I am about to buy a 1986 Barth that has sat for several years from a local business. They used it as a farmers market vehicle. Before that it was a bookmobile here in Indiana. I know next to nothing about RV's in general, except that I need this cool looking beast. When all is said and done, I expect to have a completely self contained RV that I can drive into the sunset and enjoy the good life. It has a working generator, good awning, good tires and a running 454. It needs a transmission rebuild, as it will not move in reverse. Other than that all it needs is everything, because it is full of bookshelves, having been a bookmobile. My questions are-
What exactly do I have here? Model, class, etc?
Where should I look for all the stuff I need, such as beds, kitchen, shower, toilet, tanks, etc?
I am a mechanic/fabricator/tinkerer, so I can do the work myself.
Thanks for your input.
Neal

The 80's Barths built on the GM chassis were Regal models. There should be a data plate, usually mounted above and behind the driver. The data plate will indicate the GM VIN # as well as the Barth build #. The Barth number has the form AAAA-BBBB-CCC where AAAA is the year and month the coach was built. BBBB is the Barth coach number, while the CCCC part indicates the length and floorplan of the coach. (See my signature at the bottom of this post.)

Your coach is even more unique than usual since it was a somewhat custom commercial type. (Dual doors are uncommon)

Use the SEARCH feature here on this site and you will find lots of information on the chassis and the accessories, pictures of many coaches inside and out. One of the great features of these older coaches is the high quality interior woodwork. Yours may be quite different but you have the opportunity to start yours with a blank slate and make it the way you want.

You are fortunate to be located near the heart of RV land(northern Indiana is where many RVs including Barths were originally built. There are numerous salvage yards and OEM accessory suppliers located nearby.) Barth coaches were originally made in Milford.

Good luck on your project, beware, these things are addictive.!

You have a Barth commercial vehicle. If you locate the data tag it probably starts with a S.The chassis is a P30(32) motor home. Being an 86 it will have 4 wheel disk brakes. 14,500 lb. gvw. 5000 lb front and 10,000 rear. Beware new 19.5" tire will run you 2-3 grand. Check date codes on tires, not tread. Tire older than 7-8 years need replaced.

I know the thought of building a MH out of this sounds good. Do some research on what it will cost by the time you get plumbing, fridge, cabinets, beds, bath, kitchen, ect. Add that to tranny repair you will probably find you can buy a nice Regal in the mid 80's-early 90's for less investment.

Check Barth's sold and for sale to compair price.

I am not trying to talk you out of buying this unit, but I suggest you look at some that are for sale to see just how well built the interiors are in Barth. You would spend 10s of thousands to match the quality of a Barth. The MH are well designed and constructed. A nice 454 Chevy chassis Barth can be bought in the 7-12 grand range.

But if you do buy this keep us updated with your progress and lots of pictures. We love pictures of others work.

Check out Bill N.Y. commercial conversion

I agree with Doorman; this unit might do well as a basic conversion for a hunting cabin or tailgater, but bringing it to the level of a Barth motorhome would be very expensive.

Add to that the fact it has sat for a long time makes it a dubious choice.

We just did new 8R19.5 on the Barth I sold, for under $300 each or $1800 for 6.

I just had 4 225/xxx/19.5 put on the rear for $300/tire plus $25 install/balance.

That is a unique looking Barth. Wish mine had two doors. There MUST be a way to install something in it to turn it into a tax deduction...I met an RV guy in Canada who has a sort of wedding business and takes customers on honeymoon trips in the motorhome.

The big questions to address are, "how many miles? and are you getting this for a great price?"

>It needs a transmission rebuild, as it will not move in reverse.
Linkage adjustments, perhaps? or needs a quart?

>Where should I look for all the stuff I need, such as beds, kitchen, shower, toilet, tanks, etc?
Barthmobile, ebay, craigslist, if you are budget minded. "Colaws RV Salvage" is something you might also want to bear in mind.

The way that many other brands of RVs are made means that sometimes the gear inside and underneath becomes available as used goods when the roof and walls disintegrate or collapse. Ideally you will find a situation where you can get a "recent" propane tank, propane fridge, and propane stove in one deal.

The P37 chassis and the 454 are items about which parts and advice will be available for decades to come. And that is important, because the aluminum structure of the Barth means that the superstructure will be surviving for decades to come.

If those tires are 16.5" they won't be as expensive.

Happy Motoring,
Matt

quote:

Where should I look for all the stuff I need, such as beds, kitchen, shower, toilet, tanks, etc?
I am a mechanic/fabricator/tinkerer, so I can do the work myself.

As Steve advised, the Michiana area has many salvage outlets. Yesterday I was at Bontrager's Salvage at White Pigeon, MI. They have most of what you need.
http://bontragers.com

Thank you everybody for your input. I started the engine today and plan on driving it home tomorrow. There is a LOT of work to be done on it, but I enjoy a good project! I also decided to change my profile name from uglybus to bookmobile. I will have many more questions before this is all over...

Neal

Neal, your bookmobile exterior looks like my coach which was the Command Center for the Maryland State Police.

Please take pictures before & after. We drool over projects on this site & pictures are our dessert!!
Former owner of Old Blue now in the loving hands of Roger in Seattle