How do I research the history of my MCI MC5B?

[Michael Mc]

In June of this year, we bought our first bus conversion. It is a 1972 MCI MC5B Challenger. The unit number is 7018 and the serial number is 9273.  The date of mfg. is Feb. 1972.  I am curious to know the history of the bus. The original owner, who converted it, any mechanical upgrades along the way.....

I do know that it has been re powered with a DD 6v92 turbo and an automatic transmission.  I don't know the type transmission and don't know enough to determine the type.

Based on the quality of the conversion, I feel that it was done professionally.  But I would like to know who did it and for who they did it.

How do I get started?

You guys are great!  I've depended on this forum since I bought the bus to help to diagnose issues.  Thanks so much for your help.


Thanks,
Mike

[RJ]

Michael -

Welcome to the world of busnuts and this forum.

I have some delivery info on MCIs, but it's buried in a box right now, after my recent move, and haven't had a chance to dig it out yet.

However, you might also join the MCI busnuts group over on Yahoo, and post your question on their message board, too.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mci-bus-nuts/

BTW, your vintage MCI will have two numbers - a "serial number" and a "unit number", as these were produced before the 17 digit VINs were required.  Having both numbers will help with your info search.  If the builder's plaque has been removed from over the driver, there is another located on the bulkhead above the cooling blower gearbox in the engine compartment area.

You might also have to work backwards from the previous owner - 37 years is quite a gap to fill! 

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Ed Hackenbruch]

i used to have a website in my favorites but l think i lost it the last time my computer crashed. Maybe if you google mci delivery list or something like that, you can find it. There are gaps in the info listed. My bus does not show up even though the one before and after do, so i have had to rely on info from the previous owner.

[Runcutter]

Per Ed's comment - there was a website "bus rosters on the web" that had delivery lists.  I went there a few weeks ago, and the website was gone.  Going there brings up a page that Geocities is gone, apparently that's where the page was.  I don't know if its been moved, all the links I find still point to the same place.

You might be able to find something through these links.

http://www.motorbussociety.org/links/fans.html

Arthur

[Michael Mc]

Thanks guys.  That's all good info.  When I get to the bus tonight, I'll update my post with the serial and unit numbers.  In the meanwhile, I'll enjoy searching the recommended links.

Thanks again,
Mike

[JimW7]

Try this one also:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/builders/mcilist.html

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Hey thanks Jim.  That was the site that i had before.

[Michael Mc]

I updated my original post to show the unit number, serial number and date of mgf.

Thanks again for the links,
Mike