Scenicruisin'..?

[amazinblue82]

source: Motorhome History » dodgetravcos.com - Long Lasting Dodges

More info there are each of these I picked out.

1964 Streamline

Mid 60's(?) " Silver Bullet" Streamline. Belonged to David Janssen they say

1953 Frank (as in "Ray Frank", some call the father of modern motor homes they say)

1968 Newell (their first .. we know what they are building now. Uber $$$ rigs)

The Ubiquitous Jimmies . made from 1973-1978. FWD, 445 Olds Powered.

1975 Daystar. Never heard of 'em, never seen one. Odd mug on this one

 

[amazinblue82]

source: RV News On Line - The Voice of the RV Industry

1960's Dodge. Article says Ray Frank built these for them back then.

 

[commando1]

Within a decade, age 65 arrives at my door.

When I was 35, I decided that occasion would be marked with a major purchase and one year un-interrupted tour of the country. Then I figured I could get 10 years of usage before I was unable/unwilling to tool around in it anymore.

This is what I want.

Anybody own(ed) one? Know anybody who owns one? The perks? The pitfalls? Convert it? Buy one all done?

Thanks in advance to anyone for your thoughts.

View attachment 53083View attachment 53084
View attachment 53096

View attachment 53083

View attachment 53084

View attachment 53096

Well, a year and a half later, has this thread (which I love, btw) given you any new inspirations ?

 

[amazinblue82]

Well, a year and a half later, has this thread (which I love, btw) given you any new inspirations ?

Many new inspirations man. Many of you may know what I mean .. I'll never have enough money, or live long enough, to do everything I want.

There are a dozen new ideas I got from this thread, vehicles I NEVER knew existed by 18 months ago, and things TO and NOT TO do.

Thank you and the many others for contributing mightily to this thread

 

[pomonamissel]

i've got a 24 passanger ward bus i used for doing swapmeets as a vendor , gas rig , no power , no mileage , no road speed . but its a kick to drive a forward control vehicle around , and short enough it not bad around town or parking it .

 

[pomonamissel]

using it as a resting kick back room with my car books n magazines , die cast vehicles and car pics and of course pics of cars and women , got a rack for any perfumed visit'rs in it , just like man cave .

 

[300rag]

small world. Thanks. Would this setup be "stable" under load and at speed? OR is it just to attract attention to the dealership?

I may able to answer my own question ...

Took these pictures today. Also showing their other tow vehicle.

 

[commando1]

Gawd, that pickup Pete is perfect for my Gardening Center runs.

 

[pomonamissel]

commando , sure it will handle the load , but getting it on that bed floor . you'll need a tommy lift gate , lol .

 

[amazinblue82]

Small, "green", and functional (my Millennial-aged daughters' reactions to my "Big A** Bus" plan now ... they dug it 20 years ago )

The Bowlus Road Chief: Home - Bowlus Road Chief

The Yanko: Open House

"ForFreedom" Forfreedom caravan - Designbuzz

The "Opera" The Opera Camper

 

[Ripinator]

Small, "green", and functional (my Millennial-aged daughters' reactions to my "Big A** Bus" plan now ... they dug it 20 years ago )

The Bowlus Road Chief: Home - Bowlus Road Chief
View attachment 101786

The Yanko: Open House
View attachment 101787 View attachment 101788

"ForFreedom" Forfreedom caravan - Designbuzz
View attachment 101789

View attachment 101790

The "Opera" The Opera Camper
View attachment 101792 View attachment 101791

All these campers look gay. . . Not that there is anything wrong with that. . .

 

[300rag]

@amazinblue82 I think it's time to get you re-focused

 

[amazinblue82]

All these campers look gay. . . Not that there is anything wrong with that. . .

i didnt view them that way or any other way .. just pointing out my kids liked them cuz they were "green"

 

[amazinblue82]

@amazinblue82 I think it's time to get you re-focused

View attachment 101799

View attachment 101800

View attachment 101801

im not a buyer for "small and green" RVs, just like im not an electric car buyer .. i still want something 35 ft long, 20-50 yrs old, with a big a** diesel engine.

just pointing out alternatives ... like other things in this thread that exist but unlikely i'd ever buy.

 

[commando1]

All these campers look gay. . . Not that there is anything wrong with that. . .

Depends on the resort . . .

I've decided that if I wanted to tour America, it would have to be a new 16' Airstream.

Make America great again. Tour the USA in my Airstream towed by a New Yorker.

 

[amazinblue82]

Depends on the resort . . .

I've decided that if I wanted to tour America, it would have to be a new 16' Airstream.

Make America great again. Tour the USA in my Airstream towed by a New Yorker.

That'd be cool ... but what about this setup?

 

[cantflip]

That'd be cool ... but what about this setup?

View attachment 101885

I really love the practicality of those hard top pop ups... A/C even... that would be a different thing if full timing though.

 

[amazinblue82]

Can't believe these haven't showed up here yet .. dunno how I missed 'em.

source: GMC PD4104 Bus Conversions | ViewRVs.com

GMC 4104's. Anybody have any real world experience with these?

This is a 1957 model and a Seller's Description

Bus has a 671 Detroit Diesel 250HP, a GM HydroShift 8 Speed Rocky Mountain Transmission, Power Steering, Air Throttle and Air Brakes, Power Alcoa Mirrors, Peterbuilt Alcoa Aluminum Wheels, NEW Goodyear Tires, NEW Air Bags and Backing Plates, and a 10KW Onan Diesel Generator. The bus is fully equipped with an 80 gallon Stainless Steel Fresh Water Tank, a 125 Gallon Stainless Steel Holding Tank, a 20 Gallon Hot Water Tank, a 70 Gallon Propane Tank, a 45,000BTU Furnace, 2 13,500BTU Air Conditioners, and much more. Sleeps 8 comfortably.
​

 

[amazinblue82]

More on the 4104's

source: 'THE FAMOUS GM 4104'

Aside from being the fastest things on six wheels, here’s some pertinent statistics on the 4104’s;

Length; 35 feet
Width; 96 inches
Height; 121 inches
Wheelbase; 261 inches
Turn radius; 42 feet
Typical engine; DDA 6V71
Seating; 38 with restroom – 45 without
Luggage compartment; 187 cu. ft.
Aisle width; 14 inches
Door width; 28 inches

The 4104, which first appeared in 1953, marked the beginning of truly modern bus design featuring forward slanted picture windows (which were then grafted onto GM’s ‘New Look’ transit line in 1959), air suspension, air conditioning and optional restroom equipment.
​

You may note that in the picture the bus is marked ‘Scenicruiser Service’, however GM decided to christen their new deck and a half PD 4501 as such in 1954 and henceforth called the 4104 a ‘Highway Traveler’.

5,065 4104’s were built between 1953 and 1960 and operated for virtually every over the road company in the country with Greyhound and Trailways accounting for nearly half of the production.

While production ended in 1960, the 4104 lived on in the guise of the improved PD 4106 (lower image) which continued until 1965.
​

These buses were solidly built and extremely reliable with many running for as long as thirty five years!
​

 

[cantflip]

Can't believe these haven't showed up here yet .. dunno how I missed 'em.

source: GMC PD4104 Bus Conversions | ViewRVs.com

GMC 4104's. Anybody have any real world experience with these?

This is a 1957 model and a Seller's Description

Bus has a 671 Detroit Diesel 250HP, a GM HydroShift 8 Speed Rocky Mountain Transmission, Power Steering, Air Throttle and Air Brakes, Power Alcoa Mirrors, Peterbuilt Alcoa Aluminum Wheels, NEW Goodyear Tires, NEW Air Bags and Backing Plates, and a 10KW Onan Diesel Generator. The bus is fully equipped with an 80 gallon Stainless Steel Fresh Water Tank, a 125 Gallon Stainless Steel Holding Tank, a 20 Gallon Hot Water Tank, a 70 Gallon Propane Tank, a 45,000BTU Furnace, 2 13,500BTU Air Conditioners, and much more. Sleeps 8 comfortably.
​

View attachment 101886 View attachment 101887 View attachment 101888

I don't know how you missed those either... smaller, more practical version of the Scenic that did not cause as many headaches to the bus lines. I don't think they have quite the same sex appeal, but they are/can be very nice. If it sleeps 8 it's a bunkhouse design, I had the impression you were thinking more of a private suite...