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Old 01-08-2011, 02:06 PM   #1
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Year: 1988
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How are Crown buses for parts & support?

Hi everyone,

My first post! ...After lurking forever!

I found a sweet Crown Supercoach for sale, though I'm nowhere near ready to buy. I love the vintage look of the Crowns.

But since they are long out of business, how is parts availability and support? I know thay are still in wide use in central and south America, and I figure those folks don't have a huge maintenance budget!

The one I found is a single rear axle, with the 855 Cummins Turbo Diesel (which I understand really roars!) and 5-speed manual tranny, not the coveted 10-speed stick. Any opinions on these? What could I expect for top speed and fuel mileage?

How about the interior space? I haven't seen the Crown in person. Does the rounded shape take away from the ease of building the interior? Is the interior as big as a more modern, boxy bus?

How about the under-floor location of the engine? Is it a lot noisier than a modern pusher bus?

Should I just give up on the nostalgic Crown and look for a cheaper, more modern box?

Thanks in advance!

Sherm

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Old 01-11-2011, 12:57 AM   #2
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Crown buses

Crown buses are good buses. My thots are there are no bad buses. I am familiar with Crown buses and a couple others. Other than some body parts, most parts are not difficult to locate. All the running gear and suspension is available many places. It is often a good idea to use more modern parts than search for original parts. The Crown you described is a very good bus and the same as my Crown. Yep, the trans in now Road Ranger 10 speed with overdrive. Gonna change the rear axle assembly from an old 4:10 to a more modern 3:73.. Crown buses seem to go on forever. Each bus maker has a few minor differences.
Frank in Idaho
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Old 01-11-2011, 09:43 AM   #3
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Re: How are Crown buses for parts & support?

Thanks, Frank!

What about the interior? Does the rounded shape take away from useable space much?

And what about the noise level of the under-floor engine vs. a standard pusher?

Thanks, Again.
Sherm
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Old 01-13-2011, 05:49 PM   #4
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Re: How are Crown buses for parts & support?

As the Crowns come out of the fleets in California, the state is mandating districts crush them if they want state money to help by new ones. Since they are going to be destroyed, you can get a lot of free body parts from districts. I have the "Twinkie" body style as John put it, and the body parts are just about the same for model years from 1955 until the Supercoach II came on line.
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Old 01-13-2011, 06:48 PM   #5
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Re: How are Crown buses for parts & support?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceni John
As they say, "Hurry Hurry, While Stocks Last".
Sad but true. Yup, your tax dollars at work . . .

John
I'd be laughing John if it were not so sad. They build a vehicle that will last 50 years and it only takes a few unelected officials to kill the dream.
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Old 01-14-2011, 06:43 AM   #6
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Re: How are Crown buses for parts & support?

John, I still work in the school bus industry and many contacts here in the central area when the buses come in for disassembly and prepare for their final road trip. I'll keep your wish list in mind as I hear about what may be available in parts.
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