Check out this Bus Conversion

[bubblerboy64]

I tend to make lists of pro's and con's when brain storming these
types of things. The list of con's is long the lists of pro's is
really short. I was actually glad the "numbers" didn't even come
close because that removes all temptation. But, at 61 its good to at
least be tempted some times :-). This also saves Shane time and
trouble because if the numbers had been doable I guess I would have
tried to drag him into this. More fun then makin battery cables maybe
but not as much as brisket cookin. That stuff is worth a LONG drive
let me tell you.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> Thanks for the update John. These old buses have a ton
> of character and romance associated with them. They are
> very tempting, but luckily, so far I've been able to resist.
> Now if Jay Leno's totally reworked Flxible Clipper
> should hit the market, I'm there! Otherwise, the parts and
> maintence issues are too overbearing for me. I'll stick with
> my LXi, thank you very much!
>
> David
> '02 LXi, NC
>
> bubblerboy64 wrote:
> >
> > The fellows best number is $77K. That pretty much says all that
> > needs to be said on that deal. It was worth a couple hours of my
> > time to look at it. I think he is going to have a very challenging
> > time selling it at that price in this market but some people seem
to
> > have a real talent doing deals. Nice people and I wished them the
> > best but that one is not for ole John.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> > >
> > > Last evening I looked over the GMC bus conversion. It is
extremely
> > > nice. I drove it and it was impressive. I only have the FC to
> > > compare it to so I can't tell you how a PT or newer BB would
drive
> > > in comparison. I certainly would have to check out a newer BB
> > before
> > > I even considered this old GMC. I did not even talk price with
the
> > > fellow because he is at $85K so off the market. I don't like to
> > > negotiate as was discussed some time back. I wrote him a thank
you
> > > and told him I was interested and if he would give me his best
> > price
> > > I would not negotiate but would consider. I think the chances of
> > him
> > > coming back with a "real world" number are slim to none
although he
> > > has two of these buses and this one has been for sale for at
least
> > a
> > > year. I don't think the fellow is needing to sell this bus and
he
> > > will likely wait it out until he finds just the right person.
> > > However, the bus is sitting in front of his home and after a
year
> > he
> > > likely would really want to move it. So we will see. The
> > conversion
> > > was done with the best of everything and the bus is just as
clean
> > as
> > > a whistle. He made me take my shoes off before entering and he
> > stated
> > > that has been the rule since new. I believe it entirely. It
looks
> > > like it was never used so it has some value. My gut tells me its
> > > worth perhaps (?) $35k tops so the chances of he and I finding
> > common
> > > ground are really not very good but I spent a couple hours with
a
> > > nice fellow who was very proud and glad to show me his treasure.
> > >
> > > John Heckman
> > > central Pa
> > > 1973 FC
> > >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
------
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG.
> > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.9/1416 - Release Date:
5/5/2008 5:11 PM
> >
>

[David Brady]

Thanks for the update John. These old buses have a ton

of character and romance associated with them. They are

very tempting, but luckily, so far I've been able to resist.

Now if Jay Leno's totally reworked Flxible Clipper

should hit the market, I'm there! Otherwise, the parts and

maintence issues are too overbearing for me. I'll stick with

my LXi, thank you very much!



David

'02 LXi, NC



bubblerboy64 wrote:

The fellows best number is $77K. That pretty much says all that

needs to be said on that deal. It was worth a couple hours of my

time to look at it. I think he is going to have a very challenging

time selling it at that price in this market but some people seem to

have a real talent doing deals. Nice people and I wished them the

best but that one is not for ole John.



John Heckman

central Pa

1973 FC

>

> Last evening I looked over the GMC bus conversion. It is extremely


> nice. I drove it and it was impressive. I only have the FC to

> compare it to so I can't tell you how a PT or newer BB would drive


> in comparison. I certainly would have to check out a newer BB

before

> I even considered this old GMC. I did not even talk price with the


> fellow because he is at $85K so off the market. I don't like to

> negotiate as was discussed some time back. I wrote him a thank you


> and told him I was interested and if he would give me his best

price

> I would not negotiate but would consider. I think the chances of

him

> coming back with a "real world" number are slim to none although
he

> has two of these buses and this one has been for sale for at least


a

> year. I don't think the fellow is needing to sell this bus and he

> will likely wait it out until he finds just the right person.

> However, the bus is sitting in front of his home and after a year

he

> likely would really want to move it. So we will see. The

conversion

> was done with the best of everything and the bus is just as clean

as

> a whistle. He made me take my shoes off before entering and he

stated

> that has been the rule since new. I believe it entirely. It looks

> like it was never used so it has some value. My gut tells me its

> worth perhaps (?) $35k tops so the chances of he and I finding

common

> ground are really not very good but I spent a couple hours with a

> nice fellow who was very proud and glad to show me his treasure.

>

> John Heckman

> central Pa

> 1973 FC

>

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.9/1416 - Release Date: 5/5/2008 5:11 PM

[Ryan Wright]

Dorn,

Hah! That's amazing. What a cool idea. That'd be one heck of a fun
project. A 60 foot coach would be all kinds of fun when it was
finished. Only problem is you couldn't park it in any camp ground...
But if you were content to sleep at truck stops, etc, and were fully
self contained (and why wouldn't you be with all that room), it would
be fine. I prefer staying in truck stops, anyway. I like the
atmosphere and the people better than the quiet campground types (no
offense to you campground folk ;-) ).

-Ryan

> Before I bought my bird, I was considering buying this and doing my own
> conversion...
>
> http://www.sell.com/22M4RF

[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a headache getting it licensed as a motorhome. Ibelieve that 45 feet is the longest you can go for the motorhome.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:37:21 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Check out this Bus Conversion

Dorn,

Hah! That's amazing. What a cool idea. That'd be one heck of a fun
project. A 60 foot coach would be all kinds of fun when it was
finished. Only problem is you couldn't park it in any camp ground...
But if you were content to sleep at truck stops, etc, and were fully
self contained (and why wouldn't you be with all that room), it would
be fine. I prefer staying in truck stops, anyway. I like the
atmosphere and the people better than the quiet campground types (no
offense to you campground folk ;-) ).

-Ryan

> Before I bought my bird, I was considering buying this and doing my own
> conversion.. .
>
> http://www.sell. com/22M4RF

---

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[Dorn Hetzel]

As far as parking it, it does bend in the middle, and I've seen fifth-wheel+tow-vehicle combos that were about as long Levelling might be a complex challenge when parking bent

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Wilhelmus Schreurs <"tulipvendor50@yahoo.ca"> wrote:

Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a headache getting it licensed as a motorhome. Ibelieve that 45 feet is the longest you can go for the motorhome.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"

Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Ryan Wright <"ryanpwright@gmail.com">

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:37:21 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Check out this Bus Conversion

Dorn,

Hah! That's amazing. What a cool idea. That'd be one heck of a fun
project. A 60 foot coach would be all kinds of fun when it was
finished. Only problem is you couldn't park it in any camp ground...

But if you were content to sleep at truck stops, etc, and were fully
self contained (and why wouldn't you be with all that room), it would
be fine. I prefer staying in truck stops, anyway. I like the
atmosphere and the people better than the quiet campground types (no

offense to you campground folk ;-) ).

-Ryan

> Before I bought my bird, I was considering buying this and doing my own
> conversion.. .
>
> http://www.sell. com/22M4RF

---

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[Ryan Wright]

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Wilhelmus Schreurs
wrote:
>
> Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a
> headache getting it licensed as a motorhome. I believe that 45 feet is the
> longest you can go for the motorhome.

So don't register it as a motorhome. "It's a passenger vehicle.
Yep, I have lots of friends."

I've bought & sold a lot of vehicles in my lifetime and they only ever
inspected one of them, when I first brought it in from out of state,
but never asked to look at it again. Anyway, if it's legal to drive on
the road with seats in it, I can't see any reason why that would
change just because you turned the seats into couches and counter tops
and cupboards and beds.

-Ryan

[Pete Masterson]

It might trigger the need to have a commercial class B license (bus driver's license) or a class A CDL. You'll also have to pay for commercial-rate insurance if it's not registered as a "motor home" or (as California so elegantly puts it) as a "house car."

So, there are some possibly not-so-trivial matters to consider that might make it financially impractical.

Finally, for the size and weight, it's a little underpowered. You can't legally have a toad in most states, and most are governed for 45 or 50 mph (although you might be able to defeat that, but then you'd also probably need to change out the ratio in the differential, which will play off the lack of horsepower.

Not to rain on the parade -- it's fun to think about converting such a vehicle to personal use, but the reality is that there are a number of practical issues that make it less than an ideal choice.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On May 12, 2008, at 10:16 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Wilhelmus Schreurs

<"tulipvendor50@yahoo.ca"> wrote:

Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a

headache getting it licensed as a motorhome.  I believe that 45 feet is the

longest you can go for the motorhome.

So don't register it as a motorhome. "It's a passenger vehicle.

Yep, I have lots of friends."

I've bought & sold a lot of vehicles in my lifetime and they only ever

inspected one of them, when I first brought it in from out of state,

but never asked to look at it again. Anyway, if it's legal to drive on

the road with seats in it, I can't see any reason why that would

change just because you turned the seats into couches and counter tops

and cupboards and beds.

[Ryan Wright]

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:14 AM, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> So, there are some possibly not-so-trivial matters to consider that might
> make it financially impractical.

Oh, Pete... Every RV is financially impractical. :-)

> Not to rain on the parade -- it's fun to think about converting such a
> vehicle to personal use, but the reality is that there are a number of
> practical issues that make it less than an ideal choice.

No arguments here. I'm partial to my Wanderlodge, anyway.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[Dorn Hetzel]

Well, the license part wasn't an issue for me since I have a class A CDL already

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 1:14 PM, Pete Masterson <"aeonix1@mac.com"> wrote:

It might trigger the need to have a commercial class B license (bus driver's license) or a class A CDL. You'll also have to pay for commercial-rate insurance if it's not registered as a "motor home" or (as California so elegantly puts it) as a "house car."

So, there are some possibly not-so-trivial matters to consider that might make it financially impractical.

Finally, for the size and weight, it's a little underpowered. You can't legally have a toad in most states, and most are governed for 45 or 50 mph (although you might be able to defeat that, but then you'd also probably need to change out the ratio in the differential, which will play off the lack of horsepower.

Not to rain on the parade -- it's fun to think about converting such a vehicle to personal use, but the reality is that there are a number of practical issues that make it less than an ideal choice.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On May 12, 2008, at 10:16 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Wilhelmus Schreurs

<"tulipvendor50@yahoo.ca"> wrote:

Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a

headache getting it licensed as a motorhome. I believe that 45 feet is the

longest you can go for the motorhome.

So don't register it as a motorhome. "It's a passenger vehicle.

Yep, I have lots of friends."

I've bought & sold a lot of vehicles in my lifetime and they only ever

inspected one of them, when I first brought it in from out of state,

but never asked to look at it again. Anyway, if it's legal to drive on

the road with seats in it, I can't see any reason why that would

change just because you turned the seats into couches and counter tops

and cupboards and beds.

[brad barton]

I've been driving an articulated bus to work for 8 years without any special license!

BradBarton00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: dhetzel@...
Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:05:20 -0400
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Check out this Bus Conversion

Well, the license part wasn't an issue for me since I have a class A CDL already

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 1:14 PM, Pete Masterson <"aeonix1@mac.com"> wrote:

It might trigger the need to have a commercial class B license (bus driver's license) or a class A CDL. You'll also have to pay for commercial-rate insurance if it's not registered as a "motor home" or (as California so elegantly puts it) as a "house car."

So, there are some possibly not-so-trivial matters to consider that might make it financially impractical.

Finally, for the size and weight, it's a little underpowered. You can't legally have a toad in most states, and most are governed for 45 or 50 mph (although you might be able to defeat that, but then you'd also probably need to change out the ratio in the differential, which will play off the lack of horsepower.

Not to rain on the parade -- it's fun to think about converting such a vehicle to personal use, but the reality is that there are a number of practical issues that make it less than an ideal choice.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On May 12, 2008, at 10:16 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Wilhelmus Schreurs

<"tulipvendor50@yahoo.ca"> wrote:

Hmmm, might be nice to convert, but I think that you would have quite a

headache getting it licensed as a motorhome. I believe that 45 feet is the

longest you can go for the motorhome.

So don't register it as a motorhome. "It's a passenger vehicle.

Yep, I have lots of friends."

I've bought & sold a lot of vehicles in my lifetime and they only ever

inspected one of them, when I first brought it in from out of state,

but never asked to look at it again. Anyway, if it's legal to drive on

the road with seats in it, I can't see any reason why that would

change just because you turned the seats into couches and counter tops

and cupboards and beds.

---

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