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Old 06-22-2007, 08:32 PM   #1
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1993 Carpenter/Spartan

Well folks, I've done it again. After selling Big Blue, I started shopping almost immediately for the next bus. I've got a deposit on a 1993 Carpenter/Spartan (flatnose front engine) It's got a 5.9ISB, will run 70mph and gets 13.5mpg at 55. It's in Florida right now. Ican't wait to get it home and get started!!!!

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Old 06-27-2007, 12:54 AM   #2
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Re: Big Blue Too

good luck!
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Old 08-27-2007, 05:34 PM   #3
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Re: Big Blue Too

I'm flying to Florida to pick up my bus from Greg Archambault on Friday. I've finally paid it off (by buying/selling used cars, but that's another topic entirely!) Got the insurance paid up (GMAC $199 for 6mo) and purchased the CampingWorld roadside assistance plan. I'm so darn excited, I can't stand it. I'm taking my white-collar bank executive brother with me. I try to keep him true to his roots, driving 1000 miles in a used school bus and sleeping in a Wal-Mart parking lot ought to keep him grounded. I wonder if he'll tell his co-workers what he did over the holiday weekend?
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Old 08-27-2007, 05:59 PM   #4
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Re: Big Blue Too

I tried sleeping in a walmart parking lot on my way home with the bus and it wasn't easy with the lot lights on all night. The only thing that made it even a little possible for me was I brough plenty of blankets that I could hang up over the windows and the fact that I had open floor space for wheelchairs I was able to use airbeds for comfort. On a side not if you want to use airbeds you can get some plywood on the way home get it and lay it across the top of the seats. I have heard of some people that did this on a snowmobile trip using a school bus that had to stay a school bus.

I will say good luck getting home and most important have fun on the way home and do stop to see places if you can afford the time to stop since you are going through.
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Old 08-27-2007, 06:13 PM   #5
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Re: Big Blue Too

I forgot to mention, the seats are already removed!
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Old 08-27-2007, 08:01 PM   #6
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Re: Big Blue Too

how long is it? I am guessing 30 or less if it gets 13.5 mpg, or can a big bus get that much?
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Old 08-27-2007, 09:10 PM   #7
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Re: Big Blue Too

I have the same engine in my bus and I've gotten close to that. My best tank was 12.5MPG but that was running 55-60mph the whole way. I can run 75mph but then I get about 6.5 so speed makes a big diffrence.

Gearing would also be a big factor...
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Old 08-27-2007, 10:06 PM   #8
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Re: Big Blue Too

it's 35 ft, 72 passenger
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Old 08-28-2007, 04:22 PM   #9
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Re: Big Blue Too

it's 35 ft, 72 passenger!?
The buses at my school are 38 footer Freightliner FS65s and they can only hold 65 or 66 kids.
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Old 08-28-2007, 05:25 PM   #10
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Re: Big Blue Too

I'm buying it from Greg at floridachurchbus.com. That's what it says on his website under the other buses just like this one. As a reference, my 1979 Wayne dog-nose was a 66 passenger and was 35 ft long, the flatnose should have more inside space so just 2 more seats would be 6 more kids equaling 72 correct?

here's what it says on the site:

1993 Carpenter 72 passenger - 35' long
Spartan chassis... perhaps the nicest driving buses ever built!
5.9L ISB Cummins turbocharged 6 cylinder diesel engine.
Allison MT643 automatic with locking torque converter.
4 wheel anti-lock disk brakes!
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:28 PM   #11
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Re: Big Blue Too

Quote:
1993 Carpenter 72 passenger - 35' long
Spartan chassis... perhaps the nicest driving buses ever built!
5.9L ISB Cummins turbocharged 6 cylinder diesel engine.
Allison MT643 automatic with locking torque converter.
4 wheel anti-lock disk brakes!
Sounds like a real nice one!
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:36 PM   #12
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Re: Big Blue Too

I hope so! I've got a fair amount of rust repair to do, but I am a sheetmetal worker, so that's easy. I concentrated on finding the best deal on the driveline. I think $2500 was pretty good considering it's hard to find a good used 5.9 ISB alone for under $4000.
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Old 08-31-2007, 02:16 AM   #13
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Re: Big Blue Too

it's 3:30 an and I'm heading to the airport to go to Fla. I'll post some pics of the new baby when we get home!
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Old 09-02-2007, 05:44 PM   #14
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Re: Big Blue Too

We made it home! The bus performed flawlessly except for when we ran out of fuel. The fuel gauge works, BUT 1/2 is really EMPTY. Now I know. I'll post some pictures later, I need to spend some time with the family.
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Old 09-02-2007, 06:33 PM   #15
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Re: Big Blue Too

Glad to hear you made it home safe & sound, congrats on an uneventful (mostly) maiden voyage!
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Old 09-02-2007, 06:49 PM   #16
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Re: Big Blue Too

Quote:
Originally Posted by bdavis441
We made it home!
Good news!
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Old 09-05-2007, 05:59 PM   #17
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Re: Big Blue Too

Still have to post some pics, but I'd thought I'd fill everyone in on the features that influenced my decision to buy this bus.

Flat nose front engine
5.9 Cummins ISB 150Kmiles
Allison 643 trans
Like new tires
one piece (budd?) wheels
really neat electric door (bonus I didn't know it had until I picked it up)
Telescoping tilt wheel
4wheel anti-lock disc brakes

after a 1030 mile "shakedown" run, man I love it! Cruised about 2500rpm at 55-60 putting the pedal down to climb hills and never dropped below 50. got over 10mpg. she is rusty, but I'm a sheetmetal worker, no problem. It drives absolutely beautiful, as easy as a car (only bigger) and it makes that neat whistling noise when you push on the accelerator! Right now it's pretty ugly, but I'm pretty happy with what I got for $2500

More to come, pictures soon, I promise.
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Old 09-05-2007, 07:31 PM   #18
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Re: Big Blue Too

electric door in the front? does it have a locking mechanism on it?
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Old 09-05-2007, 08:18 PM   #19
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Re: Big Blue Too

No locking mechanism...yet. It has a momentary toggle on the side of the bus, push forward to open, back to close. I plan on putting a keyed switch on to disable the exterior switch, effectively locking the door from the outside, but still allowing someone inside to exit.
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Old 09-06-2007, 04:12 PM   #20
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Re: Big Blue Too

measured the ceiling height just for fun........6'5"!
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