What to do with an inherited bus

[vmcney]

I need some advice.

My father recently passed away and left behind his converted bus. It's a 1953 GM PD4104 that he bought in 1979. He put in a few years converting it and then spent his retirement happily traveling the byways with it. I believe the last time he drove it on the road was maybe 15 years ago.

About 10 years ago he had an illness that prevented him from doing anything with it, and so it has sat.

I looked at it last week. The back tires are flat and old (probably 30 years I'm guessing). The body is in good shape overall although the paint is faded. Someone had broken the door or the hinges just rusted and broke. The inside needs a major cleaning but the appliances and fixtures are in there, as well as the two AC units on top, and I believe the generator is underneath (although I would need to confirm that).

So my question is what should I do with this thing? I live 800 miles away in another state.

The easy option is to have someone tow it away and sell it for scrap, as I'm sure the aluminum body has some value. But I'm having a hard time doing that as I know how much my dad really loved it, and plus I'd hate to do that to a piece of 1950's engineering history.

On the other hand, would it be worth my time, effort, and money to somehow get it in a condition where someone else might love it too? I don't even know how to start the engine or the proper procedures to drain and replace fluids, etc. The tires I'm guessing could be fairly expensive to replace if I can get them to a tire store. It would no doubt need a new battery, but there might be other issues likes rodents in the wiring, or a disintegrated brake system, and who knows what else. What would I be getting into and is it worth it?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

[windtrader]

Hi,

I think the first question you need to answer is how much does this bus mean to you? If it defined as a family heirloom rather than a commodity, then if you can afford to keep it, even as is, then that makes sense. If you have plenty of other mementos of dad then maybe this discarding it makes sense. You can decide later if you want to restore it and get in back on the road if storing it is something you can accommodate for the time being.

Given that vintage of bus and it has been converted likely means it has less value than if it was still all original. Irrespective of its condition, it probably not worth much once you factor in storage and moving costs. Others know way more than I but that's my take from a newly bit busnut. Good luck.

[Timkar]

If you post the location of the coach, there may be someone close by who can give you condition/value estimate. HTH

[chessie4905]

Also, the quality of the conversion job will determine whether it is worth saving. Location and selling price will help for someone that is looking for a starter unit. Pictures will help.

[vmcney]

Thanks for the responses. The bus is currently in the Los Angeles area (San Fernando Valley). I'll see if I can upload some pictures of it. I don't have too much sentimental attachment to it as I only traveled once in it with him. It was his baby and I don't know anything about it to take it on as a project. But it sounds like because of its age it might not be worth doing anything with it. I'll see if I can reinflate the tires. That might be a good place to start. At least it will help if I have it towed away. I'll keep investigating.

[chessie4905]

Could you list it's serial number? One of our members is trying to track every 4104 that is still in existence. It is on the plate mounted to bottom front of dash coming up steps at entrance door. If that is no longer there, it is also in the outside compartment under driver's side front. There is a lever behind bumperette that you slide up to open door. Inside the compartment, the model and serial number is stamped into the body in Esther large numbers and letters straight in front of you. A couple of good pictures of engine, esp transmission side would be helpful also. Thanks.

[vmcney]

I looked on the registration slip and the number there is PD4104862. I'll go look at the bus tomorrow and double check the numbers there and take some pictures.

[kyle4501]

The last time I had someone haul off a bus for scrap, all I got was $800 for 25,000 lbs. (~3 years ago)

The last time I took one to the scrap yard, I first took pictures & was quoted $18 per hundred pounds. -- when I got there with the actual coach, the best I could get was $3.50 per hundred pounds. (~1-1/2 years ago)

I always prefer to sell it complete to someone who wants it. However, sometimes, having a scrap hauler make it go away may be the best path.

[DoubleEagle]

Scrap prices can vary a lot depending on the market. In Ohio, the current rate for vehicles is $170 per ton, but it has been as high as $260 per ton. Before you consider scraping it, explore the possibility that someone who knows GMC's can use it. Condition means a lot to a potential buyer.

[vmcney]

I'm off to go take detailed pictures it today. How much does a PD4104 weigh, approximately?

[Timkar]

Depends on what is installed. I think GVW on them is around 32000 lbs..

[Utahclaimjumper]

  Generally in the low 24000 range.>>>Dan

[B_K]

Nobody ever gets near as much scrapping one as they think they will!
The scrappers deduct for interior, tires, and JUNK this and that!
I have heard and personally seen where someone thought a bus was going to fetch them between $5,000 and $10,000 in scrap where in reality it only brought them $500-$1500!
  BK 

[vmcney]

OK I went and had a better look at it. I'm rather embarrassed to post pictures of it. Rodents have made a home in the engine compartment so it's hard to know what shape the engine and tranny are in, unless I clean that mess up, which I'm not too excited to do. The battery compartment was locked so I couldn't look at that. I'll have to find a key or cut or drill the lock. The storage compartments on the right side all open and seem to be OK. The way the bus is parked it's hard to get to the compartments on the left side as I'd have to pull it out somehow. As mentioned, the door, paintwork, and tires are an issue.

After looking today, I'm leaning towards scraping it.

Will I need to put some tires on it to have it towed? What's a ballpark cost for tires for this thing? Oh dang, I forgot to see if the rear wheels are tandem. Anyone know if there are four or six tires on it?

I guess I didn't look as closely as I thought. I'll have to go back and look at it again. 

[chessie4905]

6 tires. There isn't a button or switch attached to the gear shift lever is there? Other than wiring, rodents won't do a lot of damage in engine compartment. The oil, dirt, and grease will make it look worse than it may be. To get into condition to sell...tires, batteries, oil change, new fuel, maybe some brake work, maybe if bags, and some leveling valves, you're going to get at least 2 grand into it if you do your own work. Maybe if you list the location of the coach, someone nearby may be interested  enough to check it out.