Birth of Optimo

[slodat]

I bought my house car yesterday - a '72 Winnebago Brave aka 'Optimo'. It is a bit of a time capsule - green and yellow shag carpet, etc.

 

 

I'm refurbishing all of the mechanical and electrical systems in the next few weeks in preparation for my trip to Burningman. Then, off on my adventure in Optimo.

 

I want to put the Autobot or Go Bot logo above the windshield.

 

Here's a couple photos from the ad I found it in.

 

 

[Icehouse]

I still think you need to pull that wooden pole out and install a sturdy brass one :D Especially if you are going to Burningman :D How did the tune up go?

[slodat]

The plugs and wires got it running real well. Drove home without a problem. Now, I'm going through everything. Today - lighting.

[kiznook]

Sweet!

 

I'm with Jeff...brass pole. You might also need a kegerator. You should totally do it up auto-bot style

[banzai510(hainz)]

OPTIMO??

Really I think its SLO MO or SLO MO FO!!!!!!!

[Duke]

Drove home without a problem.

 

Home? You don't need to drive home with that thing.

 

I say paint it crazy and lower it...that would be badass.

[datsun dreamer]

Slodat, that is so cool.... when i was growing up in the 70's i used to see them everywhere now your lucky if you see any and in that condition! good find it hope to see ya fixer up and post more pitcures!

[slodat]

I'm going to systematically go through every system. The first two are ignition and lighting. The cool thing about the old 'Bagos is a lot of the lighting is basic stuff that is available at RV or auto parts stores. I got all of the lights I needed for the exterior as well as the interior lights today. My Baxter's discount really helped. Now, I have a lot of install and troubleshooting to get all the marker lights and such working.

 

I ordered a Pertronix for it. I'm replacing the coil as well and the ignition will be good to go.

 

I have a lot of work to do in the next 6 weeks. It's a really fun rig.

[datzenmike]

Saw one like it, maybe not Winnebago, but with a 440 in it so a Chrysler drive train. Could you order with GM or Ford in it?

[slodat]

From what I have read thus far, in '72 there was the option of a 350 chev. The 413 is a good engine for it. Pulls hills pretty good.

[datzenmike]

The RB (raised block) 413 was in cars from '59 to '65 and that's what I remember about them. It's mentioned in a Beach Boys song and was pretty much gone by the late '60s. But I checked and they were used in heavy duty trucks until '75! What 'da you know! All RB engines were under square and had legendary torque. It is widely rumored that the first production car to perform a 12 second quarter-mile was a 1962 Plymouth running the 413 max wedge engine.

[slodat]

Well, for a 'bread box' this thing climbed some rough hills with ease. From what I've read, as long as I keep the speed to 55 (~2500 - 2800 rpm) I can get 10mpg. This engine reportedly is 265HP and 485 ft/lb @ 2800 rpm.

 

I spent the day going through the lighting system and gathering data off the rig. All in all, it is a pretty sweet example of a '72 'Bago.

[]2eDeYe]

That's so groovy :cool:

[tnip]

any updates slodat?

[doord521]

Nice. Houses on wheels are great. I have an 80 Allegro. Horrible on gas but no hotel rooms to pay for...

[73super]

I bought my house car yesterday - a '72 Winnebago Brave aka 'Optimo'. It is a bit of a time capsule - green and yellow shag carpet, etc.

 

 

That's too cool! :D

[slodat]

Optimo is for sale. I must move him from where he is ASAP. Contact me if interested.

[slodat]

'72 Winnebago Brave. Dodge 413 engine with 727 transmission. ~60k miles. Good bias ply tires all around. All appliances work. Has $400 in new DC power supply/battery charger/conditioner and 30A power service with 50' cable. Good roof top A/C. Fridge, 3 burner stove, combo toilet shower with sink, double bunk bed/lounge in back, double bed above driver, nice generator, dual tank (one needs repair), plumbing is all good. Very cool vintage class A RV.

 

It needs to be towed. The drive line is not bolted in and the radiator is at the shop to be re-cored. The radiator will cost $500 to pick up. So, for $500 above the purchase price and a few hours work, you have a nice running classic RV. I am selling it because it is at a friends house and it must go now. I am working out of state. I am coming home to get it out of his yard Oct 8th. It must go by the 10th.

 

I paid $2000 for it a year ago. I invested another $1500 in the electrical upgrades and transmission rebuild. I was building it up to drive cross country.

 

If it doesn't sell whole, I'll part it out on Thursday, Oct 9th.

 

It has a 0 mile rebuilt transmission. Re-lined e-brake shoes. All internals upgraded by the rebuilder - he runs a transmission rebuild shop. New torque converter. New in box trans cooler. $400

 

413 Big Block Dodge V8 w/60k miles. Complete engine air cleaner to oil pan. As stout of a big block Dodge as you can find. 413 Max Wedge! Holley 4bbl carb, new alternator. Drop it in your hot rod! $400

 

Low run hour Onan generator. Have all tune up parts brand new in box. $300

 

If you want anything off of it. Speak up ASAP. It is going to the scrapper October 8th.

 

 

 

 

[datrod]

That sucks, I was hopin you would have it on the road soon. I had one just like back in the late 80's, Got it from my grandmother. took it on a couple short trips. Kinda like driving a brick.

[sdsurf]

what is the out the door price?

[slodat]

I'll sell it to any Ratsun member for $800. I'm asking $1000 elsewhere. I have a ton of interest in it. We shall see who comes through.

[KFD]

The RB (raised block) 413 was in cars from '59 to '65 and that's what I remember about them. It's mentioned in a Beach Boys song and was pretty much gone by the late '60s. But I checked and they were used in heavy duty trucks until '75! What 'da you know! All RB engines were under square and had legendary torque. It is widely rumored that the first production car to perform a 12 second quarter-mile was a 1962 Plymouth running the 413 max wedge engine.

 

 

Hey Datzen mike, got some trivia for ya, regarding the B-R/B engine line. Everyone and their mother argues that the 361 was the first "B" block motor. Not so! The 350 was the first 'B' motor, available in the '58 Savoy, Plaza, and Furys.

 

A chevy 350 'Bago is something I have never seen. It was probably in the Brave, which I think was the smaller chassis. All the other ones I have seen had 413/440 power. Ya know, that big funny mopar motor with the goofy lookin' valve covers will also bolt in, considering that motor is based on the R/B 426 wedge...

 

...Also the 413 Max Wedge and industrial 413 had a few subtle differences, block wise, increased webbing in the mains (four bolts...HELLO!), thicker bearing journals, and so on...

 

Later

KFD