil and Joanne Hernandez, and Jim and Audree Rowe took Armand up on his offer to pay the entry fee for anyone who would take their GMC motorhome to a car show and display it. The purpose was to get some exposure for the GMC marque and have an opportunity to talk to people who are possibly considering buying a coach but never thought of buying a GMC. And the car show people, who appreciate looks and performance in a vehicle, plus possibly have some hands-on experience and ability, makes them an ideal population to own a GMC. The show we participated in is a large, established one; 2012 was their 47th consecutive annual event and they had over 400 entries along with vendor and food booths and a swap-meet. They had classics, hot-rods, customs, you name it, but the three GMC motorhomes stole the show.
Our three coaches were parked together at the far end of the grass covered field, and we set up information tables covered with everything GMC we could think of, so that people could get the idea that these coaches are supportable, viable, and just plain fun to own. We don’t know how many people attended the free-to- the -public event but it was a lot; probably well over 1000 and a significant portion of them visited our information table, went through our coaches, and took away a great impression of the GMC motorhome.
Hundreds of visitors toured our coaches; we were so busy talking we never had time to stop for lunch. It was so much fun hearing people say, “We always wanted one of these” or “My grandparents had one and took us everywhere” or getting to introduce the GMC to some people for the first time. We had business size cards on the table that said “So you want to learn more about the GMC motorhome”. The cards have some on-line websites listed and many people asked if they might take one. For those that we felt were seriously interested in finding out more or finding a coach for sale, we handed them a brochure about the coach, full of pictures and information. It was fun to point out to “car guys” that the GMC is the current land speed record holder for a motorhome. One couple told us that they were actively looking for a Lazy Daze Class C, but seeing the coaches and talking to us made them definitely want to start looking for a GMC. They got our personal card so they can call Jim if they have any further questions about the GMC.
Only time will tell if our out-reach program yields any new GMC buyers but it certainly can’t hurt. The car show manager came over at the end of the show to comment on how interesting it was to have us there and urging us to come back. We really started something. Take your coach to a car show in your area and display it. You’ll have a fun and interesting day and you might just help sell some GMCs to a new generation of buyers and keep our amazing coaches rolling for another 30 years."
Eileen Staal:
"After reading Audree’s review of the Car Show, there wasn’t much that we could add to her report. I thought that we might be sitting all day so I took a book to read. I never even got the opportunity to even open the book.
The people that toured all of our motorhomes were very impressed. It was nice that all three of our interiors were different. It gave an example of what could be done to the interior if they purchased a GMC at a later date The kids were especially surprised. One boy must have come into our motorhome at least 9 times. That may be one of our future owners of a GMC. He may convince his parents that they need to buy one also.
Thank you for encouraging us to participate. Hopefully, many of our members will plan to show their GMC in their local community.
Sincerely,
Ed & Eileen Staal"
