Finest conversion I've ever seen

[Airbag]

We all have our taste when comes to these conversions but guys this is the crim de la coure. What really hurts is that it was done to the same kind of bus I have. I think I'll start ripping the interior out of mine. This bus was not done by some Hillbilly, it is aircraft quality that reminds me of a multi million dollar corporate aircraft interior. If you are looking for the one thats done right I think this is it. Note the beautiful gauges every where.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-MCI-never-a-Bus_W0QQitemZ150264537315QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150264537315&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

[prevost82]

I guess my idea of a million dollar coach is different than yours .... I've seen way better self converts than that. Sorry JMOP
Ron

[tekebird]

Typical 1968 Custom Coach Corp. Conversion...Very nice.

Prevost, I doubt you have seen any conversions 1/2 that old that are that nice looking that were home jobs.

The nice thing aboout a professional conversion ( even an older one) is that everything is nice, thought out and professional............I'd say 90% of home conversions, are lacking in some trade application. 

Would also say that those 90% would not be in taste or presentable after 40 years.

If you have never been in a Custom Coach conversion you ought to take the opportunity if you ever get it.  They are BUilt out VERY well.  There is a reason why they are the oldest professional conversion company

[muddog16]

I guess we hillbillies will have to reach way down and start trying harder.....dang!  I guess another question would be why are we comparing a professionally converted coach to a home conversion in the first place, its dated and its well kept! For its age its very well kept, I doubt I'd pay a million dollars for it (good reason for that is I don't have a million dollars).

[DrivingMissLazy]

Looks like all Formica to me and I would not call that a million dollar conversion. The gauges look like war surplus also. 

Richard

[tekebird]

Richard,

it's a 1968 model what do you want?

Laminates are still the typical materail for most professional conversions yep even the million dollar jobs

[mccarlk]

looks alot better at 40 yrs old than some of the home builts i was looking at buying, the older coaches have more character( jmo),

[Airbag]

This bus just tickled my fancy I guess. Alot to be said for the old stuff, the gauges are 40 years old and probably all still work. They will be working long after your LED stuff burns out.

[zimtok]

It is a very nice conversion. And in the future it would be great to have one like it but right now it does not "fit" the current needs for me as it only has one "bunk". Where would I put the rest of the band?

I like all the gages and they look to me like the gages you can buy from McMaster Carr or similar electrical suppliers. I plan on putting in a few gages to keep track of the AC/DC voltage/amperage of my generator.


.

[tekebird]

Gauges, as of 1985 those gauges were still available new.  They are from the Marine Industry

[muddog16]

Gauges appear to be Stewart/Warner, and the toggle switches aren't anything special, the rotary switches look like Crouse Hinds and yes many are still availabe today, these are industry level devices!

[Chaz]

Yeah, it's 40 years old and in good shape - something to be said for that! - but it doesn't "float my boat either. But I do have a great appreciation for something that old and still looks good. I think my own "Hillbilly conversion" will make me happier. I like softer interiors.
  Chaz

[cody]

It's a very nice conversion but I've never been a fan of laminates used as the primary strata in a conversion, I have friends that work for both marathon and liberty, the prevailing attitude in regards to laminates is that they cover a lot of sins lol.  My biggest concern would be the authenticity of the converson, it doesn't look like custom coaches work, I'm familier with their work, it looks more like a cauldwell brothers job, doesn't matter tho because both do quality work.  Another question would be why the engine and tranny had to be rebuilt at roughly 200,000 miles, that engine should have had a longer lifespan than that, especially not being used as a revenue coach.  I know very little about engine or mechanical longevity but it justs seems odd, sawdust is kinda more along my area of incompetance. But otherwise a very nice coach.

[tekebird]

I can attest to the fact it is a Custom Coach unit.

to many of their tradmark signatures not to be.

Pannel layout
Dash mounted Shelf/drinkholder
Drawer and door latches
vanity hardware/lighting

it has been unpdated but its Custom Coach for sure

[gmbusguy1]

Guys I have inspected this MCI 5A personally and 100 percent for sure it is a Custom Coach and was originaly built for the Coke a Cola Company, the current owner is very meticulus and rebuilt the engine for a variety of reasons one being age another reason is he is in the trucking business and has the facilities and money to do so, the automatic was recently installed and rebuilt at that time.

this bus is one of the finest 5 a's in the country being garage kept and maintained with a lot of love

the photos do not do this machine justice

Chris