For many, the twice-daily ride on a chrome yellow school bus remains an indelible childhood memory (only later did we find out that the yellow paint was super toxic). Fortunately, that is not a problem for this 1957 Chevy-based school bus located in Huachuca City, Arizona and for sale here on eBay with an opening bid of $6,900.
Based on the Chevy model 6800 220-inch wheelbase school bus chassis and a body by Superior, the seller claims this is the last 6800 in operation. Baby boomers will appreciate that this 8-window body is identical to the “Partridge Family” bus (although that was a 1955 model). Those looking to do the cosplay thing as David Cassidy, Susan Dey or Danny Bonaduce could easily paint this in that memorable 70’s quasi-psychedelic style.
Inside is pretty much a blank canvas. The growing “Skoolie” community transforms buses into RVs or tiny homes, some of which are surprisingly luxurious and expensive. The stoutness of the bus chassis makes them very rugged, and while most retired buses are quickly recycled into dishwashers and refrigerators, there are many extremely creative examples out there. Just never, ever spray paint “Helter Skelter” on the sides.
The driver’s area sports a cool analog instrument panel. No underhood photos are provided, but the seller states power comes from a 283 c.i. V8 backed up by a 4-speed manual gearbox and 2-speed rear end. All are said to be in good shape, although the bus is not roadworthy. A spare engine is also included in the sale.
Speaking of spares, the seller states the bus was in use until the early 1980’s, when it was parked in a field which turned to mud during monsoon. When it got pulled out, the rear wheel wells and bumper were damaged from the chains. To fix this, he bought a 1956 Superior parts bus to replace the damaged areas. The winner of this auction will get that as well. A bus like this is not for everyone, but for those with big yards, big families, and/or big ideas, would this your back-to-school project?
The ask seems a bit ambitious, 5 1/2 days in and 0 bids would indicate the rest of the world agrees.
A Kiwi buddy completed a similar Ford chassised bus that came from Oklahoma a couple years ago, so “camper” conversions are apparently a world wide thing. I wonder how many of the younger participants here are thinking, “what’s a Partridge family and why would birds be interested in buses?” And you could confuse that statement by introducing British slang from the 60s,,,,,,,,,,,,,heh heh heh.
Here you are Steve….
Hey Steve this historic bus arrived at my door step…Runs like a charm..its all what the seller described…
This is priced high, regardless of vintage. From a conversion perspective you are better off to purchase a newer school bus from the 1990’s or 2000’s, which can be hadin the $3500.00 range.
This bus also seems shorter than modern buses, which makes it less ideal from a RV conversion perspective.
I’ve been following the school bus conversion trend for some time with the thought of some day doing it. With a modern bus once you’re done with the inside all that’s needed on the outside is a roller and a bucket of paint, on this one you’ll need to do some rust repair and roof line dent repair, unless you’re going for the ‘patina’ look.
Someone’s gotta say it after looking at the last photo…
That’s not a lot of doe. (Sorry if you’re not fawn of my remark)
For a little less money perhaps this could make a classy car carrier or a way to haul your goodies to car shows.
It’s gonna big big bucks to finish this.
Oh deer…..
My estimation is $40,000 and 2 yrs. When you’re done, you won’t get half that $ back when it comes time to sell. And forget about your time. A really specialized project. Lots of projects like this. No argument, this would be nice when done, and people would like it for sure. There are many examples in this field where people appreciate a project, but there are few buyers. This is one of those. Auction ended with no bids.
I wish it were closer, I would go look. I am fawning all over it.
All I can think about is Partridge Family. Lots of these bus bodies/chassis in my school days. Most were 6 cyl. engines though. It seems like the exhaust systems leaked on every last one of them (probably why so many of us grew up demented). The bus we rode on once had the exhaust pipe break and blast right on the brake line, burning it off. The driver attempted to stop and let some kids off and went right past the turnoff to the farm. Well, the E-brake worked…
Hmm, IDK, I grew up demented(still am) and never rode a school bus. I attribute it to too many rides in the station wagon in the way back with the back window open.
“C’mon get happy”,,,
Yes, the station wagon, and the fumes from the tailpipe. I’m amazed we all survived. Maybe we’re like the ‘Walking Dead,’ and the TV series is all about us….
This would be a great candidate for a cat c7 swap, allison trans or a 4 speed eaten. C7 is not the greatest cat offering, but, it will move better than the 283, and get a little better mileage
Scooter, or a fun day with a Cat D6.
Nah, not worth crushing. For the right money it is worth fixing. Maybe nothing fancy, a bed, a propane stove and oven, gas genny and a trailer with a chopper or two
Desirable but over priced and for a bus driver like me. She’s can be a project.
My neighbors when I was a kid had one for camper.big family..they modified the back so the whole back end opened and closed..they would drive a jeep up ramps and park it inside.it slept like 10 people had a kitchen, table and seating for the drive to Wisconsin..wonderful family, very mechanically minded too
Looks like a factory V/8 bus and the other parts one doesn’t look bad. It’s the middle size or about right for the period – they did make that shorty one back then as well. Had one of those seats – think these were a Ward built body maybe – looked high and low for a mate but never found one to make a pair for my roadster…Buddy coverted his 56 Ford to a hauler by cuting the back to open up to drive it….makes for a nice storage too.
Seat looks like something from a British sports car of the same or later period (maybe 58-61 Sprite or MG?). I wonder how many people think having a parts bus is a good thing. When they show up to pick up the almost-driving bus, someone has to tow the other one home with it. It also sounds like one or both buses has been flooded by the gully washers that are common in Arizona during certain seasonal weather patterns. “parked in a field which turned to mud during monsoon.”
If this was closer to me I’d consider converting it into another gourmet food truck.
Listing ended. I hope someone got this at a much fairer price and has the skills to do a really good job. It needs some deep pockets and a heaping helping of TLC.
Bang on PatrickM. Deep pockets and TLC indeed. If you bought both buses (there are 2 buses here) each will cost approx. $4,000+ to ship. If you buy buses for $5,000, you’ll immediately be into this project at $13,000.+ Whatever your ultimate plan is, this is a $40,000 project plus 2 yrs of hard work. These are 30 ft. long buses. Not shorties. These buses weigh at least 5 tons. Not a small task. A big job. You need a big place to store and work on this. Like so many projects, buying this bus is the cheapest / easiest part. Which explains why the seller is selling. He figured out the time / math and can’t do it.
Just love this bus what a sweet find here. It was said the partridge family happing on wheels was lost. No one knows the where abouts of the original bus But this bud gives new hope in this come back of a lost item. Even so may bring back the dead . THE ORIGINAL PARTRIDGE FAMILY BUS….
So but. Making this statement. Was that the real partridge family bus covered in snow in up state New york…if so the Smithsonian was offering big bucks. So eight grand would be a drop in the bucket. Besides it’s television history peace
Doug – PF bus was a 1955. Most likely scrapped in late 1970s. Last sighting was as used in 1976 “Helter Skelter” MOW. Bus in upstate NY on ebay Jan 2018 was a hoax. Turned out ebay seller was a convicted felon, thief and scammer. Above 2 buses (1956 + 1957) in AZ were being sold by a very nice guy, but these are not same as PF bus. Wrong year, 1956 is wrong length, wrong Dodge chassis, wrong rear windows, 1957 has wrong windshield, wrong interior, wrong hood, wrong wheel well body stamp surround, wrong wheels…and 40+ other details I could list. Where did you read Smithsonian was offering big bucks? If you can send link, please share. Like to read that. Thanks. popularculture@hotmail.com