As best as we can tell, this coach has a commuter look to it and began life as something other than a camper but became one later. It looks to be in good condition and ready for some road trips. It’s powered by a V6 diesel engine and has all the comforts of home. If you don’t have six figures to plop down on an RV, maybe a vintage camper like this could fill the bill. Located near Newport Beach, California, this road warrior is available here on craigslist for $19,000.
Between 1964 and 1968, the GMC division of General Motors is said to have built a little more than 1,000 coaches. The Diesel engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission by Allison (the Torqmatic). These “old look” coaches measure 30 feet in length and when they were built to carry passengers, their capacity was said to be 35 folks. We don’t know when this vehicle took a turn for the wild open spaces, but someone probably spent a small bundle retrofitting it.
We found what we believe is the same camper on Bring A Trailer. It sold in December of 2023 and some of the photos look the same. The geography is within 100 miles and the odometer reading now seems to be just a few more clicks. 85,000 miles for a diesel is not a lot, so unless it has rolled over (more than once), this transport should have lots of life left in it.
The camper conversion brought a sofa, two beds, a bathroom (with a shower), and a small kitchen to the equation. The latter includes a stove, a full-size refrigerator, and a sink to do the dishes. But you’ll travel in comfort with air conditioning, a sound system, loads of storage space, and outlets to plug in at campgrounds. When the bus was converted, it was repainted white and has multi-colored stripes to provide contrast. The vehicle is said to be smog-exempt and has a new battery. Who’s ready for the open road?
Well, I’ll tell ya’, I had visions of running out the clock in a motorhome for my final hurrah, but something like this requires a lot of patience. Someone did a nice conversion, I read, this is the TDH 3501,( T=transit, D=diesel, H=automatic, 1st 2 numbers designate capacity) and the smaller of the “old look”, used primarily in Canada, hey, and replaced by the “Fishbowl” type, I believe. The motor, if you can call it one, is the 6v53( V6, 53ci/cylinder) about 210 hp( in its best day) and a boat anchor in its own right, but adequate and since it seems to operate, may as well leave it alone. Driving a motorhome such as this, again, is not for the novice. These were manly units, and you won’t see an old granny driving one of these( if so, I’d love to meet her) Traveling by road today is the absolute pits, and not sure I have the grapes to do that again. Something like this, you better have grease under your fingernails, or will soon. I’ve had enough of that in my life. A familiar mechanics creed, “busting my knuckles on one of them damn Detroits”,,,Geomechs will agree.
Unless it had an engine swap, these were powered by the Toro-Flow diesel engine. V6, 478 Cubic Inches. They were a 4 cycle engine as opposed to the 2-cycle Detroit Diesels. There were also gasoline powered versions built.
I wish I knew half of what HoA knows about engines, trucks etcetera ad infinitum!
I love the look of the old skool busses….looks like the inside was done in the Sixties or seventies based on the melanite or whatever lines the interior.
Still, dump a ton of money into a modern drivetrain, redo the interior into something a little more aesthetically palatable ( I’m clearly a snob), remove the aluminum house windows and you’d have something. Or would you?
You would have an old bus camper/rv. wheeeeeeeeee!
If I meet that Granny, I’ll buy her a beer and a shot…
If I meet that Granny, I’ll buy her a beer and a shot.
But the lovely sound of that Detroit! Anyhow where has Geomechs been???
I have fond memories of these coaches as these comprised our local
transit system in Bloomington Illinois
from 1948 to 1976 when the city bought those fiberglass FMC coaches
to replace these faithful old friends. As I recall, ours were painted a dark
mint green with either a dark green or
black stripe that separated the mint
green from the white roof. And ours
were slathered with advertising most
everywhere you looked. Even on the
inside, those colorful ads were everywhere. And even though I couldn’t read them as a small child, the photos were warm and inviting.
Most of all we’re the big round Pepsi
Cola symbols just below the rear windows. That was our form of transportation after my biological
father left us high and dry leaving my
Mom to raise my sister and I alone.
As I look at the entrance, I still see
where the fare box once stood and
where the long seats were placed
behind the driver. The camper conversion is top notch and aside from leaks, should be trouble free.
Do I like this thing? You bet I do!
Would I buy it? Probably not. But it
don’t hurt to dream though.
Doesn’t look to me like a city bus conversion as much as an updated “ government mobile command post” type vehicle.
I’m thinking that Howard’s evaluation is spot on. I wonder if this thing has the gearing to cruise the highway? I would like to go mobile some day, I’m not sure what is scarier, this old relic or a computerized expensive new one?
Not the Clarence Thomas Signature Series
his was on the cuff. here cum da judge! what a joke.
Gerry is right to express concern about the ability of this bus to cruise at even 65 MPH. If it was geared to drive around town it’s not going to be happy on the road. As Howard said these motors aren’t as good as any late model diesel and running this one hard down the interstate won’t be fun or rewarding.
City busses aren’t highway coaches or for the highway. They don’t have the basement storage that highway coaches of this era have.
Most suggest not using a city bus for a conversion.
Where’s my todo list? The 1945 Flxible Clipper should be on it.
Was surprised to see only 5 lugs instead of 10 lug Budds.
My wife says we’re going to buy an RV and tour the country when (if) I retire. I says, let’s just get a big old 3/4 ton truck and live out of hotels. The RV life seems like a lot of work and stress driving a big old beast around in today’s traffic. And this thing just screams “work” to me, even more so than a more modern rig. I’ve got grease under my fingernails now, Howard. But the only grease I want under them when I retire is the kind that comes off of a cheeseburger!
Well, sj, I’m going with wifey on that one. Hotels rival air travel as far as a PITA, and on a recent trip, I was appalled at the accommodations, even on the mid-grade motels. Traveling by RV is no day at the beach either, and some folks in RVs aren’t so nice. I sell this unit short, as it would be pretty cool, certainly enough to talk about around the campfire, but not anything to “see the country” in. As far as dependable, the Detroit was an awesome motor, these racked up MILLIONS of miles, it was THE way to travel, and remember, before cell phones or radios of any kind, the tip of the hat there was the drivers that made it. They were on their own with 35 lives behind them.
For shorter jaunts, be fun, but needs an auxiliary vehicle of some sort, like an E-bike( did I say that?) or something to run into town with. These don’t go well at the Dairy Queen.
i wuz thinkin sun tan lotion’s kinda greasy…
Sold for $8888.88 on Bring a Trailer in 12/2023 and the owner now wants $19K?!!! Guess the new owner was not to enamored with the bus/RV….
6v53’s were underpowered. In the Army back in the day, and military version was the 6v53T. Turbo charged, moved tanks very well. Also in military bus’s capable of 75 on the highway. Very dependable. Maybe upgrade engine and fly low and go.
Must be in the water
That
California dreaming again …