Is this a Barth. Listing on Ebay for a fully equipted mobile dental office. Under Motors ,other vehicles, everything else. Asking $60,000.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...1c4e755#ht_500wt_977

Id sell mine for $59500.

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
Is this a Barth.

Nope... Not a Barth.

So any idea as what it is?

Monarch Specialized Motor Coach Corporation (1510 Progress Drive, Albion, IN 46701, telephone 800/643-3216, fax 219/636-3491) designs and manufactures specialized vehicles ranging from mobile dental clinics to bookmobiles, computers classrooms and coaches for scientific lab applications. Contact monarch@monarchspecialized.com or visit their web site for more information (www.monarchspecialized.com).

Here is another one of these that was for sale.

1999 Monarch Motor Home

Did he forget to add the price included $50,000 in 24k gold fillings....

For Petes sake Bill, how the heck could you ever know that? I would swear it was a Barth and I own a Texas Department of Weights and Measures Barth! Besides the obvious front end differences, the resemblances are nearly exact. I had an inquiry from a fella in Colorado who was interested in mine for the purpose of converting it to a mobile dental lab for Senior Citizens but he has not called back so maybe he found a better deal or something. I will be putting mine on e bay tonight if I can get myself motivated.

Monarch Specialized Motor Coach Corporation of Albion, IN was less than 30 miles from Barth in Milford, IN and appears to have finished up the "Barth Orders" for the Texas Department of Weights.

Which came first - Chicken or Egg?

Did Monarch come in and undercut Barth thus pushing Barth over the edge? Did Monarch pick up the orders that were remaining from Texas on their own after Barth went under? Was Monarch started by a former Barth employee?

It would be interesting to know more about the players and time frame of Monarch.

It appears that Monarch's website sprang up on the Internet back in Aug 1st 1998 and was taken down sometime between Feb 26 & March 2 of 2000 Here is the last web entry I can find for Monarch.

quote:

Monarch Specialized Motor Coach Corporation
The premier manufacturer of specialized commercial vehicles,
800/643-3216 Fax - 219/636-3491 Or contact us by e-mail

MSMCC designs and manufactures specialized commercial vehicles for a wide variety of applications. Among those applications are mobile clinics for dentistry, mammography, nutrition education (WIC) and primary health care for pediatrics and geriatrics. In addition to medical uses, MSMCC also manufactures coaches for use as bookmobiles, mobile police command vehicles, computer classrooms, and a broad range of coaches for scientific lab applications.


CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHTS :
# All steel sub-structure and floor
# All aluminum framed construction
# .060 smooth exterior aluminum skin
# .040 EPDM seamless rubber roof
# 22' to 40' in length & 96" or 102" in width
# 81" interior headroom
# Choice of interior and exterior colors
# Gasoline or diesel engine availability
# Heavy duty componentry intended for commercial use
# Chevrolet, Ford, Spartan, Freightliner or Navistar chassis


With over 90 years of combined experience in the manufacture of customized mobile units, we don't just build a vehicle. We plan, design and create a special purpose vehicle specifically for your needs. With in house design and custom building, we can locate the components in their proper place. and make structure adjustments when necessary to compliment your project.

PARTIAL LIST
OF AVAILABLE OPTIONS :
# Stabilizing System
# Telemedicine Equipment
# Computers
# Medical or Dental Equipment
# Generators
# In-Floor Ducted Heating
# Customized Exterior Graphics
# Cellular Telephone
# Refrigerator
# Freezer
# Wheelchair Lift
So whether you are currently in the market for a specialized coach or just in the planning phase, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you in developing the specifications and floorplan for a specialized coach to meet your requirements.

Monarch Specialized Motor Coach Corporation
1510 Progress Drive
Albion, IN 46701
For more information please contact us - 800/643-3216
email: Monarch@MonarchSpecialized.com

This was their website in its entirety. There was no other pages than this one.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
Which came first - Chicken or Egg?

...Was Monarch started by a former Barth employee?

It would be interesting to know more about the players and time frame of Monarch.

Here is a little back story.

quote:

1998: Early98 Barth Bankrupt - assets seized by Spartan - sold to Leatherman Construction

Monarch Specialized Motor Coach Corporation of Albion, IN "seems" ( based purely on their website historical archive ) to have had a short run ~ 1998 to 2000.

quote:

11/15/2000: Press Release
Leatherman Construction announces plans to manufacture 12 Barth custom motorhomes at a production facility in Albion, Indiana. The company reportedly spent nearly $500,000 to design, engineer, and produce a prototype complete with 14 new fiberglass molds.

then the final nail.

quote:

2/13/2001: Press Release
"Due to lack of orders and support for the continuation of the Barth, our family has made the decision not to produce the Barth Custom Coach," Said Keith Leatherman.

Curious huh?

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quote:

Originally posted on Monarch's Website:
With over 90 years of combined experience in the manufacture of customized mobile units, we don't just build a vehicle...

Between Me, Pete and Donny I could say almost the same thing too.

With over 70 years of combined experience in the Truck and Trailer Repair Industry...

I called their listed phone numbers for the fun of it and the numbers are now answered by other individuals. The property is for sale or lease. They also listed their business as electric motor repair.

You may be right that a former employee may have been involved, but I could also envision a scenario where someone took advantage of buying a bunch of unfinished inventory at auction then finishing them up for a tidy profit.

I wonder if that fella that designed our specialised units would remember the "goings on" Bill. Interesting how the time line seems to match up. You have to figure that there was still demand,... just not enough to keep the doors open. I would be willing to bet someone bartered in one way or another for the spare orders. Ironic that they used the name "Monarch" too don't ya think?

Just in case someone comes back with info on "The Players" I wanted to add this in. Who knows what else may "Line Up"?

quote:

July 1997.

Barth Under New Ownership & Management

Barth RSV, Inc., a manufacturer of recreational and specialized vehicles, is under new ownership and management. The company was purchased by V. Richard Miller and Nammy K. Eskar. Eskar holds the office of president and chief executive officer.

A former Indiana state senator, Miller is currently the chief executive officer and director of finance and development for MMM-Invest, Inc. He was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1976 and served until 1988.

Prior to joining Barth, Eskar was employed by Geo. S. Olive & Company, a management consulting firm in Indianapolis, IN.

You never know...

And the former owner of my Wanderlodge was named Miller, I know this from the acrylic entry handle engraving.

This is getting downright scary!

I have some beer in my refrigerator that has Miller on it too. This is just too freaky!

Desktop research on the "Players":

MMM-Invest was very active in political contributions. It appears Richard and Wally are two of the Millers.

WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to MIKE BILIRAKIS FOR CONGRESS on 03/27/98

WALLY MILLER (MMM INVEST), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to HOOSIERS SUPPORTING BUYER FOR CONGRESS on 06/04/97

WALLY MILLER (MMM INVEST), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to HOOSIERS SUPPORTING BUYER FOR CONGRESS on 03/30/98

ARTHUR MCCOY, (Zip code: 46761) -$41 (refund) to OLIVER NORTH FOR U S SENATE COMMITTEE INC on 08/04/97

WALLY PE MILLER (MMM INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to SOUDER FOR CONGRESS INC on 04/15/98

WALLY PE MILLER (MMM INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to SOUDER FOR CONGRESS INC on 06/02/97

Mr. WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to DAVID MCINTOSH FOR CONGRESS on 05/30/97

WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to DAVID MCINTOSH FOR CONGRESS on 03/31/98

WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to JEAN LEISING FOR CONGRESS on 03/26/98

WALLY MILLER (MMM INVESTMENT INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to FRIENDS OF JOHN HOSTETTLER COMMITTEE on 06/04/97

WALLY MILLER (MMM INVESTMENT INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to FRIENDS OF JOHN HOSTETTLER COMMITTEE on 03/31/98

WALLY MILLER (MILLERS MERRY MANOR), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to PEASE FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 06/02/97

WALLY MILLER (ENTREPRENEUR), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to PEASE FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 03/30/98

WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to JULIA CARSON FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 06/03/97

WALLY MILLER (MMM-INVEST INC), (Zip code: 46761) $1000 to JULIA CARSON FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 03/31/98

Here is a significant real estate transaction in Wakarusa, IN in 2007:

300 and 303 N. Washington, Wakarusa, $21,604,173, MMM-Invest Inc.; sold to WC-Wakarusa LLC, June 28.

The business there is Miller's Merry Manor, a nursing home. It appears the Millers are big into health care.

Here is the bio on Miller's Merry Manor (perhaps MMM):

Over the years, the company has grown strategically, bringing it to the present level of operating 31 rehabilitation centers, 11 assisted living properties and 2 transitional care units, as well as maintaining a workforce of over 3100 throughout the State of Indiana. Since 2000, Miller’s Health Systems has been managed by a group of long-term senior employees: Patrick Boyle, CEO, Lori Haug, CFO, and Gregory Spaulding, COO. The company’s Board of Directors includes four of the Millers’ children: sons V. Richard and James, and their daughters, Beverly and Barbara. A third son, Wally Jr., served as the CEO/COO of the business for 20 years prior to his death in 1998.


Pretty much MMM-Invest and the Miller's read politics and money! Nothing corrupt that I could find, which likely means their pretty good at - - - Politics and Money!