Question for all Scenic nuts

[Barn Owl]

I have been following all of the excitement over the 4105s on Ebay and am surprised at what people are willing to pay for a bus that would have to be towed away. What about the one listed in the MAK classifieds?  How come no one seems to get excited about it?

They claim it is a runner:

http://busconversions.com/classifieds.htm

"1955 GMC PD 4501
An American Classic. Runs and drives w/8V71 4-speed transmission. No interior on the top deck. Original lavatory below intact. Ready to be remodeled into that luxury Scenic Cruiser of the olden days. Great project. [pic] [0805]
$7500 OBO
302.945.3988"

With the owner offering an OBO they must be willing to cut a deal. With those others needing a good deal of work just to get them drivable, wouldn't this one be better money spent?

[Barn Owl]

Since we are looking:

1955 GM Scenic Cruiser Bus - $5000

Great Motor Home Coversion. Stage III reinforcment package. 8v72 Detroit diesel with 20K miles since overhaul. Sound body but needs work after sitting idle for over 10 years. VIN # 1056. One of the last ones built.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/577361544.html

[Barn Owl]

This is not a scenic but I am posting it for those who just like to see buses and prices. I am going to omit the link and phone # because I don't want to have a conflict with the MAK board. But I think it is nice to have a peak at whats out there and the asking price for future reference.

1976 gmc buffalo bus - $3600

"1976 gmc buffalo bus motor v8 detroit manual transmition 4 spd,3 axle,runs great, good for motorhome $3600"

[tekebird]

boy, kyle is going to have an anurism

[kyle4501]

I'm having the first one looked at today & am planning on picking it up next weekend - if all goes well 


As to the "lack of excitement"
Usually a 55 year old bus isn't going to be in that good of condition & require lots of repairs since it was worn out when parked. 
There are some who would have you believe that you can't get any parts for them 
There are some who would have you believe that IF you can find parts, they are grossly expensive 
Most don't have the resources to park a unfinished project while working on it 
Transportation usually starts at ~$4.00+ per loaded mile or $110.00+ per hour away from yard whichever is more    & goes up from there.
You have to buy 10 tires - sitting for 5+ years isn't good for any tire & I'm sure they weren't new when parked 
Many are of the disposeable mentality & feel a bus that old isn't worth the trouble 
Most simply don't want to deal with the floor issues as a PD4501 doesn't have a flat floor

And another thing, 4 of my 5 were FREE & 3 were within 250 miles from the orphanage. All I had to do was cover the transportation home. For those that can't do the math, $1000 for a bus is much easier to do than $5000 + transportation (especially when parts are so expensive if you are lucky enough to find them available  ).

Also, I have had much more satisfaction from sharing / trading parts for these buses than I'd have ever experienced with simply putting a cash value on them. Helping out a fellow enthusiast is much more rewarding than simply selling a part. Those that don't understand that have my sympathy.

[roadrunnertex]

The Scenicruiser that is for sale in CA for $5000.
Two thing I noted wrong in the add.
First the VIN# 1056 and the year built.
The Scenicruiser VIN serial numbers are 001 through 1001.
So 1056 can not be the VIN/serial number.
1955 might be the year built but the vin # 228-736 are for the 1955 models.
You must remember that most of the ex Greyhound Scenicruisers that you will find today are going to be either not running or if it runs it has other major mechanical problems.
When Greyhound sold them in the late 1960's through the mid 1970's the old buses were well used when they were in service with Greyhound.
Greyhound today has PD4501-001 and it's restored and in the Greyhound historical fleet.
There are a few in running condition and still seated coaches in the good hands of bus collectors.
May the Bus God's be on their side when they are playing with them.
jlv

[Green-Hornet]

I get pretty excited looking at them, for sure. I would love to own one. I was telling Kyle the other day, about the first one, I love the "Idea" of owning one more than actually having one though. I like watching the ones on the auction site cuz I feel it is going to someone that wants it enuff to bid against someone else for it, so it is probably going to a good home. I am in a spot where I know that I can not afford to have one towed and then repaired, so for me it is a spectator sport......for now at least!

[Ednj]

I'm having the first one looked at today & am planning on picking it up next weekend - if all goes well 

>
Kyle,
Does that mean it's time for another meeting?
See= http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=7282.0
Ed

[Dreamscape]

Kyle,

I applaud anyone who has the backbone to venture into collecting old coaches such as yourself. If you or someone doesn't it goes to scrap, and what a waste of history.

I always read your posts and what you are doing. I personally think that the "Orphanage" of Scenics is SUPER! If I could, I would do that for Eagle as well. No matter how much RUST they have. Parts will be hard to find and you might just have a goldmine.

Good Luck,

Paul

[kyle4501]

I'm having the first one looked at today & am planning on picking it up next weekend - if all goes well 

>
Kyle,
Does that mean it's time for another meeting?
See= http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=7282.0
Ed

Oh man, I WISH!
The tentative plan is to roll in at the butt crack of dawn on Saturday morning (after driving all night), fire her up & make it the 600 miles home before dark. That gives us an extra day to deal with any opportunities that may present themselves  So time will be short while in De.

I'm planning to have 3 or more go up to help share the driving.
So far it's Jack Hart, me, a buddy from work, & a scenicruiser owner from FL. (Hopefully Jon will go & take his MC9  that will allow room for more to go  ) Anyone else wanna go?

[uncle ned]

Kyle  let me know  maybe take huggy from lenoir on

at least i could help drive and i'm not to far from jack. would be a nice trip.

ned

[Barn Owl]

What is "Stage III reinforcment package" that is on the Star Dust bus?

[roadrunnertex]

I have never heard term this used in conjunction with the rebuilds on the Scenicruiser.
I have also sent this term and question to a retired Greyhound mechanic who was in the rebuilding shop in Miami,Florida back in the 60's.
If I get a reply back I will post it on this board.
jlv

[HB of CJ]

You know, nothing is more fun that being excited about another old classic and classy bus.  Enough soosss that we smile, giggle and get up way early in the morning just to go look at another one.  If I could $afford$ it, I would have a great big warehouse/garage/shop/barn thing just full of old coaches. Cheaper than boats and airplanes (well, kinda) 

[tekebird]

I've never seen that term either.

to the best of my knowledge there were only two rebuilds....one was the repower which had some other mods as well...and then the conversion to combos.

Stage three is a modern term and would not have been used at the time.