New to Buses - learning and searching

[Overdrive]

Hi,

I am considering buying an older bus for converting, or one that is already converted for travelling. Locally, I've seen a couple advertised. I'm just wondering if I got a "cheap" bus that needs work where I would find parts that may be missing (bust costing about $2500), or if it would be best to buy a bus that is ready to go, and inspected for about $15,000. Buses I've seen local have been mid 50's GMC PD buses, late 50's Western Flyer Canuck, which are nice and finished, but also quite expensive, and I've also found a mid 60's Western Flyer Canuck that would need to be gone through completely (an older conversion that looks to have sat around a long time, so it would need to be gutted, some rust repair around the wheel wells, and fixing dented and missing cargo doors).

I do have a tight budget, and I am able to do mechanical, interior, and body repairs easily, however, where would one get body parts for repairing dented stainless steel, and missing cargo doors on an old western flyer? I would be up to the challenge of getting an unusual bus bus back on the road, especially seeing that it was originally built in my hometown. These FLyer Canucks seem to be similar to same vintage MCI's

Any tips for starting out?

[Dallas]

It would probably help if you posted your general location so that if there are any bus enthusiasts in your area, they could help you make a more informed decision.

On the other hand, I seldom listened to anyone anyway and usually do stuff, "My Way" © Fast Fred.
I am one of the ones who will buy an old bus, use it until I find another and start over again. I think I have one more conversion in me, and am considering putting my 1952 PD4103 on the market, or scrapping it.
It's probably not something most people would want to start with anyway.

Just remember, the bus you buy to convert was taken out of service for a reason, and usually time hasn't been kind to them. You really have to love what you are doing and be willing to take the hard stuff with the easy.

Good Luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of bus nuts!

[NJT 5573]

I would buy a bus with minimums of power steering, automatic transmission and turbo engine. In this day and age, I think you just have too far to go without a good foundation, if you are starting from scratch. If you don't buy those things, you will be looking to upgrade and start the cycle again eventually.

[Airbag]

The market is on your side until you purchase and then it is the other way round. My opinion is buy a bus that is done and as new as you can afford. Finding parts for older buses is like pulling teeth. I am still looking for baggage doors for mine.

The market is flooded with excellant buses that are done and will cost you a fraction of what you will spend to do yourself.

Don't rush into a purchase ask for help, find bus people near you and ask questions and when the time comes you will have a better idea of what your looking for and at. Get whatever you buy inspected before you purchase. Make sure it has a maintenance log without it it is a crap shoot.

[Overdrive]

Thanks for the tips. All good info to know. I love the looks of the older machines, so I would be partial to something from the 50's or 60's (I'm restoring a 1938 Chrysler, so I know all about hard to find parts). Seems that the GM buses seem to be the most common and affordable (and my price range right now it seems that only the 50's and 60's stuff falls within that, unless a newer bus is not converted)...

[Dreamscape]

All good advice from those that have been there, done that!

Just be careful on what you end up getting. Remember you will put money back into it, it's larger than a car and so are the repair bills. If you like the vintage stuff, good for you. There are many here on the board that prefer the older coaches, they have character! Parts, be prepared to do lots of searching, make friends with other bus nuts that are doing the same brand of coach you are. You may have to fabricate stuff, you never know.

Good Luck and we all hope you enjoy your new hobby,

BTW, if you put your location in your profile and signature you may find you have a bus nut living in your neighbor hood.

Paul

[skolbibp]

Depending on the style of rib in the stainless panels, IBP may be able to fabricate them.  Send pictures to skolb@ibpindustries.com and I will be glad to see if we have a die that is close.

Steve

[Overdrive]

I just added my location to my profile... I'm in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.

I've been surfing around the web looking at various buses and features to see what's out there. Seems that there are all sorts of prices on the old stuff, from a few hundred dollars to near $100,000.

[bevans6]

From Winnipeg, look for a bus from the south.  Mine came from Arizona. Or be brutal about rejecting rusty buses.  People get about 30 - 40 cents on the dollar for their conversion costs when they sell, so buy a bus that is as complete and ready to use as you can.  Buy a bus that is as good mechanically as you can find.  Fixing the brakes, buying new tires, troubleshooting bad electrics, god forbid a new engine or transmission - at thousands or tens of thousands to you budget.  You'll find lots to use your talents on, no matter what.

[Overdrive]

Yes, I'm leary of rust issues. If I find one available locally, I would prefer to have one that at least passed and still has a current safety inspection (tires, brakes, etc in good condition), and also preferably with as little rust as possible (none is the best, but that's likely not going to happen).

[bobofthenorth]

First off, welcome aboard.

Second if you haven't discovered already, getting a converted bus across the border isn't just a matter of showing up and asking the nice man to let you in.  In fact a privately converted coach is likely going to be impossible to import.  There is a method that I have been told works but I don't know anyone who has actually done it with a real live coach so I am skeptical.  And even if it theoretically works there is a large element of risk IMHO because it takes some liberties with the intent of the act.  In other words, you need to confine your search to coaches that are already in Canada unless your wallet will accomodate conversions by a handful of large converters who are known to Transport Canada (companies like Liberty and Marathon). 

That narrows the field A LOT.  As far as coach dealers in western Canada go the two that I am aware of are Bill Mitran in Edmonton (and he may be out of business) and Bruce Coach in Salmon Arm.  There is also somebody on the Yellowhead on the west side of Edmonton who often has a couple of coaches sitting on his lot.  I could drive to him but don't ask me for a name or address.

[Overdrive]

Good point about the border. I'm sure I can find something locally, or at least within western Canada.

A friend of my familly knows someone locally that has a mid 50's GMC highway coach (converted). I did see about 10 years ago and it seemed nice, but I wasn't looking at that time. Apparently he might be persuaded to sell it as it hasn't been used in the last couple of years.

[BG6]

It doesn't much matter where a coach is located today.  What counts is where it spent its career before retirement, and life since then.

As a general rule, you want a coach which comes from as close to Phoenix as possible.

[FloridaCliff]

I am considering buying an older bus for converting, or one that is already converted for travelling. I do have a tight budget, and I am able to do mechanical, interior, and body repairs easily,

Hi Overdrive,

If starting over and looking for an older seasoned coach, I would look for the best 1)mechanically sound, 2)body condition, and then 3)interior.

The mechanical parts can break your wallet, if it has hidden problems, same with finding obscure body parts.

The interior you can adapt or replace at your own pace, while your using it.  You may even find you like a layout after using it awhile.

Best of luck on your search,

Cliff