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Old 03-01-2017, 09:19 PM   #1501
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Originally Posted by Elliot Naess View Post
The 13 Gilbert, AZ, BBs sold from $5,950 to $7,100. Maybe that's fair for AAs with the Cummins 8.3. But they are 1991-1993 models.
I was sort of watching those buses but completely lost interest once the bidding went over $3000.

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Old 03-01-2017, 09:23 PM   #1502
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I ended up with one of the 98 AmTrans from TN a couple weeks back. Felt confident that they were just pulled out of service in November so we drove the Kia down to pick it up. Checked fluids, fired it up and drove off. Maxed out at 65, set the cruise and put my feet up on the dash. I'm pretty happy with it so far! Stripping it out starts this weekend.
I was wondering about those. Congratulations, and happy converting!

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Old 03-01-2017, 09:43 PM   #1503
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I was wondering about those. Congratulations, and happy converting!

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Just went back and checked their listings. They have a 84 pass and two 54 pass back up for bidding. I may try to pick one of the smaller ones up for a food truck conversion.
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Old 03-01-2017, 10:20 PM   #1504
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Just went back and checked their listings. They have a 84 pass and two 54 pass back up for bidding. I may try to pick one of the smaller ones up for a food truck conversion.
Sweet

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Old 03-02-2017, 12:25 AM   #1505
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I have been wondering - could there be a better way to track this stuff? Not discounting the hours that everyone spends combing through these sites - but it seems like there might be a market for a service that indexes, researches and then exposes good deals on buses. It seems silly that so many people have to spend so many hours looking through multiple sites to find a good deal.

I started the process of compiling a list of all the links I could find to all of the resources out there for finding Skoolle candidates (still under construction). My thought is, once I have all of these in one place, I can begin the process of building programed scripts that will scrape each of the sites and catalog all of the info that is gathered, including a dashboard showing soon ending auctions. We could prioritize the findings based on known good configurations of buses.

It seems that most state/gov surplus run their stuff through online auction sites. The counties seem to sell, either directly to buyer/dealers through bid processes or they send them online and via clearance auctions (Richie Brothers). All of the online options seem to use pretty standardized coding for their sites (i.e. the structure of the pages and their coding would allow me to grab key information and index it elsewhere).

I would be happy to take some of the upcoming free time that I will have to help the skoolie community develop a resource that everyone can use to combat or at least find alternatives to the other stuff that is being sucked up by dealers and such. What do you all think?

Not trying to hyjack the thread, but this seems very relevant. If I should break off into another thread, let me know.
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Old 03-02-2017, 01:25 AM   #1506
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I have been wondering - could there be a better way to track this stuff? Not discounting the hours that everyone spends combing through these sites - but it seems like there might be a market for a service that indexes, researches and then exposes good deals on buses. It seems silly that so many people have to spend so many hours looking through multiple sites to find a good deal.

I started the process of compiling a list of all the links I could find to all of the resources out there for finding Skoolle candidates (still under construction). My thought is, once I have all of these in one place, I can begin the process of building programed scripts that will scrape each of the sites and catalog all of the info that is gathered, including a dashboard showing soon ending auctions. We could prioritize the findings based on known good configurations of buses.

It seems that most state/gov surplus run their stuff through online auction sites. The counties seem to sell, either directly to buyer/dealers through bid processes or they send them online and via clearance auctions (Richie Brothers). All of the online options seem to use pretty standardized coding for their sites (i.e. the structure of the pages and their coding would allow me to grab key information and index it elsewhere).

I would be happy to take some of the upcoming free time that I will have to help the skoolie community develop a resource that everyone can use to combat or at least find alternatives to the other stuff that is being sucked up by dealers and such. What do you all think?

Not trying to hyjack the thread, but this seems very relevant. If I should break off into another thread, let me know.
That's a great list
You can add to the auction area: Tommy Lutes auctioneer
http://tlauctions.com ( Texas based gets busses a few times a year)
To the dealer sites:
http://www.kerlinbus.com (Indiana)
http://www.macallistertransportation.com (Indiana)




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Old 03-02-2017, 01:35 AM   #1507
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That's a great list
You can add to the auction area: Tommy Lutes auctioneer
http://tlauctions.com ( Texas based gets busses a few times a year)
To the dealer sites:
http://www.kerlinbus.com (Indiana)
http://www.macallistertransportation.com (Indiana)




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Perfect!! Keep them coming lol. Will add in the morning!
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Old 03-02-2017, 01:40 AM   #1508
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Perfect!! Keep them coming lol. Will add in the morning!
I have a ton more at home, I will post them when I get in.
Some are fair, some are ridiculously overpriced lol. Those 2 dealers range to both ends of the spectrum.

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Old 03-02-2017, 02:00 AM   #1509
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I have a ton more at home, I will post them when I get in.
Some are fair, some are ridiculously overpriced lol. Those 2 dealers range to both ends of the spectrum.

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One thing I have learned about dealers, they will come down on price lol. Let me start a thread dedicated to this so we don't jam up this thread. I like the real time nature of what this thread has personally.

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Old 03-02-2017, 02:01 AM   #1510
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One thing I have learned about dealers, they will come down on price lol. Let me start a thread dedicated to this so we don't jam up this thread. I like the real time nature of what this thread has personally.

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It seems in the spirit of the thread. A resource for finding the perfect skoolie. But you are probably right. Thanks for taking the time to put that together!

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Old 03-02-2017, 05:33 AM   #1511
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Originally Posted by ourmefa View Post
I have been wondering - could there be a better way to track this stuff? Not discounting the hours that everyone spends combing through these sites - but it seems like there might be a market for a service that indexes, researches and then exposes good deals on buses. It seems silly that so many people have to spend so many hours looking through multiple sites to find a good deal.

I started the process of compiling a list of all the links I could find to all of the resources out there for finding Skoolle candidates (still under construction). My thought is, once I have all of these in one place, I can begin the process of building programed scripts that will scrape each of the sites and catalog all of the info that is gathered, including a dashboard showing soon ending auctions. We could prioritize the findings based on known good configurations of buses.

It seems that most state/gov surplus run their stuff through online auction sites. The counties seem to sell, either directly to buyer/dealers through bid processes or they send them online and via clearance auctions (Richie Brothers). All of the online options seem to use pretty standardized coding for their sites (i.e. the structure of the pages and their coding would allow me to grab key information and index it elsewhere).

I would be happy to take some of the upcoming free time that I will have to help the skoolie community develop a resource that everyone can use to combat or at least find alternatives to the other stuff that is being sucked up by dealers and such. What do you all think?

Not trying to hyjack the thread, but this seems very relevant. If I should break off into another thread, let me know.
There are only a few several dozen to look through on GovDeals and Public Surplus. Five minutes into my morning coffee, and I've "browsed" the buses for the day. I've just never felt like it was too hard, and the folks who do think its hard usually are happy to pay 3x the price for a dealer-sourced bus.
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:44 AM   #1512
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1946 Ford school bus on eBay in Oklahoma; needs... everything.

1946 FORD SCHOOL BUS
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Old 03-02-2017, 05:35 PM   #1513
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https://northmiss.craigslist.org/cto/6011567958.html
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Old 03-02-2017, 06:17 PM   #1514
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48ft former NASA double decker bus!

Https://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/5992801389.html
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Old 03-02-2017, 06:21 PM   #1515
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48ft former NASA double decker bus!

Https://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/5992801389.html
That's really cool!
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Old 03-02-2017, 10:02 PM   #1516
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1946 Ford school bus on eBay in Oklahoma; needs... everything.

1946 FORD SCHOOL BUS
Finding replacement glass is going to be the hardest part of restoring that bus.

As for dealers, another thing I've noticed with a lot of them is that they don't even list all their inventory on their websites. Wisconsin Bus Sales (Bluebird dealer for Wisconsin) doesn't even list any used buses on their site although I know for a fact they have trade-ins sitting around the lot.

I'll have to post some pictures next time I'm over there.
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Old 03-02-2017, 10:21 PM   #1517
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Finding replacement glass is going to be the hardest part of restoring that bus.
...
Why do you believe so? Looks to me... it is all flat glass. Any competent glass shop can cut automotive-grade laminated glass to any size and shape.
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Old 03-02-2017, 10:30 PM   #1518
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48ft former NASA double decker bus!

Https://austin.craigslist.org/rvs/5992801389.html
Registering that bus for public roads may be difficult. To my knowledge, the maximum length for single-unit buses and RVs is 45 feet. Height must also be considered. Some states allow 14 feet, and some only 13' 6".

NASA may very well have used this on their own property only.
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Old 03-02-2017, 10:35 PM   #1519
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Another ground-up project -- 1967 International school bus; Sacramento, Northern California.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6026863099.html
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Old 03-02-2017, 11:28 PM   #1520
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Registering that bus for public roads may be difficult. To my knowledge, the maximum length for single-unit buses and RVs is 45 feet. Height must also be considered. Some states allow 14 feet, and some only 13' 6".

NASA may very well have used this on their own property only.
I did wonder about it being so long... hopefully it sells before my tax refund comes in or I may have some explaining to do to the wife

I've always kept a look out for a double decker, I guess being raised in the U.K. With so many of them around left a soft spot for them.
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