For over a year I've been contemplating, planning and trying to start "The Vintage Bus Project". In the process of searching for a vintage bus, I've investigated no fewer than 89 individual buses. I've driven all over the US inspecting them and am very happy to have finally picked what I am sure is the right bus for me.
On October 21st, 2009 I'm scheduled to acquire the 1963 Flxible Starliner bus that is shown above. It's located near Akron, OH at the moment. My current bus is located in San Diego and the person I'm thinking of using to re-power the vintage bus is also in Southern California, so I plan to drive the vintage bus all the way from OH to CA over the next few weeks.
I've also found a 1957 Buick Caballero station wagon that I might want to acquire on this trip. It's the car I was planning to tow behind the vintage bus once I start to live on it. I plan to repaint the vintage bus so that it resembles this paint job (yes, it's that's the bus that was used in the Robin Williams movie "RV"):
After seeing that, you might get an idea for why I think the Buick would be a good car to tow behind the vintage bus... here's what the station wagon looks like:
As with the bus, I'd plan to update the Buick to a modern drivetrain. I'll inspect the Buick the day after I pick up the vintage bus... it's located in Michigan.
I plan to follow the entire length of Route 66 on my way back to California. I'm planning on shooting night scenes this time around to really round out my photo library since I've already followed the full length of Route 66 twice. It will likely take me a few weeks to make it back to California.
It should take about a year before the bus and wagon are ready to replace my current bus/jeep combo. Until that point, I plan to remain living in my current bus.
Here are some more photographs of the vintage bus. Keep in mind that I plan to repaint it, rip out the interior and do a brand new interior that is customized to my needs and tastes.
If you're itching for more frequent updates, then be sure to check out my twitter stream on the left sidebar of this blog. The map in the same area is usually a pretty accurate gauge for my current position on planet earth.
Glad you finally found one. I'm looking forward to the rebuild.
Does that vintage monitor come with it? :-)
Posted by: James NomadRip | October 18, 2009 at 05:22 PM
James... that's not a "monitor"... it's this old fashioned thing known as a TV/VCR combo... try finding one of those in a modern store.
I'll be living in that setup for 2-3 weeks... don't know if I'm looking forward to that... as long as I don't forget where I'm headed then I should be fine.
-Ben
Posted by: Ben Willmore | October 18, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Ben It looks really good and in nice shape should be a fairly easy build as far as the structure goes hope it is.
Posted by: Mark Baker | October 18, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Thats a great looking bus Ben. You must be thrilled with what you have and anticipating the final product.
You've really got me interested in these old buses now.
Posted by: Chris | October 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM
This is SO cool!
I just saw you at PSW in Vegas, so I decided to look up your blog. Wow! I am looking forward to watching the transformation of your new home; safe journey home!
Pam
Posted by: Pam Montazeri | October 19, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Amazing that you can actually live on that bus. No claustrophobia? Do you do all your photography processing on board? You must like the nomad existence.
Keep having fun...life is short.
chet
Posted by: Chet | October 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Hey Ben, Glad to see you found a nice Starliner. I will follow your progress on the redo. Let me know of the raised roof models you found for sale. No one ever inquired about my 1960 flat roof. Good luck to you, Gary (in Texas)
Posted by: Gary Sebastian | October 27, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Hey Ben,
I am very excited about your Flxible Starliner project. I think that it will be very cool when it is completed. I have recently acquired an old 1948 Flxible Clipper which has some significant history. I would love to refurbish the interior motorhome coach provisions as mine are rather tattered, but alas, I lack the necessary funds to do so.
Would you consider donating the interior fixtures, cabinets and furniture which you intend to remove from your bus, or selling them to me at a reasonable cost to help another Flxible dreamer get another old Flx back on the road.
We have a small private collection of rare and unusual European Microcars including Messerschmitts, Isettas, Goggomobils, and other tiny little travel pods, and we need to get a vintage Motorhome up and running to drag these little cars to shows around the country. You can see some of our little cars, and our annual event here: www.bubbledrome.com
Please know that you are welcome to come and see the collection and to drive any of the little cars if you are ever in Massachusetts.
Thanks,
Charles
chasgould@mac.com
(617) 965-4848
Posted by: Charles Gould | December 09, 2009 at 01:03 PM
I will follow your progress on the redo. Let me know of the raised roof models you found for sale. No one ever inquired about my 1960 flat roof. Good luck to you, http://www.rapidsloth.com
Posted by: Gary | May 26, 2010 at 07:25 AM