Gillig school bus? Pros-cons?

[asquarecan]

Good afternoon!

I starting the hunt for our school bus and recently came across an older Gillig bus. I wanted a newer but, but have really fallen for the look of the Gillig. Does anyone have any experience with them? Good, bad?

Knowing I would be buying an older bus any rough ideas on tune up and maintenance costs to get a bus up to par assuming nothing is “wrong” with it. I know that is a very wide question. I am just curious if I could expect to pay 3-500 or 2-3000 to make sure an older bus is in good working order.

This is what I would love to have...

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[PNW_Steve]

Gillig has a great reputation as one of the two best school bus builders in the US.

Gillig acquired Kenworth's bus business sometime in the 1950's. The bus pictured looks like a Kenworth to me.

It certainly has the potential to be a beautiful bus. Be warned though, putting a 60 year old bus back in top form can be extremely expensive and challenging.

Anyone seen a rebuild kit for a Hall-Scott 590 lately.?

 

[asquarecan]

Thank you!

I did not know that about them being acquired!

When you say real expensive any idea over $5000? To make it road worthy assuming we are just discussing deferred maintenance

 

[Danjo-SKO]

I met Alex at the Complete Coach Works in Alameda California. He’s the owner of a party bus company named Gillibus. He’s got six of them I think. He was very nice. I bet he could give you some good info. Here’s his website.

GILLIBUS

 

[PNW_Steve]

Thank you!

I did not know that about them being acquired!

When you say real expensive any idea over $5000? To make it road worthy assuming we are just discussing deferred maintenance

Well.... If you found one with a 671 Detroit and it was in great shape except for a couple of scored liners. If you can fix it yourself then you may only spend a couple of grand. If you have to go to the Detroit shop I would be ready for a $10k repair bill.

If it needs tires add another $2k-$3k.

Seriously, you are looking at a 60 year old vehicle. It is most likely going to need a fair bit of work. The shop down the road from me charges $125 an hour to work on anything that I cannot fix myself.

That is a beautiful bus but if you have a slim budget I think that you may be better served with a newer, lower miles rig.

 

[asquarecan]

Thank you for the insight! I think you’re probably right. I plan to spend 15-20k with bus so I think going newer will be a better idea. I can always buy an older one later!

 

[asquarecan]

Thank you! I will check him out!

 

[PNW_Steve]

Someone posted a link to a Thomas MVP RE with a DT-466, MD-3060 and low miles/hours. And it is a church bus so it isn't yellow.

Good luck.