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General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bill Sprague on May 13, 2010, 03:06:28 PM

Title: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on May 13, 2010, 03:06:28 PM
In another thread it was posted that "There are different Beaver Era's the first was BM Beavers (Before Matt Perlot) the second was DM Beavers (Durning Matt) and the last are AM Beavers (after Matt or after Monaco) they all have different 'traits'. "

I don't know much about the Beaver history except that it was started by a couple of men in Bend, has changed ownership a couple of times, has the best user's club, and is now owned by Navistar.  

Is there a document somewhere that tells the history?  If not, could/would members post what they know and remember?

Could we start with who founded the company?  Why they did it?  And, what there first products were like?

Thanks!
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Marty and Suzie Schenck on May 13, 2010, 07:04:08 PM
Bill, I had a talk with Jeff Easter a couple of years ago and he seemed to know a lot  about the early and mid years of the Beaver history. Not specific dates but who bought what and about when.  Marty
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: 220 on May 13, 2010, 08:57:17 PM
Responding to Bill's inquiry about the Beaver history is quite challenging and can be rather lengthy.  I don't know how to do a short story but will give it a try.  Once upon a time...back in the late 60's or early 70's two guys, Jim Hogue and Frank Storch, started building slide-in campers for pickup trucks.  Since they were graduates of Oregon State University, at least one of them was, their brand name was Beaver.  Around 1974 or 5 they changed over to building Class C motor homes, commonly called "minis".  Violet and I bought our first Beaver in 1976.  Most of those built were on either a Chevrolet or Dodge chassis, van-type or they also built about 5 or 6 Chevrolet "long nose" chassis built with either a Chevy 454 or Ford 460 engine.  Ours was a "longnose" Chevy 454.  The two original owners, Jim and Frank also started the repair facility, now occupied by Beaver Coach Sales of Oregon, called HOST (HO for Hogue and ST for Storch).  
It was in 1983 that some owners wanted to start a travel club for Beaver owners and the 1st BAC organizational meeting was held in Bend, OR at Crown Villa RV Park.  All of the attendees, who also became "Charter Members" chartered BAC in September, 1983.  There were about 415? charter members.  I think now there are now about 15 charter members still around.  Iris would know exactly and who they are.  The Schmidts and us are probably the most active ones left.  There may be a couple on the east coast.

Within the original factory, an employee marketing person, named Matt Perlot, left Beaver and with Curt Lawler started Safari Motor Homes. When the Hogue/Storch era ended in bankruptcy there were 2 or 3 companies (Safari and Country Coach were two) interested in purchasing Beaver.  At that time I was BAC President and sent a letter to the bankruptcy court on behalf of BAC to support Safari as our interest in preserving the Beaver line.  (It's my personal opinion that CC wanted Beaver for its cabinetry only.  Fortunately, Safari prevailed in the court's decision)

In the early 80's Beaver began building the Class A brand with gas engines.  At that time the largest Class A was 36 feet but had a heating problem due to the weight of the coach.  It was in 1985? that the first diesel motor was introduced to Beaver and it also had problems with over heating due to radiator placement (rear engine/front radiator, front engine/rear radiator, etc.)  Their first diesel was in a 36 ft unit flat/slanted windshield.  All of the early Class A units were of the same color patterns; brown and white.  When driving and saw one coming towards you you would know immediately that it was a Beaver.  In 1986 Beaver began the so-called European style rounded front end cap and did a series of "rainbow" color patterns; red, green, blue.   It was during the beginning of the Class A motor home that the "new" Beaver logo came into existence.  If you want to see the original logo stop by my coach and see the old one which came from the original Oregon State mascot. ( the new Oregon State logo is more ferocious looking.  Our old one is a happy guy.)

I don't know how much more you want to know but do believe Iris/Wally and I could have quite a conversation about this as we sometimes sit down and have a history lesson and do share a lot of stories.  Hope you enjoy.  Any questions give Wally, Iris or I a shout.

Mandy
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Richard And Babs Ames on May 13, 2010, 11:24:13 PM
Thanks Mandy Perhaps you and the others can do a history and post it as a PDF for those of us interested in the history of Beaver. I consider your post installment one.  
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Michael Kauffman on May 14, 2010, 01:21:42 AM
[size=14][face=Arial]Do you remember what year the bankrupcy was?  Is my 98' Patriot off of the Safari line?  Thanks for the great info.  Mike[/face][/size]
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: 220 on May 14, 2010, 02:01:14 AM
Mike...If my memory will take me back in time I do believe the bankruptcy was in 1993 and early '94.  It did take a long time as there were many creditors involved.  Even after the bankruptcy was settled the Beaver line was still manufactured in Bend, OR until Monaco took over and moved the facility to Coburg.  I'm sure bits and pieces will be recalled as time goes on. 
I'll tack on a little more in the time line for Beaver.  When we had our BAC lead-in rally just prior to the 1st FMCA Redmond convention Beaver also was celebrating its 25 anniversary in business.  If Iris or Wally Schmidt reads this post they'll have the year.  'til next time...

Mandy
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Mike Humble on May 14, 2010, 04:35:21 AM
Is this topic worth some time at the upcoming International Rally in Harrisburg?
Mike Humble
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Richard And Babs Ames on May 14, 2010, 01:57:57 PM
Quote from: Michael Kauffman
[size=14][face=Arial]Do you remember what year the bankrupcy was?  Is my 98' Patriot off of the Safari line?  Thanks for the great info.  Mike[/face][/size]

Safari DM time, 1998 was the first year for the rear radiator and Hurricane Hydronic Heating in the Patriot.  
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Gerald Farris on May 14, 2010, 04:09:36 PM
Mike,
I think that there is a good bit of interest in the Beaver history. A printed time line of the history like the one Mandy has started, or a one hour or so seminar presented by some of the earlier members like Mandy and Wally would be well attended.

Gerald
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: LarryNCarolynShirk on May 15, 2010, 12:08:58 AM
Mandy that was so interesting.  We have been around for a long time, but you gave information that we never have heard.  I was hoping you would continue the story post SMC.  I seminar is a great idea.

Larry & Carolyn
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on May 15, 2010, 01:34:19 AM
I started the thread hoping I would learn a little.  I've already learned a lot.  

I'll contact Jim O'Hara and work on possible scheduling at Harrisburg.  If we get something going I will try to take detailed notes so that I can work up a written version.  

Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Peter and Connie Bradish on June 06, 2010, 03:41:11 PM
We have a 1993 Beaver Contessa, one of the last Beavers made by the original Beaver company. The 1993 Contessa was the only year Contessa with the flat floor plan (no step up in the bedroom). There were some 1994s made before Beaver went bankrupt. The Contessa (slope nose) was discontinued and replaced by a bus front Acclaim. Some of the Acclaims have the Contessa metal names on them a few have Acclaim.
Peter and I visited the factory in Bend over a number of years. We have scanned many of the original brochures (Peter could tell you the dates) and have copies of all the technical schematics (given to techs to work on Beavers) for the classic Beavers.
We heard the story that Matt Perlot disagreed with the powers that were in Beaver over a number of issues. One of them being he wanted the Contessa/Acclaim to be a lower line in Beaver rather than just below the Marquis. Over the disagreements he left Beaver and started Safari with the Trek being very successful. When Perlot acquired Beaver, he later brought the Contessa back in the position above the Monterey and below the Patriot where he thought it belonged.
We will not be at Harrisburg (we will be at Perry and Wisconsin), but if you do have a seminar on it, someone PLEASE take notes as the BAC club may be the only repository of the history of Beaver. It would be neat (and yes I am volunteering to help) to put together a booklet (The History of Beaver RVs) for our club. :) Connie B.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: MarcRodstein on June 09, 2010, 12:15:20 AM
Mandy, you said that "Even after the bankruptcy was settled the Beaver line was still manufactured in Bend, OR until Monaco took over and moved the facility to Coburg." I think you will agree that Monaco made Beavers in Bend for a couple of years before they moved production to Coburg.

As an aside, I did not know how much of a Beaver pioneer you were, on the rainy day in 2002 when I met you by chance in a restaurant in Hutchinson Kansas. I had flown there to the FMCA International Rally to peruse the latest motorhomes before buying what I intended would be a Dutchstar. It was to be my very first RV. You invited me to attend a BAC cocktail party the next day, which I did. Tough break for Newmar, I ended up buying a 2003 Monterey instead! Followed by many fun times with the super people in BAC.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Joel Ashley on June 10, 2010, 01:00:16 AM
Ain't that just how it goes?  Though not our first motor home, we also were determined our new coach would be either a Mountain Aire or a Dutch Star, but fell for a Monterey.  Silly us  ;).  Some of the blame has to go to Ron Estes, and Ty Kelly's no-pressure salesmanship and the hours he spent just "shooting the breeze" with us, not to mention the well-deserved and well documented reputation of Beaver Coach Sales.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Diana Bentley on June 15, 2010, 06:47:38 AM
I hope people will continue to add history to this thread. It would make an interesting Beaver Tales article, so I'm collecting what is said. I agree with Connie though, that it would be nice to have a full history in written form.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Peter and Connie Bradish on June 18, 2010, 03:59:45 PM
Might I suggest we form a committee to work on the project?  I would like to be a part of this. As I said we will not be in Oregon this year but we will be at Perry and Wisconsin. We could ask the remaining charter members (Canales and Schmidt) as well as past presidents to write down their thoughts and memories. This could be the basis for a good start on the History of the Beaver Brand. Of course, we would put out an appeal for anyone to add what they know and we could contact the sons of the original guys who started it all. Any pictures we could collect would be great as well as brochures, momentoes etc.
Peter and I have put together several books (Burdick High School Alumni Book and Venice High School Reunion Book) so we are familiar with doing the layout and publishing of such a book. We just need to get started.
                    Beaver hugs, Connie B. :K)
PS. The book doesn't have to be a printed hard copy type book. We could easily put in on a CD as well as have a place for it on the website. SO there would not be any cost to the club to "print" this book. It would be another good recruiting tool on the website.
PSS. I would also like to have a complete copy of all the brochures of Beaver coaches. We have our collection of brochures back at our homebase but in the fall I can go through them and post what we have and what brochures we need to finish the set. My genealogy gene is getting excited here!!!!!!
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Joel Ashley on June 18, 2010, 08:21:15 PM
The boys could be contacted readily enough at Host Manufacturing in Bend, but I'd think a comprehensive interview with their fathers would be the thing to do, and could form a substantial part of the "book".

Joel
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Chuck DuFault on June 20, 2010, 10:41:59 PM
We have found the folks at Beaver Coach Sales in Bend to be a fountain of knowledge on Beaver history and most coaches.  For example; we misspoke about one of our inside features, and they produced an "original" brochure for our 97 Marquis.  They were kind enough to make us a copy.  Therefore, they may be a very beneficial source for our history and most likely would welcome the ability to contribute.

Chuck and Donna
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Michael Kauffman on June 24, 2010, 03:57:32 AM
[size=14]I'm sure glad the boys that started it all didn't go to school at the University of Oregon.  We would all be driving "Duck" motorhomes, lol.[/size]
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on August 09, 2010, 03:20:04 PM
Update August 9, 2010:

Mike Humble asked me to volunteer to be the chairman of the history committee.  I think that’s the same as being appointed!  Since neither of us knew what the job description might be, I agreed.  I’m already looking for a volunteer to take over that might know what to do!

A Beaver brand seminar was held at the Harrisburg International Rally.  The moderators were Mandy Canales, Wally Schmidt, Ty Kelly and Ken Carpenter.  The seminar lasted an hour and was audio recorded by Lamar Keck and video recorded by Dick McQuillan.  

Lamar’s audio is in a very high quality 717 megabyte .wav file.  I’ve reduced it to a 51 megabyte .mp3 file that retains reasonable quality, but it is still too large to email or upload on my MyFi.

Dick is working on improving his video with a better sound track and sharper photos.  It will probably end up as a DVD that will have to be distributed at rallies or mailed.  More on that later.

Mandy’s presentation included a PowerPoint presentation that included about 20 wonderful photos.  If someone knows how to do it, it may be possible to synchronize the .wav file from Lamar’s audio to Mandy’s PowerPoint file.  

Tim Bentley (our hard working moderator) has agreed to figure out what can be reasonably made available for downloading or viewing on this forum or at www.beaveramb.org.  I’ve also asked him to consider making this thread a “sticky” so that it can be easily referred to.  Does anybody know how to break a one hour video file into a series of YouTube (or equivalent) video files?

I don’t know the best way to complete this job.  I don’t want to be the “History Chairman” forever!  I’m looking for ideas and suggestions.  

For now, would please post pictures and descriptions of “historical” Beavers you have or see in your travels to this thread.  Keep the file size small!
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on August 09, 2010, 03:25:59 PM
Quote from: Peter and Connie Bradish
.....I would like to be a part of this. .....Peter and I have put together several books ...PS. The book doesn't have to be a printed hard copy type book. We could easily put in on a CD as well as have a place for it on the website...

Would you be interested in transcribing a one hour audio recording to a .pdf as a start?

Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Jerry Parker on November 15, 2011, 03:56:46 PM
I was in the RV industry in the early to late 70's and called on Beaver as a supplier.  Frank Storch and Jim Hogue were the 2 owners I knew at the time. They started out building truck campers and then went to class C MH's. They filed chapter 11 in approx. 1975. With help from suppliers, they worked their way out of it. The company I managed was the single largest supplier, so I had a lot of contact with Beaver during that time. Frank Storch even "loaned" me a new Class C to take my family to Disney Land in 1976.  After working out of the chapter 11, they started prototyping Class A MH's. They did quite well for several years. I lost track of when the ownership changes occurred, because I left the the industry.

Frank Storch and Jim Hogue's sons are now building the "Host" truck campers in Bend.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: JimCasazze on December 04, 2011, 01:31:27 PM
Couldn't the audio file simply be placed on the BAC server with a link, the same way a PDF file is set up?  This way everyone could stream it or D/L to their PC's and play it with MediaPlayer, etc..  I'd enjoy hearing it!  No need to put it on CD or email.

Jim
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Malcolm Haviland on November 13, 2013, 07:54:11 PM
Hi,
I am a new member and have been looking at this thread,being a Beaver Marquis 1991 owner I would be very grateful for any information on the production of the Beaver in the early years,are there any production video's in existence?
I see no more info has been placed since 2011,am I looking in the right places?,not knowing my way around the BAC site
Thanks Mal
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Joel Ashley on November 13, 2013, 09:56:18 PM
Welcome aboard, Malcolm!

You should glean a fair amount of information from this presentation that our Mandy Canales made at the Oregon rally this summer.  Forgive the good deal of echo in the audio, due to the nature of the building:

https://vimeo.com/75646929

A scheduled gathering last month of the original Beaver coach builders at Beaver Coach Sales in Bend was announced 3 weeks ago, and a video of it was intended, but nothing more has been reported since.  We all look forward to more information regarding that.

-Joel
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on November 14, 2013, 12:39:48 AM
I can also find away to email you the audio track of a 2010 presentation.  

Additionally, Tye Kelly at Beaver Coach Sales put together an interview event with Beaver founders a couple weeks ago. He posted here asking for questions.  My understanding is he hired video professionals and they are working on it.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on December 02, 2014, 03:45:02 AM
I saw this old topic in the sticky section and noticed there was not a link to the video I made of Mandy telling the Beaver story at Harrisburg. 

I apologize for the quality of the lighting and audio, but you can watch it here:  https://vimeo.com/75646929 (https://vimeo.com/75646929).

So far, 254 people have watched it!  Enjoy!
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Jerry Emert on December 02, 2014, 09:46:23 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_Motorcoach_Corporation  is a start.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on December 02, 2014, 11:07:07 PM
The Wikipedia article is incorrect re the Beaver Solitaire. It was built in 2000 & 2001, prior to Monaco's acquisition. I pretty sure Monaco canceled the model w/o building any.
Steve
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on December 03, 2014, 04:48:57 PM
I don't know how to do it, or who should do it, but that Wikipedia article seems to need some corrections and a lot more additional information.  It appears to be a quick research paper with the primary references being a few easy to find online newspaper articles.  There is a lot more to the story. 

Two things I saw on a quick read are that Navistar did buy the Beaver brand even though they elected to not produce any.  And membership approaches 2,000 people since most members are a "couple". 
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on April 11, 2015, 03:55:43 PM
I noticed that this is a "sticky" or "pinned" and has not been updated at all. 

At the 30th reunion rally in Harrisburg, Mandy Canales gave a talk about the brand history.  I recorded it and it is watchable on line.  I apologize for the quality.  The lighting was not great nor were the acoustics in the room conducive to great color, but the story is well told.

As of April, 2015 about 300 have watched it, or at least started to watch it.

https://vimeo.com/75646929 (https://vimeo.com/75646929)

There is also a large collection of historic information provided by Connie and Peter Bradish here:  https://sites.google.com/site/beavermotorhomehistory/home (https://sites.google.com/site/beavermotorhomehistory/home)
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Peter and Connie Bradish on April 11, 2015, 08:17:22 PM
The Wikipedia page was not created by me, Connie Bradish. One of the children of a BAC member created the page. Don't remember the names.
My website is called Beaver Motorhome History. I am posting as much information as I can find.
Mat Perlot's obit states that he sold the company in 2001 to Monaco. We were actually at the factory in Bend scanning brochures when the Monaco people came in and took over. Looking back in my list of campsites we were at the factory between April 25 and April 28, 2000. I am unsure of the exact date of acquisition by Monaco.
Solitaire was the brain child of Mat Perlot (owner & founder of Safari Motorcoaches Inc.). Solitaries were made in 2000 and 2001 models by SMC. Remember that models actually start coming out the year before their model year. Example while our Beaver is a 1993 model it was made in June of 1992.
Connie B.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bill Sprague on April 11, 2015, 09:59:50 PM
It is obvious I forget things.  I saw this thread and read the first page.  Connie posted and I realized that not only is it up to three pages, but I posted the same update for the video link last December!   Didn't intentionally mean to be redundant.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Robert S Sedlacek on June 08, 2016, 01:31:29 PM
August 91 the Beaver Company had a rally celebrating 25 years at Mt Bachelor. They had several early models on display, starting with a pickup topper, slide in camper, trailer, class C and finally the gas and diesel Class A. I believe the first diesel was built on a Gillig chassis around 82 or 83 with a 8.2 Detroit engine. 1985 was the first Marquis, a wide body and it was then that the 3208 cat became an option.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Dick and Izzy Ellis on August 26, 2016, 06:46:53 AM
I have found this info very interesting. Izzy and me are restoring a 1991 Contessa 38' with a 3208. We are now just about finished the inside and will start on the outside next year. We have all the service manuals as well as the factory brouchers. If any of this is of interest to anyone let me know. We where lucky to find this coach 3 years ago with 71,000 miles on it, it now has 95,000. There was very little changes to the inside, the tv was moved back to the bar and a electric fireplace put where the tv was. I will be following all history related articles as I have become posesed with restoring this to as original as possible.
Thanks to all of you for your input on the history.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Tommy Gibson on March 17, 2017, 09:01:55 PM
I understand Monaco took over Beaver in early 2000's. Was my 2007 Beaver Contessa built in the Beaver Facility in Bend or was it built in another plant and where?
 
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on March 17, 2017, 10:00:59 PM
Tommy,
If it's got an OR plate near the entry door it was probably built in Coberg, OR.
Steve
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Thomas James on June 05, 2017, 10:56:40 PM
Hey guys. Brand new here. Brand new to BAC, RVing, and this Forum. Any Forum, actually. Anyway, I have a 1994 Beaver Patriot Yorktown, 40' Diesel. I've been looking at all the history stuff and trying to figure out exactly when my coach was made. If you look at the NADA chart, the Yorktown didn't come out t'ill 1995. And there are two different brochures on the Patriot. One says Beaver motorcoach up top. And one has Beaver Motorcoach an SVC company....or something like that. Maybe Safari started on them too and they still had some original ones on the line being built. IDK. But if you look at the brochures, mine is the one with the black bra on the front(still looking for that). So, I guess it's a 94, And maybe one of the last ones built by Beaver before it got taken over?? Thoughts....
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Joel Ashley on June 06, 2017, 01:26:48 AM
Hi Thomas-
  The date of manufacture should be on one or more labels low on the wall beside and behind the driver's seat.  SVC you mean to be "SMC", for Safari Motor Coach, or Safari Motorcoach Corporation. That should be on the label also.

Joel
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Thomas James on June 06, 2017, 04:47:41 AM
Thanks Joel. Really looking forward to getting out and traveling around in this thing. I also heard that Beaver was going to start up production again sometime in 2018. I wonder if anyone knows any more about that. I would really like to be there if/when they crank them out. Again, thanks for the good info.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Gerald Farris on June 06, 2017, 05:02:05 AM
Thomas,
I believe that SMC purchased Beaver during the 1994 production run. So your coach could be built by the original owners or SMC depending on build date. However, I believe that most 1994 Patriots were SMC coaches that were built on a Spartan chassis to the original Patriot designs that started with the 1993 Patriot. 

Gerald 
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Bob Stone on June 06, 2017, 05:35:14 AM
Is this an anomaly? A true but rare Beaver?  A 1992 Beaver on a Prevost chassis. I came across this on RVT.com for sale at $99,000
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Thomas James on June 06, 2017, 08:02:24 AM
Gerald, that's what I've kinda been thinking. Just looking at the brochures, there appears to be two different ones in 1994. They both have the Beaver name and logo in the upper right corner, but one of them has Safari's initials on it. The other does not. That's why I was thinking that they came in during the middle of a production run and some were the original Beavers and some were by Safari. Or something like that, anyway.
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on June 06, 2017, 06:13:52 PM
Re Prevost Beavers;   http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,6591.msg47762.html#msg47762
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Thomas James on June 08, 2017, 04:11:05 AM
OK, so I was just going over all my paperwork/manuals that came with my coach. One thing I found was a Beaver Warranty Registration card. And on that card it says to complete it and they will send you two Beaver Coaches Jackets and a one year BAC membership. DANG IT! Wish I'd seen this a few days ago. Maybe I can still try and get the jackets. Lol. I also now know the Mfg date. It was Sept 1993. But a 1994 Model Year. So, it IS an original Beaver. Not made by SMC. Not that it really matters. But at least now I know. I swear, this guy(previous owner)kept Everything. You aughta See the plastic bag of receipts!
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Mike Shumack on December 23, 2019, 01:40:36 PM
As you may know, I created a "Beaver History" document with the help and feedback from the Beaver owner/experts here.

It's titled "BEAVER CHASSIS TYPES, INFO, MANUALS, & HISTORY".

It is located in the Coach Assist section. https://beaveramb.org/coach-assist-members-only-new/

It's a continuous process (as I learn something new or receive feedback) I go back and revise-update the document. The last update was Dec 5th 2019.

I hope you find it interesting and useful.

- Mike S
Title: Re: History of the Beaver Brand?
Post by: Mandy Canales on December 24, 2019, 12:16:56 AM
After looking at all the information listed in the manual section of the early Beaver models I didn't see anything for viewing for my 1990 Beaver Marquis 40 ft. Florentine edition.  I have the the owner's manual, electrical diagrams, transmission, and general service manuals for that coach.  I'd gladly share the information.  Great job of putting all of this together.
Ty Kelly has in his possession an interview video taken with Frank Storch and Jim Hogue taken at BCS.
Also, there is a presentation I did, filmed by Bill Sprague, at rally at Seven Feathers RV Park some years ago.