What is the Safari model lineup or hierarchy?

[TDJohn]

John
I have the complete write up from Motor Home Magazine about the Kalahari. Testing results, options, capacities, and complete pricing. It was designed to lure customers wanting a diesel powered class A for a pretty economical price. The test vehicle with a few options was priced at 100K. If wanted I could post the article. It would be a good item to put in a History Section of this new site.

Jones,

If you have Safari related material, please do post it, as that is what this site is for. There have been members in the past, looking for info on these coaches, and not much info was available, so I'm sure that members that have Kalahari models will appreciate it.

[RSBILLEDWARDS]

Commenting on "Sometimes advertised as Continental Panther" SMC showed the model "Continental Panther" as the top of the line. As I indicated earlier it was the Continental was upgraded with an Engine upgrade. Monaco eliminated calling it the "Continental" instead calling it a Panther. Truly it was a real upgrade and warranted the name change as it was a totally different coach with a tag axle and a monster C 13 525 HP Twin turbo CAT, apparently a fuel hog.

Bill Edwards
1999 Panther 425

[BeaverOwner]

Reading about the SMC history it says SMC was incorporated in 1986 and production began in 1987.

The Trek line was introduced in 1991 (according the Wikipedia site on Trek).So what did SMC build in 1987-1990?

I thought the Trek was the "first Class A" offered by Safari.

Did SMC build any Class-C motorhomes prior to the Trek?

[TDJohn]

Reading about the SMC history it says SMC was incorporated in 1986 and production began in 1987.

The Trek line was introduced in 1991 (according the Wikipedia site on Trek).So what did SMC build in 1987-1990?

I thought the Trek was the "first Class A" offered by Safari.

Did SMC build any Class-C motorhomes prior to the Trek?

SMC built Serengeti, Ivory, and High Tech additions. I as far as I know, the latter two were pretty much a Serengeti with upgraded package options. There may have been other models too. They did not start building Class C RVs till the late 90s. Also around that time (late 90's), they bought out and built Harney coaches.

[BeaverOwner]

Thanks for the info.

I found this (in the 2000 SMC Corp 10-K filing):

PRODUCT INFORMATION BY SUBSIDIARY

SOLITAIRE

The Solitaire was introduced in the third quarter of 1999. It is built on Magnum monocoque chassis and has a tag axle design. The coach measures forty-five feet in length and is by far the most luxurious product produced by SMC. With a retail price ranging from $729,000 to $757,000, it is designed to compete with luxury bus conversions. The amenities of the Solitaire are similar to those found in luxury buses retailing in excess of $1 million. This product is a limited production model and is manufactured at the Beaver facility.

BEAVER

MARQUIS

The Marquis is positioned at the top of the Beaver product line. With retail prices of over $436,000, it is one of the most expensive and luxurious motor coaches in production today. The Marquis has traditionally been the most visible and best recognized of the Beaver models. The Marquis motor coach was further upgraded in 1997 to its current ultra-luxury position. As part of this strategy, production of the Marquis was slowed and a craftsman-intensive team production program was developed to produce each vehicle. New cabinet technologies were introduced, allowing the use of exotic veneers and richer lacquers. The Marquis is now positioned as a prestige product. Previously built on a chassis supplied by an outside supplier, in 1997 the Company began building the Marquis on a chassis developed by Magnum at an overall cost savings for the Company. In 1999, the Company introduced the Amethyst Marquis which is a forty-two foot, tag axle model carrying the most features and highest price of any Marquis.

PATRIOT

In July 1995, SMC introduced the 1996 Patriot on the all-new Magnum B-Series chassis. This new Magnum chassis replaced a chassis from an outside chassis vendor used since the Patriot model was introduced in 1992. The Patriot model has a retail price ranging from $247,000 to $346,000, depending upon options, including the upgraded Thunder option which features a powerful 425-horsepower engine and a heavy-duty transmission. Since the Marquis upgrade in 1997, the Patriot has successfully filled the niche of the original Marquis product.

CONTESSA

In 1997, the Company introduced the completely redesigned Contessa, which had been a Beaver model prior to the acquisition of Beaver in 1994. The Contessa is a high-end coach powered by a 330-horsepower engine that retails from $216,000 to $275,000, depending upon options.

8
MONTEREY

The Monterey was the first all-new Beaver product since the acquisition of Beaver in 1994. Retailing from $180,000 to $223,000, depending upon options, the Monterey provides Beaver with a product priced for broader appeal. An air-ride option has been developed to provide the traditional RV owner an alternative which is typically seen in high-line motor coaches.

SAFARI

CONTINENTAL

The Continental is the flagship product from Safari. Its design and technology features include disk brakes, Magnum Intellidrive computerized monitoring display, and Magnum Air Chassis all as standard equipment. The coach is driven by a 330hp Caterpillar engine and features an Allison MD3030 transmission with six forward speeds and two overdrives. The Continental retails from $304,000 to $330,000, depending upon options, including the Panther option which features a powerful 425-horsepower engine and a heavy-duty transmission.

SERENGETI

As the oldest of the Safari brand names, the Serengeti has been a core Safari product since its introduction in 1988. The Serengeti retails from $221,000 to $288,000, depending upon options, and its sibling, the Ivory model, occupies the higher end of that price range.

ZANZIBAR

The Zanzibar was introduced in 1998. The standard equipment offers an array of features found on higher priced models, but at an entry level price. It is constructed on the Magnum `R' chassis. The Zanzibar model retails from $164,000 to $202,000, depending on the options. This model has quickly become one of Safari's best sellers.

CHEETAH

In late 1999, this new Class A diesel pusher model was introduced to compete as an entry level product retailing in the $128,000 to $149,000 range. Market analysis indicates that a strong demand exists for an entry level diesel pusher as more consumers enter the RV market and those already owning gas RVs seek the enhanced performance of a diesel pusher product. The Cheetah is built on BF Goodrich's Torsilastic suspension system that is otherwise available on bus conversions in the $1 million retail price range.

TREK

The Trek is constructed on a Workhorse chassis powered by a gasoline engine. As the lowest priced SMC Class A motor coach, it is intended to acquaint new customers with SMC's products and attract them to the RV lifestyle. Equipped with SMC's patented Electro-Majic bed, the Trek occupies a niche in the otherwise competitive gas coach market. The Trek retails from $92,000 to $117,000, depending upon options.

9
HARNEY COUNTY OPERATIONS (DBA HARNEY COACH WORKS)

RENEGADE CLASS A

The Renegade is constructed on Magnum `R' series chassis with a Cat 330hp engine. Shipments began in January 1998. In 1999, the Renegade was upgraded and now retails from $154,000 to $172,000. The Renegade is still targeted to the expanding entry level Class A market which offers many features of the higher-line models, but at a more affordable pricing structure.

RIATA

In late 1999, this new Class A diesel pusher model was introduced to compete as an entry level product retailing in the $128,000 to $143,000 range. Similar to the Cheetah, the Riata's design is distinct to the products made at the Harney facility. Market analysis indicates that a strong demand exists for an entry level diesel pusher as more consumers enter the RV market and those already owning gas RVs seek the enhanced performance of a diesel pusher product. The Riata's 300hp engine and six speed transmission are significant features not available in competitive coaches.

[TDJohn]

Very interesting. It seems odd that most of the Safari models were priced a bit higher than the equivalent Beaver models.
The don't mention Safari Class C coaches. I also heard that SMC dabbled or at least attempted to dabble in Class B RVs.

[stuplich@ymail.com]

Thanks for the info.

I found this (in the 2000 SMC Corp 10-K filing):

PRODUCT INFORMATION BY SUBSIDIARY

SOLITAIRE
The Solitaire was introduced in the third quarter of 1999. It is built on Magnum monocoque chassis and has a tag axle design. The coach measures forty-five feet in length and is by far the most luxurious product produced by SMC. With a retail price ranging from $729,000 to $757,000, it is designed to compete with luxury bus conversions. The amenities of the Solitaire are similar to those found in luxury buses retailing in excess of $1 million. This product is a limited production model and is manufactured at the Beaver facility.

BEAVER

MARQUIS
The Marquis is positioned at the top of the Beaver product line. With retail prices of over $436,000, it is one of the most expensive and luxurious motor coaches in production today. The Marquis has traditionally been the most visible and best recognized of the Beaver models. The Marquis motor coach was further upgraded in 1997 to its current ultra-luxury position. As part of this strategy, production of the Marquis was slowed and a craftsman-intensive team production program was developed to produce each vehicle. New cabinet technologies were introduced, allowing the use of exotic veneers and richer lacquers. The Marquis is now positioned as a prestige product. Previously built on a chassis supplied by an outside supplier, in 1997 the Company began building the Marquis on a chassis developed by Magnum at an overall cost savings for the Company. In 1999, the Company introduced the Amethyst Marquis which is a forty-two foot, tag axle model carrying the most features and highest price of any Marquis.

PATRIOT
In July 1995, SMC introduced the 1996 Patriot on the all-new Magnum B-Series chassis. This new Magnum chassis replaced a chassis from an outside chassis vendor used since the Patriot model was introduced in 1992. The Patriot model has a retail price ranging from $247,000 to $346,000, depending upon options, including the upgraded Thunder option which features a powerful 425-horsepower engine and a heavy-duty transmission. Since the Marquis upgrade in 1997, the Patriot has successfully filled the niche of the original Marquis product.

CONTESSA
In 1997, the Company introduced the completely redesigned Contessa, which had been a Beaver model prior to the acquisition of Beaver in 1994. The Contessa is a high-end coach powered by a 330-horsepower engine that retails from $216,000 to $275,000, depending upon options.

MONTEREY
The Monterey was the first all-new Beaver product since the acquisition of Beaver in 1994. Retailing from $180,000 to $223,000, depending upon options, the Monterey provides Beaver with a product priced for broader appeal. An air-ride option has been developed to provide the traditional RV owner an alternative which is typically seen in high-line motor coaches.

SAFARI

CONTINENTAL
The Continental is the flagship product from Safari. Its design and technology features include disk brakes, Magnum Intellidrive computerized monitoring display, and Magnum Air Chassis all as standard equipment. The coach is driven by a 330hp Caterpillar engine and features an Allison MD3030 transmission with six forward speeds and two overdrives. The Continental retails from $304,000 to $330,000, depending upon options, including the Panther option which features a powerful 425-horsepower engine and a heavy-duty transmission.

SERENGETI
As the oldest of the Safari brand names, the Serengeti has been a core Safari product since its introduction in 1988. The Serengeti retails from $221,000 to $288,000, depending upon options, and its sibling, the Ivory model, occupies the higher end of that price range.

ZANZIBAR
The Zanzibar was introduced in 1998. The standard equipment offers an array of features found on higher priced models, but at an entry level price. It is constructed on the Magnum `R' chassis. The Zanzibar model retails from $164,000 to $202,000, depending on the options. This model has quickly become one of Safari's best sellers.

CHEETAH
In late 1999, this new Class A diesel pusher model was introduced to compete as an entry level product retailing in the $128,000 to $149,000 range. Market analysis indicates that a strong demand exists for an entry level diesel pusher as more consumers enter the RV market and those already owning gas RVs seek the enhanced performance of a diesel pusher product. The Cheetah is built on BF Goodrich's Torsilastic suspension system that is otherwise available on bus conversions in the $1 million retail price range.

TREK
The Trek is constructed on a Workhorse chassis powered by a gasoline engine. As the lowest priced SMC Class A motor coach, it is intended to acquaint new customers with SMC's products and attract them to the RV lifestyle. Equipped with SMC's patented Electro-Majic bed, the Trek occupies a niche in the otherwise competitive gas coach market. The Trek retails from $92,000 to $117,000, depending upon options.


HARNEY COUNTY OPERATIONS (DBA HARNEY COACH WORKS)

RENEGADE CLASS A
The Renegade is constructed on Magnum `R' series chassis with a Cat 330hp engine. Shipments began in January 1998. In 1999, the Renegade was upgraded and now retails from $154,000 to $172,000. The Renegade is still targeted to the expanding entry level Class A market which offers many features of the higher-line models, but at a more affordable pricing structure.

RIATA
In late 1999, this new Class A diesel pusher model was introduced to compete as an entry level product retailing in the $128,000 to $143,000 range. Similar to the Cheetah, the Riata's design is distinct to the products made at the Harney facility. Market analysis indicates that a strong demand exists for an entry level diesel pusher as more consumers enter the RV market and those already owning gas RVs seek the enhanced performance of a diesel pusher product. The Riata's 300hp engine and six speed transmission are significant features not available in competitive coaches.

BeaverOwner
Magnum Manufacturing, (a wholly owned subsidiary of SMC), built several different chassis for both Safari and Beaver.
The SMC/Magnum "Blue Streak" chassis was used on Safari's Sahara and Beaver's Monterrey.

Where do the "entry level" Safari Sahara coaches fit into that lineup?

[BeaverOwner]

That info was from 2000. I believe the Sahara came out after 2000 (during the Monaco years).

[stuplich@ymail.com]

That info was from 2000. I believe the Sahara came out after 2000 (during the Monaco years).

BeaverOwner
My Sahara 3530 was built by SMC (Safari Motorcoach Corporation) on their "Magnum Blue Streak" chassis.
(The "build date" was/is Jan 16, 1996).

When new, (in '96), the Sahara was the "low man on the Safari totem pole"...(below the Serengeti and the top of the line Continental).

BTW to some "purists" neither Treks or "Monaco built Safari diesel pushers" are in the same category as "true" Safari coaches.

[TDJohn]

Mike,

SMC introduced the Sahara model around '94ish, by '95 for sure. During the mid to late 90s, before the Zanzibar and Cheetah were made, the line up of the SMC diesel pusher coaches was (going from least costly, to most costly) Sahara, Serengeti, and Continental.
BTW, even though, in your post, SMC mentions the Ivory being a sibling to the Serengeti, looking at many brochures, it stated that the Ivory package was an option, meaning that it was a decked out Serengeti, kind of like the Panther was a decked out/monster engine Continental.