1965 Ford Wayne bus

[Mountain Yawp]

Hello,
A local guy is selling a 1965 Wayne school bus on Ford 750 chassis.
Story goes that his dad drove it to Wallowa about 10 years ago. Interior is stripped and has oven, old wood stove, and cabinets already.
I am thinking about buying it and likely selling it, but I am wondering if there is any interest in a bus like this. IF it runs, it would need new tires if going very far.

Here is the Craigslist add
https://eastoregon.craigslist.org/cto/d/clearlake-rv-wannabe/7151296401.html

I looked at it in person tonight. It has less easily visible rust than I expected.
Looks like around 30' long.
Should I buy it? If I do, will I be able to sell it?

If this is the wrong place, admin please move it.
Thanks

[TomA]

The battleship desk and stove in it are probably worth more than $200...

OTOH, getting it out of there and on the road could easily cost a grand or two. Or three. You won't be able to sell it to anyone for that.

Do you like to gamble? Got nothing else to do? Could be fun. Might be profitable.

[bus-bro]

A bus that age you got to show us a picture of the front, it's dog-nose, for us to know if it's worth another life.

I believe they used thicker steel in the skin back then, so she's worth more on the scale. For that price it would also make a great outbuilding. If you make it pretty and call it a tiny home you can sell it for $100,000!

Off hand, I'd say you would have to pull it out by cable and load on a trailer to get it home.

[Mountain Yawp]

The front Alcoa rim is not included, but the set could be for "a couple hundred bucks".
The glass all looked intact in person. The silver in the pics make it look broken.

Thanks for the advice so far.

[TomA]

I actually love it...

[cadillackid]

if the original seats for it were still around i know of several who might want it.. although these busses wont bring a lot of money.. they are wonderful classics

-Christopher

[Mountain Yawp]

Update: I told the guy that I will buy it, but can't mess around with getting it out until August, so if someone comes along before then they can buy it. Time will tell. It has air brakes, so towing would be very difficult.

[banman]

It's more of a classic than my bus I guess...

My bus was FREE -- I agreed to free ONLY AFTER THE OWNER AGREED TO PAY THE TOW CHARGE TO GET RID OF IT...

I would offer them free IF they include the Alcoa's

Is there any scrap value in Eastern Oregon? Shipping raw iron to China...?

[cadillackid]

the hardest part with air brakes will be breaking the shoes free of the drum.. otherwise you cage the brakes and tow it home..

[Ronnie]

Neat old classic. Would be nice to see it restored, or restomoded. Resale value not much. I paid $1500 for mine plus $500 to have it hauled home on a lowboy. Mine was in similer condition. I am sure some will say I paid too much, but I wanted it and do not regret it at all.

These old buses are for the few and the brave. Not for the average skoolie. So a rather limited market.

[Mountain Gnome]

Originally Posted by banman

It's more of a classic than my bus I guess...

My bus was FREE -- I agreed to free ONLY AFTER THE OWNER AGREED TO PAY THE TOW CHARGE TO GET RID OF IT...

I would offer them free IF they include the Alcoa's

Is there any scrap value in Eastern Oregon? Shipping raw iron to China...?

I was going to ask how much they will pay you to remove it from their property.


But if you love it and want to restore it.....

[Mountain Yawp]

Thanks all for the advice. I am half way hoping someone else comes along and buys it before I have time too, then I don't have to worry about anything.
Also, my wife really doesn't want me to drag it home.
I will update again when something changes.

[Unpluggedone]

That’s a Wayne alright, looking good for a 1965! Mine is a 1967, Wayne body on a Dodge chassis, the steel is very resilient, but everything Else disintegrates, brake lines, all the rubber on the chassis, window seals, even the wiring is so brittle after 53 years. Mine weighs 14,000 bone empty so figure at $100/ton, you’ve got $700. But Getting a safety for insurance Is tough. The tires alone they are likely old 20”. My engine is in my basement Heads off getting a rebuild. It’s a labor of love not a flipper for sure.

[demoman]

It's not even worth it to scrap even if it's free. In Sacramento ca I am getting about 70 a ton but that's after I remove the fuel tank, oil, coolant, battery, differential and trans oil and tires. Then i need a junk slip from motor vehicles. I used to make a lot of money scrapping buses when it was 300 a ton. Now they have to pay a lot to have me tow it away.
John

[Mountain Yawp]

Thanks you two for the added insight. I am thinking that no one else will come along by August and buy it before me.
Scrapping is not a great idea because I live about 100 miles from the closest scrap yard.
Getting it started where it sits might be my only option for getting it home.

[BeNimble]

Oh my not just old but rusting at all the seams just what you can SEE.
I have a really big free boat for you instead.

[Ronnie]

I do not see rust, a good power washing and it will clean up good. Up in the northwest everything gets that moldy, grimey stuff on it, and it washes right off.

[Mountain Yawp]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

Oh my not just old but rusting at all the seams just what you can SEE.
I have a really big free boat for you instead.

Like Ronnie said, not a lot of rust is visible, but it does have a growth that is covering a lot of it.

Speaking of big boats, any of you ever seen the "Boaterhomes" that were made in the 1980s? I would totally go for one of those, but I think they are very rare and expensive if found. I will post a link to the youtube video I saw one in.

[Mountain Yawp]

https://youtu.be/TkrLQeyWBMs

Super cool driving one of those to the boat ramp.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Mountain Yawp

https://youtu.be/TkrLQeyWBMs

Super cool driving one of those to the boat ramp.

Super neat I can see why you would want one.