Bus Shopping in Columbus, OH

I spent all day today hanging out on a 1947 bus. I'm thinking about picking one of these up and selling my bus. It's five feet shorter than the bus I currently live in. The photos below should give you an idea of what it looks like. Most of these shots were taken with a fisheye lens.

98% of this bus is made out of aluminum. It has an updated engine, automatic transmission, power steering, modern brakes. All that stuff is about as modern as my current bus, which should make it relatively reliable.

The driver's area has the original steering wheel, which is hooked to modern power steering. It also has a pushbutton automatic, cruise control and a transmission retarder, which slows you down without needing to hit the brakes.

Here's what it looks like looking toward the rear... the front door is on the left edge of this shot. The brown things near the ceiling are storage bins that have roll top desk-like doors on them.

The two seats on the passenger side swivel and recline with foot rests. I'd consider removing one of those chairs if I would be able to fit a 24" wide Epson printer.

The kitchen features a three burner stove, oven, fridge/freezer, nukerwave, sink, etc. The sofa also folds down into a bed.

The bathroom is rather small, but is complete with toilet, sink and shower.

The bed room has a queen sized bed, television, supplemental air conditioner and storage under the bed. There is also a closet with drawers that you can see on the left edge of this shot. Between that closet and the booth is a space where I could fit a small desk (about the size of the one I use in my current bus).

I'm not sure if I'll get this bus or not... I have to get back to my current bus and measure up some of my equipment to make sure it will all fit. This bus also has a bunch of storage space in the baggage bays under the bus.

Comments

[Balliolman]

A distinctive and stylish vehicle: very retro, very cool! A great look for promoting your Route 66 portfolio.

(Some of the fabrics inside look heavy, good for collecting dust and a bit of job to keep fresh and clean.)

The adventures continue!

When do you suppose your online course for Kelby Training will become available, Ben?

Balliolman :)

[Kenny Knapp]

Why would you trade in a newer Prevost for an old bus?

[Ben Willmore]

Why do people buy antiques or classic cars?

Because they like them.

-Ben

[Kenny Knapp]

I didn't mean to be pugnacious, and I do understand the desire to own antiques or classic cars, but I don't believe they actually drive them around the country. Maybe they do.

I had a band on the road for 20 years and I had 3 different motorhomes. They were NOT the fancy motorhomes they have today, but late 70 and early 80 models. It seemed that every trip I had mechanical problems. Every time I would see a Prevost go by I longed to own one.

Anyway, I look forward to your blog posts no matter what you will be traveling in.

Kenny

[Ben Willmore]

This bus has an engine that is a newer design than the one that's in my bus and has lower milage... the tranny has been replaced with an updated automatic, the brakes... axels, power steering are the same kind of a setup. It's not just an old bus... it's a modern chassis with an old bus on top of it... with a new interior as well.

I simply like the look of it and find it to be more interesting than my current bus, that's all.

-Ben

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Ben

I have an older Prevo, an 85. We used to talk at POG. We miss your input there.

I would give up ours for that in a New York second.

I am curious can you direct me to the folks that did that conversion.

Thanks in advance. Debbie and Joe

[Shad]

If you get the older bus (which I think is totally cool and has so much more character than the RVs of today), don't forget to get some curtains for the bathroom ;-)

[Bob Schroeder]

Hi Ben, this last weekend I was at music fest there was a 1948 GMC Flexable in not bad shape the owner said it was use for the movies at one time. He is not useing it so muchl and would be in to selling I took a few photo's if you want I could send a few and the name and number of the owner. I would say not as good as the one you are looking at but very cool. Bob

[John Tessier]

Cool bus Ben. Hope you find exactly what your looking for. I thought of you when I read that there's a motorcoach convention of sorts going on here at the Minnesota Star Fairgrounds. Read about it here: http://www.twincities.com/ci_9882094?nclick_check=1

[Ben Willmore]

Hey John,

Long time since we've connected up. Say "hi" to anyone in the old gang for me.

FYI: That link didn't work for me.

-Ben

[john Tessier]

You can find that article by going directly to twincities.com and searching for motorhome in the search engine. It's about time for Mike E. and I to get together. I'll be sure to say hi for you. I also figured out that this is an FMCA convention. http://fmca.com/conventions/

J.T.

[David Hobby]

Dude, that's a sweet ride. You could do a lot with that one. Lemme know when you next hit BaltoWash - We can hit the Burj-al-DC or somethin'!

[John Kieger]

Hi Ben,

How does the new (old) bus do on Gas. I have been thinking about you recently with the high fuel prices.

In a two week period I put on 3200 miles on a Toyota Prius. I drove out to Colorado & Back to Cleveland (with some detours, of course). So glad I was getting 40+ MPG on the trip when gas prices were over $4 a gallon. Originally planned the trip in a truck getting 15 MPG.

Irrespective of how many MPG you are getting in your bus (new or current), you may want to check out GasBuddy-- call me crazy, but I actually plotted out directions from gas station to gas station when I went out to Colorado. I drove out I-80 and prices in Indiana and Illinois are outrageous. Also-- beware of Ethanol/Gas mixtures. Late one night I accidentally filled the Prius up with the "GasAhol" in Iowa and the Prius dropped down to 28MPG on that tank of gas. It's O.K. in the Toyota, but not recommended for efficiency sake.

I wrote about Gasbuddy on my blog:
http://www.whereisjk.com/2008/02/gasbuddy-google-maps-of-gas-prices.html

Glad to see that life has been treating you well,

John :)

[Ben Willmore]

John, the vintage bus would be about 4MPG better milage than my current bus (it's a smaller bus made out of aluminum which is much lighter than stainless steel).

[Chris Lang]

Hey there honey,

Sorry, we couldn't connect in LA. I'm sure Colin told you all about the amazing steaks we had. Ummm yummy, my mom's the best. Hope the books are going along smoothly. I like the design of these antique buses you're looking at. Do you think you could convert one to bio? That would be really cool.

Chris

[wilsonian]

Just popped over from the piece on Kelby's site. This is one fantastic bus, and I think it is so cool that you've chosen this way of living.

Peace.

[Home Theater Chairs]

I am very happy to see this type of nice bus. I also fell excitement to buy it. It has very good facility same as home.

[Furnace Service Ann Arbor]

I envy the wide angle lens used in the taking the photos.

[Ben Willmore]

A lot of those were shot with a Canon 15mm fisheye lens. If I were to shoot them again, I'd use my Canon 14mm rectilinear lens since it wouldn't introduce the fisheye distortion.

-Ben

[Keith Kodet]

Neat Bus! Did you end up getting it? I am currently re-working the same model of bus and that is great for inspiration. Any chance you could pass on the sellers info or if you do buy it I'd love to see it in person. I just drove my bus 150 miles today and loved every minute of it.

Keith

[Ben Willmore]

Keith,

Nope, I didn't end up buying that one. I ended up with a 1963 Flxible Starliner. The bus pictured above is currently for sale though. Send me your contact info and I'll forward it to a few Silverside owners including the one that owns the pictured bus.

-Ben

[Keith]

Ben,

my email is kkodet@yahoo.com and I would greatly appreciate the contact info.

Thanks.

Keith