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| Avion
Plant at E. 1550 E. Empire. Trailers Were Stored Inside
The Fence |
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repair facility offered factory service for many years. |
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It
is not silver but it was made during the silver era
so it does deserve a mention. "the prototype was
displayed in May, 1972 at the Transpro '72 trade show
in Washington, D.C. Production vehicles debuted in the
1973 model year to general acclaim from the recreational
vehicle community. Two models were offered, Model 230(23
feet) and Model 260(26 feet), in two variations Motor
home(provided with GM finished interior) and Transmode(bare
coaches sold to RV manufacturers such as Avion and Coachman
who provided their own interior). |
More
information click here |
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This
history of Avion begins not with its founder Loren Cayo
but with his father Julius N . Cayo. Julius was the
founder of Cayo Manufacturing Company. He trained his
sons in the tool and die designing industry. As a result,
the sons became skilled craftsmen so that each son successfully
engaged in businesses for themselves. Howard M. Cayo
was president of the K-O Products company, Loren Cayo
was president of Star Stamping Company. This company
was engaged in the manufacture of oil filters and components.
Robert Cayo was owner of Robert R. Cayo Company, a manufacturer
of televisions mast components and stampings.
Loren was an avid sportsman and camper as were his friends
Allen Grams and Larry Zuhl. They wanted a recreational
vehicle that could be used with full hookups, or be
self-contained when hookups were not available. Allen
and Larry were building contractors. These backgrounds
were a good blend and in 1955 the Avion Coach Corporation
was formed in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The goal was
to build America's finest travel trailer. Allen Grams
served as President of the Corporation for the first
several years. The company prospered and by 1967 was
operating plants in Benton Township Michigan and San
Jacinto California. Loren passed away suddenly from
a heart attack at age 51. Following Loren's death Robert
became President of Avion Coach. |
In
1970, controlling interest in the Avion Coach Corporation
was sold by the Cayo family to a Detroit family headed
by Robert M. Ligon. Legan Enterprises, who continued
to build and market the same high quality product with
Robert Legan as its president. In 1976 Legan Enterprises
sold the company to Fleetwood Enterprises. The Silver
Avion was built until the 1990's when Fleetwood decided
to build the Avion Product with more traditional RV
construction methods. Fleetwood continues to sell 5th
Wheel Trailers under the Avion Name. |
For
many years Avion's were built at a plant located at 1300
East Empire. Later the plant was located just down the
street at East 1550 Empire Avenue. During a business trip
in 2003 Paul the Avion Guy took a trip over to East Empire
Avenue to see if the old buildings were still there. The
first thing I noticed was that the old campground at the
intersection of M139 and East Empire. Many of us parked
for the night when visiting the plant. I was surprised
to see that both buildings are in use. 1300 is now the
distribution center for Tile Mart and looks much like
it did in the 1960's. 1550 East Empire is now the Benton
Harbor plant of the J. L. French Company. The property
is virtually unchanged from my last visit in 1987. The
only thing missing is the front lot full of new Silver
Avions waiting to be shipped to a happy owner.
The only sad part of the journey was when I came across
the building of Star Stamping which is located on M139.
The building is abandoned and for sale. Apparently Star
was the only company to ever operate there and the company
name is still on the front of the building. |
Cayo RV Corporation History. Click here |
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NEW Bob Muncy's Avion History
Research. Click here. |
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