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SPECIAL!! 12 MONTH • 12,000 MILE LIMITED WARANTY ON MOST 1978 thru 1984 CARS! SPECIAL SALE ON NEW 1985 CARS!!! Wheels Mobile home business on a roll B y B A R B A R A BRADLEY Scrippi Howard News OCTrlCC •" 4? S. 'i A • t if •I :S 4 i 4 V •> ar« x § > »• A, MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- FOR SALE: Two bed­ room, two bath home, 952 square feet, fully furnished, fully carpet­ ed, drapes, half-bay windows, vaulted-ceil­ ing living room, lavish kitchen, luxury master bathroom. Price $25,000. Does that sound like a good deal? It is if you don't mind the fact that the home is on wheels. And apparently a lot of people don't. Mobile homes are looking bet­ ter and performing bet­ ter than ever before. The mobile home busi­ ness is on a roll. The high cost of site- built houses, lower in­ terest rates and easier and cheaper mainte­ nance on mobile homes are all playing a role in their popularity. Sales, which peaked in 1972 at 576,000, dropped to 213,000 in the 1974 recession, accord­ ing to the Bureau of Census ; Construction Reports statistics. The 1961 and 1962 recession caused another dip, but in 1963 and 1961, ship­ ments rose to 295,000, statistics show. The new mobile homes are not much like the tinny "houses with headlights" of ear­ lier days. In the first place, they're not get­ ting around much any more. About 97 percent never shift after they're trucked from the fac­ tory to the consumer, according to the Manu­ factured Housing Insti­ tute, a trade association for the industry! Features like vaulted ceilings, split-level floors, wood and stucco siding and bay windows are commonplace. Op­ tional amenities include Jacuzzis, saunas, wood- burning fireplaces, Spanish tiled roofs and skylights. Mobile homes are sold not only as long, rectangular single-wide units but as two sec­ tions -- double-wides -- and multiple sections that are Joined at the site. There are also "ex- pandables" with extra rooms that fold up for traveling. Single-wides range in price from $10,000 to $25,000 while the multi- sectioned homes usual­ ly cost between $17,500 and $50,000, according totheMHI. Fran and Jimmy Hall, who own a three- bedroom, double-wide home, have room for two dining room sets and a breakfast table, a big kitchen, three walk- in closets, utility room, a den and a living room with a fireplace. The home, in a Mem­ phis mobile home parte, also has a screened-in porch and a burgeoning garden in the back yard. "A house is too con­ fining," said Mrs. Hall. "With a house, you own that space, you're on it and you don't move. In a mobile home, you push a truck up to it, and you're gone." Mrs. Hall can pack a house in one day. The dishes go in the tubs and the lamps on the sofas. But the best part is that while the scen­ ery outside may change, things inside don't. "Your own famil­ iar things are around you, ana you don't feel as lost," she said. "Not like the new kid next door." It won't surprise many that a luxury mo­ bile home can look good. But what is the economy model like? A furnished model with 616 square feet can be had for about $11,000. The ceiling feels low and not all cabinets are floored. But there are two bedrooms (one very small). A good floor plan makes the adjoin­ ing kitchen and living room reasonably spa­ cious, and the unit is attractively decorated in tans and blues. There's also a ceiling fan and a decorative corner cabinet. Compare this with the top-of-the-line model with 952 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths. The $25,000 unit features a living room with a vaulted, beamed ceiling and a kitchen with a fleet of hand­ some cabinets, break­ fast table and eating bar. French doors sepa­ rate a large master bedroom and spacious bathroom with double sinks and garden tub. All of this wouldn't mean much without im­ provements in construc­ tion, however. Stronger and safer mobile homes have been mandated by law since the 1976 adop­ tion of a federal con­ struction code set by the Department of Housing and Urban De­ velopment. HUD stan­ dards regulate design and construction as well as heating, plumbing, air-conditioning and electrical systems. The mobile home in­ dustry has come a long way in the past .10 years, but there are still some potholes. The big­ gest concerns zoning. Not a lot of communi­ ties want mobile homes next door, singly or in parts. GM enters minivan market ByJanA.Zverlna UPI auto writer ji. 1 r r; » ,* « longer (176.8 in. ) and front to house drive some engine com- wider (77.0 in.) than components. But its ponents. Fluids, belts • -•..J..1-..EJIL __ the others. short hood puts the and the battery may DETROIT -- The Its rear drive and in- rear of the engine into be checked by lifting Chevrolet Astro, terior space make it the interior, and along the hood, but changing General Motors first more like a three- with the intruding the air filter or servic- new van design in 20 quarter scale version wheel well humps ing any rear part of the years, has finally ar- of GM's standard limits front passenger motor requires un do- rived to share the vans. leg room. ing a gaggle of bolts market in which But the Astro's Drivers' position is and plugs from inside Chryslers minivan height means an excellent. The optional and unfastening two has done so well for the awkward two-step front seats ($230) have recessed bolts under past three years. climb into the van, and fold down armrests the hood with an GM, and Ford with a tight squeeze in the and are supportive and unusually long its Aerostar, Join garage. fully adjustable. The screwdriver (not sup- Chrysler this year with The passenger Astro rear seat is removable plied). minivan versions to from now on will only and folds down. The Handling feels front heavy as in larger vans; not like the new generation mini vans. de market. highway with the petition. surfaces. The V6 is The Astro, along automatic. The cargo The Astro's optional more than adequate, with its GMC Safari model comes with a 2.5 instrumentation uses although the transmis- twin from GM's truck liter four cylinder, but non-digital, hockey sion was hard shifting division, was earlier may be ordered with stick-shaped gauges, and the rear end made introduced in cargo theV6. all of which are clear objectionable whines trim but production Standard transmis- and informative but and clunked from time problems delayed the sion is a four-speed obstructed by the tilt to time. passenger version un- manual, with a five- wheel in some posi- til this summer. speed manual with tions. Other controls Unlike Chrysler's overdrive or a four- are well placed. Voyager or Caravan speed automatic over- Pull-out storage bins models, GM is betting drive offered. under both front seats, motorists and com- The passenger ver- a glovebox and drink panies alike will find sion Is available in tray up front, and favor with the tradi- either CS or CL trim, storage compartments tional ^ear-wheel- the latter giving more throughout keeps one drive layout because exterior and interior organized on long of increased carrying dressup items and in- trips. and hauling capacity, strument gauges that Rear visibility is Chevrolet claims the replace warning hampered by the large Astro, when properly lights. post of the double back equipped, can tow up The CS version is door. One must rely on to 5,000 pounds, equal base priced at $8,623; the side mirrors, to the Ford Aerostar's the CL at $9,359. The which are hard to ad- capacity and more CL test model costs just. The short hood than twice that of $14,456, including the slopes out of sight, C h r y s l e r ' s . N e t V 6 e n g i n e ( $ 3 2 5 o n t h i s m a k i n g p a r k i n g t o u c h payload is rated at early model), air con- and go. 1,700 pounds, the ditioning ($697), The spdre tire is highest of all three. automatic transmis- mounted outside The Astro is also the sion ($670), stereo behind the rear tallest, yet it has the cassette ($614), tinted bumper, and its lowest dirag coefficient side glass ($293) and a removal seems com- to help fuel economy string of other extras, plicated and inconve- a n d c u t w i n d C h e v r o l e t s a y s r e a r n i e n t , e s p e c i a l l y d u r - resistance. It has the drive allows more in- ing bad weather. shortest wheelbase terior space because Also needlessly com- (111 inches), but is less room is needed up plicated is access to 1984 Sunbird 4 Dr. • P.S. & Disc. B. • A/C • Rear Defogger • Reclining Seats • Stripes - 21,000 Cert. Mi. • A Sharp Little Front Wheel Drive Cart ill! 1984 6000 4 Dr. • P.S. & Disc. B. • 55/45 Seat • A/C • Tilt - Cruise • AM-FM Stereo • Rear Defogger -17,000 Cert. Mi. • Like New!!!! 1984 Sunbird Wgn. • P.S. & Disc. B. - A/C - Tilt • AM-FM Stereo • Rear Defogger - Luggage Rack • 2 Tone Paint • 13,000 Cert. Mi. - Showroom new!!!! 1984 Fiero SE • 4 Speed - P.W. & Locks - Tilt • Cruise • AM-FM Cassette - A/.C • Cast Wheels • Red • Loaded • 12,000 Mi. - A Beauty!!! Special $9495.00!!!! 1983 Che*. Malibu CL Wgn. • P.S. & Disc. B. • A/C • Cruise • 60/40 Seat • Rear Defogger • Lug­ gage Rack - Wire Wheels - 38,000 Cert. Mi. • Like New!!!!1983 Olds Cutlass Supreme 4 Dr. / P.S..& Disc. B. • A/C - Cruise • AM-FM Stereo • Rear De­ fogger • Reel Sharp!!!! P.S. & Disc B. • P. Cruise • Wire Wheels 1982 Pontiec Grand Prix - P. Locks • Tilt - Cruise Rally Wheels • 1983 Olds Delta 88 4 Dr. Locks - 60/40 Seats • Tilt • Real Nice Family Car!!! 1982 Cutlass Cruiser Wagon • P.S. & Disc B. • P. Locks • 60/40 Seats • Tilt • Cruise - AM/FJM Stereo A/C • Luggage Rack - Rally Wheels • 4|,000 Cert. Mi. -Sharp!!!! 1982 Mustang GLX HB • P.S. & Disc B. • P. Win­ dows • Tilt • AM-FM Cassette - Rear Defogger • A/C • 2 Tone - 25,000 Cert. Mi. - A Little Yellow Beauty!!!! 1982 6000 2 Dr. - P.S. & Disc B. - A/C • AM- FM Cassette - Buckets & Console • 2 Tone Paint • One Owner - Extra Nice!!!! 1982 Bonn. 4 Dr. • P.S. & Disc B. • A/C - Rear Defogger 60/40 Seat • Cruise • Tilt • AM-FM • Wire Wheels • 41,OOOTert. Mi. - Reel Nice!!!! P.S. & Disc. B. - A/C • AM-FM Stereo • Rear Landau Top • 2 Tone Blue-39,000 Mi.-Sharp!!!! 1981 Camera • P.S. & Disc B. - AM-FM • A/C • Rally Wheels - 29,000 Cert. Mi. - A Red Beauty!!!! Extra Sharp!!!! 1981 Phoenix 4 Dr. HB - P.S. & Disc. B. • A/C - Rear Defogger - Wire Wheels • 41,000 Cert. Mi. - One Owner - Like New!!!! 1980 Ford Pinto Wgn. • 4 Speed • AM-FM Cas­ sette - 35,000 Cert. Mi. • Extra Clean • Was $2995.00 -Now $2295.00!!!! 1980 Olds Omega Brougham 4 Dr. • P.S. & Disc. B. • -A/C • Rear Defogger • Vinyl Top • V6 Engine • 29,000 Cert Mi. • Showroom New!!!! 1979 Datsun 210 HB • 5 Speed • Rear Defogger • AM-FM Cassette-Extra Clean!!!! 1979 GMC 4 X 4 Jimmy • P.S. & B. • 4 Speed A/C - AM-FM - One Owner • Extra Clfan!!!! 1978 Pontine Phoenix 4 Dr. P.S. & Disc B. - A/C - 46,000 Cert. Mi. • Real Clean • Special!!!! Onl» <2995.00!!!! SUNBIRDS STARTING AT $8150.00!!! FIEROS STARTING AT $9271.00!!! • 6000's STARTING AT $10,396.00!!! NO STRIKE HERE! WE HAVE A GOOD SELECTION OF NEW 85' PONTIAC & GMC'S ON HAND AND READY TO GO! 1986 GRAND AMS NOW IN-STOCK and ready for ORMSBY MOTORS Keep that Great GM feeling with Genuine GM Parts Pontiac GM QUALITY SIRVICI PARTS 50 N. MAIN ST.. CRYSTAL LAKE GMC EUROPA MOTORS BODY SHOP 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE W0RKIH6F0RY0U. ROGER PtCNOUS Roger carries 35 years of auto re- finishing expertise and is a factory trained professional in all types of refinishing 8 blending. BILLRUZICKA * Bill has 15 years of experience in all phases of body and frame repair and specializes in all applications of unibody and frame alignment . tath Bill and Roger continue to serve the McHenry area with Europa Pride and can handle all your needs, including insurance work, fiberglass jobs, custom work and quality restorations. Plus all their fine work Is fully guaranteed! Jiuropa Rotors, Jttc. 2414W.KTE. UMIcHENRY •*•*» FREE ESTIMATES385-0700 Now You Can Lease This 740 TD VOLVO PER MONTH and drive it for an unbelievable *295® No Gimmicks! BARRINGTON VOLVO 300 N. HOUGH (Route 59) INCORPORATED BARRINGTON, !L 312-381-9400 Excellent Selection of Fine Pre-owned cars 1976 MERCEDES280 S Locally Driven, Excellent Condition. 1984 VOLVO GL Air Cond., P.W., Sunroof, Leather Int. (2) 1982 VOLVO DL 4 Door, Auto., Air, Stereo. 1982 VOLVO DL-2 DOOR Automatic, Air, Stereo, Low Miles. 1962 VOLVO 6LT IntercooiedTurbo, Fully Equipped. 1983 AUDI S000S Fully Equipped, Extra Clean. 1982 BMW S28 Mint Condition. 1961 VOLVO DL Sunroof, 5 Speed. 1960 VOLVO 262 BERT0NCPE. Clean And More. I960VOLVO DL Air, Stereo, Automatic. 1979 VOLVO DL 2 To Choose From. 1978 VOLVO DL 242 1981 PEUGEOT S04 WAGON Fully Equipped. I960SUBARU DL WACOM 1960 RENAULT LE CAR J