Ok! New plan. 1953 Flxible Visicoach!

MacGyver · October 25, 2009, 03:35:56 PM

I've managed to locate a 1956 Flxible Visicoach... This is the coach I had originally looked for before I bought my first bus, and have continued looking for ever since... Now I've found one for nearly free...

We'll be leaving to get it either tonight or in the morning (most likely the latter). It's a 1200 mile trip up to the Great White North (I'm from there, btw) to go acquire this truly beautiful piece of history. She's been sitting in a barn, covered up and protected for 16 years. According to the current owner, she ran perfectly and everything functioned when she was parked.

The purchase price is less than what it'll cost just to get the remaining glass for my poor burned out 4905...

98% of the rust is all surface rust. Easily repaired as long as I can get to it quickly before the elements do... (I can do that!) The only thru-hole rust areas are the bottom edge of the panels on both sides... Also easily repaired with some welding and sheet metal.

So... Assuming I can get the attachment working... Here she is!

-Mac

John316 · October 25, 2009, 05:17:50 PM

Mac,

Glad to hear that you are getting another bus. You are getting a little bus yard set up. You should put your heads together with Kyle, and see if you can get a few more

. At least it should be able to drive out on it's own power.

Hope it goes well.

God bless.

John

Stormcloud · October 25, 2009, 05:24:10 PM

So where in the Great White North is it?
It looks in great shape.

MacGyver · October 25, 2009, 05:37:52 PM

John -- Heh... The 4905 will need to be going away pretty shortly... I'll move it up to the storage yard once the ground dries out enough to move her without sinking in the muck... I think I'll end up parting her out, but... I'm hopeful that I can find SOMEONE willing to take her on and restore her. I think she's worth saving, and she can be saved... But... My choices at this point are save the 4905, or get the bus of my dreams... I've carefully considered it, and although getting this Flxible is a much riskier proposition, it's the bus I've always wanted, and so... I simply MUST take the risk of failure... She's a nice bus, and granted... there are some obvious rust issues to address pretty quickly, I think overall, it'll cost a lot less to get the Flx back up to snuff and livable than it will for the 4905. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think it's worth the risk at this point...

Storm -- She's in South Dakota.

-Mac

Lonnie time to go · October 25, 2009, 05:56:33 PM

MacGyver

What part of the north are you coming to
I think there are a couple buses like the one your looking at up here for sale cheap
If you interested let me know and i will check it out
Lonnie

MacGyver · October 25, 2009, 06:22:35 PM

Lonnie....

QuoteStorm -- She's in South Dakota.

-Mac

Lonnie time to go · October 25, 2009, 06:26:24 PM

I think the gmc bus i looked at was around a 1966

Hi yo silver · October 25, 2009, 07:37:56 PM

Wow, Mac, She's beautiful!!

Good for you.

Dennis

MacGyver · October 25, 2009, 07:47:49 PM

Thanks, Dennis.

To someone who can see beyond the surface, at what she CAN be... She's absolutely gorgeous... When I'm done, she'll look similar to the next pic, but with a number of changes in the paint scheme and colors to make it my own... I'll figure it out in Photoshop and post the results when I finally decide on the paint, but... The first time I saw one of these old Flx's in a picture, it was very much like the one below... Which, of course, is why I fell in love with them... I think this pic is a Clipper... It's one of the best examples of a beautifully done Flx I've seen.

I will say that this will be the first one I've seen in person... And I'm thrilled!

Until now, I simply couldn't find/afford one... The price for this one is right for me, albeit the condition isn't pristine... She will be eventually.

Oh yeah! What would these buses really be classified as? A Highway Coach, or are they really more similar to Skoolies? Everything about the undercarriage screams skoolie, but everything else just screams Koolies & Cream!

Another thing... Will the Alcoa rims on my 4905 fit on my new-to-me Flx? Can I just swap them around? She currently has the original rims... original everything... And I really want Alcoas on the front, and I have a pair on the 4905 if they'll fit...

-Mac

Just Dallas · October 25, 2009, 08:14:15 PM

Removed

Lin · October 25, 2009, 08:23:25 PM

Dallas,

Do you have any of the "before" pictures?

MacGyver · October 25, 2009, 08:47:48 PM

More info!

Model: VISICOACH
Model #: 218B1-53-29IC
Serial (VIN): 30684
Engine #: 7021292
Original Purchaser: JACK RABBIT LINES, INC.
City: SIOUX FALLS
State: SD
Date: 10/6/53

luvrbus · October 26, 2009, 04:00:21 AM

If that one doesn't work for you a friend of mine passed away and the kids are selling his, has a new 366 Chev engine needs a tranny as they stuck it in sand and broke the 400 tranny,A AZ bus not much rust but like most of those it has a cooling problem also

good luck

Just Dallas · October 26, 2009, 05:44:38 AM

Removed

Just Dallas · October 26, 2009, 06:46:44 AM

Removed