1987-1992 Winnebago LeSharo

Introduced in August 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Renault Trafic-based LeSharo was the answer to the average RV's worsening fuel economy at the time even amid the fallout of the 1973 Oil Crisis which ultimately made fuel economy the new priority among automakers. Depending on powertrain, gasoline or diesel, it averaged between 16-23 MPG versus older, American-built RVs' 4-10 MPG. Despite a handful of performance improvements plus the addition of a Fuego-sourced 103-hp I4 petrol engine in 1985, ultimately replacing the diesel the following year due to American customers' negative perceptions with diesel engines over quality issues of Oldsmobile's failed diesel 350 V8 motor, it was never enough to supplement its otherwise superior handling characteristics relative to other RVs, and it was discontinued after 1992, with at least 21,000 conversions made. Nevertheless, its qualities as a true multi-purpose motorhome gave it a sizeable following among enthusiasts that remains strong even today.

Image date: September 2018