Tim Finn found a veritable uncorn: a Winnebago LeSharo, from the eighties. Given that they were powered by a Renault four cylinder, initially a diesel, but when that turned out to be troublesome, it was replaced by a gas version. Either way, it was not exactly destined to be a long-life vehicle.
But the huge boom in vans and other RVs has given a lot of old and tired vans and such a new lease on life, and sometimes crazy prices.
There was an outfit that converted these to use a Chrysler FWD minivan V6 drivetrain; maybe this one has been blessed with that.
The later VW van versions (Rialto) were built for quite a while, and are still a hot commodty. One of my tenants bought one. It had to be towed home on at least one occasion.
I found one about ten years ago and did a full write-up on it here.
Salve. Cortesemente: In vendita? Descrizione? Foto interne ed esterne? Prezzo? Grazie, Adriano, brustolin.canci@gmail.com
I have one of these in not running condition. Too bad the aftermarket doesn’t have a kit to install maybe a 4.3 Chev, or 5.3 small block.
When I was a senior in High school I was a tech at a Winnebago dealership. One day one of these gets towed in with the diesel. Guy said it wouldn’t start. One of the more experienced mechanics (who had been doing this since they were new) said I don’t want to touch it, kid go take a look. I grabbed a jump pack but the thing wouldn’ t turn over. The mechanic told me to pop off the belt cover. Found the timing belt snapped clean in half. Mechanic told me that’s the end of that. Turns out they are interference engines. The interval between changes was like 40,000 miles but most of them never hit that before the belt became brittle from sitting. The owner apparently loved the thing and asked us to quote an engine rebuild. I seem to remember we popped of the valve cover and maybe the head and found total destruction (piston valves etc were all toast). The guy had it towed after that not sure what happened to it.
Fun fact I seem to recall the factory service manual said to use a frequency meter to make sure you had the right belt tension. Apparently not uncommon for Italian cars and motorcycles looking online. Love setting up a microphone to strum my timing belt.
The frequency measurement for belt tension can be done with a smartphone nowadays, no special equipment needed. Not that I have tried it … on my Ducati the “easy” way to set belt tension is to measure 5mm belt deflection using a 5mm Allen wrench as a feeler gauge.
I’d hate to follow this slow, under-powered vehicle up a hill or merging on a crowded Interstate highway.
That’s a great picture. Looks like it could be a brochure image, since these small RVs often seemed to have both “town and country” images in ads & brochures, touting how they were easily drivable in town.
Times two…that picture almost looks fake it’s so good. It’s time for me to stop buying cheap cameras and phones. 🙂
I agree that this picture is fantastic. According to his Flickr page, he shot it with a Moto E, which goes to show you it’s not always about the equipment.
Tim is an excellent amateur photographer. His photos are all professional level.
There was a rather tired example in Bend Oregon up until a few weeks ago when it acquired the dreaded orange abandoned vehicle sticker. I wonder of the engine snapped a timing belt. The subsequent VW based Rialtas were more successful and survive in larger numbers.
From its looks, the vehicle is a Renault Traffic, with some added front end plastics. The windshield, doors, in fact the whole cabin is clearly a Renault. I guess the “chassis” is also the same.
I don’t remember ever seeing one in person but I can remember MotorWeek having one for a very extended long-term test during which time they used it as a mobile broadcast command center.
I remember these when they were new. I was in my French car phase and was pretty happy with my Renault 18i sedan. I took one look at this and asked myself “what are these crazies in Minnesota thinking”. 80’s RV quality, Renault service that (with very few exceptions) ranged from wretched to just OK, all wrapped up in an under-powered rig that one could barely stand up in. What could possibly go wrong?
I did have to look several times at the photo, until I saw some dirt/mold/whatever streaks it looked like a PR photo. Whoever owns that one must love it a lot.
As far as the photographer goes, there’s an old truism that a great photographer can take great photos with a box Brownie but a poor one will take poor photos with a TOL Nikon. It’s the person behind the viewfinder that counts.
Leave us Minnesotans out of this discussion, Winnies are from Iowa.
Sorry, I should have read my source more carefully, only their current HQ being in Eden Prairie.
CC Effect. I saw one of these parked near Jack London Square in Oakland yesterday and was like “what in hell is THAT?”
As was pointed out further above, this must be an adaptation of the Renault Traffic, a reasonably popular van here in Europe. “Ours” were almost always fitted with a 5sp manual box which made progress slightly less painful than one fitted with an automatic box (as I suspect the US version was). I don’t remember the diesel engines having a bad reputation but then those were known and understood here better in the US… I have no clue what possessed Winnebago to base their offering on something which was not sold in the US in its basic form though.
A neat survivor and agreed, those who can, take fantastic potographs .
Every day I see more and more old RV’s with the homeless in them, many cannot move , I see lots of 1960’sDodges, i wonder when I’ll see one of these full of toxic waste .
-Nate
I own one of these and absolutely love her. 1986 with original 4 cylinder Renault
I just purchased an original, it drives , transmission doesn’t shift , but I haven’t started working on it yet. I can’t wait for warm weather and see what I can do with it.
I’ve got one (see photo) with the 3.3L dodge engine. Cruises along at 80MPH @20MPG and perfect for a couple or family day tripper. Love my Lesharo.
I own one as well 🙂
I have one that needs a new clutch, I will part with it for the right person, for a reasonable price.
It’s in a storage yard in Tucson AZ.