Price of a Bluebird

[Gardner Yeaw]

I think that my experience is in line with other forum members as
far as cost of ownership. First of all I paid a little under $14,000
for a 1978 FC 33. The Blue Box had maintenance records that went way
back. The things that were done consisted of maintenance and
upgrades right up until I bought it. The upgrades were a clear
indication that the owner believed the coach was worth it and had no
reason to suspect it would have a catistrophic engine or trans
failure in the forseeable future.

So now it was my turn to continue the restoration of the systems
and appearence of the coach. I have spent perhaps $7,000 so far, but
that includes tools and other things not directly related to fixes.
I bought a high speed buffer and the not-so-cheap foam pads to clean
up the exterior, various wrenches, sockets, and a bunch of other
tools, because I like tools. I had some work done by a truck shop in
the beginning to check the brakes and other things just to be safe.
I rebuilt the ice maker, replaced the microwave, replaced many
switches and lights, ballasts, vinyl trim, rubber trim inserts, etc.
etc. The power steering pump failed along with the pulley, that was
about $700 with me doing the work. Gas springs, compartment lock
sets, high hats and chrome lug nut covers, new power amp for the
sound system, new lights for the HWH leveling system, rebuild the
HWH valve assembly, replace the dump valve cores, and the list goes
on and on.

Why do I spend the money and do the repairs? Because at 30+ years
old it is still a great coach. It has everything you need and has a
very functional design. I will never get the money out of it, but I
will get a lot of enjoyment from its use. I also have a lot of fun
working on it, it is a rewarding hobby.

When I buy a car I drive it till it drops and then look for
another used one. The great thing about a Bluebird is that if you
take care of it, it won't drop.

Gardner
78FC33
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 1/28/2008 3:56:52 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> ryanpwright@... writes:
>
> nickel and dime stuff (adjusted for inflation, that means $100
> here, $100 there ;-)
>
>
> The bird is kinda like my old sailing craft-- just a catch all for
those 100
> dollar bills.
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Weatherford, Tx
> -----Montana bound
>
>
>
> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in
shape.
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?
NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
>