Cheap Chieftain: 1976 Winnebago Chieftain
By mid-June, most of us who live in the northern climates have typically gotten over our winter cabin fever long before now, but this year has been more than a little unusual. As if I even had to say that. Since Barn Finds is about showing vintage vehicles, we bring you this 1976 Winnebago Chieftain. This bicentennial year retro RV can be found here on eBay in Corpus Christi, Texas. There is a single bid of $4,500 and the seller has a $5,900 buy-it-now price listed. For $1,400 I’d hit that button ASAP if I were a bidder.
Those of you who don’t live with several months of freezing weather every winter may not know what it’s like to be stuck indoors for months at a time, wishing that you could go out and enjoy nice weather. Although, if you live where it’s 100 degrees in the summer, you may be indoors waiting for winter months in order to be able to go outside and enjoy the weather. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective and location.
The seller has this Winnebago Chieftain listed as a 23-foot model but I believe that it’s a 26-foot, a D-26RK, to be exact. It would just fit into one of my 10×30 storage units… hmm… It has a single lounge chair behind the passenger seat and a long bench-type seating area behind the driver’s seat which is a telltale sign of the RK, or rear kitchen model. It also appears to be the classic 1970s Citrus color interior, it doesn’t get any better than that! There was also an Aztec color interior, a classic 70s burnt-orange, but give me lime green every time. Look at the fun you’ll have! Fondue, it doesn’t get much better than that!
NADA lists a low retail value of $8,550 so this could end up being a good deal. Does it need work? Of course, every vehicle needs work and maintenance to keep it working as it should. The seller talks about buying this Chieftain in Kingsville, TX where it had sat for two years and they drove it 42 miles back to Corpus Christi a few weeks ago, and they realized that it needed work. Since then, the hoses have been changed, as well as the belts, the plugs and wires, fuel pump and fuel filter, the carb was was “tuned” and a valve cover gasket was replaced. They say that there are no leaks but it had been leaking previously. Speaking of.. well.. yes, there is a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower.
There are no engine photos but it’s a 440 cubic-inch Dodge V8 which should provide enough power, and there are always upgrades that an owner can do to wring more horsepower and MPG out of a vintage RV. It starts, runs, and stops very well, and other than a slight exhaust leak from one of the manifolds, the seller says that they wouldn’t hesitate to jump in it and drive it across the country. I would live with the interior “decor” for a while, upgrading the appliances as needed, and just have fun with it. A generator is a handy touch. Have any of you owned a 1970s motorhome?
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Comments
Floor has been replaced with laminate. Hopefully that is because they replaced the floor from leaks that happened previously. Water leakage from the roof is the killer of RV’s. While repairable, it’s never quick or easy, especially if you have to replace any interior paneling.
Curious how the generator is hooked up. That’s not an easy configuration to retrofit into an RV that wasn’t designed for it originally.
These are rough and tough rigs. Many RV parks won’t allow you to bring in such an older unit, but they are ideal for bombing around for fun. Can be decent tow vehicles too for your toys.
Age restrictions in the RV parks? Thats good to know!
Its also sickening!
Age restrictions for the owner/driver or RV? Just kidding, these always remind me of the Blues Brothers movie.
THAT, was freakin’ hilarious ( caution, strong language). I wonder how many “takes ” they did for that scene? I love Akroyds face when they get passed by the motorhome. “I think we have a problem here”. I don’t think it was a Winnegago, tho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq2FTWPYpqw
That’s interesting that RV parks don’t allow older motorhomes. Does that apply to high-dollar GMC renovations too? I guess I get it. Most older motorhomes I have seen in recent years have been used as permanent homes by Californians.
I have one very similar to this.yes some rv parks have a 10 year rule.I ask if I can send photos of mine, never been turned away at even high end resort s.
I worked on Winnebago motor homes in the early 70s in Phoenix. The generator compartment is in all models, whether or not one was installed. So installing one after the sale was easy. The smaller units like an 18 ft would only hold a 2.5KW generator, which was noisy and vibrated. The bigger units could take the 2.5KW or 4.0KW. The 4.0 was hardly noticed. The bigger units that could have 2 roof airs NEEDED the 4.0KW generator. One problem that was encountered was the sandwiched walls and roof. They were paneling/styrofoam/sheet-metal laminated and pressed together. The sheet metal would get bubbles. The fix was to take out the windows and other items that stick out, peel the sheet metal off without kinking it, then re-glue it (with contact cement). Then reassemble everything and re-caulk everything. Very expensive. Our dealership did one. The rest were shipped to the factory in Iowa.
I bought one of these back in the 90’s who ever ends up with it better check the straps that hold the fuel tanks on ( and the gas for the stove) I had one break and drop a 40 gal fuel tank on the road ahead of the rear wheels..
Does that explain the age restriction?
Somebody swap a Hellephant in and challenge the Ringbrothers’ turbo LS Winnebago!
My parents 1st motorhome after the travel trailers, was a Winnebago similar to this, a bit older. Before the “Ultimate Behemoths” of today, this was the universal motorhome. They were relatively inexpensive, eliminated pulling that dang trailer around, and all the hassles THAT involved, and if you could afford the fuel, they helped thousands enjoy the great outdoors. Even grandma could drive one. Today, motorhomes have morphed into these mobile apartments, that look like a PITA to get around, and have amenities most of us will never see in our homes and darn near require a CDL to drive one. People today go to campgrounds, open the “slideouts”, fire up the screen, and never go outside. IDK, the camper for us was always just a place to sleep and eat, or wait out the rain, it was the destination we left home for and what that offered. Single bid of $4,500? Mmm-hmm, sounds like the only bid is the seller. Half that, it would be gone and let the fun begin.
The first thing you start with here is the roof. And it looks sketchy. I’d climb up there and be looking for soft spots, and you’re almost sure to find them. That looks like an EPDS rubber roof with a bunch of patches. The hidden water damage in these can be extensive. Mold, mildew, you name it.
It all can be fixed, but has to be accounted for. Often you just gut it and start over.
I’m going to pass. No cup holders or charging ports. LOL.
That is hilarious. Also no backup camera, XM radio, Blue tooth, remote start, auto park, catalytic converter, N ox sensor, 2 speed rear end,
Would make a nice summer camp if you have a place to park it.
Thank you all for educating me about the nature of (esp) ancient RVs. I’ve been a hee-ing and a haw-ing about getting one someday. Now I’m getting a little bit of an idea of what to expect, especially about RV park age restrictions. But then again, if geriatric RVs have a problem of gas tanks falling off, no wonder!
Marshall,never heard of gas tanks falling off.Been driving mine 18 years,no major issues.
I had a seventy model Winnie like this one back in the seventies when my two boys were young. We made several trips in it and enjoyed it while we had it. Mine also had a 440 Chrysler engine and got 7 mpg. It had two 30 gal tanks. We took a three week trip in it in the early eighties and I kept a log of expenses. I found that log a few years back and saw where I put 50 gallons of gas in it for $19.50. I sold it in 1985 when we bought a house with a yard that didn’t have room to park it. I enjoyed it but never want another one.
I bought a 74 Pace Arrow in 94. Drove it to Florida from Pennsylvania. But first lost the brakes on the way home from the seller, a service station. I returned it, got new brake cylinders all around. Lost the master cylinder on the way home. Got that fixed. Loaded and left for Florida. In Florida front ire blew out. Got help from passerby and a giant tow truck. Passerby followed me 100 miles to a tire dealer to get new. Floor under my wife had also disappeared with the blowout. Oh, and first night out in a park a rain storm came up and pooled water on the rollout awning, then pulled the skin off the side. In Florida at a state park it wouldn’t start but a neighbor had the ignition parts I needed. Later, in Ohio, it started running terribly. Turned out there was a fuel filter that had never been addressed under the wheel well. It was one of the ugliest RVs I ever saw but it was fun. Green interior. Leaking exhaust Manifold 440. Oman, twin roof AC. Slept a whole Girl Scout troop.
If there is anything that gives me the willies is ANYTHING from the Seventies……from the avocado refrigerator to the interior of this Winnie to the leisure suit on the average car salesman. Makes me want to puke.
OK I feel better now
I’m the opposite. I only want things from the seventies, with the exception of a computer and cell phone. You mentioned all the things I love. I hate it when people buy these old vehicles and renovate them with a bland modern interior.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, alright then! I purchased a ’76 Winnie Chieftain several months ago, local purchase. Brand new EVERYTHING regarding brakes, rotors, calipers rebuilt (BEPCO in Winston-Salem, NC) lines, pads, etc. Vintage, I love it, don’t care that there aren’t any of today’s upgrades with it. Don’t need the back-up cam, Sirius, etc. I installed two USB ports and we have a small flat screen just behind the passenger seat mounted near the top. 454 runs like a champ; bought the highest rated high-end wires I could find and $200 worth of lithium plugs. 55k miles. Paid $1k for it. New roof, Pergo in the passageways, new foam for beds, vintage 70’s floral pattern….SWAG. People think I’m Breaking Bad. lol I do appreciate the comments re any of the issues you all had and I am definitely going to check on those fuel tank straps for serviceability. Getting ready to undercoat the entire thing. The best fun and reward thus far (outside of the thing actually starting) was using some polishing compound and wax to take away the oxidation on the original paint job and see the shine again. BONUS. Any advice (other than throwing a grenade at it appreciated) I have never heard of “aged” RV’s turned away at parks, so this is a bit worrisome and will require some research.
I meant to type 440 engine; workin’ on another vehicle that has a 454. Apologies for the mistype.