1965 gmc spa5

luvrbus · April 29, 2019, 12:41:42 PM

Yea same chassis as the Carpenter flat nose school buses used I have one with a 534 Ford and Allison

richard5933 · April 29, 2019, 02:15:12 PM

Sounds like it's close, but didn't you say that yours has a spring suspension? That would eliminate the air suspension being the reason.

Have you talked to Jay yet? He was at Custom Coach during that time and may have some insight into what parts bins they were pulling from. He is also still in touch with one of the original owners of Custom Coach, who I think is in his 70s or 80s at this time. Perhaps he'd be willing to reach out and help solve the mystery.

The fact that you have a GM data plate leads me to believe that they used a GM chassis underneath, with Flxible coach body panels up above, and a Custom Coach interior.

luvrbus · April 29, 2019, 03:30:21 PM

GM never made a t drive pusher chassis except for the 4501 all he has is GM engine power and a gas hog lol

bronson · May 01, 2019, 05:57:21 PM

update. I have not heard back from Custom Coach since Monday but I did hear back from the GM archives. Here is what they say...
Thank you for contacting the GM Heritage Center.

Super looking vehicle! Are you restoring??

While we do not have an actual VIN decoder to share with you, I can provide you with some details.

The Serial number: SPA5019-N6173G

S = SCHOOL BUS
P = FORWARD CONTROL CHASSIS
A = AIR-HYDRAULIC OR STRAIGHT AIR BRAKES
50 = 5000 SERIES

It appears as though N6173G is the production/serial number but we do not have a way to decode that.

I found some information in the archive that outlines the information I provided above and am attaching for your reference.

Hope this helps.

Now I did a little reading in the pdf they sent. It does have forward controls and airbrakes. The wheel base in the pdf shows 227 inches, I measured 228 with my 9 yr old daughter on one end of the tape. It has the 478 GM engine that the vin says it should. The pdf says location of additional id tags are up to the body manufacturer. My data tag is not stamped with a delivery date. Coincidence??? I was able to get the onan running and it has output so that is a win. Needs a carb rebuild and complete service. Started on the bus engine. Was able to get power to everything and to starter but engine is stuck. Will be filling cylinders with pb blaster tomorrow.

richard5933 · May 01, 2019, 06:11:06 PM

Very exciting. So that means that you have a chassis built by GM, with a body by Flxible?

bronson · May 01, 2019, 06:35:37 PM

Still not sure what I have but it will be interesting to find out. Nowhere have I found anything that says Flxible and Cliff says GM never made a pusher chassis but I'm assuming P in the vin for forward control means rear engine pusher? Here is a 1965 School bus that is a GM and a pusher and 35 feet long.
http://www.bibletalk.com/history/bus/bus.htm

richard5933 · May 01, 2019, 06:39:05 PM

Have you been able to make contact with Jay yet? He may have some insight into what they were doing at Custom Coach in the earlier years.

Custom Coach was once connected with Flxible, so perhaps they used the GM chassis and then pulled body parts from their own parts bin?

If Jay can't answer the riddle, then maybe he can reach out to one of the older old-timers still left from CC to get clarity.

Very cool project, whatever it is.

luvrbus · May 01, 2019, 06:53:18 PM

Quote from: bronson on May 01, 2019, 06:35:37 PM
Still not sure what I have but it will be interesting to find out. Nowhere have I found anything that says Flxible and Cliff says GM never made a pusher chassis but I'm assuming P in the vin for forward control means rear engine pusher? Here is a 1965 School bus that is a GM and a pusher and 35 feet long.
http://www.bibletalk.com/history/bus/bus.htm

I heard that was a venture with Superior Bus as for the P I own a RV with a P chassis and it has a front engine,I always liked those GM engines they were design to bolt 2 together to make the V12 they would pull like crazy if you buy gasoline for 1 lol they came depending on the HP with anything from a 1 barrel carb to a 4 barrel carb

bronson · May 01, 2019, 07:27:34 PM

I called Jay but no answer and oddly it did not go to voicemail. Also messaged him but haven't heard back. I don't think the p in the spa of this vin designates a P -Series chassis
S = SCHOOL BUS
P = FORWARD CONTROL CHASSIS
A = AIR-HYDRAULIC OR STRAIGHT AIR BRAKES

Jim Blackwood · May 02, 2019, 06:46:22 AM

Gary, there is a type of iodine that the Old Tractor guys use on stuck engines (a very common problem with those). I don't remember the exact name but if you can't find out my brother would know and I could call and ask him. Apparently they just fill the cylinder all the way up with it, let it sit for awhile (don't know how long) and it gets rid of the rust. Many tractors treated that way now run just fine and without oil burning problems. I've seen the results myself but never done it.

Jim

luvrbus · May 02, 2019, 07:35:59 AM

A mixture of Acetone and ATF is hard to beat plus if you can heat the engine with a block heater it makes it a lot easier ,those engines have a 5-1/4 inch bore it is going to take a lot of PB the spark plug location is a plus for filling the cylinders though

Jim Blackwood · May 02, 2019, 08:25:23 AM

Actually it isn't.
But I get your meaning. If it isn't stuck too bad that may work. Some of those old tractors have been stuck for 50 years sitting out in the field and no amount of acetone and atf is going to do squat. That's when they break out the iodine.

Jim

luvrbus · May 02, 2019, 09:58:14 AM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 02, 2019, 08:25:23 AM
Actually it isn't.
But I get your meaning. If it isn't stuck too bad that may work. Some of those old tractors have been stuck for 50 years sitting out in the field and no amount of acetone and atf is going to do squat. That's when they break out the iodine.

Jim

Some of them break out the white vinegar too,the iodine are talking about is the chemical K1 iodine that is some nasty and expensive stuff

DoubleEagle · May 02, 2019, 08:39:51 PM

The cleaning grade Vinegar would be cheaper, and if you give it time, if will devour rust if it can reach it.

bronson · May 09, 2019, 06:00:32 PM

So I Spoke with Mike Middaugh who formerly worked for Custom Coach. He now owns a charter company near Columbus Ohio. He verified that mine is indeed on a gm chassis with a Wayne body and flxible front and rear caps. He said only 7 of these were built with automatic trans. They were called the versatile. Pretty cool to find out more info. Engine has been soaking with atf and acetone in the cylinders. Hope to fire up this weekend. Found this pic from 2008 on the bus. Looks like a storage area on the roof.