Update: In November 2015, Winnebago decided to reintegrate its Itasca vehicles under the Winnebago name. These great models will continue, but under the Winnebago name instead of Itasca.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise to you that here at Guaranty RV, we have an appreciation for RV history and a soft spot for some of the retro travel trailers, motorhomes and fifth wheels that have travelled the highways and byways of America over the last century. It’s no wonder, then, that we’re excited about the re-introduction of the iconic Winnebago motorhome that we all grew up with. If we say “retro” is synonymous with “stunning,” then you know what we mean when we talk about what a perfect retro RV these new Winnebago motorhomes are. With old-school styling and top of the line, up to date chassis’, engines and interiors, Winnebago is better than it’s ever been. Soon you’ll be seeing these old/new beauties on the roads, and while they’re sure to make you smile with nostalgia, wait until you see how Winnebago has updated these motorhomes.
Winnebago: An American Icon
The first Winnebago travel trailer rolled off the lot in 1958 and the first Winnebago motorhome hit the roads in 1966. Most Americans remember the iconic “eyebrow” design and the “flying W” of those early motorhomes. From the very beginning, this American company did things right. They are the only RV manufacturer who has received the coveted RV Dealers Association Quality Circle Award every year since they opened their doors. They incorporate all-metal welded subfloors and pioneered a Thermo-Panel® wall system to create strong, lightweight walls. They also manufacture most of their own RV components to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety. These industry changing innovations are part of why Winnebago received the gold medal from MotorHome Magazine’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards for their Class C motorhomes and a silver award for their Class As; people trust Winnebago to produce some of the best motorhomes on the market
In 1975, Winnebago introduced Itasca as a separate line of RVs in the Winnebago family and brought to the market a SmartSpace philosophy of providing RVers with innovative features that make the most of every inch of space, setting the standard for quality while looking to the future of RVing. Guaranty RV is the number one Itasca dealer in the nation, which is a testament to how much we believe in this American brand.
And now Winnebago/Itasca is looking back to their roots, combining nostalgia and adventure in one happy package with the revamped Winnebago Brave and the Itasca Tribute. We’ve got one of the very first models and we’re excited to show it to you.
Retro RVs With Modern Power and Amenities
When you step into one of these new RVs, you may feel like you’ve gone back to your youth—we love the clean ‘50s-style lines of the interior. But when you spend a little time exploring the options inside, you’ll realize that this is a whole new way of thinking about our beloved Winnebagos. With amenities like a power cabover bed that lifts out of the way at the push of a button, a sliding dash Rearview Monitor/Rand McNally RV GPS system that can be easily programmed by either the passenger or driver and powered awnings, you’ll quickly see that these motorhomes have everything you loved back in the day, and then some. The new Itasca Tribute brings in modern appliances, LED ceiling and accent lights, an HDTV, even a tall residential style faucet in the kitchen to make filling pasta pots easy.
These new motorhomes are no slouches in other departments, either. Built on a Ford F53 chassis and powered by a Ford 362 horsepower V10 Triton engine (the workhorse engine in the RV industry) you can take on whatever roads you want to travel. You’ll have a TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission and Hydroboost power brakes. Of course you’ll have tilt steering and cruise control and power mirror defrost. You’ll get automatic one-touch hydraulic leveling jacks, a Bluetooth-ready stereo system that is ready for your MP3 player, a passenger workstation, and so much more.
Other Changes for Winnebago
When the world economy hit hard times in the mid-2000s, the RV industry as a whole struggled. Leave it to Winnebago to come back with a vengeance. In 2009, in the heart of the recession, they opened a new hardwoods department and re-opened their “B-Van” division. Winnebago’s Class B motorhomes are quickly becoming some of the best in the business and of course their Class C motorhomes won that 2013 Readers’ Choice Award from Motorhome Magazine.
And now, of course, there are those new retro motorhomes to look forward to. Keep your eye on our inventory as the new Winnebago Braves and Itasca Tributes roll off the assembly lines. And come on down to Junction City to see the beautiful Tribute that is making its debut on our RV lot. If you have any questions about these retro RVs, give us a call; we’re always glad to talk about our favorite brands.
Photo: Guaranty RV
