Well it's almost finished! I finally took some pictures today, it was really a great day in Texas!
I still have the back to prime and paint, that is if the rains don't come like they forecast.
It has been many long hours, days, weeks and months to get it this far. Looking back to when I started this project it was about this time last year. That's right, one year to replace the breastplate, lots of front work around door and window pillars, removing all the paint down to the bare metal. Actually the prime and paint didn't take long at all, it took several days just to prep the coach.
All this in between my job travels too! Now that's remarkable! ;)
Hopefully it will be together for the voyage to TBR next week. At least you won't see too much red dust blowing off the bus now, it's been covered up! HA
Happy Trails,
Paul
Looks Great Nice color as well. Nice job.
Hi Paul & Becky,
Bravo! Your hard work paid off...
Now what's your next project?
Good Luck on your trip!
Nick-
Hey Paul. We knew you could do it. sure looks good. You got it done in time for the gathering. Now drive around like Good Sam, with a big old smile on your face. Take Care God Bless
Pete & Jean
FANTASY
Paul, Looks good. Glad to hear it went well also. Tom Y
SWEEET Ride ;D ;D
Thanks for the comments!
Hey Nick, next project????? You gotta be kidding. If I wrote it all down it would take up soooo much bandwidth they might shut the board down! ;D
Actually I need to get the aluminum molding to cover the seam, paint the back after some aluminum body work, then put on a fresh coat of white roof coating.
I did go over one side of the fluted aluminum with brake fluid after the picture was taken, what a difference! I do have a lot of battle scars on the siding, but I think it gives it character. ::)
Becky said to me with a smile on her face, "Hey Honey when are you going to finish the interior?" Enough said. ;) At least with that project I can work in the rain, wind and snow!
Paul
Wow Paul, you own a bus and your wife still calls you Honey? LOL
Ace
Looks great Buddy, like the blue. ;D You should post a "before" photo. ;)
Bill
Bill,
The first one is what it looked like when Dixie Echoes used it to tour in. The next is paint stripped. I think it's her third life, although I'm not sure.
Yeah Ace, Becky still calls me honey! ;D She can't wait to put her signature on the interior. ;)
Bringing the coach home tomorrow to start loading it up for TBR. Worked all day putting the driver area back together, fired up the generator and let it run for a bit, ran all three roof airs to see if they still worked. They still blow cold air, not sure how old they are but they work great. Also did the normal trip check.
Aint this fun!
Paul
Hey Paul,
Are any of the Dixie Echoes still around? they would be envious. Job well done!
Steve 5B...........
Steve,
Yes they are still singing Great Southern Gospel Music. http://www.dixieechoes.com/
I have been in contact with Randy Shelnut, son of one of the founders of the group. He is the one that sent me the orginal photo. It has been fun learning the history about our Eagle.
Paul
Paul -
Did you take off the old front cap with the vista windows before installing the later design?
;)
Quote from: RJ on September 06, 2008, 07:39:16 PM
Paul -
Did you take off the old front cap with the vista windows before installing the later design?
;)
A previous owner did all that work for me! ;)
Sometimes I wish it had the old look, it's very unique. In other ways I'm glad it's been updated.
Paul
CONGRATS, PAUL!Quote from: Dreamscape on September 06, 2008, 04:24:40 AM
Becky said to me with a smile on her face, "Hey Honey when are you going to finish the interior?"
And when you hear something like this, the only response is to turn around, rummage thru your toolbox, grab the prybar, putty knife, angle grinder and caulking gun. Then slowly turn back around and silently hand them to her with that look on your face. :)
You'll be bringing your painting equipment and expertise to TBR, right? ;)
CU Soon!
-Chuck
Hi Ya Chuck!
I'll do that but I will also tell her Chuck made me do it! ;D
Have you started making your special chicken yet? ;)
See Ya @ TBR,
Paul
I'm concerned that you have oversold the chicken, bud. :o
Ain't no big deal, and I *sure* don't want nobody expectin' nuthin' out o no faanceeyy rest'ront or nothin'!
;D
Your chicken is one of the main reasons for us coming! ::)
:P
Suuuuuuree is pretty Paul! I'll be looking forward to seeing it at TBR! ;D Christy Hicks
Christy,
Remember the runs you had on your bus? Well I've got a couple on the front, got too aggressive. It aint perfect but it sure looks much better than what I had before!
See you guys on Thursday,
Paul
Paul.
Looks like they have quite a history. If you look at the link, they lost there bus to a fire.
Steve 5B.........
I know, here is the link when I first posted it.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5328.0
Quite a story assosiated with it, at least no one was hurt.
Paul I want to say your bus looks awesome from the pics. It sure looks a lot different from the time I knew it when my friends here owned it! I too like the color blue! Keep up the good work as you should be very proud of your accomplishments!
Ace
Thanks Ace!
It's been a bumpy ride, I keep telling myself it's a 40 year old bus! ;) (Errr Motor Home) ::)
I wish I could have contacted your friends that owned it, I tried but no response from them. I really just wanted to know some more history.
Paul
Paul,
Wow! You do have the old girl looking really good. Now, how is the inside coming????
Bill
Quote from: Kwajdiver on September 08, 2008, 07:11:29 PM
Paul,
Wow! You do have the old girl looking really good. Now, how is the inside coming????
Bill
It looks the same as the last time you saw it! ::) As soon as the outside is completed then the inside gets some much needed work to complete. Becky keeps saying, when are you gonna finish the inside? I keep telling her soon baby soon. ::) You know how women are without a kitchen. There just has been so much to do. :'(
Shhh, don't tell her I said anything. :P
Paul
BEAUTIFUL!!!...Cable
Looks great, Paul.
I'm very envious. I found as many as 13 coats of paint (in the strip area). I just can't imagine.
Congrats buddy,
Chaz
Quote from: Chaz on September 09, 2008, 11:54:31 AM
Looks great, Paul.
I'm very envious. I found as many as 13 coats of paint (in the strip area). I just can't imagine.
Congrats buddy,
Chaz
Chaz,
I know the feeling, I also had many coats of paint and primer, especially on the aluminum banding, 10-12 coats on those. I sure burnt up lots of sandpaper! ;D Other areas like the Stainles Steel panels the paint just peeled off with a putty knife in the hot sun. Nobody bothered to etch them at all. I scratched those and used an epoxy primer................We're havin' fun now! ;)
Paul
This past Monday evening I spoke with Randy Shelnut (Dixie Echoes) and he had fond memories of the 01. They sang on stage along with many other groups at the National Quartet Convention - Louisville, KY www.natqc.com. Several years ago, we drove around back at the Expo center and seen row after row of buses. They replaced their burned bus with a Prevost.
Jim G. - 1979 RTS-II 40X96 Ohio
I sent Randy an updated picture if their old Eagle with a new look the other day. I'm sure he has been to busy to respond. I have found it to be so rewarding to find out it's remarkable history.
Thanks for the reply, they sing great music. :)
Paul