[DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC LETTERHEAD]
June ___, 2002
EXHIBIT 5.1
Champion Home Builders Co.
2701 University Drive, Suite 300
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Re: Registration Statement Relating to $150,000,000 Aggregate
Principal Amount of 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the registration of $150,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange Notes") in connection
with an exchange offer for $150,000,000 principal amount of outstanding 11 1/4%
Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Outstanding Notes") by Champion Home Builders Co., a
Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and the guarantees of the Exchange Notes
(the "Guarantees") by Champion Enterprises, Inc., a Michigan corporation
("Champion"), and each of the entities listed on Schedule A hereto (each,
including Champion, a "Guarantor" and collectively, the "Guarantors"), under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), on Form S-4 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June ___, 2002 (the
"Registration Statement"), you have requested our opinion with respect to the
matters set forth below. The Exchange Notes and Guarantees will be issued
pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of April 22, 2002, among
the Company, the Guarantors and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the
"Trustee").
In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration,
we are familiar with the proceedings taken by the Company and the Guarantors in
connection with the authorization and issuance of the Exchange Notes and the
Guarantees, respectively. In addition, we have made such legal and factual
examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents,
corporate records and instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate
for purposes of this opinion. We have examined, along with other documents, the
following:
(a) the Indenture;
(b) form of Exchange Note; and
(c) the Form of Guarantee.
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
Champion Home Builders
June ___, 2002
Page 2
The documents described in paragraphs (a) through (c) above are
referred to herein collectively as the "Transaction Documents."
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the
conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as
copies. To the extent it may be relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we
have assumed that:
(i) each party to the Transaction Documents other than the Company has
the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents and to consummate the
transactions contemplated thereby;
(ii) the Transactional Documents have been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by each party thereto other than the Company and the Guarantors
and constitute valid and binding obligations of such other party, enforceable
against each such other party in accordance with their terms;
(iii) each party to the Transaction Documents other than the Company
and the Guarantors has complied with and will comply with all of its obligations
under the Transaction Documents and all laws applicable thereto; and
(iv) the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes have been and will be
duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only
of the federal laws of the United States, and the internal laws of the State of
Michigan, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto,
or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction, or as to any
matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is
our opinion that as of the date hereof:
1. The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action of the Company, and when executed, authenticated and executed
and delivered by or on behalf of the Company against the due tender and delivery
to the Trustee of the Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, will constitute legally
valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms.
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
Champion Home Builders
June ___, 2002
Page 3
2. Each of the Guarantees has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate or company action of the respective Guarantor, and when executed in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and upon due execution,
authentication and delivery of the Exchange Notes against the due tender and
delivery to the Trustee of the Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, will be
the legally valid and binding obligation of the respective Guarantor,
enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
The opinions rendered in paragraphs 1 and 2 above relating to the
enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are subject to the
following exceptions, limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and (ii) rights of acceleration and the effect of general principles
of equity, whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law,
and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
In rendering the opinions set forth above, we have assumed that the
laws of the State of New York as to the enforceability of the Exchange Notes and
the Guarantees are not different from the laws of the State of Michigan
(excluding the choice of law rules).
To the extent that the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors
under the Indenture may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes
of this opinion that the Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is
duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that
the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee
and constitutes the legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the
Trustee enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; that the
Trustee is in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a trustee
under the Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the
Trustee has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to
perform its obligations under the Indenture.
We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm contained under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus contained therein. In giving such
consent, we do not concede that we are experts within the meaning of the Act or
the rules or regulations thereunder or that this consent is required by Section
7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
/S/ Dykema Gossett PLLC
SCHEDULE A
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
<Table>
<Caption>
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Name of Subsidiary Organization
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
A-1 Champion GP, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
A-1 Homes Group, L.P. Texas
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Alpine Homes, Inc. Colorado
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
American Transport, Inc. Nevada
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Art Richter Insurance, Inc. Kentucky
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Auburn Champ, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Builders Credit Corporation Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CAC Funding Corporation Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Care Free Homes, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Central Mississippi Manufactured Mississippi
Housing, Inc.
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Champion Financial Corporation Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Champion GP, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Champion Home Communities, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Champion Motor Coach, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Champion Retail, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Chandeleur Homes, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CHI, Inc. Kansas
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Cliff Ave. Investments, Inc. South Dakota
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Crest Ridge Homes, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Crestpointe Financial Services, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Dutch Housing, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Factory Homes Outlet, Inc. Idaho
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Fleming County Industries, Inc. Kentucky
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Gateway Acceptance Corp. South Dakota
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Gateway Mobile & Modular Homes, Inc. Nebraska
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Gateway Properties Corp. South Dakota
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Gem Homes, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Genesis Home Centers, Limited Partnership Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Grand Manor, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Heartland Homes, L.P. Texas
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
HomePride Finance Corp. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
</Table>
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
Champion Home Builders
June ___, 2002
Page 5
<Table>
<Caption>
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Name of Subsidiary Organization
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America Finance, Inc. Nevada
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America of Arizona, Inc. Arizona
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America of California, Inc. California
---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America of Oklahoma, Inc. Oklahoma
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America of Utah, Inc. Utah
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes America of Wyoming, Inc. Wyoming
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes of Kentuckiana, L.L.C. Kentucky
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes of Legend, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Homes of Merit, Inc. Florida
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
I.D.A., Inc. Oklahoma
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Iseman Corp. South Dakota
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Lamplighter Homes, Inc. Washington
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Lamplighter Homes (Oregon), Inc. Oregon
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Manufactured Housing of Louisiana, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Moduline International, Inc. Washington
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Northstar Corporation South Dakota
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Philadelphia Housing Center, Inc. Mississippi
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Prairie Ridge, Inc. Kansas
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Business Trust Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Homes Management Company, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Homes, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Industries, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Investment, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Management Services Business Trust Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Redman Retail, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Regency Supply Company, Inc. Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc. California
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Service Contract Corporation Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Southern Showcase Finance, Inc. Michigan
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Southern Showcase Housing, Inc. North Carolina
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Star Fleet, Inc. Indiana
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
The Okahumpka Corporation Florida
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Trading Post Mobile Homes, Inc. Kentucky
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
</Table>
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
Champion Home Builders
June ___, 2002
Page 6
<Table>
<Caption>
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Name of Subsidiary Organization
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
U.S.A. Mobile Homes, Inc. Oregon
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Victory Investment Company Oklahoma
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Western Homes Corporation Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Whitworth Management, Inc. Nevada
- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
</Table>