A really scary Scenicruiser

fe2_o3 · October 27, 2012, 07:46:08 PM

My son and I looked at this coach in 2010 when it was up on Hwy. 9 at Whiteside Wrecking near Clearview, WA...Interestingly enough it's age changed 3 years in the last 2..It was a 1955 back then and had a 8-71 with auto trans..It also had a lifetime supply of mold growing around most of the windows. The upper windows were cracked and leaking and there were marker lights missing.. The floor has been lowered and most needed to be replaced it also has body panel issues..Many were held closed with bungee cords.. I have pix but can't get make small enough to post ...Cable

pd4501-771 · October 27, 2012, 09:43:53 PM

Geoff

Was that 4501 smooth sided with modern Winnebago type graphics? The owner called the one I am thinking of "Ground Force One" (whatever that means) I have the serial number for that one. Would take some searching to find out what happened to the coach.

Tom

TomC · October 28, 2012, 10:27:00 AM

This is an older conversion-you can see the fish plates that were installed in between the windows to prevent cracking-they were steel plates on aluminum-not good. That horned animal in the 5th picture sure looks like a dog to me. The best place for this bus is the heap. Good Luck, TomC

Geoff · October 28, 2012, 06:43:48 PM

Quote from: pd4501-771 on October 27, 2012, 09:43:53 PM
Geoff

Was that 4501 smooth sided with modern Winnebago type graphics? The owner called the one I am thinking of "Ground Force One" (whatever that means) I have the serial number for that one. Would take some searching to find out what happened to the coach.

Tom

Tom, I found it--

The bus was built by Bob Patterson of Van Nuys, CA, and it's original construction number was PD4501-75. The front end" was actually a 1992 Beaver Motorhome. His finished bus came out 41'-6" long, 11'-8" tall, and 102" wide. Power is povided by an 8V92TA with an Allison 754CR transmission, 600HP. Estmated cost to construct (before the interior): over $2 million.

I have the original article, there was a follow up when the interior was finished, but I think by then "Private Coach Magazine" was only online and shortly folded, as did Bob, RIP.

I have the article in "Private Coach (Enthusiast) Magazine, Volume Two, Issue One". I guess it must be a collectors item now.

--Geoff

luvrbus · October 28, 2012, 06:56:29 PM

That coach is owned by someone into racing I saw it a couple of years ago in Oregon

good luck

pd4501-771 · November 01, 2012, 07:23:06 PM

Geoff

This is the one I was thinking about. It was PD4501-646. Owner called it "Ground Force One". Sold on ebay some years back. I have the same info you have for PD4501-075. That one used to belong to cowboy actor Dale Robertson way back when. Could you post photos, or email a scan copy of that article if you still have it? I sure would appreciate it. Take care.

Tom

luvrbus · November 01, 2012, 07:57:03 PM

Geoff ,Bob Patterson the guy you are talking about fwiw his 1963 cracker barrel championship boat Hot Cinders is owned by a guy here on the river

Bob was big into cracker barrel boat racing so his bus didn't surprise me those guys dance to different music than most

Boomer · November 01, 2012, 09:58:42 PM

Re the Patterson bus, Dick Wright and I were just talking about it the other day. An incredible amount of high quality work, the engine bay was a sight to behold, you needed sun glasses when it was opened. That front end sure was ugly though.

4905 doc · November 02, 2012, 10:51:25 AM

Quote from: gumpy on October 27, 2012, 03:40:40 PM
Wow! You busnuts are sure being judgemental about someone else's bus!

X2 gumpy. I emailed a few questions and got answers right away. A little too pricey for what's there, but, the right person could save it. And, it is a senicruiser.

the bus was started around 6 months ago.
I have to pic up new batteries, a thief came through and got away with my bat. as well as 8 others.
Three holding tanks, One drinking, one grey and one black water.
No gen, set. never had one that I know of.
Transmission is an Alison, with a auto 5speed.
Roof air works but I don't use it. and yes the only one.
Yes on the propane, mounted next to the new 110 hot water tank.
Don't know dates on tires. yes some weather checking. And I always look at it as. There are always 8 spares. that how a trucker told it to me. LOL
Yes the whole air system works great. the bus has air bags it will raise up another 8".
Any more just ask.
I'm not pushing any one, but it will be first one with the cash. and I'm letting every one know.
The price is firm
Your welcome

pd4501-771 · November 02, 2012, 12:16:52 PM

I have access to one much better for less money. Located in midwest. Rebuilt 8V-71, auto. lowered floor. Interior plywood and insulation done. Ready to convert. Send PM if interested.

Tom

rv_safetyman · January 05, 2013, 03:09:03 PM

Well, time to take myself out of exile and post something, since my self-appointed critic has calmed down a bit.

There was a picture of Bob Patterson's amazing Scenicruiser conversion in the July 1998 Bus Conversion Magazine. It was part of the Fifth Bus Conversion rally coverage (Las Vegas).

I recall spending a bunch of time looking at all the marvelous detail that was in that coach. He must have been to more than one BCM rally, as I don't recall seeing it at the '98 Rally (could be failing mind

)

If I get a chance, I will try to post a picture of it (from the magazine).

Jim

RJ · January 05, 2013, 03:30:15 PM

Quote from: rv_safetyman on January 05, 2013, 03:09:03 PM
If I get a chance, I will try to post a picture of it (from the magazine).

Jim -

Please do. I think I may have a pic of it also, but not sure. Do have a ton of photos from all of BCM's west coast rallys, will have to dig out to scan. Including one/two of the split-level RTS that was there one year.

FWIW & HTH. . .

rv_safetyman · January 05, 2013, 04:03:30 PM

Here is a quick phone photo. The quality of the photo is not good, but the picture in the magazine is not all that great either.

One of the things that first caught my eye were the super singles (on all the axles as I recall).

Jim

belfert · January 05, 2013, 06:22:51 PM

I'm wondering why someone takes an old bus and tries to make it look like a motorhome? Someone obviously did a lot of fabrication.

rv_safetyman · January 05, 2013, 07:48:49 PM

Brian, I would tend to agree with you - especially a Scenicruiser. However, this "conversion" was a work of art! It did not take long to see that it was not your typical S&S.

On a different note, I struck gold!!!! The April '99 BCM has the Patterson vehicle on the cover and a great story. I hope to scan it to a PDF and find some way to post it. May have to put in on one of my websites.

Jim