What kind of bus is this?

[Bluesky]

The kids that I got my bus from sent me a note about this bus they just got. Does anyone here know anything about it? I like it, but I don't have room for another bus. They don't want to do anything with it other than haul it to the scrapyard.

[mcduffieja]

I'd like to know. That bus has gorgeous lines, I hope it doesn't get scrapped!

[magnakansas]

likely to be late 40's to 1950's engine in the rear original engines were gasoline. some have been refitted to diesels. four speed manual transmissions


william

[djdalfaro]

looks like a flxible

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by Bluesky

The kids that I got my bus from sent me a note about this bus they just got. Does anyone here know anything about it? I like it, but I don't have room for another bus. They don't want to do anything with it other than haul it to the scrapyard.

My guess is a 1947 Flexable Clipper RV. Google image search actually. Most were rear engine gasoline.

[bus-bro]

If it's truly a Flxible bus it's worth a good deal more than its scrap value.

[Bluesky]

Originally Posted by bus-bro

If it's truly a Flxible bus it's worth a good deal more than its scrap value.

Probably. There was also a picture of the interior, gutted. I thought about posting on the for sale section, but I can't since it's not mine and I don't know how much. Anyone here is welcome to send me a personal message. I just like old busses and would be happy to help keep one out of the crusher.

[Maligator.]

Originally Posted by Rivetboy

My guess is a 1947 Flexable Clipper RV. Google image search actually. Most were rear engine gasoline.

I agree with Rivetboy, I saw one of these restored summer of 2019 in Alaska on the way to Homer. It was gorgeous so I of course spoke with the owner briefly. Said he was over 100k into it and still only 95% done (skoolie inside joke, I think every bus is always 95% done).

Anyways the flxible Starliner is very sought after and I believe even a vintage collectible to a small group of people, even smaller than Crown is. You might wanna have your friends push the Pause button until the research what they have, it'd be a shame to get rid of a bus with that much history if theres a collector out there who'd pay more. Just a thought.

[Crown_Guy]

It's a Flxible for sure and worth a lot to the right guy looking for one for parts or a real serious restoration project. I've always known them as VL100's but through the years a lot of confusion has cropped up over the correct model designation for these and the other well known and newer 35ft model with the roof windows and stainless steel siding. Back in the day I drove a few of those and they had inline 6-71's in them and ran pretty good. These older and smaller ones were only about 28ft long and yes they originally had straight 8 Faegol or Buick gas engines in them. Through the years I've seen them re-powered to inline 4-71's and used here in L.A. for airport transfers.

They are good looking but on the small side in all dimensions, you can only stand up straight in the isle, and require a very determined effort to find parts and keep them on the road. But for those with the DEEEEEP pockets to attempt this, more power to you. The number of guys working on one of these and potentially in the market for one for parts etc. is way smaller than the Crown community and we know how small and quiet that one is......right? I'd say it would be worth it to try and get the word out about it and see who responds, it is worth a lot to the right community. Scrapping it is the easy and distasteful way out.

[rossvtaylor]

Like Crown_Guy says...it will take some serious coin to make that a beauty...but there's a ton of potential for the right person/business. If you haven't seen this Flxible, you should look up some of the photos. They actually took the body and put it on a Freightliner frame/driveline. I've had several opportunities to drool over this bus at events...and the coffee is good, too. Allegro Coffee Company

[Maligator.]

That's a beauty for sure Ross, BB King had one I believe and someone bought it and restored it but that may just be campfire talk. They are all unique in some way at this point and quite rare enough to make any bus nut pause and pay homage that's no joke.

[BeNimble]

What a sweet looking bus (it could be). A google came up with this article just to save some time for you..

https://www.doityourselfrv.com/dont-...reality-check/

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by rossvtaylor

Like Crown_Guy says...it will take some serious coin to make that a beauty...but there's a ton of potential for the right person/business. If you haven't seen this Flxible, you should look up some of the photos. They actually took the body and put it on a Freightliner frame/driveline. I've had several opportunities to drool over this bus at events...and the coffee is good, too. Allegro Coffee Company

Attachment 53798

"BEANS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE" would go great on a CNG bus.

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

"BEANS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE" would go great on a CNG bus.

...or better yet...methane.

[cowlitzcoach]

It is definitely a Flxible Clipper from the late 1930's.

The original engine would have been a Buick straight 8. It wasn't until Buick stopped making the straight 8 that Flxible started using a different power package. By the time the Buick straight 8 was history so were gasoline engines in buses. The straight 8 was changed in favor of engines like the Detroit Diesel 4-71 in the smaller buses and the 6-71 in the larger buses like the VL-100. Although during the transition period other engines made by Waukesha, Fageol, Hall-Scott, and Cummins were available but none proved as popular as the DD's.

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/bus-...-your-clipper/

[Bluesky]

I found a website dedicated to Flxables. This Clipper model was introduced in 1941 where they changed the side windows to forward-slanting. No production during the war '42 to '43. Same design was produced '44 to mid 1946 with the flat windshield. This one is in Oregon and the guys who have it own the flatbed trailer pictured. They may have the capability to deliver, but I don't know any details other than that.

[Bluesky]

I like that curbsideclassics article. I remember seeing the old bus parked next to the Broken Spoke in Austin, it was there for years. These Flxables may be rare, but there are some on the market. Currently you could get one with no engine or interior for $3,000, or you could get a nice one for $200,000. Unfortunately, this one is no longer available. Here is the reply:

"Unfortunately it's too late for this one. We were really torn but since the brakes and engine were sized, it required additional heavy equipment to move it, all of which is at our storage farm that has super tight corners. If that wasn't the case, we would have simply set it aside for a while or figured something out if we knew there would be interest. Sorry about the bad news. But rare and collectable busses do come up occasionally, next time I'll be sure to check how much interest there is prior to a time crunch."

[mokibrabrant]

I remember watching that build. As far as I'm concerned that was the most reasonable and practical solution.
Imaginative and functional. That it's still with us is the only needed testimony.

[Jimot]

It's a classic. The folks at Bus Nuts or the Bus Conversion forums would probably find a buyer for it even in these times! They would appreciate a chance to save it from the crusher

[Tickled Puppy]

Originally Posted by Bluesky

The kids that I got my bus from sent me a note about this bus they just got. Does anyone here know anything about it? I like it, but I don't have room for another bus. They don't want to do anything with it other than haul it to the scrapyard.

It is an early 50's Flxible Clipper, an early model, before they soothed the front end and used dual headlights. The scoop at the rear roof fed air to the Buick V-8 engine. Production continued until the late 50's or early 60's. This design was originally put together by Fageol Twin Coach, which Flxible absorbed. And yes, "Flxible" has no middle "e." I'm a 69-year-old retired bus driver, and was always a "bus nut."