Value of a bus conversion?

[GlueGuy]

A close friend has to sell his RV-bus. We have no idea what this is worth, but he's invested nearly $100,000 doing the conversion plus miscellaneous stuff.

The bus started life as a 1959 Wayne body (Ford chassis) school bus. It's about 19 feet long, and has that cute tear-drop (at least that's what I call it) windshield. The original windshield was cracked, so an original-new (plus a spare) was located. The spare is still in storage.

The straight-6 gas engine was replaced with a late-model diesel V8 (~~ 6 liter IH, if I remember). The partner C6 transmission replaced the original manual transmission. The 611 rear was great for hawling kids to school, but lowsy on the highway, so was replaced with a 411.

It has custom mag wheels and radial tires.

The exterior is done in a rich, dark blue Imron.

Interior has all birch custom cabinetry with sink, stove, heater, etc. Full size bed across the back. Driver and one passenger seat are custom orthopedic seats. Dash is brushed stainless (actually has those little "swirlies" in it, but I forget what that's called). All the wiring was stripped and replaced with a very sanitary new installation.

So the question is: Do any of you in the TBN brain trust have any idea what this is worth? Any ideas on where we can find out? We know that he can't recapture the amount he's got invested (at least that's what we think now), but he doesn't want to take a bath on it either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I can attach a photo if that would help.

 

[Ozarker]

If he has 100 grand invested in a 1959 Schoolbus, he's going to take a bath....... Few will attempt to drive a 1959 anything on a cross country trip and that is what a camper is for. He has manufactured a vehicle for which there is no demand, no dealer network for repairs and no warranty. The guys who can fix it and keep it running are not the same guys who might be interested in owing a camper. The few in that category who are interested in a camper will build their own and not pay a premium price for someone else's work.

Sorry if I sound negative but "been there, done that". It might be fun to put the running gear from a late model Chevy into a 1949 Chevy Fastback but the value of the end product is apparent only to the builder. An original restored to original condition has much more value and demand.

 

[beenthere]

Ozarker said it very well. The value (or what is it worth) was the fun and excitement the builder had in his project as he moved along through the process of creating something he wanted. After an artist (painter if you will) finishes a painting, it has no value if it is his first one. It is going to be worth what someone pays him for it, not the time he has invested in it.
With the RV's available with a year or two on them (old couple can't drive them anymore, and the upkeep is horrendous), $2k to 5k would be in the ballpark for this '59 hotel on wheels. And even then, I can't imagine someone investing that kind of money into a potential nightmare. Can you?

I restored an Owatonna skid steer that was a bag of parts, and missing rams, bucket, etc. I enjoyed it as a project and put a ton of new parts on it, scavenged other parts, re-mfg. rams, complete engine overhaul, etc. and put countless hours into it. I did almost recover the $4k of out of pocket expenses, but not even close to getting any compensation for my time. I very much enjoyed the project, and had a great machine. But I couldn't enjoy using it as I was afraid it would break down. It was all well worth the effort.

 

[hosejockey2002]

It's worth whatever he can get someone to pay for it. Most RVers wouldn't even look at it. On the other hand, someone who is looking for a slick rig to tow their hot rod to shows across the country might fall in love with it and pay pretty good money for it. If I were selling something like this, I would pony up $$ and advertise nationally in classic car collector type magazines with lots of color pictures. Tell your friend good luck. I would love to see a picture if you have one to post.

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>Dash is brushed stainless (actually has those little "swirlies" in it, but I forget what that's called). </font color=red>

Engine turned.

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>I would love to see a picture if you have one to post.</font color=red>

Ditto.

Sounds like a real cool rig. I to would aim it towards the hot rod set. Some nice flames on it,/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif and you would have a REAL cool tow truck./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The first problem, "SCHOOL BUS", those things are built for short people. Second problem, 1959.
Right now, the market for bus conversions is soft. Check out www.busnutonline.com
There is a large section there of used conversions for sale.
Your friend has a lot of $$$$ tied up in something that has very little worth on the market.

 

[GlueGuy]

Part of the problem is you have to see this thing to believe it. It draws a crowd where ever it goes. He's been pulled over by highway patrol/sheriffs that just want to look at it. It's not short, I am 6' 2" and can stand up tall inside it. I found this picture (recently taken), and you can get a slight idea of the character of it.


(sorry folks. I was ignorant of the new policy on inline photos) /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[gws]

After getting a lot at it. Your really going to take a bath. You can get a pretty nice ride for $100k, but that bus is small, going to be cramped.

 

[dmccarty]

GlueGuy,

My neighbor had a 30-35 foot motor home that he was selling. They
are an older couple and the wife did not want to use the RV
anymore. I don't know the age of the RV but it was not old and
looked to be in good shape. He was asking 32-35,000 for it and
I think he would have sold it to me for a bit under 30,000.

The wife and I thought about it buying the RV to live in while
the house was built... We just thought about it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

If he put 100K into that bus he lost alot of money....

Later...
Dan