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Ultimate Vanlife Vehicle: Classic Neoplan Double-Decker Bus Project

With the pandemic, many people have taken to working from home, if your job offers you that luxury. Skyrocketing housing prices, coupled with reduced income, have encouraged an increase in the interest of the very Instagrammable vanlife. Buy a van, make it a house, live out of it wherever there is a wifi connection and scenic views. As is typical of just about every interest, there has to be someone who one-ups everyone else and turns whatever given idea up to 11. You can be that person. This classic Neoplan double-decker bus can be found here on eBay, with some of the work converting it to a home having already been done.

I’m not going to delude myself into thinking that I know anything about classic German buses, but I know enough about cars, in general, to tell what things are in an image. Looking at the picture of the engine, I can’t tell how many cylinders it has or in what configuration they’re in. It looks like it might be a V-shaped engine. V-8? V-6? I have no idea. I’m sure there has to be an expert on the mechanical history of post-war German people movers, but I am not that person. Regardless of what type of engine it has, the seller states that it’s been sitting for about a decade, so you’ll need to do some refurbishment on the mechanical bits.

They also mention it has some rust. If what’s shown in the images is the extent of it, I’d say you needn’t worry too much about it. There aren’t any holes in the frame, and the body looks to be all present. Granted, one of the defining characteristics of a double-decker bus is that it’s not exactly a small vehicle. You’ll likely have a lot of metal to look over and make sure is good to go.

The inside is really the important part of a vehicle like this. If, as I mentioned earlier, you’re in the market to have the last word in vanlife, you’re going to want to make a home out of this. The seller has removed most of the interior bits, so aside from mechanical refurbishment, you’re going to want to spend a decent chunk of your paycheck at Home Depot to make your ultimate camper. This bus gives you two whole stories to live in, with the upper one being home to some magnificent curved vista windows, perfect to gaze longingly out of while you sip at a steaming hot cup of coffee early in the morning.

Comments

  1. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    Wow. A double decker…chicken coop. Unless you make it the start of a Futurama clone…

    Like 8
    • Avatar Little_Cars Member

      Futurliner. GMC Futurliner.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Don Eladio

        I think you mean Futureliner? What was that comment about “glass houses” below?

        Like 1
      • Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

        I think I really meant Futurliner but in retrospect maybe I was thinking it belonged in the cartoon Futurama…seems like an imperfect science fiction usage…

        Like 10
  2. Avatar Sam61

    Maybe a weekend “park model” cottage would be less ambitious then getting it back on the road.

    Like 17
    • Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

      Yeah, park it on some open space land and build it into a tiny home.

      Like 18
  3. Avatar Rodney - GSM

    The ultimate mobile-pot-farm-rolling-greenhouse. Stay one interstate ahead of the law…

    Like 50
    • Avatar Fireman DK

      or drive it to California and park it …just not next to my house …I have enough skunks around here (LOL)

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Horse Radish

    IT actually is N O T a Double decker bus.
    The bottom is for luggage and storage, and there are no seats or windows (obvious indication) on the bottom.
    You would have to individually make the (at least three) broken panes of glass. (Ask me how I know that).

    Like 19
    • Avatar Nate

      I’ll bite. How do you know that?

      Like 22
  5. Avatar greg

    The engine is a Detroit Diesel V engine, maybe a 8V92. But I work on buses for a living, I’ll pass. the rust and the wiring and glass and interior all need major work and no title. If in better shape would make a cool RV

    Like 13
    • Avatar Joe Padavano

      No, it’s a inline six MAN diesel, 12.5 liters. Google is your friend.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Joe Padavano

        Well, I was wrong. Apparently the older ones did use the 8V92. My apologies for the bad info.

        Like 2
  6. Avatar Dave

    Put it on a dry foundation and convert to a getaway atop a perfect view.

    Like 6
  7. Avatar Joe Camel

    Nice to see that there’s already a head start on the kitchen having the refridgerator already installed.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Soren

    It looks to be a Neoplan Spaceliner. From Wikipedia: “The Spaceliner, introduced in 1979 took the Cityliner concept of passenger floor level above the driver, and extended the actual floor above the cab. This kept the height of the vehicle lower than a double-decker, at 3.65 metres (12 ft 0 in), but still allowed installation of toilets, kitchens or sleep cabins below the passenger compartment.”

    Like 7
  9. HoA Howard A Member

    Aha! A real life “Ultimate Behemoth” . HR above is right, it’s not a double deck, the lower portion is for baggage and freight( and stowaways), sometimes bathrooms and sleeping areas. Very similar to Greyhounds Scenicruiser. Did you know, before all these package delivery companies came out, Greyhound was a big shipper for small packages. I read, this is probably from the late 70’s or early 80’s and Cummins motors with Allison automatics were used, but this looks like a Detroit. I never heard of them, but apparently, are big with celebrities and still made today. Another great house project, however, that glass top would need some curtains. You know what they say about people living in glass houses,,,

    Like 8
    • Avatar Eric_13cars Member

      ummm….Shouldn’t stow thrones?

      Like 5
    • Avatar Don Eladio

      Howard, did you even read the comment above yours?

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Moncton(was Winnipeg)carnut Member

    Already bid to $220.50! Then add probably $10k for shipping!

    Like 7
  11. Avatar martinsane

    Definitely would be cool all done but currently its a disaster and i see some missing glass, id bet those pieces are bank breakers.

    Like 6
  12. Avatar Lance

    Nein …danke.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Wayne

    I see a tiny house Air BNB! It could be really cool and a hit in the correct location. Have a piece of property that overlooks the ocean? There you go. I can’t imagine not having a waiting list of renters.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Thomas Crum

    I have a 1994 GMC/MCI transit bus for sale. Purchased at an auction and was going to make a motor home out of it. It remains totally orginal and is very low mileage. Seats 46 plus two wheelchair fokes. Has a turbocharged 4 Cyl. Detroit diesel and the upper model Allisson trans. A few months ago we test drove it for 20 miles. Ran great, excellent exaust system and every feature remains operational. $5,000

    Like 0
  15. Avatar BR

    Destination sign should display Gaea. Btw, where is the destination sign window?

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Howie Mueler

    I guess this is no reserve, the seller just wants it out of sight.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar OldCarGut

    Don Eladio:

    Please do not pick on Howard: like all BF readers, he is a most pleasant fellow. The problem is that while a reader is composing his tome, another reader is doing the same, and his is a milisecond ahead of the first. I have found, in the past, that the posting time is not necessariy the time that each post appears on your monitor. But, Howard, if it happens that you did not read the prior posting, shame on you. :>))
    / – / – / – / (this is me shaking my finger at you)

    Like 3
    • HoA Howard A Member

      No need to stand up for me, where else can you pay to be insulted? People have repeated what others have said before, what’s all the hubub,,bub?

      Like 1
  18. Avatar OldCarGuy

    OldCarGut ! ! !

    NO! OldCarGuy ! ! !

    Where is that edit button, again?

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Jay McCarthy

    My question is how tall is that because it appears 12ft so that makes it a dimensional load requiring permits and possibly pilot vehicles…a lot more than just throwing it on a car carrier

    Like 0
  20. Avatar WayneS

    This thing is probably a Neoplan Skyliner (only one front axle). Specifications say 13’1″ height. Neoplan of this era were notorious for the soft iron they used in their frameworks. I’m ver surprised it is standing upright. Sadly it would be better to find it a grave than to try and resurrect it.

    Like 2
  21. Avatar Paul

    I don’t see that ever running again under its own power. It’s scrap metal.

    Like 3
  22. Avatar RA500

    I had three of these, all with Detroit power. In their era they were a mighty fine ride. The lower cockpit did not afford the best visibility but view from top was panoramic, perfect for the Mass Ascension in Albuquerque. The air suspension was very nice. Parts availability was not.

    Like 1
  23. Avatar OldCarGuy

    I am not “OldCarGut” ! ! !

    NO!

    I am “OldCarGuy” ! ! !

    I suffer from phat phingers.

    Where is that edit button, again?

    Like 2
  24. Avatar Dwcisme

    Even with the poor quality photos, you can tell that there’s a whack load of rust. I envision more than $50k just to get it road worthy before conversion and cosmetics. Too bad; this would be the perfect race track RV. You would be the envy of the Rolex 24 crowd with one of these.

    Like 0
  25. Avatar t-bone bob

    Located in:
    Amarillo, Texas

    Like 0

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