Poll: Favorite Bus Manufacturers

Skunky Bus · 03-17-2010, 10:25 AM

What do you like about your favorite(s)? (Styling, headroom, good view from driver's seat, etc.)

baadpuppy · 03-17-2010, 11:44 AM

My all time favorite would be a Crown or Gillig. Those are just some sexy sleek school busses. However, for my needs, I don't think a Crown would be a good choice.

I currently own 2 different Thomas built busses, and I really like the construction quality and detail. However, the bus I *still* lust for is the Blue Bird All American rear engine 8.3L Cummins powered air brake air ride extra storage beast... I make do with my Thomas.

I also have a soft spot for P30 chassis busses, as well as the Blue Bird busses that are flat nose, front engine, short wheel base, and about 20-25 feet long. I've most often seen them used as handi-busses.

I don't think I've seen a bus that I thought was just ugly (body styling wise... paint jobs and mods are a different story). I think as long as you get one with minimal rust, no broken welds, and minimal body damage, with the size and characteristics you need, that you can be happy with any manufacturer.

jim

browncrown · 03-17-2010, 01:39 PM

Like Bender said... I prefer Crown because that is the kind I have...

But seriously, all of them have good and bad points, so whatever works for you makes it the best bus ever built in my eye

Steve · 03-17-2010, 04:03 PM

Crown and Gillig need to be added to the list, they made such beautiful busses.

Skunky Bus · 03-17-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Crown and Gillig need to be added to the list, they made such beautiful busses.

Done.

Skunky Bus · 03-17-2010, 04:18 PM

Dang...it reset all votes to zero!

GoneCamping · 03-17-2010, 09:37 PM

I looked at a lot of buses, Thomas, Ward, Bluebird etc... I really liked the Thomas, and that is what I went after, didn't even try to buy another other brand...

Skunky Bus · 02-02-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunky Bus

What do you like about your favorite(s)? (Styling, headroom, good view from driver's seat, etc.)

My faves are Wayne (ca 1966-on, both pre-Lifeguard and Lifeguard) and Superior (1964-72 with the wraparound windows). Wayne's squared-off roof crown and Superior's wheelhouse shape and lots of ribbed skin make these bodies look the most "motor-homey" to me.

chev49 · 02-03-2012, 10:14 AM

I really like my Thomas Pusher. I have had two coach busses, and two skoolie bluebird conventionals. Both of those were internationals with gas engines and they went back and forth across the country just fine. The Thomas pusher drives very well and is reliable. It does not turn as sharp as my brothers amtrans pusher with a detroit in it, but among other things, the thomas has flat winshield glass and other things which are cheap and easy to fix.

I chose this bus after 30 or so years of busses, and i wanted a cat engine and a 643 transmission because i can easily get these items and the transmissions are cheap rebuilt. My costs for drive train were high for the coaches with detroits, as they were both v drives. The cat engine costs more than a 8v17 rebuild, but i aint driving 300,000 miles a year.. its more like 7000.

Crowns and gilligs are great busses as well.

Accordion · 02-21-2012, 08:20 AM

I like my 1973 Blue Bird All American. It looks pretty cool.

I always liked the Crowns.

BUT, for classy lines, nothing beats the old Bedfords. They had many body styles, and everyone of them exudes artistic input.

Skunky Bus · 05-28-2013, 07:48 PM

This post worked its way down so I thought I'd bump it in case new members don't see it.

lornaschinske · 05-29-2013, 01:19 PM

My choice was a BlueBird because I love the older Wanderlodges (pre 1985). They have character. David fell in love with the looks of the Eagle. Since he had a little bit of cash from his Mom's passing, he got to choose. It was an expensive learning experience. So for a moving van, I was basically looking for a flat nosed 30 - 35 ft BlueBird. We ended up with a 40 footer.

I still regret not buying a fully converted Bluebird back in the late '90's. Instead we put the money down on... a house! All because one of my daughters couldn't bear to live in a campground anymore (not the one who posts here, the other one) and my mother was threatening to take my kids away due to our living conditions (she called it homeless and many authorities saw it the same way).

Oh well, life is made up of the choices you make and don't make. Live and learn. Next!

proconsul100 · 05-29-2013, 10:49 PM

i like Wayne because i own one. and i like the solidity of the way they build the roof.

Das Mel · 05-30-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

All because one of my daughters couldn't bear to live in a campground anymore (not the one who posts here, the other one) and my mother was threatening to take my kids away due to our living conditions (she called it homeless and many authorities saw it the same way).

It occurs to me that maybe ya should'a sent Sister off to live with Mimi and left me in the 'grounds. She couldn't have turned out any worse than she already has (but then, she's no longer dating the cause of her weirdness so maybe she'll go back to what we considering to be normal. At least 'normal' for her). I was happy in the Parks and Campground, doggone it.

syke · 05-30-2013, 10:26 AM

I suppose I'd have to vote Bluebird but that would only be because my frame of reference is zilch. If I could have found an 8.3/643 pusher combo in another manufacture, I'm sure I'd have jumped on it. So really BB only won out because it was the first one I found.

As far as sweet aesthetics and body lines, I'd have to go with Crown or Flexi. They just look cool.

lornaschinske · 05-30-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Das Mel

...
It occurs to me that maybe ya should'a ...

Hindsight is 20/20. We did what we thought was best at the time. That is all anyone can do.

Gyrkin · 05-30-2013, 07:45 PM

I'm a school bus driver by profession in addition to having my own conversion. Most school bus drivers around Wyoming seem to prefer Blue Birds, and I have to agree they are great busses. I also like Thomas busses with one exception, I don't like the new C2 conventionals at all. They have bad blind spots, and terrible mirrors. Internationals are nice dependable busses without a lot of frills, simple and dependable. The new mandated exhaust systems on all new busses are a real pain. When they work their way through the school systems and into the secondary market, I'd be real leery of getting one. Anyway, I had to vote "no favorite" on the poll because they all have their plusses and minuses. I don't see one as being better than the others, they are all just different.

browncrown · 05-30-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

Hindsight is 20/20. We did what we thought was best at the time. That is all anyone can do.

Amen

JakeC · 06-12-2013, 07:03 AM

I voted Wayne, but like has already been said, this is a pretty biased poll, lol... I truly do love my Wayne, though! I also voted Crown. Someday, I would love to own one.

Skunky Bus · 06-12-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeC

I voted Wayne, but like has already been said, this is a pretty biased poll, lol... I truly do love my Wayne, though! I also voted Crown. Someday, I would love to own one.

Waynes have always been one of my favorites, too. They and the 1965-72 Superiors (with the wraparound rear windows) have the nicest rear styling in my opinion - and we know how important a good looking rear end is.

I'm working on bartering my Winnebago for a Wayne. (Hope this doesn't jinx me)

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