DIOCCUSA: Shabby School Shuttle

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 02/04/2020 at 15:14 • Filed to: DIOCCUSA, Old Car City USA, Dots, Abandoned, Buslopnik

1

5

This dilapidated old school bus sits in its final resting place !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , where I photographed it last summer. I took a break from this for a while, but expect the occasional one to drop as I feel like it.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I captured the bus as it sat on a slight rise adjacent to a somewhat scummy lake. I like the front end treatment of this particular body. It takes advantage of the rear engined design to leave the front nice and simple. A plaque next to the guages loudly proclaimed “GM Motorcoach;” I assume both the body and chassis were built under the company’s supervision.

I was surprised to see the engine mounted transversely for a bus of this era. Maintenance access is excellent because of the design in conjunction with some hinged body panels.

Looks like someone cut out some cooling components. I wonder if the radiator was front mounted or it is just now absent.

The faded sign proved useful, since stepping over the rusted out steps warranted extra care. The floor of the passenger compartment was solid, and I was able step inside.

The green tinted windows created some fun lighting. The color tinged shadows helped the dismal scene appear more whimsical than depressing.

This automatic equipped bus has great visibility from the driver’s seat. Most of the switch gear and dials were intact.

A better look at the switches for the driver. They probably operated the wipers and lights, though there appears to be more options than I would expect.

That’s it for this irregular !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . What do you think?

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/04/2020 at 13:24

1

I think it’s cool when people convert old buses like that into motorhomes.

Of course, they’re extremely expensive, but they’re better looking than most other motorhomes.

kanadanmajava1 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/04/2020 at 13:38

1

Did you took a further peek at the engine? Than might be a Buick straight eight as these were used in GMC’s busses. Detroit Diesel 2-strokes were too but that is not one of them as you can see the camshaft cover.

As the (fairly long) engine seems to be sitting nicely centered in the rear t he transmission solution is likely one of Allison V-drive transmissions.

.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > kanadanmajava1 02/04/2020 at 15:13

0

I did not look too closely at the engine, but it was pretty long so it could have been a straight 8. The V drive explains how they fit it in so efficiently, since a modern fwd layout but at the rear would not have been feasible. That must have been one stur dy V drive to handle that torque.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 02/04/2020 at 15:28

1

There were a few camper converted vehicles and actual RVs there, so maybe I will feature one next. I imagine that a converted bus would make a great camper, though the ride quality would be crap.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Jim Spanfeller 02/04/2020 at 15:39

1

I agree.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/1782097165