Heading Out Tomorrow

[Dallas]

Well, it looks like our job on the raising of the Flx Visicoach from the ashes has been successful! Tomorrow we should be headed out from our perch in lower Alabama headed toward Southern Tennessee where we'll be working on our new purchase... at least new to us, a 1983 MCI MC9.

Sadly we'll be putting Millicent up for sale or parts after we remove many of her conversion innards. She's been good to us, and has kept us warm and cozy even in sub zero weather. I'll hate to see her go, but she needs some newer younger owners who can get along in a small 35' space.

I know, I know, I've been a tried and true GMC fanatic for the last hunnert years or so, but this deal came along at the right price and since we need a 40' coach with bays that are larger than a bread box, we've decided to go for it.

We haven't really planned a route, except we know that we'll be staying off the interstate as long as possible, and we also plan on taking a few days or a week to go the 400 miles up there, hopefully it'll be warmer then!

If anyone along the way wants to share a cuppa and a lie or two, PM us or email.

Dallas and BubbaQgal

[Ncbob]

I won't say a word about your changing brands, Dallas....but inside I'm cracking up.

Bob

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dallas & Cat,

Take your time. Whats the rush!

Lots of luck to you both with your MC9.

Nick-

[Busted Knuckle]

Wow, Congrats and good luck! I've seen your future bus and it's not bad looking! When I saw it, it was still seated. You could run charters with it to help make some $ before converting it! LOL! Good luck on your travels and please do take your time, as it is colder than cold up here in TN right now. (and gonna get colder this weekend!) Be safe and try to stay warm. Tell Mike, Jay, & Mr. Bowen (sp?) I said helllo!
  BK 

[oldmansax]

Dallas & Cat,

Welcome to the wonderful world of stainless steel and T drives!

I KNEW you would have to buy an MCI after you visited ours! ROFL!!!!!



All joking aside, best wishes from us.

TOM & PHYLLIS

[kyle4501]

....but inside I'm cracking up.

Bob

Bob, we've known you were cracked up for a while now. . . . But we still like 'ya.


Good luck with your new toy Dallas

[Kwajdiver]

I remember when Dallas was helping me,, he said something to the tune of,,, "Wow wish my bays had that much room"

Dallas,  I'm going to guess you bought a 740 tranny and NOT a 741   LOL

Good Luck with the new coach.

Bill

[buddydawg]

Just tuck and run.... I see how it is!


Keep us posted on the new purchase.

[Eagle]

We are leaving the Rio Grande Valley in Texas tomorrow headed back to Derby City.  We will be in Cullman AL. Saturday night at Cullman Campground.  Then on to Louisville KY Sunday morning.  Hopefully.  Sure hope the weather cooperates don't want to get caught in a freezing rain on the road.

Good luck Dallas.

[bubbaqgal]

You know how it goes with the best laid plans. We woke up yesterday to rain, lots of rain and wind and cold.  Since the Flex doesn't have working headlights or wipers we had to just sit it out when it finally quit raining it was after 4, getting colder and dark so we are all still sitting.  The old bus did get his face fixed a bit but there are lots and lots of openings, large and small for the cold air to get in so we are hoping it will warm up a bit soon, it is 32 right now so that the trip can start soon.  It is only about 400 miles for this trip but there is going to be lots of stopping and starting to keep a check on things since none of the gauges work.  I also think the owner is going to be taking turns with Mike in driving it so that one can get in the warm pick up while the other drives the bus.  Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well!!

[Tenor]

What an adventure!  When I brought my 4905 home from Green Bay Wis area in February, it had no heat and no door latch so yeah, it leaked a little air.  The white-out conditions over the Mackinac Bridge were pretty intense, but it gave me great stories to tell!  Have fun and be safe!

[cody]

Driving in a blizzard must be a nightmare lol, I'm glad it's not me lol.

[roadrunnertex]

Dallas,
I hate to see you selling the GMC PD-4103 Henry "J".
But I under stand your wanting to go for a later model coach.
Good luck with your MC-9.
Do you have any history on the MC-9?
Is it a ex Greyhound?
Stay warm and dry on your trip north.
Good Luck my Friend.
jlv

[Dallas]

John, No history on it yet, except to say it doesn't have a MCI or TMC badge on it's nose.

We'll know more about it next week when we get up to Choo-Choo town.

Right now it's seated and looks pretty good from the outside, in pitchurs, but I know it's gotta have some downsides... It can't be that easy.

Our Henry J (PD4103), is, to say the least, going to be difficult to part with. I love the simplicity of the coach, I enjoy driving her down the road, passing JB Hunt Trucks and Swift trucks and even a Van Hool or two, then watching the looks on the drivers faces in the mirror.

I'm seriously torn between the idea of stripping her out and selling her for scrap (estimated value from a friend in the scrap business of $5800) or turning her back into a shell and selling her as such for about $1300 less. (We have a couple of people interested in her that way.) We need the money to make the MCI livable, but it would break my heart to watch the old girl go into the crusher.

The old girl does need a lot of work that I'm just not motivated to do right now, and I'm hoping that someone is willing to take her to the heights that she is capable of. She's old, she's tired and so am I.

I even thought about selling Milli just the way she is for the same price, but the only takers I've talked to want her as a shell. I think one would probably like to see her turned back into a seated coach again. That was always my dream for her, but living aboard her was always more important.

Hey, I have an idea... come up and make me an offer I can't refuse! Of the 8 buses I've owned, this old girl has been my favorite and has never let me down, except when it wasn't her fault.

Dallas

[roadrunnertex]

The old GMC,s are like the old 6 cylinder 50's model Chevrolet's.
They will get you home if you give them some maintenance and some TLC.
No computers just simple DC voltage and relays to work with.
My Buffalo has very little electronics (voltage regulator) is about all every thing else is 24VDC and relays to make things work.
Like I always say keep it simple stupid (KISS).
I have always said the MC-9's are MCI's equal to the old GMC PD4104's.
That's all Folk's
JLV