A unique Eagle flew in today...

[coachconverter]

After 2+ years of waiting, a new customer finally brought his 1994 Eagle 15-45 coach in for a day-coach conversion.  I'm not sure, but I think this was built for an airport shuttle service in TX, but someone here will probably know better than I do.

The first problems are the glued roof panels that leak, then tear off the beat up baggage doors and finally get some decent bumpers for her.  Then we can get to the interior.

Anyways, I thought you might enjoy seeing a 45 foot smooth sided Eagle, has a Series 60 with I believe a 748 tranny (and a stinky rearend, I think she's due for a new dropbox).

[Songman]

If you've got a good source for reasonably priced bumpers, I know that several of us are looking.

[Busted Knuckle]

I know that bus! It used to belong to Mr. Porter of Rockfield, KY! He had a small charter bus company that concentrated on the Bowling Green, KY area! He was associated with United Coaches that also concentrates on Owensboro & Bowling Green, KY! I lost my contact information for Mr. Porter a while back. But I remember when he had that and the rest of his buses for sale as he closed up and shut the business down and went into retirement! I spent much time and wasted breath trying to get dad to go with me to look it over to see if it was what would have possibly our first 45' bus! By the time I finally convinced dad it was worth taking a look at it, and I called Mr. Porter to set up a time to look at it he had sold it the week before! I don't know if Mr. Porter is still around or not, as he has had some bad health problems and was getting on up there in yrs. Might find someone at united Coaches who would know more about Mr. Porter and his current status. FWIW   BK 

[Busted Knuckle]

Also if I remember correctly when Mr. Porter sold it he told me it had a problem with a shimmy in the front end that no one was able to find and fix! (I'm sure with the help of our fellow Eagle experts it could have been found and fixed!)   BK 

[Dreamscape]

Post pictures as you progress with this new adventure!

The Eagles are coming out of their nests!

Paul

[coachconverter]

BK, you're right, that's where we got it.  I actually bought it a couple years back, for this customer. I believe though that when we bought it, the owner had already died, or at least that's what they told us. 

Yes, there's been a few thousand dollars put into the steering and brakes. 

FYI, we'll probably be feeding the baggage doors to the dumpster, he's wanting cafe doors on it.  They are all pretty rough, mostly bowed in and not working that well.  But if he decides to junk them I'll post it on the board.

Todd

[Songman]

I don't really understand the cafe door craze. My Eagle has panograph doors and I love them.I can just imagine those cafe doors coming open going down the road...

[coachconverter]

This bus doesn't have the pantograph doors unfortunately. They are the foldup types, with the bottom 10 inches or so that breaks and folds down again.  In my opinion, not an easy design to get to work well, let alone 4 in a row and to lineup straight.  Not to mention the tendancy for these types to fall, right when you're leaning halfway in.

My favorite part of putting on cafe doors is the part where I get to put stainless (hinges) on those buses!  Plus some real nice latches!

[johns4104s]

Funny you should mention a Mr Porter. I spent a lot of time with a Mr Porter who owned ThunderBird Tours from Wichita Kansas. When Tami and I would drive up to see the in laws, I would spend my days, (all day,every day) at Thunderbird visiting and talking buses. The first time I went they had 04,s and 06,s Then over the years they bought The best looking buses on the road, the Eagles. Then one or two MCI 7/8 and9,s.Mr Porters wife Cheyenne rand the tour side, Charters to Oklahoma for Bingo then eventually the Casinos.

John

[David Anderson]

The first problems are the glued roof panels that leak, then tear off the beat up baggage doors and finally get some decent bumpers for her.  Then we can get to the interior.

You're hurting my feelings.  I've got DOT bumpers on my 10 and really like them.  I can clean my windshield without a ladder.   Also, I backed into a rock wall one time hitting it so hard I sent stuff flying around the bus.  I stepped out and looked for damage.  None whatsoever.  If that had been a stainless blade it would have cost a bundle to fix it.   

I don't recommend people backing into things, however no matter what kind of bumper you have installed

David