The Practical Motorhome Hall of Fame: Winnebago ‘Beetle Brows’ (1967-1980

 Much like the Bluebird Highwayman, the Winnebago had a major impact on the popularization of coachbuilders, but this time with A-Class models first, "across the pond" and then around the world.

In 1958, in Forest City, Iowa, businessman John K. Hanson brought his small mobile home company, Modernistic His Industries, into town to help prop up the sluggish economy. He became his CEO and in 1960 he changed the company name to Winnebago, after a river, county and country of India.

Winnebago "Beetle Blows" 1967-1980

Six years later, after expanding his Factor at Warp, Winnebago released his first A-Class motorhome, his F17, powered by a Ford chassis. Assembly line production that mirrored the automotive industry allowed it to sell for less than half the price of its competitors, making it affordable to the "ordinary people." Efficiency savings are achieved with industry-leading thermo-pane sandwich sidewalls. The result, however, was rather edgy and left frowns, hence the nickname "beetle eyebrows."

Original models were known for their serial letters and their length. It was in the early 1970s that Winnebago decided to nickname his VFM his series Brave. By then, "Winnebago" had become the collective name for all his RVs in America.

Winnebago built by his Brave and his predecessor (Beetle Brows) in Forest City, Iowa, USA. All rear-wheel drive with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Length: 5.18 m (17' 0") to 7.77 m (25' 6").

Most popular powertrains: Dodge V8 5.2 liter petrol and Chevrolet V8 5.7 liter petrol.

If you've read Winnebago's "Beetle Brows," read on.

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