We weren't willing to let the dream die after what happened to our 4106, so we immediately started what we thought would be a months-long search for a replacement. As it happens, we found a great bus that seems to fit us and moved on it quickly. Someone posted on another thread about making lemonade - that's exactly what we plan to do. As much as we both are still struggling with recent events, we are determined to keep moving forward.
Now that the deal is complete and I have title I am happy to say that we've begun our next project. This is a 1974 GMC P8M4108a. It was ordered from the factory specifically to be converted, and the conversion was done by Custom Coach.
Even though this was pushing our budget, it was exciting to see a bone stock 4108a with the original conversion still largely in the same condition as when it left Custom Coach. All the bus systems are in place and functional, including the HVAC system. Engine is the 8V71 which is coupled to a 4-speed transmission. One day I might swap an auto, but not now. I want to experience this as it was built first.
I know that I'll have to upgrade many of the house systems, but it will be a pleasure to work on a bus that has not been butchered over the years and/or modified in ways that are hard to understand. The seller is including all the original manuals, including the CC manual and the CC conversion wiring diagram. They will be really helpful.
Best part for us is the interior... Like someone took a snapshot of a luxury motorhome in 1974 and locked it in a time capsule.
Once I get it home next week I'll start a thread on the project page so people can see the progress.
Richard
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171011/38d6dcf68cd1003784d5078732f7eab3.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171011/85e6eb5a8a6b88fb0a045a75777713b8.jpg)
LOL that is crazy that looks identical to my friends 4108a Custom Coach expect he has power mirrors,aluminum wheels and now a 6v92TA DDEC engine with the V731
If I didn't already have a 4905 that is 80% converted, I would have bought that one myself!
Few coaches give me envy, but that is one that does.
Enjoy it, as it should give you many trouble free miles.
Steve :) :)
Good luck with your new coach Richard, wishes for many happy trails to you, lvmci...
Nice looking coach! And there is nothing wrong with classic that is quality built. Enjoy,
Will and Wife
Is there something wrong with my smartphone? All I see is two pictures-- the outside right and the driver's seat. Where are the conversion pictures?
--Geoff
Quote from: Geoff on October 11, 2017, 05:42:00 PM
Is there something wrong with my smartphone? All I see is two pictures-- the outside right and the driver's seat. Where are the conversion pictures?
--Geoff
[/quote
Nothing wrong with your phone. Haven't posted them all yet.
Richard
Richard,
I think saw this coach listed on Ebay...this looks like a great find! Congratulations on finding a replacement so soon.
I am looking for a coach on the west coast, but recently I have noticed on Ebay, there appears to be many viewers, but few bidders. Several recent listings that had reasonable starting prices received no bids at all...makes me wonder if buying a coach is a financially sound decision. Hopefully you got a good price. Keeping making your excellent posts.
Mike
Hi Mike, check on Craigslist, go to RV then search bus, lvmci...
Thanks Tom,
Your posts are great too. I have been monitoring those sources such as CL too. I was following WindTrader's/Don's strategy of looking for a coach; his method appeared good and he was successful.
It is fortunate Richard found a great replacement so quickly. It appears there are many mistakes a buyer can make when looking for a coach, so I am in no hurry. Being a geezer I would not want to leave a mistake behind for my wife deal with when I am gone.
Mike
Mike where are you, label where your from and anything you want us to know, an experienced busnut will help you to make less mistakes, come to a bus rally, look and talk to the nuts, you will learn a lot, tom...
Quote from: lvmci on October 11, 2017, 08:44:12 PM
Mike where are you, label where your from and anything you want us to know, an experienced busnut will help you to make less mistakes, come to a bus rally, look and talk to the nuts, you will learn a lot, tom...
Mike -What Tom's suggesting is editing your profile to something similar to his, or mine, or several other busnuts that appears at the bottom of our posts. Simply click on the profile tab above, and when the next screen pops up, scroll down to "Forum Profile Info." Click on that link, then follow the prompts. Remember: the more information you share with us, the better we can help you!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
First of all, congrats Richard, that is a seriously beautiful coach! Can't wait to see what you'll do with it. Second of all, someone tell Mike that buying a bus is most certainly NOT a financially sound decision. If that's what he wants, he should buy real estate or bonds or something lol.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Buses are not a sound investment even the later model factory conversions require a bundle of cash to keep up the maintenance.
My good friend Tom (LVMCI) can tell you he has spent more money on his in the last 3 years than he paid for it and he is still spending the cash owning a bus is not for the faint of heart ;D
I toured Custom Coach in Columbus (they are no longer in business) when I was first looking at buses back in the nineties. They were a quality outfit that went in to a lot of detail when customizing a coach. Having their original diagrams will be a big help in figuring things out. You might find that they installed layers of cork and lead sheeting in the floor for sound deadening. You will need double clutching skills to smooth out the 4 speed Spicer trans, and I hope for your left leg's sake that the clutch has air-assist. ;)
how do you post pictures on here?
Yes Clifford, that must be why I'm having palpitations! tom...
Posting photos is pretty easy...at the bottom of your post you click on the "additional options" link under the text box. There will be a place there to select and upload your photos. They must be pretty small (less than 196 kb total per post.) I'd suggest copying all your text to the clipboard before trying to post with photos though, because if there is a problem with your photos you'll lose your text and have to start over. Also possible to compose in something like MS Word and then copy/paste the text into the post.
If you're using the Tapatalk app on Android it's even easier. Should be self explanatory there.
Richard
Richard,
There is a Facebook group for Custom Coach buses. Check with Buck Trout on FB, I think he can get you in there.
Quote from: DoubleEagle on October 12, 2017, 07:11:05 AM
...You might find that they installed layers of cork and lead sheeting in the floor for sound deadening. ...
Cork & lead sheeting? That must be hiding under the miles of authentic 1970s shag carpeting. :)
Richard
Quote from: richard5933 on October 12, 2017, 09:37:17 AM
Cork & lead sheeting? That must be hiding under the miles of authentic 1970s shag carpeting. :)
Richard
Yes, indeed, if your coach got the star treatment. Access holes for wires or pipes might reveal how thick the floor is. The lead sheets are thin, but they are very effective as a noise barrier, and the cork acts as an absorber. There would be layers of plywood in between. Your roof might not have been raised, and that would reduce your chance of having that. The ones I saw at the plant had ceramic tile or marble for the floor covering.
Serial number on our new coach is P8M4108A125. The information I found online was as follows:
125 203182 07/74 Super Service Bus Co (S Amboy NJ) {Housecar}
The story I was told by the seller is that the bus was ordered by the owner of a charter company for the specific purpose of being converted to a motor home. This record would bear that out.
The story continues that the shell was sent to Custom Coach for conversion. The conversion was done at a cost of $184,000, and with the initial purchase price the total spent in 1974 was $250,000. I have not yet confirmed these numbers, but according to an online inflation calculator that would be the equivalent of approximately $1.2 million in today's money. I've always thought it would be great to one day own one of the million dollar coaches on the market today, I just didn't know that I'd have to start with one that was 43 years old. No matter, as I'm already quite excited to have this piece of history and can't wait to get behind the wheel.
I've got a list a mile long already of things that I'd like to upgrade. But, I also hesitate to do anything that will upset the untouched vintage look of the thing. Seems like it's kept its owners comfortable (relatively speaking) in its current setup for all these years, so maybe I'll take my time and only do what's necessary for safety and to interface with modern campsite hookups. I'm actually looking forward to driving it with the 4-speed, at least for now. Am I too old to make believe that I'm a real bus driver?
Richard
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171013/1980b1842b406f06a43b7b0d4678900a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171013/fc810d896b08b5323ab2193a8948e5bf.jpg)
Really nice machine! Seems you deserve it after your experience. Enjoy the heck out of the lemonade your making. It taste excellent from our perspective and really happy to see it go both ways. Such a fine machine in the hands of a fine person who appreciates it for what it is. Really happy for your rekindled spirit & the fact that you keep on keeping on. Wishing you uneventful safe travels. I just love those numbers you crunched!