Since I don't know much about Wanderlodges

[David A. Scott]

I'd like to hear reactions to this Wanderlodge which is for sale on eBay



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-BMC-...rgo-traile
r_W0QQitemZ4613339301QQcategoryZ50056QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mbulriss]

David,

A BMC was built by BB, but it is not a Wanderlodge. I know they
listed it that way on the eBay listing, but BMCs were an entry level
coach attempt by BB and were not labeled or intended as Wanderlodges.
The BMC is not built on a BB chassis. I believe they were built on a
Spartan chassis(?) rather than a BB chassis. The BMC (Bluebird Motor
Coach) was only built from 1994-1997. The 1996 was the first year for
the 40' model with a tag axle. You can get more info on them at
Vintagebirds.com as well as review all the Wanderlodge model information.

While they are nice coaches, they are not Wanderlodges.
Birdconnection.com has three 1996 BMCs listed right now, starting at
$139,900, so my reaction is that this one is priced at a premium,
unless you value the trailer at $25k (I think not).

As you check eBay, remember to search on Wanderlodge and Wonderlodge
(a common error among the less 'knowledgeable' owner/sellers).

Please sign your name and location in your posts. Someone may know of
a Bird near you for sale.

Good luck in your hunting.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Scott"
wrote:
>
>
>
> I'd like to hear reactions to this Wanderlodge which is for sale on eBay
>
>
>
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-BMC-...rgo-traile
> r_W0QQitemZ4613339301QQcategoryZ50056QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[David Scott]

I'm pretty much completely confused now, and feel pretty much like the
guy who asked which came first the chicken or the egg?

If anyone can point me toward a reference that gives a history [I've
looked at several already and am still not clear]; before there was
ever an RV aspect there were BlueBird busses right? Like I rode on to
school? What came next a purposefully built motorhome or did someone
start living in a bus and the idea caught on and people started
converting them into "motorhomes or RV's" and then there were
Wanderlodges made by Blue Bird, followed by BlueBird motor coaches
that got converted into RV's/motorhomes?

Now I'm dizzy, going to go lay down.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> A BMC was built by BB, but it is not a Wanderlodge. I know they
> listed it that way on the eBay listing, but BMCs were an entry level
> coach attempt by BB and were not labeled or intended as Wanderlodges.
> The BMC is not built on a BB chassis. I believe they were built on a
> Spartan chassis(?) rather than a BB chassis. The BMC (Bluebird Motor
> Coach) was only built from 1994-1997. The 1996 was the first year for
> the 40' model with a tag axle. You can get more info on them at
> Vintagebirds.com as well as review all the Wanderlodge model
information.
>
> While they are nice coaches, they are not Wanderlodges.
> Birdconnection.com has three 1996 BMCs listed right now, starting at
> $139,900, so my reaction is that this one is priced at a premium,
> unless you value the trailer at $25k (I think not).
>
> As you check eBay, remember to search on Wanderlodge and Wonderlodge
> (a common error among the less 'knowledgeable' owner/sellers).
>
> Please sign your name and location in your posts. Someone may know of
> a Bird near you for sale.
>
> Good luck in your hunting.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > I'd like to hear reactions to this Wanderlodge which is for sale
on eBay
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-BMC-...rgo-traile
> > r_W0QQitemZ4613339301QQcategoryZ50056QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[Scott Forman]

Go to http://www.VintageBirds.com, lots of history info there.

I'm no expert, but here's a brief brreakdown for you:

-Blue Bird started making school busses in the early 1900's.

-In the late 60's, they began building the Wanderlodge on the Forward
Control ("FC") chassis. "Forward Control" refers to the flat-nose
bus with a front engine. Over the years, FC's were produced in 31,
33, and 35 foot lengths.

-Starting in '82, they also produced "pusher" (rear engine) models in
lengths from 36-40 feet. There were two models, the SP (Single
Pusher-single rear axle) and the PT (Pusher Tag, has rear tag axle).
All models are 96" width.

-In '88, the WB (Wide Body) was introduced on 38' and 40' pushers.
102" width.

-In '89, the FC was discontinued, and in '92, the SP was killed,
making all coaches after that rear-engine tag-axle models.

-From '94-'97, the BMC (Blue Bird Motor Coach) was produced. This
was a coach built by BB Coach Works on an outsourced chassis. It was
a less expensive coach and designed to give BB a lower-cost "entry
level" coach. The BMC's, while fine coaches, are generally
considered to be inferior to the true Wanderlodge. The heavy frame
construction is a big part of what makes the WL great.

-'98-up is basically the modern WL you can buy new today. Lengths 38-
45 feet.

BB made equipment changes and upgrades every year from the
beginning. Vintage Birds can give you more details, pictures, etc.

Hope you find this helpful.

Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "David Scott"
wrote:
>
> I'm pretty much completely confused now, and feel pretty much like
the
> guy who asked which came first the chicken or the egg?
>
> If anyone can point me toward a reference that gives a history [I've
> looked at several already and am still not clear]; before there was
> ever an RV aspect there were BlueBird busses right? Like I rode on
to
> school? What came next a purposefully built motorhome or did someone
> start living in a bus and the idea caught on and people started
> converting them into "motorhomes or RV's" and then there were
> Wanderlodges made by Blue Bird, followed by BlueBird motor coaches
> that got converted into RV's/motorhomes?
>
> Now I'm dizzy, going to go lay down.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
wrote:
> >
> > David,
> >
> > A BMC was built by BB, but it is not a Wanderlodge. I know they
> > listed it that way on the eBay listing, but BMCs were an entry
level
> > coach attempt by BB and were not labeled or intended as
Wanderlodges.
> > The BMC is not built on a BB chassis. I believe they were built
on a
> > Spartan chassis(?) rather than a BB chassis. The BMC (Bluebird
Motor
> > Coach) was only built from 1994-1997. The 1996 was the first
year for
> > the 40' model with a tag axle. You can get more info on them at
> > Vintagebirds.com as well as review all the Wanderlodge model
> information.
> >
> > While they are nice coaches, they are not Wanderlodges.
> > Birdconnection.com has three 1996 BMCs listed right now, starting
at
> > $139,900, so my reaction is that this one is priced at a premium,
> > unless you value the trailer at $25k (I think not).
> >
> > As you check eBay, remember to search on Wanderlodge and
Wonderlodge
> > (a common error among the less 'knowledgeable' owner/sellers).
> >
> > Please sign your name and location in your posts. Someone may
know of
> > a Bird near you for sale.
> >
> > Good luck in your hunting.
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Scott"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I'd like to hear reactions to this Wanderlodge which is for sale
> on eBay
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-BMC-...-matching-
cargo-traile
> > > r_W0QQitemZ4613339301QQcategoryZ50056QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>

[George Lowry]

Scott Forman wrote:

>Go to http://www.VintageBirds.com, lots of history info there.
>
>I'm no expert, but here's a brief brreakdown for you:
>
>-Blue Bird started making school busses in the early 1900's.
>
>

The first Bluebird bus was a 1927 model. Some place I have a picture of it.

>-In the late 60's, they began building the Wanderlodge on the Forward
>Control ("FC") chassis. "Forward Control" refers to the flat-nose
>bus with a front engine. Over the years, FC's were produced in 31,
>33, and 35 foot lengths.
>
>

The first "motor homes" were bus conversions by individuals. Some of
those individuals formed the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) in
1963. Bluebird brought out their first "Wanderlodge" in 1963.

Check out the history on the Bluebird Corporation home page.

George Lowry
'06 Alpine Apex - Formerly '95 WBDA 4203
Spearfish, SD Enjoying the balmy weather in Gila Bend, AZ

>
>
>
>

[Jeff Miller]

And commercial bus conversions date back to Miles and Kirwan Elmers
ordering a new Flxible coach for their traveling office/motorhome
(completed in 1952). This led to Elmers forming Custom Coach in
Columbus, Ohio and producing bus conversions for stars and
celebrities mostly, motorhomes for those who could afford them.
Custom Coach helped BlueBird create the first Wanderlodge.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, George Lowry
wrote:
>
>
>
> Scott Forman wrote:
>
> >Go to http://www.VintageBirds.com, lots of history info there.
> >
> >I'm no expert, but here's a brief brreakdown for you:
> >
> >-Blue Bird started making school busses in the early 1900's.
> >
> >
>
> The first Bluebird bus was a 1927 model. Some place I have a
picture of it.
>
> >-In the late 60's, they began building the Wanderlodge on the
Forward
> >Control ("FC") chassis. "Forward Control" refers to the flat-nose
> >bus with a front engine. Over the years, FC's were produced in 31,
> >33, and 35 foot lengths.
> >
> >
>
> The first "motor homes" were bus conversions by individuals. Some
of
> those individuals formed the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA)
in
> 1963. Bluebird brought out their first "Wanderlodge" in 1963.
>
> Check out the history on the Bluebird Corporation home page.
>
> George Lowry
> '06 Alpine Apex - Formerly '95 WBDA 4203
> Spearfish, SD Enjoying the balmy weather in Gila Bend, AZ
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Joe Hagan]

Jeff:

I believe it was they who did a conversion for the president of US Steel
in the mid-fifties. This coach was a YC3751 (Yellow Coach-later GM) that
was likely ex-Greyhound. They were also called "Silversides" and
"Cat-eyes." It was based in Pittsburgh and we were amazed - in those
day- that it had a shower in it. This was before coroprate aircraft
became popular. Used to see it on the PA Turnpike when I drove for
Continental Trailways during the 50's and 60's.



Pappy

St. George, UT

(Wannabe)

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
wrote:
>
> And commercial bus conversions date back to Miles and Kirwan Elmers
> ordering a new Flxible coach for their traveling office/motorhome
> (completed in 1952). This led to Elmers forming Custom Coach in
> Columbus, Ohio and producing bus conversions for stars and
> celebrities mostly, motorhomes for those who could afford them.
> Custom Coach helped BlueBird create the first Wanderlodge.
>
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, George Lowry wwemu1@
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Scott Forman wrote:
> >
> > >Go to http://www.VintageBirds.com, lots of history info there.
> > >
> > >I'm no expert, but here's a brief brreakdown for you:
> > >
> > >-Blue Bird started making school busses in the early 1900's.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > The first Bluebird bus was a 1927 model. Some place I have a
> picture of it.
> >
> > >-In the late 60's, they began building the Wanderlodge on the
> Forward
> > >Control ("FC") chassis. "Forward Control" refers to the flat-nose
> > >bus with a front engine. Over the years, FC's were produced in 31,
> > >33, and 35 foot lengths.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > The first "motor homes" were bus conversions by individuals. Some
> of
> > those individuals formed the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA)
> in
> > 1963. Bluebird brought out their first "Wanderlodge" in 1963.
> >
> > Check out the history on the Bluebird Corporation home page.
> >
> > George Lowry
> > '06 Alpine Apex - Formerly '95 WBDA 4203
> > Spearfish, SD Enjoying the balmy weather in Gila Bend, AZ
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>