Marked title

[Peabody]

Found a 1981 Bluebird I was interested in till I found out it had a flawed title.The owner was told when he purchased the bus 5yrs. ago there had been a turbo fire and that the insurance company had paid the damages.Told him if he could clear the title we could talk.Any ideas how to clear a title that says Marked Washington? Thank-You, Peabody

[makemineatwostroke]

Peabody; that is a salvage title all states have it now nothing wrong with them just lets the buyer know that the insurance co declared it a loss and paid the owner that title will be with the bus till the end and will carry over to different states with another name for it, is the Bird a FC or pusher   have a great day

[Peabody]

If  fc means front engine  yes it is here's the url bus needs a good cleaning or maybe even a new paint job. http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/rvs/848226179.html. Rather it was a pusher but we can't have every thing not at this price.So should I go ahead and follow up on this bus have it inspected. Thanks Peabody

[makemineatwostroke]

If the title is the only problem I would go for it I am a big Bird fan have owned 4 of them since 81 parts are cheap and easy to work on my last was a 42 ft Wanderlodge P chassis great buses for years the other bus conversions were playing catch up if you buy enjoy the ride. fwiw there is a Bird group on Yahoo   have a great day

[kyle4501]

The marked title tries to prevent deception. Get as much documentation as you can to identify why it was marked. Then you should have no problems explaining it in the future, should the need arise.

[luvrbus]

You see these type titles more everyday the insurance Co's total about everything now because of the high cost of repairs, say $7500,00 for repairs they will pay the owner $5000.00 the value of the vehicle take to auction and sell it for $2500.00 only cost them $2500.00 for a $7500.00 claim.I see this one is marked because of fire damage, in AZ it would be a rebuild title  good luck on your purchase

[Peabody]

Thanks All,
Now to find some one to inspect the two buses I'm looking at. The older 64-65 MC-5A seems to be in better shape as far as the outside looks go,but I hear that parts are cheaper for the 81 bird. Hopefully one of them will be in good enough shape to purchase. Peabody

[luvrbus]

I would go with the 20 year newer bus the Blue Bird won't ride as nice and be as quite but 125,000 miles compaired to 2+ million on the MCI plus BB uses off the self standard truck parts another plus if you have a problem BB keeps records and can answer any question about the conversion I know people that have them and love the BB      good luck

[jjrbus]

 I do not hear or in this case see people havng a hard tme getting parts for MCI's!!!!!  The parts for MCI are expensive, but almost everything is rebuildable with many items available from truck parts stores. Two million miles on an MCI is not high mileage. Jim

[luvrbus]

Jr, it's the maintenance in the 2 million miles that would worry me I have owned a MCI 5 a drop box goes out and you talking about 4 to 8 grand and they do go out and to me the 24volt system was a pain

[jjrbus]

 The boards are interesting on peoples perceptions of things. It is a great place to get ideas. I had no problem at all with the 24V, I find it to be a superior system. Just my opinion of course. The two million miles, if that is what it has, tells me the bus was well maintained. If I lost a drop box it would really ruin my year!!!!!

Here I am again overlooking the obvious response. NEVER, EVER buy a bus without haveing in inspected by a BUS mechanic!!!!! Make your best deal contingent on an inspection.

[luvrbus]

JR, you are not going to walk in to Wal-Mart or Autozone and buy a head lamp for 7 bucks or a tail light bulb for the 24 volt system on the 5   good luck off to jury duty

[RJ]

If  fc means front engine  yes it is here's the url bus needs a good cleaning or maybe even a new paint job. http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/rvs/848226179.html. Rather it was a pusher but we can't have every thing not at this price.So should I go ahead and follow up on this bus have it inspected. Thanks Peabody

Peabody -


Interesting handle. . .  A fan of Rocky & Bullwinkle perhaps?

Anyway, Blue Bird Wanderlodges are well-respected coaches in the RV industry.  Solid and well-built, often well maintained, too, since they're usually considered an "up market" coach.

HOWEVER -

Most are built on a customized truck chassis with steel leaf spring suspension, especially the FC (Forward Control, or front-engined) models.  Basically, a FC school bus with an RV interior, if you will.  Consequently, their ride on the highway is going to be considerably different than a bus conversion - a lot harsher, actually.  An advantage to the BB, though, is the higher ground clearance, so if you like to boonie bounce, that's a plus.

Also, with the front engine, your right foot is going to get hot, plus you'll have to put up with a lot more engine noise, compared to a pusher.

I noticed in the craigslist ad that it says it's got three giant storage pods on the roof. . . I don't particularly want to climb on the roof all the time to put things away, a bus's baggage bins are a whole lot handier in that regard.  But that's just MHO.

Another thought:

Have you really considered what you actually want to DO with an RV?  Do you want to full-time?  Boonie Bounce?  Campground to campground?  Fully self-contained and capable of living off-grid for a week or so, or powerpole to powerpole?  You need to seriously think about what you want to DO with this type of vehicle before you plunk down your hard-earned $$$ for one.

Before you make a decision, might I suggest you pick up a copy of "Beginner's Guide To Converted Coaches", by Larry Plachno.  Although somewhat dated, it contains a wealth of generic information about owning and operating these behemoths.  It should be required reading for all busnut wannabees before they spend a dime on a coach.  Available from the publisher directly (www.busmag.com), or search Amazon, eBay, etc.

And, as others have said:

Have a bus inspected by a BUS mechanic.

Don't rush into the first deal you find - it's a buyer's market out there right now, lots are available.  Don't hurry.

Speaking of it being a buyer's market, you might call Dave Gregory at Southern Oregon Diesel, and ask him if the MCI that was for sale at the Busin'USA rally in June has been sold yet.  It was a really nice unit, reasonably priced, and the widow really wants it to go to a nice, new home.  SOD's phone # is  (541) 672-7400.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[makemineatwostroke]

Peabody; the FC is not just a school bus the springs are different, the power steering is different along with other thing they even made a air ride FC in the 80's when and if you buy this bus I would have the 3208 checked out by A Cat dealer if it has a late model rebuild it will not give you any trouble and will not use not 1 quart of oil in 10,000 miles ( they do not steep grades without a tubro) that will not happen with a DD 2 stroke and I love 2 strokes,the ride on the BB made in the 60s and 70s were harsh they would shake the sheets off the bed buy what bet suits you FWIW my foot never got hot from driving one but it could happen I guess  have a great day

[Peabody]

LoL,I'm sorry in my haste I didn't introduce myself. First my handle (Peabody) it was intended to make me feel bad,but it backfired,I liked it,seemed to fit and it stuck so Peabody it is.And yes I liked the Rocky and Bullwinkle show.
I'm a retired female long haul driver DH still drives gave him 4years than he has to retire.At that time we will go full time in what ever we end up buying.That gives me time to redecorate our future home and make it ours.I have spent months reading and learning as much as this tired  old brain can stand,lol, and have started seriously looking.Considered a fifth wheel at first but what with all of DH's toys I can't see that working out.You guys understand work all your life for that special goal what ever it is you just aren't gonna give it up when you finally achieve it,Nor would I ask him to.Besides I enjoy the car and bike myself.What good are they just sitting in storage so the have to come along. The total weight of these toys are 5000lbs. or less so I can't see any reason why we can't drag them with us.Speed getting to our destination isn't important it's the fun along the way.
I'm an artist and what I do I can do any where and he is a workaholic so workcamp is a good option for him.If he could find a church that needs help in rebuilding or a family in need he would be a very happy camper.No pun intended. So now you know a little about us and what we want  out of life. Peabody