Apollo Motorhomes

Apollo Motor Homes, based in Carson, California, with facilities in near by, Southgate and Downey was a provider of class A motorhomes ranging in sizes from 23 feet such as the 2300 series in its early years to one of two 35-foot models. Features unique to an Apollo was its fiberglass body construction, using a one-piece fiberglass roof, reducing much of the maintenance needed by more conventional rubber roofs needing only occasional sealing around roof mounted fixtures. Apollos were supported by its "ring of steel" support structure. This one-piece roof gave Apollos a distinct appearance easy to notice from hundreds of feet away. An additional feature found on Apollos were the spotlight on the roof. The "ring of steel" framework that supported all their models was marketed as a safety feature as noted in its brochures; the "Ring of steel means ring of safety" quote can be found throughout various marketing materials. Fiberglass bodies with steel construction was new to the era and unusual for its time due to its expense and relative age of the industry. These materials made these motorhomes high quality rigs still sought after today. Lesser rigs were and still are constructed with a wood support system with walls and roofs constructed of plywood, covered by corrugated aluminum on the siding and having a rubber roof, though modern rigs of all types no longer use corrugated aluminum siding; fiberglass is now more commonly used. In Apollo’s early years, 450 units were produced per year eventually doubling production to 900 at its height of productivity. Founded in 1970, (though some brochures claim the first rigs were built in 1969) the company capitalized on Americas excitement for space travel. Calling the company “Apollo” set the stage for the company's original branding; first models were aptly named Gemini, Neptune, Mercury and Jupiter, each name was an identical to the other in body style, (either 23 or 25 feet long) but rather represented one of four floor plans offered.

Models

Apollo chose a numeric nomenclature to model their units’; a 23-footer was a 2300, a 30-foot unit would be a 3000 etc. The first models released in 1969 were also smallest starting at 23 feet in length most of which sat on a dodge M-series chassis. The company had limited access to Dodge chassis’ and filled their orders by using International chassis instead. Later models used Chassis’ from Oshkosh and Gillig. The company had much to prove as a newcomer to the business and thus over built these first models literally starting small starting with 23-foot models and ending their run a company with the 35-foot Scepter. New for 1974 and 75 was changed 2300, 2600, and the 2900 new front end though still blunt front ended body. 74 and 75 were the only years for the 29-foot design; in 76 it was replaced with the 30.

In 1976 the body was again modified, this was the first year for a pointed front end, all models after this would have this front end, only slightly modified in 1979. The 79’ on models were tan instead of white. Sizes available in 76 were 30’ 33’ and 35 feet. These sizes remained the basic lineup for the remainder of the companies demise in the late 1980s

Beginning in 1981 the company made all models tan instead of white most with brown trim. From the beginning in 1969 to its last model, the scepter, produced from 82 to 84 and in limited numbers a few years later, the total model lineup included, a 23’ and 25’, from 1969 to 1973, a 29’ for 1974 and 75. 30’ 33’, and two different 35 foot models, the first having the same basic body as smaller models, produced from 1976 to 1982 and the Scepter, a 35 foot diesel pusher

Models	Year Available	Floor Plans
2300 23'	1969-73	Gemini, Neptune, Mercury, Jupiter
2500 25'	1969-73	Gemini, Neptune, Mercury, Jupiter
2600 26'	1974-75	RB, RBL, DB, RL, IB, RT
2900 29'	1974-75	RB, RBL, DB, RL, IB, RT
3000 30'	1976-82	RB, RBL, DB, RL, IB
3300 33'	1976-82	RB, RBL, DB, RL, IB
3500 35'	1976-82	RB, RBL, DB, RL, IB
Scepter 35'	1982-90	DB, IB

First generation 1969-73 planetary to lettering nomenclature

• If a Gemini was built after 1974 would be a DB
• If a Jupiter was built after 1974 would be a RT
• If a Neptune was built after 1974 would be an RB
• If a Mercury was built after 1974 would be an DB

Construction

• Steel tubular support system (Ring of steel)
• fiberglass siding and roof
• Dodge, M-600 Chasis

Engine

• Dodge 440

Performance

• 225hp V8 at 4000 RPM, 320 FT pounds net torque at 2400 RPM 8 to 1 comp ratio
• Mileage 7.8 Mpg
• Engine coolant temp driving on level ground 191
• Engine coolant Driving Uphill 206
• Transmission (three speed automatic) oil temperature
• while traveling on level ground 235
• while traveling uphill 285
• Acceleration time 0-60 25 seconds 40-60 is 13 seconds
• Wheelbase 206’
• Axle ratio 4.88 to 1
• Brakes Front disks with rear drums

Capacities

• Front GAWR 6,000 lbs
• Rear GAWR 12,280 lbs
• GVWR 16,000 lbs
• Fuel capacity 105 gallons
• Fresh water 40 Gallons
• Black water 45 Gallons
• Grey water 33 Gallons
• Propane 20 Gallons
• Furnace 32000 Btu
• Fridge ten Cubic feet

Dimensions

• Actual length 32'6"
• external Width 94"
• External Hight 122"

The Scepter

Their top of the line model was the Scepter which sold for between 179,000 and 200,000 dollars in 1984 dollars, a top tier price in the industry for the time. The Scepter has been called a pioneer as one of the first diesel pushers in the business and currently sells on the used market in good condition, sold privately, on Craigslist.org for between 30,000 to 40,000 dollars, though NADA.com values most Apollos including the Scepter for between 8,000 and 13,000 dollars at the retail level. According to an article in a 1980 April addition of Family Motor Coaching magazine, Ray Holloway, President, mentions there were plans to build hundreds but only 44 were built. This limited number was due to the company failing in the late 1980s. There were 2 Scepters that were powered by the Chevy 454, 2 of the 44 total, The Scepter was a radically deviation from its predecessors cosmetic design, featuring mostly straight lines giving it a stealthy look. The Scepter was the only diesel-powered motor home produced by Apollo. The Scepter was the company’s last offering, the second 35-foot model, which looked more like the other models, not the Scepter. The Scepter sat on either a Gillig or Oshkosh chassis.

Scepter Specifications

• Suggested retail price : $130,000 in 1980
• Detroit Diesel Fuel Pincher V8 205 HP Turbocharged
• Alison AT 545 Automatic 4 speed transmission
• Wheelbase 225’
• Wheel tread front 81 rear 72
• Tires 9R X 22.5 12 ply Michelin steel belted radials
• GVWR 20,000 lbs
• Front Suspension 3-inch-wide transverse leaf spring
• Rear suspension trailing arm with torsion bar spring
• Axle capacity front GAWR 7,500 lbs rear GAWR 12,500 lbs
• Brakes (disk only) Bendix 13.06 X 1.435
• Brake Actuation air hydraulic
• Shock absorbers 1.75-inch diameter by Monroe
• Steering full power, tilt column
• Turning radius is approximately 41 feet
• Differential Rockwell standard ratio 4.33:1
• Batteries (2) 225-amp hour
• Alternator 105-amp
• Air cleaner, Cyclone type dry
• Fluid Capacities 150 Gallon Deasil (135) net, 90 gallons fresh water, 80 gallons grey water, 40 gallons black water, living systems LPG: 40-gallons generator LPG

Floor plans

Two or three letters would be at the end of each model starting in 1974 when they stopped naming models after planets. These letters depict floor plan, (RB) would be Rear Bath, (DL) for Double bed, (RL) rear lounge (DB) Double beds, (IB) Island bed, (RT) for rear twin or (RLV) for Rear lounge with Vanity. As the company matured, so too did the product. Later models were larger and plusher, featuring more leather and more comfortable seating than the first models, though all models came full featured with Onan generators, Propane powered Dometic Refrigerators and stoves. The 33 and 35-foot models had custom Apollo branded steering wheels, smaller models had the traditional dodge steering wheel used widely in the industry by many RV manufactures. Marketing The company sold its offerings as a luxury branded product; Bob Hope, Robert Goulet were notable public figures that helped market the brand and are seen in magazine articles and brochures. According to brochures, Most Apollos sold for more than the average class A Motorhome; 1 1982 price list shows their 30-foot model, the smallest of two larger models, a 33’ and a 35’ selling for 70 thousand dollars, an entry level 30’ class A at the time sold for around 40 thousand dollars.

In the media

Many models remain in use today; in 2012 the "Scepter" was featured in an article on motorhome.com where a retired couple show off their motorhome and modifications to it. Most recently, one of its models, a 1979 35 foot “Executive” (the first of only two 35 foot models) was recently featured in the 2013 TV show “Rock my RV” with Brett Michaels, a 35-foot gas Chevy 454 powered offering that precedes the Scepter by just 1 year, a 35-foot model which was produced until the end of the company in the 1980s. Other TV shows or movies in which an Apollo was featured or briefly caught in a scene where, the series "Stalker" 2014-15 where a 23 foot 1972 model was seen, a 1975 Apollo 2900 RB in Sunburn, 1979, an Apollo 3300 DB in Northern Exposure, 1990-1995, an Apollo 3300 DB in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, 1983-1987, a 1982 Apollo 3300 DB in Reeker, 2005, a 1977 Apollo 3300 IB in Reeker; both an IB and DB were used in Reeker the IB was the one they destroyed by ramming it broadside with a Jeep Wagoneer of similar year. Both were used interchangeably to represent the same vehicle. 2005, and a 1977 Apollo 3300 RB in Columbo: The Conspirators, 1978

Engines

All but one motorhome produced, the Scepter was gas powered. Most models produced in the 1970s were powered by the Dodge 440, producing 224 hp, the earliest powered by a 300 hp 392; in the eighties, motorhomes produced were larger, using the Chevy 454. 40 of the Scepters were powered by the CAT 3208 non-turbo with 175hp or the Detroit Diesel 8.2-liter 205hp engines Two of the 44 Scepters produced were Chevy 454 powered.

The end of Apollo Motorhomes

Apollo fell into bankruptcy in the late eighties, ending an almost 20-year run. Apollo Motor Homes was a subsidiary of Kalvex a holding company for both Apollo and Allied Artists, a motion picture company best known having produced films including "The Betsy," featuring Tommy Lee Jones

References

This article "Apollo Motorhomes" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Apollo Motorhomes. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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