Hey All!
I've been working towards buying a 1974 Crown "Atomic", but now another has turned up in much better condition and that seller also has an MCI MC8.
Both have DD 8V71 engines.
I know the MCI has better support, but the Crown is sooooo cool!
What are some opinions on each platform?
John
Does the Crown use air bags? Leaf springs give a really hard ride.
--Geoff
The unique thing about a Crown with 8V-71, is it is a rear engine with truck frame. Everything on a Crown was off the shelf truck stuff. And if it is a rear engine, probably tandem rear axles, but only one powered. Check on the Crown if it is air suspension. Personally-I would go for the Crown-they are so cool and just not used much-ESPECIALLY the rear engine Crowns. Post a picture if you can! Good Luck, TomC
The Atomics and other three-axle Crown tour buses had only one axle powered, unlike the school buses that are true tandems. All the tour buses have air suspension with Firestone air bags all round, two per rear wheel and one per front wheel. (Geoff, even the steel sprung Crowns like mine ride really well, because they used proper coach springs and not regular truck springs.) The high-level tour buses have huge underfloor storage lockers, and the Atomics had Webastos as standard. The Atomics did not have loos in the back, so that's one less thing to deal with. One difference from the school buses is that the Atomics are 24 volt - actually there are many other differences, so don't expect too much parts interchangeability with the more common school buses.
Where are you located? If you're in the Southern California area my friend has an annual Crown and Gillig get-together next month - he has an original Atomic from Idaho.
John
I'm in Idaho, so these critters are local. The one I've been working towards buying is in a local back yard and has only been run off and on the last few years. The owner put fresh batteries in last weekend and it fired right up! Iam worried about the air bags and it will need a couple of tires, at least. All the seats are removed.
Yes, rear engine, yes tandem axle but only one driven.
But as I was researching them, I found that a local transporter has decided to retire their Atomic and an MC8. Depending on price, I may be better off with the higher-mileage, but consistently maintained, bus. The mechanic said parts are still available (suspension bits are from Kenworth and such).
Why is the loo an issue. I assumed that having it already onboard would be a plus!
https://goo.gl/photos/z9NKLwcvftYEhzxDA
John
This is what the currently used one looks like (but not the same bus, but same condition).
https://goo.gl/photos/38SmJj58H6XqptZ16
John
Quote from: Atomic_John on April 20, 2017, 06:14:03 PM
I'm in Idaho, so these critters are local. The one I've been working towards buying is in a local back yard and has only been run off and on the last few years. The owner put fresh batteries in last weekend and it fired right up! Iam worried about the air bags and it will need a couple of tires, at least. All the seats are removed.
Yes, rear engine, yes tandem axle but only one driven.
But as I was researching them, I found that a local transporter has decided to retire their Atomic and an MC8. Depending on price, I may be better off with the higher-mileage, but consistently maintained, bus. The mechanic said parts are still available (suspension bits are from Kenworth and such).
Why is the loo an issue. I assumed that having it already onboard would be a plus! That Crown is just "WAY COOL"!!!!!
https://goo.gl/photos/z9NKLwcvftYEhzxDA
John
' nothing prettier (or unique) than the Atomic, in my opinion ;). My '73 awaits the sale of my '83 Crown schoolie tandem both for budget and insurance purposes. With that and a Gillig tandem on my policy, I do not wish to rock the boat with my agent. Miles unknown, it starts quickly and cleanly. After AEC service, it was a sports bus for the Kimberly, Idaho school district.
http://cottagekaleidoscope.com/about/#jp-carousel-1128 (http://cottagekaleidoscope.com/about/#jp-carousel-1128)
Paul
Thanks for the comments! I really like the '65 Tourer! It looks "Cleaner" to me than the Atomic...
Any ideas what these things are worth? A local vendor has an MC8 for sale for 12,950...
http://www.sellabus.com/sprague-2.html (http://www.sellabus.com/sprague-2.html)
The seller of the Atomic #244 is asking $4k.
I don't have a price on the local school district bus yet. What would be a fair price on a good condition Atomic?
John
The '65 tourer has been sold. It's a good runner with a Cummins 220. My Atomic has some rust issues, but I think I can deal with it. As for what an Atomic is worth, there are too few "comps" to render an opinion. I've seen asking prices of $2500 to $22500. Who knows? That said, I'd consider another one for $4K :). As for the MCI, I suppose it all depends on condition. You know which one I would choose . . . Keep us posted!
Paul
Very nice group of pictures. That ALF pumper was a nice surprise.
Thanks! We're working to "thin-the-herd" a bit. I've got a potential buyer for the schoolie tandem Crown en route from San Francisco today, and a nibble on the '57 Atomic. The ALF (8V71 5-speed) will soon be on the list as well ;)
Paul
I had forgotten that GILLIG built buses on truck type school bus chassis hence that sharp one on that IH chassis.
That vintage reminds me of my grade school years back in the 70's since we had 2 IH chassis buses at my grade school about that size.
Nice pictures GilligCrown. The La France triple brings back memories. Is your 1984 Crown for sale? Please contact me. Seems I can not privately contact you. HB of CJ.
Mod: Sorry for this post.
Edited addition: Thank you again. I will pass. Darn! :(
Quote from: CrabbyMilton on April 21, 2017, 10:15:10 AM
I had forgotten that GILLIG built buses on truck type school bus chassis hence that sharp one on that IH chassis.
That vintage reminds me of my grade school years back in the 70's since we had 2 IH chassis buses at my grade school about that size.
And it's a 4x4 as well! One seriously cool little bus. Just imagine making it a mini-RV for forest tracks and offroad trails.
John
Yeah, I really like the 4x4!
Is that a blue Atomic in the back of the "Busses gone Wild" Photo?
John
I would guess that came in handy for off the road field trips or summer camp. Or more likely, crew buses for utility crews and somehow, a school managed to get one. As I said, my grade school had 2 of these IH chassis buses(not 4x4) One of them has a gasoline 6 cylinder engine which was not very common at all on LOADSTARs. Most were V8 as that one is since it has the "V" on the hood.
Quote from: Atomic_John on April 21, 2017, 08:50:38 PM
Yeah, I really like the 4x4!
Is that a blue Atomic in the back of the "Busses gone Wild" Photo?
John
No, that raised-roof Crown on the right of the picture is (was?) one of our members' Crown demonstrator built for Hewlett-Packard as a mobile lab, then later converted to a motorhome. It has a 375 HP Big Cam Cummins under the floor, full air suspension, and it flies! Unfortunately my bus was just out of that picture - it was to the left of the 1957 that's at the left of the photo. This year will be the ninth annual get-together for us Crownaholics and Gilligans, but the H-P Crown probably won't be there this time.
Here's a thread from a few years ago on The Other Forum about someone's Atomic: http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/2783.html (http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/2783.html)
John
' any decisions and/or purchase, Atomic_John? Having sold my '83 Crown tandem over the weekend, I have insured my '73 Atomic and taken it out on its maiden voyage! Well, just local errands . . . It's got some sticky linkage and uninspiring brakes, but it is no longer just yard-art! I'll get it all sorted out.
Paul,
I'm in a bit of a holding pattern right now
I've got one of my other projects 'sold' and some solid nibbles on the other.
Any Saab'ers out there that need an old 99 project?
Anyway, mostly I'm waiting to hear back from the local district with the team bus. It's in much better condition, but I don't know a price yet. They have the MC8 as well...
If I go that route, I'll still help Dan sell his. Sounds like there is enough interest out there that at the price he's asking, it could go pretty quickly.
Either way, I should have one by mid-summer!
John
My ex-husband is the only Saab Certified Master Technician in the Richmond region (and my son to an extent, is pretty good with them also).
So if you need Saab help...I might be able to help :)
Oh, and of course, a voice of decent (or reason, depending on your view) MC8