I’ve picked through more high-end hot rods and muscle cars than I care to remember, and the work of the Ringbrothers is up there with the best of ’em. They build cars with industry-shaping creativity and detail, and are absolutely deserving of the hype. If you haven’t heard of the Ringbrothers, then you haven’t been paying attention. So what about the buyer? What kind of person shells out big bucks (relatively speaking) for a slightly askew motorhome? Well, shortly after the sale, rumors quickly began to swirl that Mike and Jim Ring of Ringbrothers fame were the unlikely duo that plunked down the cash necessary to take the Winnie home. The hot-rodder label gets thrown around a little too carelessly these days, but I think it was tacked on here because the seller knew we hot-rodders are probably the only ones crazy enough to shell out the cash and dedicate the parking space to a tubby brick on wheels. But in this case, I’m almost willing to look the other way. The only real gripe I have is that the auction literature touts the Winnie as a “hot-rod RV.” This Pooh bear’s stance is great and it has serious curb appeal, but any self-respecting hot-rodder knows a stocker 318 simply will not abide, especially in something this big. Overall, there’s not much here that I can find to complain about.
#Winnebago brave 2 bbl card full#
The thought of guiding this great beast into the infield at the Daytona 500, or onto the salt at Bonneville, with a giant cooler full of tall boys and an interior packed with buddies, makes my palms sweaty. In fact, anyone who has ever ventured to any of the great shrines of automotive bravado knows that strutting around the pits behind the wheel of a vehicle like this one is surely the next best thing to being on the track. Anywhere brats are rolled over hot coals, and anywhere the sweet aroma of race gas and burnt rubber hangs in the air, it will make friends. It may not be destined for any national parks or yacht-club shindigs, but anywhere potbellied men shave the number 3 into their chest hair, it will be welcome. I’m sure some will argue that an RV without a cooktop or a toilet is as purposeful as a screen door on a submarine, but there is purpose aplenty here. Although that means the new owner will have to live without the original Apple Green appliances, Antique Avocado drapes, and 40-year-old plumbing, it also means there is simply less, uh, crap to deal with. In this case, all of the original Winnebago appointments have been exorcised in favor of what may best be described as a local-watering-hole-style remodel. The exterior is just the beginning, though, because, as Momma said, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. That upturned nose, the crumpled brow, the “chalky” exterior… It’s enough to get any true grease monkey a little hot and bothered. With a face only Mad Max’s mother could love, this Winnie has character for days. A party animal? Most definitely.Ĭrazy-genius party animals rank high on my list of favorite personas, and whoever built this thing was definitely speaking my language. Where am I supposed to start with this one? With the builder? What type of person thinks gutting and lowering a used-up old Winnie is a meaningful use of their time, money or talent? A crazy person? Maybe.
This 1972 Winnebago Brave, Lot 81, sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction for $12,100, including buyer’s premium, on January 14, 2014. Stamped pad on front of engine, above water pump housingĪny early ’70s RV from Winnebago, Pace Arrow, Travco, GMC, etc. On the frame facing outside, above right front leaf spring About 15,000 (total production for the year)
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