Should I buy? 1963 international 33 ft

[Mermaid73]

Hello all! I'm new to this, I just did a ground -up rebuilt of a 1965 fleetcraft vintage trailer and considering a bigger project. A neighbor is selling his 1963 international bus. I can't find ANY info/value etc about this bus. The body is in great condition but with peeling paint. New tires, runs but needs supposedly minor fixes. It's gas powered. Someone did a conversion that's not very nice, probably 30 years ago. So I would redo everything, but it does have a propane tank underneath. He wants $2500.Am I crazy to consider this? What sort of things should I look at in making my decision? One problem I know of is drivers windshield is cracked. I can't locate a windshield anywhere and hear there might not be any. It's a curved glass (teardrop?) style

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Personally, if you intend to do *ANY* amount of driving more than a one-time move, I'd pass on this one. You can buy a very nice, late model diesel powered bus for about the same money.

IH stopped making gas engines many years ago and parts can be very hard to find. And speaking of hard to find, good luck on that windshield. Regular gas disappeared back in the 80's (which that engine probably calls for), which is another consideration, and I would not expect it to get more than 3-5 MPG on the road. A diesel should get about 10 MPG.

Since the paint is peeling, you'd have to completely strip it for a repaint, and there's no telling how much rust has accumulated in other systems such as the fuel tank, brakes, and whatever else. Brake linings may be hard to find (I don't know what brake system this bus has).

As much as I like the aesthetics of old vintage buses, I would be prepared to update the mechanicals to something much more modern if I ever bought one. Yes, I am aware that would be an expensive thing and would be prepared for that, I am also aware that I could buy an appropriately equipped bus for less money.

 

[cadillackid]

you'll have to have that windshield made.. thats a Superior body, there was a 63 just like it at the bus rally this past weekend.. superior ceased making busses in 1981 i believe.. and I know by 74 they were using flat windshields..

its a classic, its driveability on long trips wont be great, however if you are looking for something classic to restore or resto-mod then it could be an awesome project!

if it was closer to ohio id probably jump on that as ive always wanted one like it.

if you are looking for a drive-anywhere RV, then you will want to look for something diesel and new enough (early 90s - early 00s). that you can still readily get parts for the drivetrain.

-Christopher

 

[brokedown-SKO]

I'm going with the crowd on this one. It looks really neat but if you knew me at all I'm a function over form guy 100%.

If it had a more readily available drivetrain I might have said something different. As it is it looks like a deep well ready for you to throw money in.

 

[Tall Grass]

Replace all steel brake lines and hoses. Expect sticky king pins from sitting.
PASS. 1 thousand more will byyou a fantastic bus to start with.

 

[ACamper-SKO]

I love old vehicles. But, they can be heartless money pits. This one looks like a big labor and money pit. For the price you could get something that would actually run and need much less work.

The only way I would buy it is for cheap, sandblast it, paint it and use it for a cabin that never moves.

just my 2cents.

 

[ol trunt]

Up and running, new windshield in place and a successful test drive under your belt then maybe $2500--just because the Superior body is pretty rare.

Anything less than that, RUN don't walk away. All this from a guy who drives an 82 year old Superior bodied bus. I love what I have but I could have bought a new bus for what I spent in time and $ to fix up my old one. Jack

 

[EastCoastCB]

Replace all steel brake lines and hoses. Expect sticky king pins from sitting.
PASS. 1 thousand more will byyou a fantastic bus to start with.

****, for $500 less I got a darn nice 92.

 

[Mermaid73]

Yeah I'm kinda thinking that as much as I LOVE the bus, maybe I'm not equipped to deal with the engine issues that would probably need to be dealt with. Thank you for responding, that is definitely a lot to think about

 

[EastCoastCB]

I like old stuff, but I too would RUN.

 

[Tall Grass]

****, for $500 less I got a darn nice 92.

As we said.