Looking for a bus in the great lakes region.

Ab01ns · 02-21-2019, 08:42 AM

Hey everyone. I'm looking for my "unicorn bus". I'm located in Toronto ON, but can travel anywhere within the great lakes region, or 500mi(ish) of Toronto, ON.

Looking for a bus made between 1995 to 2005. Type C conventional preferred, but I'd also be open to a type d, FE or RE. A Thomas FS65 would be my first choice but I'm also open to others.

Must be a high ceiling bus, so either international/amtran or Thomas. Transmission would be either MT643, series 2000 or 3060. Bus should have cruise control or rpm control equipped as well.

Length: 72 pass (12 windows) would be ideal but I want a minimum of 8 windows per side

Engine: Open to anything but a mild preference for Dt466 or a Cummins 5.9 or 8.3

Let me know if you have what I'm looking for or have any leads, especially in the Toronto/Ontario region.

Many thanks,

Alex

ermracing · 02-21-2019, 10:01 AM

I would expand your search zone to get out of the rust belt. Looks like you've researched your specifications well enough. Keep an eye on Craigslist and all the usual sites for used buses - 422 auction, publicsurplus.com, govdeals.com, etc.

Tango · 02-21-2019, 10:25 AM

Personally, I would back up my date range to 2004. After that and you are dealing with all the environmental electronics that are a complete nightmare. And at their worst in the first few years (beginning in '05)

leadsled01 · 02-21-2019, 01:38 PM

1999 bluebird on cl in Akron Ohio partially converted already. Listed under RV section.

dan-fox · 02-21-2019, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadsled01

1999 bluebird on cl in Akron Ohio partially converted already. Listed under RV section.

Right in Johnny Mullet's backyard!

leadsled01 · 02-22-2019, 08:33 AM

Is he looking for another project?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Right in Johnny Mullet's backyard!

miltruckman · 02-22-2019, 09:09 AM

You should check with Midwest Transit near Indianapolis In. They are about 2 miles from my house and their lot is full of used buses right now. I bet there are over 100 there.

Bill

willsmusicbus · 02-23-2019, 09:51 AM

i looked at a bus north west of Binghamton 05 re with the 466 3060 combo short length for a re 33ft but southern bus and already gutted and titled. look on cl and facebook etc it was posted weird and not very well

Ab01ns · 02-23-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsmusicbus

i looked at a bus north west of Binghamton 05 re with the 466 3060 combo short length for a re 33ft but southern bus and already gutted and titled. look on cl and facebook etc it was posted weird and not very well

How much were they asking?

willsmusicbus · 02-23-2019, 11:37 AM

i want to say 7500- 9k range

REDD · 03-03-2019, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab01ns

Hey everyone. I'm looking for my "unicorn bus". I'm located in Toronto ON, but can travel anywhere within the great lakes region, or 500mi(ish) of Toronto, ON.

Looking for a bus made between 1995 to 2005. Type C conventional preferred, but I'd also be open to a type d, FE or RE. A Thomas FS65 would be my first choice but I'm also open to others.

Must be a high ceiling bus, so either international/amtran or Thomas. Transmission would be either MT643, series 2000 or 3060. Bus should have cruise control or rpm control equipped as well.

Length: 72 pass (12 windows) would be ideal but I want a minimum of 8 windows per side

Engine: Open to anything but a mild preference for Dt466 or a Cummins 5.9 or 8.3

Let me know if you have what I'm looking for or have any leads, especially in the Toronto/Ontario region.

Many thanks,

Alex

...as noted below, Ontario is going to have horrible buses rust wise.
Trust me I know. Unless it was stored inside and Rust Checked or Crowned every year of service you may get lucky. I got mine in the Acton area. If you still want to find one local, phone around some of the school bus companies.

Ab01ns · 03-03-2019, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDD

...as noted below, Ontario is going to have horrible buses rust wise.
Trust me I know. Unless it was stored inside and Rust Checked or Crowned every year of service you may get lucky. I got mine in the Acton area. If you still want to find one local, phone around some of the school bus companies.

Which company(s) did you phone. I've only had success with bluebird Girardin

REDD · 03-03-2019, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab01ns

Which company(s) did you phone. I've only had success with bluebird Girardin

Maybe... First Student, Parkinsons, Stock, Switzer-Carty, Denny's, Parkview etc. at the end of June when schools done.

skidfrog · 03-09-2019, 04:27 PM

I saw a schoolbus driving school in Scarborough selling a low miles medium sized bus about 3 months ago....good price but it disappeared fast. I bought my short bus in Belleville from a dealer / mine was a 2013 so I had it sprayed right away.

I have no idea about the MTO hoops to jump through bringing a US bus north........but it seems the lower states have great rust free buses at great prices

Fast Eddie · 03-09-2019, 05:07 PM

If your bringing in a bus into Canada from the U.S. call or look at this first. They are the government agency who will allow it or make you send it back. It used to be hard to do with a lot of restrictions.

Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Importing a Vehicle

1-888-848-8240

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