It seems that there comes the point in all of our lives where we need to escape from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and take the time to recharge our batteries. A holiday home offers one potential option. They come with some drawbacks, including the fact that they not only require ongoing maintenance, but the owner finds themselves heading to the same location to make their great escape. A vehicle like this 1982 Blue Bird Wander Lodge is another alternative, and it offers greater scope for its owner. The world is their oyster, and it could be yours, too, now that it has been listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Taylor, Missouri, and the owner has set the sale price at $20,000.
The overall presentation of this camper is pretty tidy, and it would seem to need nothing. The Bronze and Cream paint shows no significant flaws, while the Dark Brown and Gold stripes add a classy contrast. The panels are straight, with no dings or dents. There is plenty of glass to provide an airy feel to the interior, and the vehicle also features some convenient touches. These include a roll-out awning over the passenger side of the vehicle. This provides shade and weather protection, while there are matching awnings over all of the windows on the driver’s side. The top is covered in aluminum checker plate which adds a stable and robust storage area. There are rails up there to secure items into place, and the air conditioning unit is also mounted up there. Rounding out the package is a wide selection of storage lockers under the floor to keep things secure on the move.
In 1982, Blue Bird introduced a rear-engined camper to their line, but our feature vehicle is the front-engined FC35 model. The engine is located between the front seats and is a Caterpillar 3208 diesel V8 that is hooked to an automatic transmission. Anyone who has had experience with heavy vehicles will attest that these motors are essentially bulletproof and can accrue some significant miles without the need for anything beyond regular servicing. This one has a genuine 100,000 miles under its belt. These are torquey engines, which is a major consideration when they are called upon to move a vehicle of this size. The owner indicates that the Wander Lodge is in excellent mechanical health. He has driven the Blue Bird from its current location to Seattle, Washington, several times recently, and it has completed these trips with no problems.
As someone who spent some time piloting passenger coaches for a living, I can’t emphasize enough how crucial comfortable seating is for the driver. That person is manhandling a large and heavy vehicle, and fatigue can be a real problem if the seating is wrong. The leather seats in the front of this camper look superbly comfortable and should provide all of the proper support on the road. The upholstery is in good condition for its age, with no evidence of significant wear or other problems. All of the gauges and controls fall easily to hand, and the leather-wrapped wheel should also minimize the chances of fatigue for the driver. The carpet is pretty dirty, but this is in keeping with the owner’s description. He says that the interior would benefit from a deep clean, which is a task that the buyer could tackle before they hit the road for the first time.
The materials used to upholster the living area of the camper are in keeping with the period. While it would all benefit from some work with some high-quality cleaning products, there is no evidence of any tears or problems that might make replacement a necessity. There is comfortable seating for up to six people in the lounge area, while there are a couple of single beds to rest your weary head after a day of adventure. I can see a radio/cassette player with a few speakers scattered around the vehicle, along with a TV for relaxed viewing at the end of the day.
Turning our attention to the rest of the living area, we find a kitchen, a sleeping area with the two beds that I previously mentioned, and a bathroom at the back of the vehicle. The kitchen features a cooktop, a microwave oven, a sink, a table that could seat four at a pinch, a full-size refrigerator, and plenty of cupboards, drawers, and other storage lockers. The overall condition is pretty reasonable for a vehicle of this type and age, and once again, some careful cleaning should work wonders. Nothing has deteriorated beyond repair, and the overall impression of the living area is that it would be a comfortable place to live for an extended period.
A life of adventure is only $20,000 away behind the wheel of this 1982 Blue Bird Wander Lodge for the right person. It offers a self-contained holiday experience wherever their heart desires, or it could be an excellent place to live permanently if the thought of retiring tempts them. It isn’t perfect, but it offers a lot for the asking price. Taking its presentation to the next level would not be difficult, but I can’t see why it couldn’t be used as it currently stands. If a life of escape is too tempting to resist, maybe you’ve found the perfect way to live that dream.
There is no way a dirty, 30 year-old coach with over a 100k is worth $20k. You can get something nicer, newer and with half the miles for less money.
It’s very dated and primitive looking inside when compared to a new one but this isn’t a Class A motorhome, it’s better. This wasn’t some mass produced motorhome, you had to order these. It sounds like this does everything it is supposed to do, well sorted and not a basket case. Update the interior and exterior for a fraction of the cost of a crappy new one and you’re good to go. This is a converted bus. You’re not getting into a new one of these for under $500,000. If this is your thing this is a bargain.
Eric, this is not a converted bus. It is factory produced.
It’s It’s factory built converted school bus
No, this is not a converted school bus. Easy enough to look up in Ft Valley Ga the Blue Bird bus factory is on one side of the highway and Wanderlodge factory is across the street. Wanderlodge builds not only motorcoaches but also high end luxury tour coaches, and mobile conference rooms. I used to deliver buses and coaches from both and you will get corrected if you call a Wanderlodge a “bus”
And yeah, if I were in the market for a motorcoach I’d offer a little less due to the needed cleaning
Eric this is not a “converted” schol bus. I worked for Canadian Blue Bird. These are a specific built Motorcoach done to a customers desires. One of the best in the business diringvtheir time andxwell worth the money.
We would love to be in touch with the owner.
We looked at the same bus here in Billings, Montana. It had been sitting outside for 30 years, but was in excellent shape interior wise this past looks like it has been parked indoors, and probably in better shape.
Looks like something I’d like to disappear in soon. Also, The pictures are eleven years old..
Pictures appear to be 11 years old…
The date on the photos are incorrect (I mentioned this in my ad, but was not mentioned in its presentation) I didn’t notice this until I down loaded the photos into my computer. The photos were taken a few months ago
Perhaps it is just me but I don’t see how driving one of these for hours in heavy traffic is a vacation. It seems like work to me. Hard work.
Larry I hope you get your price. It’s true what commenters have said; still, this isn’t your ordinary R.V. These coaches are near the top of the line; next to Prevost. Yet, it is very old and outdated. When you’ve got over 100,000 miles on the coach you’ve also got excessive hours on the generator, pumps, drainage system, wiring and all other components that can be expensive to repair or replace. Been there and done that.
God bless America
For $30K I’d buy a VE Westfalen: easier to drive and park! And where do you keep this behemoth during the off season? More money, paying for storage and then re-commissioning every spring!
Jeff Zekasc, I have a block long climate controlled warehouse, so storage is no problem
This unit would make a great start to an updated modern version. Were I in the market – I would consider – it is a little pricey – but the BB was and is a solid platform.
Some one will get a good start on a future bullet proof RV.
Larry does this 3208 have a turbo? I owned 4 Blue Bird’s over the years two foward controls like this one. One actually had a Ford Gas V8 the second one an 83 FC35 had the 3208, which did have a turbo, then I moved up to the 40′ models first one with 6V92, then traded again and got the 8V92 both of these were really great coaches. The Bird Bird is a real work horse with lots of backup systems in case something goes amiss. Even a new plastic box isn’t up to the standard of this coach even with a 100,000 miles you can’t wear this thing out.
I think its cool , but out of my price range
I dont think this is going to last long at this price. A little sweat equity will go a long way here.
Neat beast. I like the diesel. I’m not sure what it’s worth but someone will buy it.
This motorhome was bought by my oldest brother (who passed away in 2014). I don’t know the brand but it’s a diesel rear pusher (cummins/Allison) that He drive all over the United States after he and his wife both retired in 1990. Now it sits in West Texas unused for many years. My sister in law is in a nursing home now so this beast sits. There are a lot of these vehicles around just left to die because it costs to much to repair them and keep them roadworthy.
God bless America
Looks like a oil leak under it in the first picture
looks like oem rather than a conversion. As such I’m glad this is one I don’t hafta say “12v/allison conversion”! yah !
Send your offer to collectorcarsandparts@yahoo.com
Just because Blue Bird is well known for building school busses, does not make the Wanderlodge a conversion. Unlike most bus conversions, the Wanderlodge was a purpose built bus type RV, but it’s not a conversion. The body panels are galvanized steel, which makes them almost rust proof. In the day, these things carried a 500K price tag, and each one was unique, spec’d out by its owner. Wanderlodge had its own RV park in Fort Valley GA where buyers of new coaches stayed through the delivery process. Current owners could also stay there if they needed service for thier coach. When one purchased a Wanderlodge, they attended a two week course related to the ownership and maintenance of thier unit. At 20K, if this unit is truly all sorted out and ready to go, it will find a home, as there is a cult following for these units. My only concern about this one in particular is the 3208 Cat, which is a notorious POS. The 3208 was lousy in commercial trucks. It an RV it’s not as noticeably a POS, because it usually doesn’t work as hard, gets better maintenance, and aren’t driven as many miles. Some Wandeodges came with Detroit 671’s or various Cummins diesels. The only complaints about this particular model Wanderlodge is that they tend to ride rough. Otherwise it is a top notch coach and will outlast almost everything else on the road three or four times over.
Do you still have it? If you can drive it to me. I will make 1000$ monthly payments. I live in Houston TX. I will take it as is no question asked. That is the best I can do. I’m a being very straight with you. It all I can do.