---
title: "Save This Big Block RV Styled by the C2 ‘Vette Designer for $2,500"
description: "This classic RV came from the mind that brought us some of the most iconic cars in American history."
date: "2021-10-28"
modified: "2021-10-28"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/42912/save-this-big-block-rv-styled-by-the-c2-vette-designer-for-2500"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Deals"
  - "History"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "rvs"
---

# Save This Big Block RV Styled by the C2 ‘Vette Designer for $2,500

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/10/182970136_530034275071815_4749064463986774230_n.jpeg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

[Larry Shinoda](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41720/this-1962-four-seater-corvette-concept-intended-to-fight-the-ford-thunderbird>) penned some of the most iconic cars in American history, from the [C2](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39924/are-classic-chevrolet-corvettes-prices-already-past-their-peak-the-answer-is-complicated>) and C3 Chevrolet Corvettes to Ford's original Boss 302 Mustang. One design few know him for, though, was a strange-looking but cutting-edge RV called the Rectrans Discoverer, which looked like something George Lucas might've driven.

Shinoda's goal for the Discoverer, according to [an eBay Motors blog post](<https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/the-1970s-aerodynamic-discoverer-motor-home-changed-the-course-of-rv-design/>), was to achieve 10 miles per gallon—a [fairly average figure](<https://www.sefinancial.com/rv-loans/improve-rv-gas-mileage/#:~:text=Miles%20Per%20Gallon-,RV%20Class%20A,motorhome%20is%208%2D13%20MPG.>) for a modern Class A motorhome, though you can imagine how lofty a goal that was in the early 1970s. To that end, he let a wind tunnel shape the design—apparently a first for RVs—before plopping it down on a Dodge M-300 heavy-duty truck frame per [*Bangshift*](<https://bangshift.com/general-news/craigslist-find/a-road-going-ufo-this-1972-rectrans-discoverer-class-a-motorhome-is-a-freakshow/>). It was powered by a 413-cubic-inch Chrysler RB [big-block](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36426/the-11-6-liter-big-block-diesel-rotary-was-just-too-good-for-this-world>) V8 which, in some applications, produced up to 375 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, allowing the apparently 10,000-pound Discoverer to scoot from zero to 60 mph in a not-so-shabby 11 seconds.

![message-editor%2F1635442904425-183300867\_530035398405036\_2778155016188621976\_n.jpeg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1635442904425-183300867_530035398405036_2778155016188621976_n.jpeg>)
*Rectrans Discoverer RV, *Via Facebook Marketplace**

The Discoverer's slick fiberglass body came in at about 25 feet long and was entered by way of a single door halfway down its right side. It had [swiveling front seats](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbaXfbbpkbo>), a spacious living area, and like modern RVs, various floorplans, not to mention a seemingly solid selection of appliances—a stove, fridge, furnace, and generator. All these are installed in an example currently listed on [Facebook Marketplace](<https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/303344904713043/>), which offers the chance to buy one of these aerodynamic oddities—provided you're looking for a project.

This 1971 Discoverer is said to have a good body and frame, plus a running engine, though its seller says it runs off a gas can (what's up with that, bad fuel pump?). Presumably due to a leak in its roof, however, the owner says its interior needs to be gutted, so this is a serious DIY job, and an even bigger one if its appliances (in unknown shape) don't work. If not, they might be swappable for examples from an included matching parts vehicle, offered without a title or a complete engine.

![message-editor%2F1635442958206-182769597\_530034571738452\_3773502962436808395\_n.jpeg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1635442958206-182769597_530034571738452_3773502962436808395_n.jpeg>)
*1971 Rectrans Discoverer RV, *Via Facebook Marketplace**

Neither would seem to be in prime shape, as both appear to have sat on the market for years. The eBay Motors post linked above features the same photos in today's ad, and that story was written more than four years ago. But if these Discoverers' rough shape doesn't dissuade you, then contact the seller and head on up to Bridgman, Michigan with $2,500 in hand and the mother of all trailers. There's always a price to getting the good stuff cheap—it just might not impact your wallet.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)