I'm coming up on my 9th anniversary of backing the Houston Metro Eagle 10 into my back yard. I can hardly believe it has been that long. My coach will be 25 soon. I guess I can qualify for an "antique car" license in Texas after that date. I am sitting here thinking how much I have enjoyed busing over the past 9 years. This has been one of the most pleasurable toys I've owned. Though it is sometimes expensive as most toys are, my family has really liked travelling in the coach. As they say, "if momma is happy, everyone is happy". That makes justification so much easier. I have redone a few things that I didn't really like the way I did it the first time and had a few appliances tank on me, but that is just personal taste change and house maintenance.
I've really enjoyed the cyber relationships gained from this board and BNO, and enjoyed meeting many of you guys in person. We've lost some great minds in nine years, (Richard Bowyer and others), but this is still the go to place to get conversion info. I plan on keeping the coach 9 more years and beyond. Hopefully, I'll still be writing and seeing you guys till the bus (or I) quit running.
David
5 days... Am I the newest newbie?
I bought our Eagle Nov. 2003 and haven't looked back! Time flies when you're having so much fun! Sure wish I had more years with it under my belt though. I'm with you David, it'll be with me until one of us leaves this earth. Cause you'll have to pry the steering wheel from my "Cold Dead Hands".
~Paul~
4 years, 4 months... and counting. And like a good wine, it get's better with age!
Nick-
We bought our MCI in Jan 2004 and worked on it for three years so last year was our first year to actually use it, We put about 3500 mile on last year and hope to do even more this year. Hopefully Fuel stays down so we can enjoy even more. Jason
I will have had my coach for three years in less than a month. I have enjoyed it, but would like to use it a bit more.
I am trying to convince the rocket guys to use it next month for a trip instead of jamming ourselves in three small cars with no leg room.
1st 4104 in 1983 25 years I still have the beauty.
2ND 4104 in 1996 12 years I still have the beauty.
3rd 4104 in 2006 3 years I still have the beauty.
1st MCI 9 in 2008 9 months still have the beauty.
I just dont know how this happend, I got the trailways/greyhound bus bug 30 years ago.In my wildest dreams I never thought I would be a collector. When I purchased the first 04 my father in law and wife thought I had lost my marbles. I never asked them what they now think.
But they worked on the inside while I learned to work on the outside. If the truth were know they both have the bus nut bug.
John
I bought mine on Sept 13, 2007 and I wish I were much further along with it but I'm plugging along!
It's hard going sometimes when it's a one man show with no helpers.
When we brought in home it stood out like an elephant along the side of the house having a 40' long bus in the driveway and that sits as high as the rain gutters on our little house but now we don't really notice it as much.....except when we look out any of the south facing windows of the house! ;D
-Dave
I bought my bus in 1987. Been working on it ever since but LOVE it.
Richard
Newbie here also. Just got mine last July. It may be a 37 year old bus but it's pampered now and once I hit my golden years I should have it just where I want it. We just campout and such with it for now but a trip to Daytona is in the plans for next winter. Right now I couldn't imagine full timing. I stumble over the wife as it is in a 2500 square foot house!!! ;) Later
We have had our 1987 MCI 102A3 with an 8v92TA engine and 5 spd manual transmission for almost 1 month now. We have had the other RVs in the past and enjoyed them. BUT never could dream the ride of a bus could be so smoooooooth. I love air. This baby will last us on past our goden years. All the Best, Michael & Christi Hargis ;D
In May, I will have owned my 4104 for 9 years. Wow, the time really flies by, and she has added countless memories to our family's collection. She truely has become a part of the family, and many of our friends have taken part in trips or day excursions as well.
What I find even more remarkable is the realization that this year is her 50th birthday! In my driveway is a 1959 piece of machinery with well over a million miles on the chassis.... and she is looking back at me, willing and able to tackle the next million. I tip my hat to the GMC engineers for their incredible work, and a machine that may well out live me.
You should have attached this topic to a poll. I don't know if it's to late or just start it over. 3yrs for me.
Bought my Eagle 20 in New Jersey in May 2001 and began the conversion in a rented warehouse. I did all of the dry in type work in that warehouse over the first 13 months. I worked 4 hours a couple of evenings each week and also 16 hours on most weekends. Was really handy being able to demo and then raise the roof and install the new floor and then just close the roll door and walk out without having exposure to the weather and so forth. Nice wind-free place to do all of my welding a painting too!
Bought mine for $4,000.00 (AMGeneral 10240B transit) in March of '93 in Kelso, Washington and left it there to have the bus mechanic change the wheel bearings from grease to oil, install Jakes, increase the injectors from N55 to brown tag N65's and to change the rear end from 5.59 to 4.56. Brought it down in January of 1994 (exchanged a '79 GMC Astro with a silver 6V-92TA for the work done) and took off from work from March of 1994 till June of 1995 to work on it full time. From 1995 till 2000, worked on it 3 months a year when I was off from cross country truck driving. It has been done since January of 2000 and have averaged about 3,000 miles a year driving.
Now am starting on my '85 Kenworth cabover conversion. Yesterday just pulled it out of our shop after having the frame stretched 4ft (from 235" wheelbase to 283" wheelbase). It is at Pedco in Santa Fe Springs, Ca having the 13spd manual taken out to install the Allison HT740 four speed. Was just informed today that my radiator is shot-need to go over to Atlas radiator tomorrow and see about that. A new project is always fun. Good Luck, TomC
Good thread.
I really suspect that aside from John we're not hearing yet from some of the guys who've had their bus or a bus the longest....and are still with us and at it. I'd be curious as to who has been out there the longest, the pioneers.....and I'd like to buy him or her their beverage of choice and pick their brain for while. I'd love to hear some road stories and experiences. I'd also be interested in who has logged the most mileage and\or been to the most states and places.
-Dave
1st bus: 1952 Beck bought in 1976 when I was 20 - sold it in 1981
2nd bus: 1961 4106 bought in 1986 when I was 30 - sold it in 1990
3rd bus: 1984 Prevost LeMirage bought in 2005 - haven't met the guy with enough money yet. Hope I never do...
Bought our 1989 Prevost XL, 6 speed spicer, 8V92T in March of 2005, used it for two years as is, just putting some stuff into it to make it usable. Gutted it winter of 2007/2008 and I am now starting to build it out and add all the stuff purchased for the conversion. The only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner, but we really enjoy it.
I got the bus bug in 1963, but the wife didn't. She wanted a new travel trailer, not a old bus. That silver side sure looked good. All striped out and ready to start on the inside. After two travel trailers and 3 motorhomes I finely got my bus in 1986. What a rag it was, no power steering, engine smoked, rough all over and half 01, half 05. Still had our motorhome so I didn't have to rush on the conversion. Now the wife wouldn't want anything but a bus so I have keep both of them. Wife for almost 57 years, bus for 26 years. Just keep changing what ever I don't like.
Jack
12 years, we bought our 64 4106 in Feb. 97. Just out of small tour co in Peekskill NY. fully seated with rest room. Worked on it 7 days a week for 6 mos. Jumped right in both feet with first trip to Ks to visit youngest son. Round trip approx.4000 mi without a hitch. Did not know any one doing this or any of the boards. Have since been in all lower 48 & Banf in CA. Wa state twice & California once in 5 cross country trips to most of the national parks. Have put on approx 100K miles on the Good Ol' Girl.
Lost lower head gskts.in Mitchell SD, flat in Calais ME. & pulled out of the mud on dirt road in Nova Scotia. Road actually gave away and went in the ditch. Would do it
all over again in a heart beat. Pull a 2000 Toyota Cmary toad. 06 Bill North central MA.
We bought our 1885 Prevost in 1999,sold our house in 2003 and been traveling ever since.I love our bus and the lifestyle.I wouldn't change much in our couch,but now my wife want to remodel.
DON
August of 2006 is when we made the decision to get the 4104.
We didn't know we were looking for a bus until an old friend asked us to find a buyer for his old bus. We tried to find a buyer for about 3 months and tehn decided to buy it ourselves.....
.
Wish us a Happy Anniversary!!! ;D We bought our 1984 Eagle 10S in March 1999. Wow 10 years has gone in a hurry. It is mostly converted, and fully functional, but not quite finished. Like a lot of others, I would not have it any other way!
Tom Hamrick
1st bus PD4106-273 bought in Oct 2003 then sold it in Feb 2007
2nd bus PD4106-1689 bought in June 2007 :)
Got our 68 MCI 5A on Oct. 1st 2003 and started fulltiming on Jan. 29th 2004. Played for almost a year and a half and then had to start working again. :( Work 3-4 months during the summer in the Seattle area and winter in Yuma. :) If we can work it out in 4-5 years when i can start drawing my pension we will sell the bus and move back to Hawaii where we spent 11 years. If we can't afford to do that we will keep busing until we can't do it any more. ;D
Well I have had possession of my bus since 1995 ( I accepted it for storage ) The PO paid to store it at my storage facility for 6 years.
It only left the storage yard twice a year carry guns and military regalia for shows the PO would attend.
When the group dis banned They asked me to assist them in selling it.
While doing so I caught the "bug" They say if you repeat something enough times you begin to believe it. While I was telling potential buyers the Features and benifits of owning a "Bus" I sold myself.:)
I remember the only complaint the previous owner ever had about the bus was the highway speed.
The first thing I did was install 4:10 gears (Thanks Luke) and took it out on the road once It reached highway speeds I took it back to the shop and started to convert it to a motor home as it had seats and a secure cage in the rear half of the bus that contained the guns and cannon :)
I litterally got the bus for nothing but have made up for it by spending $$ doing it "my way "
We got our first bus a 1973 MCI-7 in !993, sold it in 2004
Bought the 1986 MCI 102 in 2004. Still enjoy busing.
Gary
2 years and counting. I confess I bought a already converted bus and am glad I did. I am still changing it to suit My ways and I love the beast. I am lucky as My wife likes the bus more than I do. I have a former business partner that bought a Monaco with a lifetime payment book who now mentions that He should have listened to Me. He loses windows while driving, the electrical system is pure junk and He gets worse mileage than the MC7 and has a payment from hell. Did I mention I love My bus? John
6 years for us ... still loving it.
We bought the seated bus in 1999 ( 84 MCI-9 ).
1 1/2 years to convert.
By 2001 we concidered it finished.
We now live in TX and travel about 4 months a year.
Would not have changed a thing.
Frank
We purchased our model 10 Eagle 3/12/1999 from Lewis Bus Lines in Augusta Georgia. Original owner was American Coach Lines Norcross GA. I have maintenance records from American Coach since they purchased the coach new. Lewis Bus Lines purchase five of these coaches from MCI in Atlanta when American traded them in for new MCI's in January of 1999.
Wanted a bus since I was a kid gawking at Scenic Cruisers and Trailways buses. It was magic following one of those down the highway.
The wife didn't like the way an Eagle looked so we got our first bus, a 102a, November of 08. (she married me so I know she's a bubble or two off )
Word of advice, get your bus BEFORE you retire. I have a lot of time to work on it now, but feel a real sense of urgency I'd not feel if I was still plugging away 8 to 5. IMHO
After looking for almost two years, we consumated the deal on 1 January 2007 ;D. That's correct, on New Years Day! We have enjoyed immensely our times traveling in the bus. Wish we had been able to do this while we had kids in the house. 29 May to 2 July 2008, in the teeth of the highest fuel prices ever for diesel, we went just under 7,000 miles on a single trip literally around the United States. No I did not count up the cash, the trip was, well, priceless to us!
purchased my mc8 in August 1998...3rd bus and last.. it gets lots of hugs... ;D
Bought our 72 Eagle 5 that looked like a 10 in Sept 1995, had the roof raised and painted by October 1996. Drove it to Sturgis every year for the rally starting in 1997, converting as we go until it was completed in April 1999 when we moved in and have been in the bus every since. Enjoying every day and also all the new friends we have met at rally's and along the road. Prather & Marlyn
After 17 years of driving one of these things,I finally purchased a coach of my own in 2003.This was a 1958 GM 4104,needing a lot of work.I had to let this go,and did'nt expect to find another.I then came accross the 87 MCI-9B ,that followed me home in October of 2005.We have made several trips since,and made some nice memories since!
We purchased our first coach, a '63 GM 4106, in '84. We purchased our present coach, a '73 MC-8 in '99. We have no intention of doing another coach, although we are going to start an engine swap (8V71 to another 8V71) tomorrow. Jack
Jack,
Sounds like a neat challenge, I wish I could be there helping you, sounds like a neat challenge. Please keep us posted on how it goes.
John
We got ours 3 maybe 4 yrs ago A102A3 from ABC in Fla not done are they ever. have installed a 50 with world 6 with 4/11 and now gets 9.2to 9.5 mpg liking it much.
704, Do you have some pics of the 50? Thanks Tom Y
We got our MCI 5 in 1994 and have traveled over 100,000 miles so far. We are looking forward to many more miles and good times before we consider passing this one on. :)
::)We bought our 4104 mostly converted in 1999 and have redone most of it and have enjoyed our travels
in it. Due to health issues we only use it for short trips now.
Sam 4104GA
Natasha and I bought our 4103 in April 2006 after seeing the bus for sale on eBay and realizing that the owner lived just over an hour from where we lived. It didn't sell in the auction, so we drove down to look at it. It was love at first sight, warts (and there are a lot of them) and all. We've had it out to the race track (sports car racing) a couple of times, but for the most part it's been a driveway ornament. :'( There is mechanical work that needs to be done and never can seem to get around to it. It is a shame because I had a great time taking it up to the track. Except when it wouldn't slow down as quickly as I wanted.
This will be the year we get it going... We're both tired of having a bus but not using a bus.
- John
Trailblazer2,
I must have beans in my ears; I've never heard of a 9B. What's the difference in that and my '82 MC9?
Dennis
Hi Yo Silver;
Yes; there is a difference Dennis. These 9b's were custom built for the New Jersey Transit Co. They produced about 500 of these coachs,in 1987. They had the Notorious front cap,that housed the destination sign(I call them wind blades)Then they had bifold doors,a modified front suspension)brake retarders,heated mirrors,kneeling feature,Ddec engines,and Atec transmissions,Aluminum wheels,oversize Brakes,safety bumpers,and the list goes on. These were used by several New Jersey companies,mine was a Decamp,from Montclair NJ.
Bill
bought my 4106 in 1990 with all the seats in it. I thought i'd finish it in
one year but it took three. I've put 80 thousand 0n it with out any major problems. It has never left me on the side of the road.
Leo Lewis
Clovis, Ca.
I bought my 1982' Prevost in august 2004. I removed all furniture, equipment, walls, bed...all get out!
Since, I rebuilt like I suppose the best for me (and my new wife ;D). Actually, the snow melt and I see many leaks at many place...Rrrrr! Never finish? Winter is hard for me and the coach....