Introduction: Jack Ashore & Ramblin' Rose

[Jack Ashore]

Hi all,
We are new converted bus owners, new members to this forum, and soon to be full time RVers travelling the country. I apologize in advance to those of you who read some of the other bus forums and may recognize some of the below as a bit of a cute and paste job, but it seemed the easiest way to make an introduction.

This winter we bought a 1963 GM PD4106 that was converted to a motorhome and lovingly maintained for more than three decades by a single owner.  It could use some interior aesthetic updating, and owing to sitting up for the last couple of years needs some maintenance and minor repairs, but so far nothing major.  We have a small amount of vintage motorhome experience prior to this bus since we owned and updated a 1978 GMC motorhome for a year, but this bus is a whole new ball game and our first diesel.  We don't bring an particular mechanical skills to this endeavor, but we renovated our own condo, are not afraid to watch youtube instructional videos while wielding a wrench, and are optimistic without being naive about the challenges of owning this combination house/truck while traveling the country.

I am retired Navy and finishing the last year of a State and Defense Department contract, so we plan on being on the road shortly after our condo sells (looking good for this summer.)  We have been planning this for over a year, during which we have steadily downsized our belongings, acquired the right items, researched online, and prepared our politely skeptical families.

Rosemarie and I look forward to interacting with this bus community online, and hope we have the opportunity to meet some of you in person during our travels or at a rally.  We keep an irregularly updated blog, shellonwheels.net, which has a nice header picture of our bus, and further down our previous motorhome. 

While things are going well so far, if anyone has any recommendations for the following we would greatly appreciate it:
- Interior MH renovator near Miami that can work on a vintage bus.  While the interior is high quality oak wood and servicable, it is definatly not our style and we will be looking for a major redo.
- Any thoughts on achieving a polished aluminum look similar to the what some of the airstreamers are doing with their rigs.  I understand teh 4106 has a hard anodized layer that would be difficult to remove, but I have seen at least two examples of highly polished 4104's.  If this is not possible, then other options for achieving a similar look, such as paint recommendations or a "chrome" wrap.
- Diesel and other mechanical repair work: We took a chance on a craigslist mobile diesel mechanic, and he did show up on time and repair what he said he would, but he seems a bit uncertain about the age of the bus and the DD 8V71.  So if anyone has recommendations for the SE Florida area we would appreciate that as well. 
- Any comments or advice on a roof top observation platform with fold down rails? I am not sure what to specifically ask, but such a feature is on our list of possible upgrades.

Again, thanks to everyone here,
Jack Ashore

[akroyaleagle]

Welcome aboard,

I too am retired military and have a Silver Eagle.

Look up John Silver in Lakeland. He has quite an operation there and will be able to help you.

Good Luck,

Joe