GMC Motorhome Art
This page displays some screen images and brief descriptions of work done as a long-time user of Adobe Illustrator.As the newsletter editor and webmaster for GMC Eastern States I’ve created several illustrations based on the GMC’s classic motorhome as well as other artwork to enhance the quarterly newsletter and club’s website. Seldom do I use graphics from other sources. The first two images below are samples of the motorhome artwork Byron developed for a presentation by Topeka Graphics at the Fall 2009 rally in Elkhart.
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The GMC MotorHome (frame, drivetrain, engine, and body developed by the GMC truck division) was produced from 1973 to 1978. During that period several models were made in the 23-foot and 26-foot lengths. In the early years the model names referred to color combinations and interior trim. In the later years of production other model names came into being that were also linked to interior design and treatment as GMC tried to create a more upscale line while maintaining entry level models. In the last year of production Coachman Industries took over completing the interiors while GMC just built the chassis and body (no upfitting).
Custom Design
Below is an image of a design I created for Ray and Lisa Erspamer. The design of the coach and trailer were done at the request of the owner to "get away from the straight lines". Since Ray and Lisa haul their motorcycles when they travel, repainting of the trailer also seemed appropriate. The custom design was carried out well by Larry Bontrager of Topeka Graphics in Indiana.
Recently I received a request to do a design reminiscent of the ’49-’51 "Woody Wagon" produced by Ford Motor Company. That meant a bit of research though I do remember riding in a 1951 wagon when my dad was a Junior Legion Baseball coach. In the process of looking for information I checked the look that GM did of the style. Of course, their treatment was quite different. Ford held on to showing more wood even though they replaced the real wood with a paint process by 1952. One of the things to decide was how to carry out that look on the GMC. With that in mind I present "Nostalgia: Woody's Return". For this the window surrounds will need a color change to compliment the framing of the simulated wood planking. Note also that I put a model name near the kitchen window of the 23-foot coach. This wasn't the typical location used on the GMC. By the way, a restored woody is valued at about $220,000 today.
Contact me if you're interested in a custom design or have ideas that you'd like to see rendered.
Photorealism
In late 2010 I decided to delve into the realm of producing photo-realistic images in Illustrator. Much more time is taken to provide this type of rendering but, I hope you'll agree, it is carried out quite well as can be seen in the image below. Images of this quality may be used effectively for stationery and calling cards.
I've also toyed around with other views beyond the others listed at the top of this webpage or the one immediately above. Many different views and levels of detail can be obtained. All it takes is my time and your money.
Contact me if you have any questions, desire high-quality images of a paint design (yours or mine) or to have a mockup of your coach created. Again, these high-quality images are suitable creating business cards and other print purposes. Since great time and effort has gone into producing these graphics, a small fee will be assessed when ordering a scalable graphic of your GMC coach.
Naming Decals
Now that these classics are more than 30 years of age, many have been repainted and are seeing continued use and enhancement. For those that want a piece of history, I’m offering renderings of the model names in the graphic style of the originals. All artwork was done in Adobe Illustrator CS4 with photos as templates submitted by a variety of owners. Low resolution versions of the graphics are displayed here. High resolution and scalable versions are available from Byron Songer. By acquiring a scalable graphic, owners may take the computer files to a vinyl sign maker and have decals made to replace the originals on a repainted coach. Of course, if you prefer, you can also grab the graphics on this web page and use them to create your own GMC-based stationery.
The GMC logo, as it appeared in 1973 and 1974 was a decal. In later years the logo was done in chrome-plated plastic lettering.
Also in 1973 and 1974, GMC designated the different models as 230 and 260 indicating the length of the coach. A 290 was designed but never came to market. These numbers also appeared as decals with the background color showing through.
Model names were displayed under the driver and passenger windows (with some units having names on the front and rear as smaller decals). GMC used a unique typeface. The shapes are similar but different from the Palatino typeface. Lending to a decorative appeal, swashes, on some characters, are used instead of the standard serifs. Swashes alter the basic letter form to give an artistic flair. Of the lettering I’ve seen, the placement of the Glacier moniker was probably more unique in that it was placed under the driver/passenger windows next to the large window.
Contact me for more information or to receive a scalable graphic that can be used in rendering a vinyl decal for your restoration project.