Successful Trip - Milwaukee to Gillette WY and back again

[richard5933]

Four days/three nights driving out, 4 nights camping in Gillette at the FMCA rally, and then two days/one night driving home. Averaged just about 7mpg, burned only about a pint of oil, and overall had a great time. The bus performed like a champ, and other than a noisy squirrel cage fan motor on the rear basement a/c unit all the cooling system units did great. The OTR froze us the whole time, and surprisingly the temp dial was able to add back a little heat to moderate temps inside to a comfortable level. A bit of a problem with one hill in Sioux Falls (see my earlier post), but otherwise the hills on the road were no problem. Had to drop to 3rd a few times, but nothing too difficult. Photo was take at scenic overlook just east of the Badlands.

[eagle19952]

Nice bus are all of the windows in use ?

Sometime I think about all my Eagle windows intact on the outside,but covered on the inside.

[dtcerrato]

Nice trip Richard, nice bus too!

[windtrader]

Always trilled to hear about trouble-free trips. You been doing a lot of work on it so glad it's paying off now.

[richard5933]

Nice bus are all of the windows in use ?

Sometime I think about all my Eagle windows intact on the outside,but covered on the inside.

The a window and a half on each side are hidden on the inside by galley on curb side and bathroom on driver side. Only two of the eight have sliders, the rest are stationary. Even though not all windows are visible inside I'm quite glad they are all intact. To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus. This one still sports original factory paint as well.

[eagle19952]

To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus.

Me too

[windtrader]

Just curious about the history of your coach. I can not recollect the earlier posts but how on earth was it so well preserved to still have original paint in such great condition?

[Paso One]

Yes Richard nice Bus I would be interested in its history as well.
It sure looks good

[richard5933]

The coach was originally purchased by the owner of Super Service Bus Company in South Amboy, NJ. When he was ordering the company coaches from GM in 1974, he spec'd one out on the order sheet with 'seat delete' and 'bathroom delete'. It was finished in the livery colors for the company along with all his other coaches.

The coach was sent directly from GM to Custom Coach in Ohio for a conversion on the brand new shell. The original owner used the coach as his family's motor home for a few decades and I'm told that it was stored inside one of his bus barns. The second owner was also in NJ. He ran a bus sales company and was able to keep things up, although he only had the bus for a few years at most.

When I picked up the bus it had only about 41,000 on the odometer and 930 hrs on the generator. It was all original, as it left GM and Custom Coach. Since I've owned it last fall, I've only changed the carpet and rear upholstery in the interior and installed a new fridge. Otherwise it's an all original interior. Mechanically it's still all GM, exactly as it left the factory. The only house system that needed attention was the electrical bay, and I've updated it with a number of improvements.

If anyone is passing through SE Wisconsin, you're welcome to stop by and take a look and visit.

[windtrader]

wow, really rare find and so glad it remains under stewardship of a busnut. thanks

[opus]

To me, nothing beats the look of a bus that still looks like a bus.

Me too

Me three!  Nothing worse than driving down the road in a toothpaste tube, not being able to see the sights.