Buying our First Bluebird!!!

[erniecarpet@...]

Eddie, best wishes on your upcoming purchace of Harvey and Kathy's coach. I
have been in and around that coach many times and I believe you have a keeper
there.

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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

[eddiemoranii]

We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!

We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years of
enjoyment.

So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What will
that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
available. I would also assume that parts that are not available can
be fabricated?

What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we get new
skin?

Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to picking
up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.

Eddie

[p_a_lazar]

Congratulations on your Bird.

Since I started the dust-up about BB support, I feel I must also
explain that you did *NOT* make a mistake buying BB.

As I have repeatedly said, owning a BB means *NOT* needing the factory
for support and that is one of my main reason to buy one as well.

Almost every part is standard RV or off the shelf boat stuff etc. The
mechanicals are available at any bus/truck supplier. The engine &
transmission are used everywhere. The generator is standard as well.

Interiors can be completely stripped out and made new or
matching/close to matching materials are readily available to the
handyman or carpenter.

THe skin is double galvanized steel readily available at metals
distributors (unlike custom fiberglass).

Do not fear your decision. My rants are directed at the companies
short sightedness is abondoning it's roots. BBs can be kept on the
road far beyond our lifetimes without having to look too hard for
parts or to have them custom made.

Paul
97wb43

P.S. Everything I say is just my opinions.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "eddiemoranii"
wrote:
>
> We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
>
> We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years of
> enjoyment.
>
> So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What will
> that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
> available. I would also assume that parts that are not available can
> be fabricated?
>
> What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we get new
> skin?
>
> Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to picking
> up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
>
> Eddie
>

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Hello Eddie:

Your getting a good, well maintained, Coach in Southern Comfort. Harvey and
Kathy are wonderful people. So congratulations to you and I know that you
will enjoy the many miles of travel down the highways and byways of this
vast and wonderful part of the hemisphere.

As to your thoughts on parts, service and help, Paul and Mike H. have
covered most of that. Then there is the support of the Wanderlodge Forum
with sub divisions of "files, recommended service companies, various part
up grades," and of course the vast knowledge of "owners" of the Forum.
Please remember that the only dumb question here is a question that is not
asked.

Don't forget to add to your insurance package, towing insurance such as is
available from the FMCA it is one of the best $85.00 per year, buys going.
Just a thought there.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma

At 06:54 PM 10/6/2006 +0000, you wrote:
>We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
>
>We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years of
>enjoyment.
>
>So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What will
>that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
>available. I would also assume that parts that are not available can
>be fabricated?
>
>What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we get new
>skin?
>
>Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to picking
>up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
>
>Eddie

[mbulriss]

Eddie,

Congrats to you (and Harvey also) and welcome to the WanderlodgeForum!
You got a good Bird. May you have many miles of happiness together.

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

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "eddiemoranii"
wrote:
>
> We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
>
> We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years of
> enjoyment.
>
> So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What will
> that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
> available. I would also assume that parts that are not available can
> be fabricated?
>
> What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we get new
> skin?
>
> Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to picking
> up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
>
> Eddie
>

[pattypape]

Eddie,

Do not be fearful, You made a good decision.
All parts are available, or a substitute is available.
A good truck parts place has it all or NAPA, and numerous
internet businesses sell parts. Most parts are common to a truck
or bus, The Interior RV stuff is easy to find.
These BB Forums are great for information and support.
So just start asking questions.

Bill 88 FC Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "eddiemoranii"
wrote:
>
> We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
>
> We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years of
> enjoyment.
>
> So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What
will
> that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
> available. I would also assume that parts that are not available
can
> be fabricated?
>
> What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we get
new
> skin?
>
> Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to picking
> up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
>
> Eddie
>

[eddiemoranii]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>To all, I am not fearful. Although it is a large sum of money for
us, we believe that we are getting into a Great bus with a great
support network.

My wife and I are very excited and we do feel that we are getting a
great bus. I was just slightly concerned about the discussion of a
lack of company support for the Bluebird. If the company has not
been the source of most parts for a while then it will be no big
deal. Also, I do work on things myself, when I have the time and am
not working.

Thanks for everyones responses....

Eddie
>
> Eddie,
>
> Do not be fearful, You made a good decision.
> All parts are available, or a substitute is available.
> A good truck parts place has it all or NAPA, and numerous
> internet businesses sell parts. Most parts are common to a truck
> or bus, The Interior RV stuff is easy to find.
> These BB Forums are great for information and support.
> So just start asking questions.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "eddiemoranii"
> wrote:
> >
> > We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
> >
> > We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years
of
> > enjoyment.
> >
> > So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What
> will
> > that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
> > available. I would also assume that parts that are not
available
> can
> > be fabricated?
> >
> > What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we
get
> new
> > skin?
> >
> > Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to
picking
> > up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
> >
> > Eddie
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

I just want to add my voice ... "factory support" for older BB WLs is
just not that big a deal. I've tackled a number of things ... minor
and not-so-minor and haven't felt the need to contact BB about any of
it. Heavy truck places* and good general auto parts stores will take
care of the standard stuff. Then much of the other stuff is common RV
items. I've done a couple of projects with Camping World. They don't
care what age or brand RV you have, their technicians seem to be able
to work with whatever, since the RV systems they support are common
to most RVs. My local auto parts stores were quite helpful in getting
a variety of filters ... and I've been able to find the more esoteric
items via the Internet. (Most recently, some "camloc" fasteners -- I
managed to break one.) Sometimes the most tricky aspect is simply
identifying the "thing" so you can search for it.

As for the critique of BB's attitude ... I understand the concern,
but it's mostly a matter of attitude. BB is in a very competitive
business at the high end. Those willing to spend $800,000 or $1
million on an RV are clearly not in the same category as I ... and
since I don't think I'll ever be on the Forbes 400 list, I'm unlikely
to consider spending such a sum even if I could afford it. (In a few
years, I might 'trade up' to a newer, but used, BB -- perhaps one
with slide outs --- but I'm hoping that the magic of depreciation
will make those much more affordable when the time comes.)

*I had radiator work done by a local radiator shop that also works on
a local transit district's busses. No problems and no need to be
concerned with "factory support."

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Oct 6, 2006, at 3:08 PM, eddiemoranii wrote:

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
> wrote:
>> To all, I am not fearful. Although it is a large sum of money for
> us, we believe that we are getting into a Great bus with a great
> support network.
>
> My wife and I are very excited and we do feel that we are getting a
> great bus. I was just slightly concerned about the discussion of a
> lack of company support for the Bluebird. If the company has not
> been the source of most parts for a while then it will be no big
> deal. Also, I do work on things myself, when I have the time and am
> not working.
>
> Thanks for everyones responses....
>
> Eddie
>>
>> Eddie,
>>
>> Do not be fearful, You made a good decision.
>> All parts are available, or a substitute is available.
>> A good truck parts place has it all or NAPA, and numerous
>> internet businesses sell parts. Most parts are common to a truck
>> or bus, The Interior RV stuff is easy to find.
>> These BB Forums are great for information and support.
>> So just start asking questions.
>>
>> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "eddiemoranii"
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> We are buying Mr. Lawrence's 1984 PT-40!
>>>
>>> We live in central Florida and look forward to many many years
> of
>>> enjoyment.
>>>
>>> So Bluebird (the company) does not support Vintage Birds? What
>> will
>>> that mean for us? I would assume that many many parts are still
>>> available. I would also assume that parts that are not
> available
>> can
>>> be fabricated?
>>>
>>> What if we get hit by a truck and we damage the skin? Can we
> get
>> new
>>> skin?
>>>
>>> Thanks for your answers in advance and we look forward to
> picking
>>> up "Southern Comfort" at the Lawrence's in a few weeks.
>>>
>>> Eddie
>>>
>>
>
>



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