A Bus I Could Have Had

[Glennman]

There's always the one that got away.

Actually, I enjoy my MCI, but what led be to getting back into buses was a local gentleman who had a 1961 Eagle that he converted back in the '80's. He was a top notch diesel mechanic who purchased a Cummins diesel motor, had it hot tanked (etc.), upsized the horse power to 425, installed all this in the bus, along with a Fuller 10 speed, changed the rear end ratios accordingly, and had a powerhouse of a unit. I saw the bus for the first time in the early '90's and fell in love with it. The bus has been sitting in his yard for many years now, with the tires sinking into the ground, its overrun with mice, and is in need of a new interior. I offered him $5000 for it, and he countered with $15,000. Too much for the amount of work it needed, but oh man, that drivetrain... it was tempting. I decided to purchase my current MCI. I just received a letter from the man's son. His dad passed away, and now his son wants to sell it to me for $5000. I can't swing it right now, but told him that if he became desperate, to get a hold of me next spring, and maybe we can work out a deal. He said he would.

Maybe I'll be the proud owner of 2 buses soon! Glennman

[chessie4905]

1961? Make sure you check closely for rust issues and bad torsilastic suspension pieces. For that condition, maybe $2500 would be more realistic. Also may be an old 250 Cummins or less.

[DoubleEagle]

Well, that is how bus fever starts. It certainly would not hurt to dig in to it some more to find out what engine it is exactly, and it's condition. For the second time today (you are not the only one looking at Eagles), I would recommend getting Gary LaBombard's CD on Eagle inspection for rust problems on busconverter101.com. One big problem with Model 01 Eagles is the rear suspension was different from the other Models to follow, and parts are much harder to find. At the worst, though, people have added air bags to supplement the torsilastics. In the case of this Eagle, maybe the front end and cap were changed to Model 10 parts. Do the front bumpers wrap around in a curve, or are they squared off? If mice have truly invaded, you have to not just look for mice poop, and chewing of upholstery, but whether they took a liking to the plastic wrapping the wires. It will help keep the price way down, along with any serious rust outs you might find. Even if you do not end up buying it, it will be a great adventure. 

[Glennman]

Yes, the front bumper wraps around the front corners. It has the rear cap, fiberglass side walls above the aluminum, and (if I recall) the original front end with the window above the windshield. After he installed the Cummins, transmission, and rear end gearing, it dyno tested at 425 horse power. The interior needs to be removed and redone totally. You guys are correct about the $2500.

[DoubleEagle]

There would be a lot of work with this one to restore it. The drivetrain and the rear torsilastics (if they are still good) would have the most value. The engine and trans are setup for the Model 01, and would not bolt up to a Model 05, 10, 15, or 20 without changes, plus, is the engine in running condition without issues? A two-cycle Detroit might start up just fine after sitting for ten years (they leak oil anyway), but I don't know if that would be the case with the Cummins. You could probably count on seals being a problem, at least. The Cummins is probably not a 250, even if it was with a turbo, it would only have 270 hp.

[Glennman]

Yep, I think I would be better off putting the money into my MCI.