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Shorty School Bus: 1964 Ford Wayne F500

The fourth generation of the popular Ford F-Series trucks was produced from 1961 to 1966. That includes the F500 which was built for commercial purposes and often as just a cab and chassis. This 1964 edition was converted into a shorty Air Force shuttle bus by Wayne Corp. and may have later been a school bus. Located in Bath, Pennsylvania, this transport has been sitting for ages and might make for a great camper or food truck. The asking price is $8,900 and it can be found here on Barn Finds Classifieds.

Wayne Corp. was founded in Union City, Indiana in 1837 and enjoyed a long run to 1995 (bankruptcy), including the manufacture of buses and other commercial vehicles. Wayne would take a chassis provided by the likes of Ford and add the necessary body and interior. We’re told this one was built for use by the military, hence the “high-top” roof with an interior ceiling of more than six feet, designed for adults, not children.

As the story goes, once this bus finished its tour of duty with the Air Force, it was stored indoors at a schoolhouse (probably after serving a second life there). Before the seller acquired it, the Ford had been sitting in a barn for many years. We don’t know the last time the bus ran, but its V8 engine was turned over about a year and a half ago. We’re guessing one of Ford’s short blocks is under the hood. The indicated mileage is 11,000, which could have turned over, but then as a shuttle bus, it may have only traveled short distances at any one time.

The possibilities are many with an old bus like this. Maybe turn it into a camper, convert it into a food truck or promo vehicle, or do as the seller was contemplating and slip a Dodge Ram chassis underneath it with a Cummins diesel. Although the body looks rather crusty, we’re told the floors are very solid and the bus will roll freely from one tight parking spot to another. What would you do with this old gal?

Comments

  1. Avatar JustPassinThru

    There’s a lot of history with this model. First, it was a “transition” from the 1950s “streamlined” Waynes, to the cubist 1966-or so. The later Lifeguards had profiles similar to the 1966 updates, but improved the roof construction.

    This one has the cubist forward cap, windshield and cowl that would be used on later models, but from the door back, it was the 1950s streamliner.

    Then, the high roof. Some school districts used those for high-school students. Most did not. Various military branches, and some correctional institutions/sheriffs’ departments, used them for prisoner transport.

    Finally, the short model. I think it was 1970, the first Wayne mini-school-bus, the Papoose, was out. It was not a cutaway, but it didn’t sell – probably price. A few years later, Wayne and others, introduced van cutaway buses – and that was it for the heavy-truck short-buses, for all time.

    For all the history, I don’t know who would buy this one. It’s too short for a motorhome…perhaps a parade piece, or rolling advertising sign.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Mike

      There is a cute shortly bus (Chevy) with a similar bus body that was converted into a camper: https://rvshare.com/blog/bus-conversions/

      I like this bus here, but that area above the windshield is a little awkward

      Like 4
      • Avatar jordan

        Hello, I’m the seller just letting you all know that I lowered the price to fire sale price of $5900

        Like 1
  2. Avatar Rick

    That bus is a 1965. A 1964 would have the park and signal lights in the grille, inboard from the headlights.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Boatman Member

      Yep, ’65 nose for sure. Good eye, Rick.

      Like 5
    • Avatar Tony T

      And it would have a Y block instead of an FE engine if it were a 64. I agree. 65

      Like 3
    • Avatar Oldnash

      Appears to be a 64 Wayne body on a 65 Ford chassis. Wayne bodies for 65 (and beyond) were more squared off on the top. Definitely a 65 Ford front clip. Possibly could have been a late production 64 Wayne on an early production 65 Ford.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Little_Cars Member

    Power brake booster = a must!

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Rw

    Rat rod name Special needs done dirt cheap.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    During my National Guard days, some fun loving troops bought one like this. It was a roving party bus equipped with a keg. After drills, we would cruise in this with a designated driver. A Mormon guy that didn’t drink. We paid him a lot!

    Like 5
  6. Avatar RMac

    Jack you got the right idea! I have seen several like this turned into party bus limos for shuttles to pro games or proms or just bar hopping saw one in Nashville just for cruising

    Like 3
  7. Avatar dogwater

    junk

    Like 0
    • Avatar jordan

      No it’s actually in very solid shape. Most of these were sitting on some field rusting out for decades. This one is solid and a very rare truck for the right person

      Like 1
  8. Avatar jordan

    The bus hadn’t been sitting outside for long. it had been inside most of its life. 99% only surface rust in the bus. Price is a bit negotiable

    Like 1
  9. Avatar jordan

    Hello All, I am the seller for the short bus. I have lowered the price to a fire sale price of 5900 bucks. This price it’s a very good offer for an extremely rare high top wayne truck. I have to sell it this week. 3104863358thkx

    Like 0

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