I am going to look at a 1973 Silver Eagle tomorrow. I don't think the owners have a lot of information about it; although I haven't talked to them at length. I was hoping some of you could give some words of wisdom concerning this bus based of the Facebook ad and the YouTube video.
(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41095698_2018613961517425_304021270092054528_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&oh=45ed1146c949b378dc136dfc3843df0b&oe=5C1698C4)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/292861118209397/ (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/292861118209397/)
YouTube: https://youtu.be/sGZaXxdGm1M (https://youtu.be/sGZaXxdGm1M)
I don't know for certain if the Facebook and YouTube video are from the same owners, but I believe it is the same bus.
The skin looks recent.
The suspension looks above average...but there is no load on it.
A lot of the grunt work is done.
It has a 4 speed. Not many want one.
Appears to have power steering...everyone wants that.
the OTR AC seems to still be there..if it works, everyone likes that.
I would not pay the asking price.
It has been for sale for over a year. It is basically a shell with a less than stellar sheet metal work over the windows. The A/C looks cobbled up and may only work while the engine is running. It might not be a complete original system, judging by all the open upper Model 05 windows. The engine sounded fine, but it would run pretty good right up to its death. The test is how it does when starting up cold, and how it does on a long grade. It might have power steering because the steering wheel is not the original, and I did not hear the air hissing of the original air-assisted manual. There was notable corrosion of the wheel arch trim pieces on the driver's side which means the steel behind them are in bad shape. There were pin-hole corrosion areas on the siding; this bus has been in a bit of salt. The four speed Spicer manual has been discussed before, it is not nearly as desirable as a five speed (or up) manual, or an automatic, and it will make resale difficult (as these young guys are finding out). Depending on what you find out about what has been done to it mechanically, I think the value is three to five thousand, depending on the age and condition of the tires. Check for the DOT date codes, don't be overly impressed with tread depth. Unless they took this coach to a competent garage for regular maintenance, I would not be surprised to see a lack of grease on many of the grease points all over the coach. Look for dates on the filters, check the air cleaner, check for cracks in the hoses, etc. (I once looked at an Eagle in West Virginia where the owner had smeared black tire wax on the sidewalls to fill in the many cracks in the 10-15 year old tires). Smack the palm of your hand on all the inside and outside walls to see how much rust dances out. If you work at it sufficiently, you might be able to get a ring of rust bits all around the whole coach. Check the fuel filler area inside the doors; they like to rust out badly. At the least, you will have a learning experience. ::)
Open the electrical panel door under the drivers window it will tell you everything you need to know if it's rusted politely walk away check if you see rust streaks or loose rivets on the siding there not much left,with the missing center piece of siding under the windshields tells you it a old Trailways bus, power steering is doubtful with a 4 speed
Thank you all for your thoughts. Definitely educational and appreciated.
I plan to take pictures and video tomorrow, perhaps you all can help me identify some of the other trouble areas.
My advise:
Check out this link
http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on October 07, 2018, 06:23:05 PM
My advise:
Check out this link
http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343
Thank you for the link! I hope they can figure something out over at eagles-international; we can't loose that content.
Here is a quick video I did of my look at the bus. (Editing is not all that great...) https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q (https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q)
I didn't get a picture of video of everything, but I learned a lot and will do better next time.
Does this bus have above normal corrosion? From the few comments that I have read it seems this much corrosion is abnormal.
From the few pictures of the Torsilastics that I could get, does it look like there is life left?
One of the important things I learned today was that I would prefer a raised roof. I'm 6'1" on a good day and it seemed like I didn't have much head room.
Quote from: mmanning on October 07, 2018, 07:37:21 PM
Here is a quick video I did of my look at the bus. (Editing is not all that great...) https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q (https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q)
I'm 6'1" on a good day and it seemed like I didn't have much head room.
I am too, I have no regrets with the stock ceiling height. don't seem to notice it after a short while.
I would not buy another bus with a drop box. So Eagle ran independent on the front in 73? When did they start that? So much for newer tires?
Quote from: Tom Y on October 08, 2018, 05:13:16 AM
I would not buy another bus with a drop box. So Eagle ran independent on the front in 73? When did they start that? So much for newer tires?
Eagles were independent front suspension from the beginning in 50's till the end in 1998 that is why the Eagle had the great ride,took Prevost and MCI 50 years to make a independent suspension that worked.
From what I see in the video, the Torsilastics seem to have adjustment left, but the tires are marginal, and the siding perforations are substantial. The alternator is not original, and pretty small, and that A/C is a complete cobbling up that will do nothing for the driver. They might have been idling the engine all night to be able to sleep in the rear. I would start at scrap value and not move much above that, assuming you are prepared to do a lot of work.
It's been capped that was a 8000.00 ,it would require some work but doable it's not that bad they were always a mess around the restroom
Quote from: luvrbus on October 08, 2018, 07:28:52 AM
It's been capped that was a 8000.00 ,it would require some work but doable it's not that bad they were always a mess around the restroom
Chances are it was capped a long time ago (they actually got $8,000 to do that? sounds like a California price), and the frame and siding would really require a lot of work. As time goes on and there are fewer Eagles to consider, people might have to overlook some details like rusted electrical doors. They would be easier to redo than major frame areas. Putting in anything beyond the Spicer 4 speed would require changing the frame, and if it does not have actual power steering, more work. This bus needs someone that is blindly in love with Eagles, a lot of welding and mechanical skills, and a lot of time. The amount of money that would be required to pay someone to do it would never be financially justifiable.
I capped my own with Eagle caps from Brownsville it was over 7k,your right that bus will take some work but no hill to climb for a Eagle person lol mine didn't look that good
What do you mean by capped?
I think I might be passing on this one. As many of you have said, it will likely be very costly and time consuming. I like the idea of making it mine from the ground up, but this might be a little too far to the ground.. What I am looking for is still evolving as I see more. I think I'd like something that is a little less structural work; but it doesn't have the be perfect. That, and I would like to use it sooner rather than later.
Not included in the video I linked previously was a picture of a electrical panel. I've attached it
If anyone else is interested in this bus, I help get you more information if you would like.
Quote from: mmanning on October 08, 2018, 03:08:06 PM
What do you mean by capped?
I think I might be passing on this one. As many of you have said, it will likely be very costly and time consuming. I like the idea of making it mine from the ground up, but this might be a little too far to the ground.. What I am looking for is still evolving as I see more. I think I'd like something that is a little less structural work; but it doesn't have the be perfect. That, and I would like to use it sooner rather than later.
Not included in the video I linked previously was a picture of a electrical panel. I've attached it
If anyone else is interested in this bus, I help get you more information if you would like.
As said in Karate Kid, "grasshopper, you have much to learn", or something to that affect. The front of the original Model 05 looked much differently, and when the Model 10 came out (which is the style of the front fiberglass top on this bus), a lot of companies changed the front cap to the newer style to make the bus look newer. It involved modifying the framing a little, and riveting the new cap on. The indentations on the cap are where the original windows would go on a Model 10. Just Google Eagle bus history, and pictures will come up of all the models.
The picture of the electrical box shows a halfway decent connection board, there are worst examples out there. The most revealing thing about the picture are the missing rivets and pinhole corrosion of the siding on the bottom. That bus was in a lot of winter salt up North somewhere (I believe the plates are from Wisconsin). If you want to be able to go on trips fairly soon this bus will slow you down, it is not ready to go. The engine sounded good relatively, but it has no generator, and no usable A/C. Would you really be prepared to double-clutch that Spicer 4-speed? It would be a great anti-theft feature. ;) So, you need to identify which features of a bus you want, and stick within your budget. Sometimes the two factors will conflict. Keep looking, this is a great time to get a good deal if you don't let yourself get tricked.
Walter is giving you good advice be patient there are a lot of buses coming out of CA with the series 60 engine and the Allison World transmissions that can be had for under 10k but they will be 45 ft long I personally like the 45 ft x 102 wide buses
That panel is good compared to how mine was!
Double Eagle, I am afraid I classify as someone blindly in love with eagles if you look at how deep I am in digging all the rust out of mine!
More rust then I thought, but I have had fun all the way.(I like to build stuff with metal)
P.S.
I already ripped my panel out.
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on October 09, 2018, 06:50:21 PM
That panel is good compared to how mine was!
Double Eagle, I am afraid I classify as someone blindly in love with eagles if you look at how deep I am in digging all the rust out of mine!
More rust then I thought, but I have had fun all the way.(I like to build stuff with metal)
P.S.
I already ripped my panel out.
I was once blind (of rust), but now I can see the rust more clearly, for I have three. Don't loose your enthusiasm, you will need it. ;D
Mike and Angie came over last week and spent a few hours listening to me give them a sip of water out of a fire hydrant.
They got a good look at the torsilastics from the spare ones I've got in the garage. Also the torsion bars. Then saw them on the coach.
Spent a few hours looking at our Eagle and then in front of the computer with my bus archives.
I believe they left with a clearer idea of what they are looking for and what to avoid.
Quote from: akroyaleagle on October 18, 2018, 09:55:45 AM
Mike and Angie came over last week and spent a few hours listening to me give them a sip of water out of a fire hydrant.
They got a good look at the torsilastics from the spare ones I've got in the garage. Also the torsion bars. Then saw them on the coach.
Spent a few hours looking at our Eagle and then in front of the computer with my bus archives.
I believe they left with a clearer idea of what they are looking for and what to avoid.
It was an eye opening experience and very educational. Joe is an excellent teacher and an outstanding person.
Thank you again Joe and Frankie!
Looks like you really lucked out and got a mother lode of information! One of the great things about Eagles are their owners. :)