1988 Ford B-Series 45-passenger

[cofrari]

So on a trip to Alabama, I came across a 1988 Ford B-Series 45-passenger bus. Ex-school bus; currently a church bus. Mechanically it is maintained by a diesel mechanic that attends the church. Bus is annually inspected because it is used to carry children between the local school and the church.



Positives:


- no rust
- 167,000 miles
- engine looks good
- has brand new front tires
- smaller bus (which is what I'm currently looking for)
- has AC (although doesn't work)



Negatives



- AC doesn't work (hopefully fixable)
- needs 4 new back tires
- seller said that he thinks 55MPH is as fast as it will go (not sure if that is because of transmission or a speed-limiter)
- only has an 18-gallon fuel tank





They are asking $1,000. I would have to drive the bus from Alabama back home to Connecticut.


I currently have a 2008 IC CE300 37-footer which I converted. But I would like a smaller bus for when my kids go off to college in 6-years.


I was interested in thoughts on this purchase? Is $1,000 plus new tires, plus $500 in expenses in driving it to CT worth it? Especially with the negatives mentioned above.


Thanks!

[Timeline]

Did you drive the bus? I'm thinking that may help you to decide. It's not a bus I'd pour time and money into, but our needs may be a lot different.

Good Luck!
John

[magnakansas]

you should be able to drive it to a scrap yard and make your money back.. or very close to it.

1988.... I think of only two things that would stop it from going faster than 55mph..... 1) governor that is part of the engine, that will limit engine rpm this could be gasoline or diesel

2) all out of rpm because of the way it is geared.... I dont think there is any kind of electrical thing that will limit the speed.

sounds pretty decent deal to me.

william

[cadillackid]

classic B series!! ill drive that home rather than see it get scrapped.. i rode those to school!! (a few years older than that one)