1988 Bluebird tailgating/nascar conversion

garbemi · 10-06-2011, 01:16 PM

Well this is my 1988 bus I traded for my old boat. It's got 99,992 miles on it right now and runs like a champ. I am planning on doing a lounge setup inside with a bar in the middle and a continuous bench around the entire bus. Its got two dinets in that fold into beds. I am also adding a deck up top along with a deck on the back that will hold a porta john. Let me know if you have any insight on what I should do or what I shouldn't do.

garbemi · 10-06-2011, 01:17 PM

This is the paint I will be using.

garbemi · 10-06-2011, 01:18 PM

Interior gutted

garbemi · 10-09-2011, 10:36 PM

Update on exterior paint!

putterspitt · 10-10-2011, 11:19 AM

I have an older version of the events grill, it will hold 27-30 steaks in case you are wondering, love the paint job, tiger fan?

Tango · 10-10-2011, 03:08 PM

Very subtle. But only on the Disney Wild Kingdom tour route! Nice job. Keep the pix coming.

Diesel Dan · 10-10-2011, 08:29 PM

The paint looks awesome! I like how all the silver accents came out. Now I'm inspired and can't wait to get my wheels painted!

swhite832 · 10-12-2011, 09:35 AM

Let me know if you have any insight on what I should do or what I shouldn't do.

My bus is built for the same purpose. Things I wish I would have done or have done:
1. More lighting
2. I have a similar grill perhaps a bit smaller,(see pics). I wish I had regular burners as well(simmer and HO) for beans and boiling.
3. You definitly want a chest freezer w/external thermostat running via inverter. We made two bags of ice last for 3 full days and had mucho cases cold beer. If you set it right your ice wont melt and your beer wont freeze.
4. Futons. I have three. They work great but my bus is for things other than tailgates as well.
5. LED's...expensive but battery savers
6. More plugs strategically located. Look at all the cords strewn about...dislike alot.
7. Bigger generator. I got a great deal on a onan marquis 5500 with three hrs. We will max it out with two A/C's running. Hopefully the extra insulation will only require one a/c.

garbemi · 10-18-2011, 01:48 PM

Hey guys here is an update of the bus. We got most of the deck on top welded up, we are starting on the interior we will have two benches in the back that convert in to two beds. Any suggestions on how to fabricate the back deck for the ladder access?

I need to buy a 5000watt generator any suggestions under 600? i am only running one AC unit on this thing, and I have five circuits in the bus throughout. We will have a full dj lighting display on the side of the rack facing the passenger side door area with an awning.

Diesel Dan · 10-18-2011, 03:27 PM

Nice rack! (I love saying that...)

But seriously, how did you attach the vertical braces? Are those bolts I see sticking out? Are they also welded?

garbemi · 10-19-2011, 03:10 PM

That is 1x1 square tubing 11 gauge. Do not use 16 gauge. And the bolts are structural grade all thread that was through bolted into the cab of the bus through the A pillar steel and then welded so they would not come off...ever.

garbemi · 10-19-2011, 03:49 PM

WAR EAGLE!!!!

garbemi · 11-07-2011, 09:14 AM

Here is a picture of us tailgating the day away in Auburn, Alabama

lornaschinske · 11-07-2011, 10:31 AM

Excuse me but... Go Auburn! :P We used to know folks in Auburn.

putterspitt · 11-07-2011, 09:49 PM

where do you live? I am an Auburn fan also and want to tailgate over there some time..........

lornaschinske · 11-08-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by putterspitt

where do you live? I am an Auburn fan also and want to tailgate over there some time..........

We are CURRENTLY in Socorro, New Mexico! We are moving to Roswell, NM in a couple of weeks (week before Turkey Day). We are working our way back EAST. It might take a few years!

We USED to live in .....
FL: Ft. Pierce, Pt St Lucie, Stuart
NC: Franklin, Otto
SC: West Union, Seneca, Westminster (area around Clemson University)
TN: Hixson (Chattanooga), Tiftonia (Chattanooga), Whitwell, Elizabethton
GA: Cordele
TX: Corpus Christ (Flour Bluff)
MI: Galien (David's hometown.... I've never been there... I'm originally from Ft Pierce... 7th generation FL native)

We get around. Even before we started full-timing.

Our response to the inevitable "where are you from?" is "WHEN?" Amazing how many folks say "where's that?"

garbemi · 11-08-2011, 12:42 PM

Well we tailgate on the Donahue Fields I graduated Auburn a year ago and I just built this bus for the purpose of tailgating. Anytime you want to come by just show up between thursday, friday or saturday ask for Michael

garbemi · 11-08-2011, 01:47 PM

Here are some more pictures of the build that didn't make it to the original posts. Just odds and ends

garbemi · 11-08-2011, 01:48 PM

and some more

garbemi · 12-06-2011, 02:57 PM

Updates from Tailgating

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