- Seller: Tyrell A (Contact)
- Location: Blanco, New Mexico
- Mileage: 12 Shown
- Chassis #: 1FDYF80C7SVA10388
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 5.9-Liter Inline-6 Cummins Diesel
- Transmission: 6-Speed Allison
For some, the urge to embark on a life of adventure is irresistible, but choosing the best method to attain that goal can be challenging. This 1956 Chevrolet School Bus could offer the ideal solution, providing an opportunity for self-contained fun. The hard engineering work has been professionally completed, with the mechanical configuration allowing the buyer to delve into the wilderness effortlessly. The new owner can finish the interior fit-out to personalize the build, although there are already some nice touches that may convince them to continue the theme that has been established. The current owner feels the Bus deserves a new home, listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
The owner commenced his build using a structurally sound 1956 Chevrolet Bus body. He handed the body to a professional custom shop to have the roof raised to provide more interior headroom and to have an electric/hydraulic hood mechanism fitted for easy engine access. The shop then bolted the Bus to a 1995 Ford F-700 chassis that will ensure that the entire package sits on a robust foundation. A selection of belly-lockers provides welcome storage space to improve the vehicle’s versatility and minimize the chances of the interior becoming cluttered. There is no penetrating rust for the winning bidder to address, only dry surface corrosion. They may choose to address this as part of a cosmetic restoration, although treating it to prevent deterioration and cloaking the exterior in a satin clear coat would allow the Bus to retain its inherent character. The buyer will need to source a few pieces of glass, but how they attack the subject of exterior trim will depend on personal taste.
This Bus means business below the surface, combining old-world charm with a mechanical configuration offering enormous versatility. It draws its power from a 5.9-liter Cummins Diesel engine that is coupled to a six-speed Allison transmission. The dual-range transfer case means that the buyer’s adventures needn’t be confined to the black-top, with this Bus capable of delving into the wilderness. Such journeys should be comfortable, courtesy of the vehicle sitting on Air Ride suspension. A custom stainless steel fuel tank was added, and the Bus features a new electrical system, while the Cummins exhales through a 4″ exhaust.
The interior is a work in progress, but there are some nice touches which may set the theme that the winning bidder adopts. The custom cedar dash houses the gauge cluster that allows the driver to monitor the vehicle’s overall health. The driver sinks back into a Captain’s Chair, and a second for the passenger is awaiting installation. In-vehicle entertainment is provided by a CD player, with a backup camera providing added safety. The major work to transform the Bus into a Camper includes the installation of air conditioning, custom stainless steel fuel, water and holding tanks, an Arctic Fox Diesel water heater that can heat multiple fluids, a backup generator, solar wiring and an inverter, and a pair of 100 aH batteries. The rest of the interior is essentially a blank canvas, although continuing the theme set by the bathroom may prove irresistible.
This camper conversion captured my imagination the moment that I spotted the bathroom. The rustic charm of the cedar is hard to ignore, and with the dash finished in the same timber, that may be enough to motivate the winning bidder to continue that theme throughout the rest of the build. It raises an interesting possibility that would be worth considering. If the buyer decided to leave the Camper’s exterior in its current form and completed the interior to the same level as the bathroom, it would provide a striking contrast and two very different rustic themes. There is plenty of scope for personalization, with imagination the only potential limiting factor.
Life seems to move at a hectic pace, and the idea of a relaxing escape can be impossible to ignore. This 1956 Chevrolet School Bus camper conversion offers that possibility in a self-contained package. The hard engineering work is completed to a high standard, leaving the buyer to add the finishing touches. If a life of adventure is beckoning you, this Bus might provide the perfect means to achieve that dream. That makes it worth more than a passing glance.
Bid On This Auction
NextExit bid $4,500.00 2025-06-24 13:26:29
john k bid $3,500.00 2025-06-24 12:23:12
David Platts bid $3,000.00 2025-06-24 11:59:30
Leancy bid $2,500.00 2025-06-22 16:34:52
Nic bid $2,000.00 2025-06-20 08:47:31
Lyn bid $1,000.00 2025-06-19 11:35:16
LaSalle bid $500.00 2025-06-19 08:42:51
This rig is going to make someone the coolest vintage “Overlander” camper rig on the planet.
No road? No problem!!!
Agree w Marko and Jim 👍 😎
Jeez Louise, someone did an unbelievable amount of work here, I’m simply flabbergasted someone has the skills to do all this. This thing is like overkill to the max, peoples homes aren’t this nice. The cost here must have been astronomical, and they didn’t finish or use it? Man, that’s harsh, but ain’t that America. It’s done correctly, rather than try and make the old bus mechanicals work. The AWD is for glitz only, and something like this would be difficult to maneuver, I don’t think this is the kind of vehicle to go back in the hills with. In fact, running down the highway could be a hassle as well. Single digits easy, and while it rolls off the tongue, 8 mpg gets to be a hassle, not to mention costly. Don’t get me wrong, someone did an amazing job and clearly spent a fortune, but like all these one-off creations, I just don’t know if anyone else will appreciate it.
8mpg with that diesel lump?
I think not.
Lots of very good quality parts and execution. Does not present well in current condition. Going to standard camp grounds so that you can “hook up” (maybe just to dump the black water tank) will be tough. Many don’t allow “older” units into the grounds. In 2007 my 2000 5th wheel was on the “do not enter” border line. There are obviously places to hook up that don’t have the year restrictions, I’m just setting some expectations here. And out west here, there are cool places to camp that sometimes require a 4X4 just to climb the hill to get into the grounds. (Example: people who participate in horse enduros/camping. Where they go as far as possible out into the boonies. Just to have someone leave then there to ride and camp their way out. (I know 2 such people and I’m not into the horse thing. One was one of my customers’ wife. He bought from me a C5500 4X4 GMC for the purposeof leaving his wife and her horse out in the widerness.) This could be a fun project. But the seller will most likely lose money on it. Good luck to the seller.
Eddie, your school bus is here.
Nice!
My Dad took us out west twice in a 1939 International converted bus. It had a 1953 Cadillac engine and auto trans! Fond memories!
Your dad probably had “fond” memories of all the gasoline he had to put in it!
Could someone take a few minutes to come to my house and turn my computer off. Apparently I do not have the intestinal fortitude to do so while looking at this beauty.
Love this…Curious what that reserve is :)
What a bomb.
In some states this will require an air brake certificate on your license. I still think it’s cool!
My Dad was in the process of converting a Flexible us into a motor home. (When he got out of the army, before going to Remington Rand school. He worked as a mechanic at Greyhound.) He was still working full time so progress was slow. But he was doing a fantastic job. The mechanicals were all done. The tires replaced and the sunken bath tub installed. Lived well off the highway so spotting it was not easy. The outside looked like crap. A guy came to his door and inquired as to the price if he would sell it. He said it was not for sale. They guy offered him 5 times what he had in it. Dad sold it and bought a 2 year old class A with low miles and still had money left over. Some people recognize the time and money invested. I hope this is the case here.
Someone has spent a lot of money on this rig. It looks to have been done very nicely, but unless someone with the same vision and likes the previous work comes along, the seller will not get their investment back. I can’t help but wonder why the seller wants to abandon the project after so much planning and work has been invested. I hope the right person to finish it comes along.
if I lived ‘out west’ I might consider this for rentals. No room to drive it back east (off rd). Mandatory insurance for every run ( ⬆︎ costs for longer duration rental). We hada 45 ft sloop we raced but paid for ownership w/9 mo of rentals each yr. Worked out well 15 yrs only 1 sm mishap. Justa few ‘messy’ or dirty characters rented. No biggie. Esp fora free boat ! Got some trophies, made some friends~
Not sure (a gamble) it would wrk here, mayB Fla, VT, NC…? Adverts on Nat sites?
I like how this can go…really impressive bones.
I would change out that Ford steering wheel if i had this nice, interesting unit.
Perfect for that “grab your bug out bags!” family get away.
Engine and transmission are a strong combination, but, if engine is pre 2010 it can’t be registered in CA for private use on public streets. Top speed is probably limited by rpm counter to about 65 mph, but that may be all you want to do given the top heavy nature of this beast. Many of the roads in the West are not good for two wheel drive pickups, let alone RV’s, but would be just fine for this.
Needs a bumper.
If The Partridge Family were a punk band!
A blue leisure suit & white patent leather shoes would make this!
Some folks would park this in Quartzsite AZ all winter on BLM land for less than 200 dollars for the season. Nomadland !
Holy moly, this is cool.. I love the cedar work on the interior and the running gear. For anybody that loves getting out in the back country where few dare to tread like I do this would get the job done nicely, and by the time it’s finished I think it will be in style. I’d love to see what the buyer does with it.. I just wish I had the means to finish her up because it’s a great start with a lot of promise imo.
I would love to have this, would be the ultimate drive-on vehicle for fishing Delaware Seashore accessible beaches. Seems like the cedar in the bath is finished which would take from some scent benefits is but perfect for a shower conversion there. This appears to be a very well thought out build, whoever ends up winning the bidding has a great base to build into a great rig
Here is a video of the walk through of the bus and a better look at the features.
https://youtu.be/3_jfgmmZxvM
Here is a walk through of the bus to see more details.
https://youtube.com/@aristotle505-js7tn?si=i6qmA0Jq5dsvwdb8
I can think of more than a dozen campgrounds that wouldn’t allow this bus within their zip code. Here in the PNW, what could you do with it? Either camp solo off the grid or park it with the other countless homeless vehicles. It would blend in there. Also, a lot of nice work was done on the bus (that hydraulic hood opener is cool!), but a lot of work remains. It’s why the price remains low.
You just have to tow your Ferrari behind it so the cops won’t roust you for being homeless. You even stop this in some upscale CA towns to get a cup of coffee and you will be told to move on. Legal or not. Or face an “inspection” and get it “red tagged” forbidding you to drive it. And the pre-2010 diesel is an automatic disqualification. But I love it, and would like to have the time and cash to finish it (and install a CA legal engine). An old European squat plate instead of the Home Depot toilet would make more sense – for those who have never experienced it, a combo squat plate/shower is not unusual in the rest of the world, and makes a lot of sense, the shower cleans not only you but the squat plate, too, and takes up very little space.
You just have to tow your Ferrari behind it so the cops won’t roust you for being homeless. You even stop this in some upscale CA towns to get a cup of coffee and you will be told to move on. Legal or not. Or face an “inspection” and get it “red tagged” forbidding you to drive it. And the pre-2010 diesel is an automatic disqualification. But I love it, and would like to have the time and cash to finish it (and install a CA legal engine). An old European squat plate instead of the Home Depot toilet would make more sense – for those who have never experienced it, a combo squat plate/shower is not unusual in the rest of the world, and makes a lot of sense, the shower cleans not only you but the squat plate, too, and takes up very little space.
What is the overall length width and height? Does the engine offer ac and heat to the cab as well or just the roof unit? Is this road worthy (I get some windows are gone) for a trip home or will it need to be flat-bedded.