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This 1977 Ford Brougham RV Is Now A Tour Bus For Two Ukulele-Playing Musicians

This post was updated on March 19th, 2024

Jesse Chandler and Michael Kaplan make up The Ukulele Cowboy Society Cabaret Jazz and Bohemian Swing Duo. And like most artists, they tour in a tour bus.

But these two made their tour bus themselves!

It took two years to renovate the 22-foot 1977 Ford Brougham motorhome they call “Odessa.” And after selling their house in Columbus, Ohio, they’re quite happy living and rehearsing in just 115 square feet.

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What the motorhome looked like before its two-year-long renewal.

Original motorhome

As you can see, the interior needed a lot of work.

Original interior

And that’s just what it got!

Odessa motorhome interior

Ukuleles on the wall.

Ukeleles

According to NADA guides,

Entering the recreational vehicle marketplace in the mid-1970s, Brougham created compact yet comfortable Class C motorhomes. Utilizing a Dodge van chassis, the Class C motorhomes manufactured by Brougham were constructed with the best interests of vacationing families. In Brougham’s final year of production, a 30-foot and 34-foot joined the line-up in the 1985 model year.

Ukuleles everywhere!

More ukeleles

Dressed up door panels.

Door panel accents

There’s four Renogy 100 watt monocrystalline solar panels (400 watts total) on the roof.

400 watt solar panel system

This DIY backsplash adds interest to the kitchen area.

Backsplash in motorhome

After a coat of fresh white primer…

Fresh primer

…on went the tan exterior with red accents.

Odessa motorhome

To control the 400 watt solar panel system on they roof, they use a Renogy 40 amp MPPT solar charge controller, along with a Nature Power 200 watt sinewave inverter with 55 amp battery charger.

On board you’ll also find a composting system, urine diverter, and a six gallon propane hot water heater.

Throughout the camper, decorations influenced by the couple’s love for the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Mexican holiday celebration adorn cabinets and walls.

Dia de los Muertos door decorations

Take a video tour of Odessa.

Stay in touch with the Ukulele Cowboy Society:

See more awesome DIY builds from Do It Yourself RV 

2 thoughts on “This 1977 Ford Brougham RV Is Now A Tour Bus For Two Ukulele-Playing Musicians”

  1. Thanks for this delightful tour of your RV….you clearly put a lot of thought, love, and hard work into making it so neat!
    Best to you on your tours…really enjoyed your music at the end of the video, too.
    How is it to travel full time in an RV with two pets…any challenges to that?
    Ruth

  2. This is FABULOUS!

    Great job, Ukelele Cowboy Society. Very inspirational. I recently bought a 1995 Winnebago Rialta and while it is MUCH smaller than this great vintage unit, I can still find room for my guitars!

    Wishing you the best.

    Blogger: thanks for a great, inspiring article.

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