Hey All~
I bought a 67 MCI 5A http://kevinwarnock.com/2011/01/06/1967-mci-5a-challenger-bus-conversion-for-sale/ (http://kevinwarnock.com/2011/01/06/1967-mci-5a-challenger-bus-conversion-for-sale/) and have found this forum priceless.
For the price, so far so good! Although I just found out the front tires are 11 years old so will be replacing shortly.
For anyone that is interested I just noticed this baby on craigslist: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvs/2540902564.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvs/2540902564.html) a 61 for $12000.
Mike
Nice bus mike . These guys on the forum are priceless. Happy motoring.
glen
looks like an old ac transit bus?
Kevin's bus sounds like a real bargin. WOW someone will get a deal on that one.
I bought Kevin's bus back in March. Been working on it almost every weekend since. Went on 2 trips and all is good. She has been good to me overall, the front tires look brand new but are 11 years old, it is sad to toss them, but not an option to keep.
It has a lot of differed maintenance as it sat for 4+ years when I got it. Although wired it had no house power supply system, needed to add battery's, inverter, charger, etc. Definitely a project but it did come cheap so I can't complain.
Oh, I misread your post. You purchased the bus :o. Congratulations! I drove my brother's old MC5, it was fun to drive and it would cruise about 80 mph. Since it sat for 4 years, are you concerned about all the tires? I read something about they need to be ran about 50 to 100 miles a month to keep the oils right in the tires. (I had a insurance adjuster tell me that as well)
MCI didn't make the MC5 until 1964
Quote from: baker4106 on August 12, 2011, 08:00:49 PM
MCI didn't make the MC5 until 1964
actually 1963 according to MCI's website.
http://mcicoach.com/AboutUs/timeline/timeline.htm (http://mcicoach.com/AboutUs/timeline/timeline.htm)
Hello Mike,
This is Kevin Warnock, the guy you bought your MCI 5a from earlier this year. Glad to see you have joined this board. I predict it will become a daily part of your life. It's a daily part of my life, and has been for almost 10 years now.
Did you see I blogged about selling you your bus?
http://kevinwarnock.com/2011/01/16/i-sold-my-mci-5a-challenger-bus-conversion/ (http://kevinwarnock.com/2011/01/16/i-sold-my-mci-5a-challenger-bus-conversion/)
This link is worth clicking on because you can see a picture of us in front of Mike's new bus. That's my house on the left. I live in San Francisco, right in the city.
All the tires need to be replaced due to old age, not just the front tires. I'm sure we talked about this when we met. There are two "newer" tires on the back, one on each side, but I bought them new in about 2002, so they should be replaced even though they have less than 10,000 miles on them I would estimate. The outside tire on the passenger rear is so bad I would be scared to even add air to it, and I advise you not to add air to it. The sidewall is heavily cracked, as is plainly evident.
I am happy the bus is working out for you.
Mike was rushed for time so didn't have the bus inspected at a shop. He did bring his mechanically inclined friend, who checked a lot of things, including the play in the steering, which is minimal. I offered everyone who looked at the bus the opportunity to leave the bus conversion overnight at their own mechanic so he or she could start it cold to see how easily it starts cold. Nobody took me up on that offer though.
Mike, I found the big box of manuals I told you I couldn't locate. Now I'm not sure where it is again, as it's been a few months, but I'm sure I have it and that a lot of material is there. We should make an appointment to get this paperwork to you so you have it.
I'm really happy I sold my beloved first conversion to someone who's so enthusiastic about it, as I really want it to live on for decades to come. Thanks for buying it.
Kevin Warnock
http://KevinWarnock.com (http://kevinwarnock.com) - my blog
Question for anyone who knows. My MC5B has controllable louvers in the rear lower side doors behind the axle. These are the doors you can open to access the alternator and AC compressor. Ive looked at pics of lots of other MC5's, and they all seem to have screens where mine has these louvers.
I looked at pictures of Kevins Bus a lot when it was for sale, it was on my scope, but the left coast is just a wee bit too far from Arkieland to go looking at Buses that have needs. That may have been a mistake but I found a good Bus and thats the end of it, you cant keep looking back on decisions.
Good to see Kevin's Bus found a good home. I have to say, driving mine home 200 miles from Little Rock was right up there with some of my lifes greatest adventures. Seeing it charge up my driveway that I sweated over for almost a year? That was priceless.
So what was the question Paul? :) My 5A has the louvers but they are in a fixed position, all of the plumbing has been removed. We stay in warm weather so don't need them to work. ;D
On my 1967 MCI5a I do have the louvers also in a fixed position. Looking at the edges of the louvers you can see there has been some screen like you see in a a house to keep bugs out. I have often thought if I lived in a state hotter than Ga. or traveled out west I would make them operatable. HTH Glen
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on August 14, 2011, 06:34:26 AM
So what was the question Paul? :)
It was to ask if I had some oddball option, lol. Mine open and close like a shutter, and the rod slips under a wing nut to hold them shut. I think they are really cool.
The '61 bus for sale looks exactly like my 5a, so it is a different model or a different year?
As to the louvers, I've got them on the left side where the alternator is, the right side has a screen which is where the generator is. I have never tried to play with them though.
Kevin- Will PM you to get the paperwork! I'm in SF so can come by anytime. I replaced the wicked old rear tire, and will take my chances with the other three while I save some $$$. Had a few tire guys look at them and they even said the front ones are OK just as long as I don't heat them up too much, ie no driving for than 3 hours at a time. I'm heading to burning man so the front ones are definitely getting replaced.
Been great talking and meeting you all!
The MC series started in 1959. The early models, MC-1 thru MC-4 were sold only in Canada and totaled 196. The MC-5 started in 1963 and were updated with the A, B, and finally the C model.
ok, so this '61 challenger for sale is most likely not a 61 but a newer year, 63+
Wild that that the owner does not know the year.
If we had the serial # we could look it up. ;D