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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: bevans6 on May 30, 2009, 01:59:25 PM

Title: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: bevans6 on May 30, 2009, 01:59:25 PM
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry!  Seriously, that is one big thing in my driveway.  1980 MCI MC5C from the Navajo Nation, converted starting 4 years ago, fully livable and quite nice, but not done by any means.  I doubt they are ever done!  8v70N, Spicer four speed, and I only stalled it once so far, but then again all I've done is drive it up and down my driveway.  I drove school buses as a kid in college, but haven't driven anything this big in a long time.  Engine overhaul 30K miles ago, new brakes all round, original airbag type suspension with the air beams still intact, I'm hoping that the Navajo's didn't get all that much rain and snow.  Deep tinted windows but the chassis air may not be  working - it is converted to R134 already.

Next is get it insured, licensed, get my Z endorsement, and very carefully take it for a drive...  I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.  Here is a link to the ad: 
http://brantford.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-RVs-trailers-MCI-highway-coach-RV-conversion-W0QQAdIdZ124745026

I guess I'm official!
Brian
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: bobofthenorth on May 30, 2009, 02:23:06 PM
Congratulations fellow Canuck.  You don't happen to have relatives up toward Owen Sound or over towards Lachute do you?
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: bevans6 on May 30, 2009, 02:27:42 PM
not that I know of!  Fun to have another B. Evans around though.

Brian
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: gyrocrasher on May 30, 2009, 02:43:49 PM
Congratulations Brian. Let the fun begin! :) Mitch
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Freedom Rider on May 30, 2009, 02:58:53 PM
Congrats! What an inspiration. Have fun with it.
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: fraser8 on May 30, 2009, 03:38:33 PM
Good one Brian, looks like a great find. Don't be intimidated by the size, I was worried until I drove mine, then no problem....
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Dreamscape on May 30, 2009, 03:56:53 PM
Way to go!

Now the REAL FUN begins! Don't be intimidated by the size, find a vacant parking lot (Really big one), and go for a drive! Make corners, set out some cones, backup until you almost hit something (more cones), get a feel for the distance when looking in the mirrors!

You'll get the hang of it, but not until you go for a long drive, a very long drive!  ;D

Good Luck and Be Safe!

~Paul~
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: MattC on May 30, 2009, 04:08:46 PM
Sharp looking rig!  Congrats!

Glad to see your addiction is now full blown...  TeeHee 
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: MCI-RICK on May 30, 2009, 07:04:22 PM
Congratulations Brian!  Looks like a nice one.  I'm a Newbie too.  I agree with Paul, some practice in a BIG parking lot (don't forget the cones) and a long drive.  Now the fun begins!

BTW, My practice was a 3,000 mile drive home.

Rick   
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: johns4104s on May 30, 2009, 07:18:13 PM
Brian,

Nice straight MCI 5, one of the best looking I,ve seen. Change the filters and what your gauges.

John
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: zubzub on May 30, 2009, 07:32:12 PM
Congrats another Canuck Bus Nut.  I found my schoolie experiences helped with driving highway coaches, but the coaches sure handle nicer.  Take it easy when you are in tight spots and don't be to proud to get out and take a look befor eyou scrape something.
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: luvrbus on May 30, 2009, 07:36:03 PM
I bet that is a sound bus with very few miles it was used for training by the Navajos at Window Rock AZ and WW Williams a DD dealer in Phoenix did most of the maintenance.   Good find I wondered what happen to that bus
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Airbag on May 30, 2009, 07:37:42 PM
Nice bus, I love the colors.
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Sojourner on May 30, 2009, 07:40:58 PM
Congratulations Brian!

Great start and ready to go journeying!

Have good intercity bus garage mechanic to look at all the safety and reliable points before the trip begin.

Sojoun for Christ, Gerald
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Singing Land Cruiser on May 30, 2009, 07:59:41 PM
 ;D Now thats a classy gal. Congratulations Brian. Hope to see you on the road. All the Best, M&C
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: HighTechRedneck on May 30, 2009, 10:38:14 PM
Congratulations!  It looks like a good find.  Best of luck with it.

Yup, you are definitely infected with the bus nut bug now.

Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: RJ on May 30, 2009, 11:26:20 PM
Brian -

Nice, clean-looking coach, think you found a good one!

You near Toronto?  Buswarrior is located there - he'd be happy to assist you getting acquainted with your new toy - the RIGHT way!

Welcome to the madness!!

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Tom Y on May 31, 2009, 09:07:00 AM
Brian, Looks nice. I think yours is a sister to mine. I was told they had 4 or 5, all 1980s. I got the last one so I figure the worst one. MPG sounds high as it should have 4:10 gears also. They had a bunch of parts a while back out there. I was told one is now a chicken coupe on the resevation. I did have some rust in the walls by the traingle windows and about half way back. Not trying to scare you, and it was not bad. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions as to what I found on mine.  Tom Y
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: luvrbus on May 31, 2009, 09:59:49 AM
They did have 4 Tom I can count 3 now the one with the V671 and automatic is around Fredonia AZ the Lake Powell area an maybe 4 with the chicken coupe.There is a old GM bus on the reservation the last time I was there, but I think the goats called that one home   good luck
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: Tom Y on May 31, 2009, 03:08:12 PM
Luvrbus, I bought mine from a dealer in Phoenix. They told me they took them on trade, is this right? From what I found with mine I don't think their maintenance was the best. Tom Y
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: luvrbus on May 31, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
Tom, I don't know if they were trades or not I saw 2 at a bus brokers place for awhile then they were at a school bus dealers lot the same buses.  FWIW  I see they have 2 or 3 new G4500 MCI's with the name Fire Rock Casino on the sides      good luck
Title: Re: Well, I now have a bus!
Post by: busshawg on June 01, 2009, 09:27:01 AM
Congradulations to you!  Another Canuck.  I have been eyeing that bus up for sometime. Actually I first saw it shortly after I bought mine. If I seen it before I probably would have made the trip out there. Looks like a nice bus.