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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Scott & Heather on March 06, 2012, 09:37:00 AM

Title: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 06, 2012, 09:37:00 AM
I have been really seriously toying with the idea of seeing if this gentleman would lower his price a bit and I could buy this, take some parts, and then send it to the scrapper. Worth approx. $3300 at the scrap yard. Not sure though he would go down enough to make it worth my while to drive it down from Ocala, strip parts, and then drive to the yard...thoughts?

Has 2 Brand new batterys $200 each. Runs great and strong. Starts first time every time. The bus gets moved once a week to mow. The interior is fully gutted. The bus is 40 feet long and gets between 6 and 12 mpg depending on how you drive it. The bus is a florida vehicle with very little rust. I also have a fresh water tank and insulation that comes with the bus.... Just dont have the time to work on it. If you have any questions please give me a call at (352) 697-2269 thanks for looking. It is 40' in length. 1971 $3998.00

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.craigslist.org%2F5S15J15Mc3Kf3L33Mec2hdc08bfad675210fc.jpg&hash=2cf73210c3f513f39bfd3015f5e399366c43199d)(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.craigslist.org%2F5L85Gd5K23G33K23o9c2h286b42a0f264107b.jpg&hash=d0e6e97dec75ed7b9630c1d8aae6496cef6cd233)(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.craigslist.org%2F5I75Ne5F53G13J53p3c2hb61aca8ab3e910a9.jpg&hash=929d3fd892b612a9f8f2c815c08b4b87f098b4c4)(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.craigslist.org%2F5I55Lb5F33I33Nd3H1c2h02d6761c64e51e62.jpg&hash=ce68d0d955b417cc430b6eaeb757a1fcbcfd3b63)
   
   
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: challenger440 on March 06, 2012, 11:11:46 AM
Seems like it would be a shame to part out.  It's in better shape than mine is!  jm
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: bigjohnkub on March 06, 2012, 12:22:15 PM
Is there a Cleveland Florida? Just asking.

Big John
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 06, 2012, 01:52:46 PM
Yes, near Punta Gorda  :)
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: thomasinnv on March 06, 2012, 04:00:43 PM
on the fuel mileage i would figure closer to the 6. 12 only if you figure 6 coming and 6 going. These old 40' MCI's just don't get that good of mileage. anyone who claims that erra of MCI in a 40' bus with original drive train gets 12mpg i have to call BS. Just sayin'.
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Kevinmc5 on March 06, 2012, 04:25:59 PM
If he is saying 12mpg than may be stretching the truth on the rest of the info. It looks to  nice in the pic's to scrap.

Kevin
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Dave5Cs on March 06, 2012, 06:07:17 PM
Thats a nice 7. Why not buy it and advertize it for awhile and see if anyone wants to buy it to convert. Make a little if you can get the price down. Wish i could afford it.

Dave5Cs
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Kwajdiver on March 06, 2012, 06:15:35 PM
What motor would it have in it?  Does it have a motor?

Bill
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Seayfam on March 06, 2012, 07:52:04 PM
Quote from: Kwajdiver on March 06, 2012, 06:15:35 PM
What motor would it have in it?  Does it have a motor?

Bill

From the add, it sounds like it runs and drives. My guess on the engine would be the 871, Not a snowballs chance in Ocala of over 8mpg empty. ;D
Is a really nice coach from the pics, I would hate to see it get scraped. I have always liked the 7's
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: challenger440 on March 06, 2012, 08:29:53 PM
Well it would cost me more than the asking price to drive it back to MT.  But from the pics it looks darn good.  Who knows could be rusted to bits under the skin.  I'll go out on a limb and say its a 8v71 with a 4 spd.  If its got a sliding rear side window I'd give a dollar two 98 for it..j
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: buswarrior on March 06, 2012, 11:19:01 PM
Yup, fine looking shell from those pics.

The old drivers all have distant stares and slightly cracking smiles when they recall driving the MC7.

A fine coach, named "Challenger" for a reason, and engineered to be one.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 07, 2012, 05:37:41 AM
Tis true it might be too nice to scrap, but I definitely have no place to park it long term and don't want to float the $3500 whilst trying to sell it. I think I'm going to call him today...EDIT...just left a message for him...
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 07, 2012, 06:33:52 AM
Ok...just got off the phone... 4 Speed Manual (good guess) 8v-71 and runs and drives great he said. No issues... ?? I'm in Miami this weekend but should be back Sunday. I seriously will consider this coach but I would love to know I can get all my $$'s out of it. Someone already sent me a PM with a request for some of the glass. If you're a local or would pay for the shipping, I can part some of it out. Recently I had a friend give me permission to strip an 82 MCI but the school he gave it to had first dibs and literally stripped everything (I'm not kidding...EVERYTHING). So I really couldn't get anything for anyone. They even took the blower gearbox and cage fans, radiators, entire electrical panel in driver's wall area, all the rims/tires, wiper motors, all the glass, seats, power steering, motor tranny, so I really had nothing left to go over. This bus would be mine to pick at but there's not a ton I would need off of a '71. Send me a PM if you think you might be able to use some parts. Or, if you want to trade for a nice body (some of you have a '71??) let's talk. Asked BK...I love helping other nuts...just can't afford to come out negative $$$ wise on this transaction. If any of you want this more than me, call the guy and go get it. If not, I'll be looking at it possibly Sunday.
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: lostagain on March 07, 2012, 07:10:41 AM
BW,

I put a lot of miles on MC7s when they were the latest and greatest.

Yes they were underpowered: a big, heavy bus for the NA 8V71/4 speed manual. And you needed a quarter section to turn one around. But they were the first 40' MCI, following the 5s. They were so smooth going down the road with the extra lenght and the tag axles, a new feel after driving nothing but 2 axle buses. Driving one back then was a special honor, allowed by enough seniority, and pulling up with one at the Icefields, or a big CP hotel made one feel quite important, LOL. A 7 in good shape still looks good to me.

Ah, the fond memories...

JC
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: artvonne on March 07, 2012, 09:13:51 AM
  Scott. If you have the room to store parts, and a strong commitment on the scrap value, you could come out alright. If I had the money and the room, I would do it. Pull all the doors (engine and access panels included), glass, engine and gearbox, compressor and fans, condenser, and scrap the rest. You may not sell all of it off at once, but someone will always need a cargo bay door or whatnot. Try and sell the engine before you remove it, it will bring more $$$ and be easier to sell. In fact there is a guy with a blown motor down there now who could probably use it...
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: robertglines1 on March 07, 2012, 02:16:38 PM
Scotty: I'm in Ocola now or anyone else intrested. will ck out and give opinion.  Bob.
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Scott & Heather on March 12, 2012, 12:54:03 PM
Bob,

I'd love to hear your take on it. Heather and I had some unexpected expenses and just decided against it. We left our mobile internet with our grandparents so we've had zero internet for a week now. Sorry it took me so long to respond.
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: ldj1002 on March 13, 2012, 07:15:07 PM
Quote from: lostagain on March 07, 2012, 07:10:41 AM
BW,

I put a lot of miles on MC7s when they were the latest and greatest.

Yes they were underpowered: a big, heavy bus for the NA 8V71/4 speed manual. And you needed a quarter section to turn one around. But they were the first 40' MCI, following the 5s. They were so smooth going down the road with the extra lenght and the tag axles, a new feel after driving nothing but 2 axle buses. Driving one back then was a special honor, allowed by enough seniority, and pulling up with one at the Icefields, or a big CP hotel made one feel quite important, LOL. A 7 in good shape still looks good to me.

Ah, the fond memories...


My memory is different from yours. To me MC7's weren't underpowered. Of course not the zip of a 5 but enough. Now, the MC9, to me very underpowered. MC7 not the first 40 foot MCI, the MC6 was first and also first 102" wide.


JC
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: Seayfam on March 13, 2012, 07:35:34 PM
JC,
You are correct about the MC-6 being the first 40'x102" from MCI but only the two prototypes were built before the "7". The MC-7 was released first though. At least this is what I could find in my research. I have the 6th MC-6 built.
Title: Re: Cheap '71 MCI
Post by: RickB on March 13, 2012, 08:13:10 PM
What about the motor for the folks in Florida who just lost theirs? Is there anyone near this thing that can hear it run? Video a cold start and post it so we could see if it's smoker or a runner? Just a thought... I mean the entire bus is going for nothing compared to an overhaul.

I'll call Kerry and see if he can go look at it

RB