Scenic Cruiser rumor

luvrbus · November 22, 2016, 07:18:42 AM

A Greyhound terminal manger in Dallas told me one time the Scenic was the most expensive bus to maintain in their fleet they were always in dire need of structural and running gear repairs.I don't know that for sure just what he said,I know he didn't care for the Scenic and wanted it gone

Jeff Willard · November 22, 2016, 07:19:51 AM

I have a copy of that brochure somewhere. I'll have to dig it out and scan it. It was from Houghton Bus in California As I recall

Jeff Willard · November 22, 2016, 07:40:51 AM

This is sort of like starting the tire thread. Everyone has opinions based on experience and who they know and what they were told.
Scenics we very cutting edge for the day. They were well built and well engineered, as evidenced by how many are still around today. However, they can also be complicated and were built like and airplane.... All fine thread bolts, riveted nut plates, aircraft style wiring with hand tied, waxed cotton thread wiring bundles and an aircraft inspired body structure. I could certainly see how the mechanics of the day would look at them the way we look at the new "computer cars". I can only imagine the eye rolls when they saw the dual 4cyl setup for the first time.

In my time of working on a number of them I can tell you this..... I've spent far more time fixing the "repairs" others have made, Doing 20 year deferred maintenance, or undoing the "Re-Engineering" that's been done after they left Greyhound service, than I have actually fixing broken original stuff. Sure, 60 years of weather and road dirt etc can make bolt and screw removal a challenge and some of these have some significant corrosion depending on where they lived, but over all.... They are a solid vehicle..... that takes a huge amount of work and money to get one back to where they were in their hey day but..... You won't see me on the side of the road with a failed ECM computer.

I don't think I can drive to Tucson without seeing a dead tour bus, or more likely a Greyhound, sitting on the side of the road waiting for the service truck to show.
Jeff

luvrbus · November 22, 2016, 07:52:08 AM

It does take a lot of time money I have friend that has been working on his for 20 years,he getting up in age I doubt he ever gets to make a trip but enjoys working on it,I got him a set of twin 471's years ago still setting on the floor

kyle4501 · November 22, 2016, 05:37:55 PM

It took a few years, but they eventually perfected the twin 4-71 ----- it was the 8v71

Scott & Heather · November 22, 2016, 08:18:06 PM

We just spotted a charcoal gray with blue stripes scenic driving west on I-40 in New Mexico today. Was a sweet looking coach!

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Jeff Willard · November 23, 2016, 07:07:32 AM

Could be Bill (Uncle Willy) Holt. I believe those are the colors of his. There are so few actually driving on the road it's a pretty rare sighting. In talking with other Scenic guys we figure there are fewer than 50 that are actually licensed, insured and driven.

Ed Hackenbruch · November 23, 2016, 08:02:45 AM

Is he the guy that is involved in locating unclaimed veterans ashes and giving them an interment service? He stays in Yuma, drives a red and white older Bronco and it seems like i remember that his bus also has a yellow stripe on it.

Jeff Willard · November 23, 2016, 08:22:15 AM

Yep, That's Willy.

His wife is named Dotty as I recall. Real nice folks from Reading, CA. He had some issues with the bus a couple of years back getting to Quartzsite, but he drives that thing a lot. Hopefully he'll make it this year and we can all park together.

Dave5Cs · November 23, 2016, 12:02:06 PM

Is that Redding?

chessie4905 · November 23, 2016, 03:46:37 PM

Luke had one in his shop last time I stopped by.

Jeff Willard · November 24, 2016, 07:19:13 AM

Yea, "Redding". Damn Spell Check. At least this one wasn't embarrassing.

The Scenic at Luke's belongs to a guy in New Jersey. Been there a while. It should be about done I would think.

Ed Hackenbruch · November 24, 2016, 02:11:44 PM

When we were there a couple of years ago the Scenic that Luke was restoring was supposed to be going to England as i recall.

Dave5Cs · November 25, 2016, 03:37:18 PM

there was one in the series Timeless last week. it was in the background and could see the right rear of the side . white with some red writting on it was all you could see for 20 seconds.

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pd4501-771 · November 25, 2016, 07:59:19 PM

Was it the moon-landing "Timeless" episode? Ed, the Scenic from Luke's was the one in Blytheville in 2013. Owner did a USA tour, and then put it on the ship to go back to England that year. That coach has been back and forth between UK and USA twice.