Rare Bus Indeed

After getting this old bus home I began doing a little research. The odd thing was I continued coming up empty handed. The research kept turning up blanks. So I looked at all the Data Plates on the bus that I could find and I am going to continue putting the information down as I find it.

Some of the information I have found on this bus so far:

• Bus custom built by the Carpenter Bus Company on May 23, 1975.
• I have been told that this is the ONLY Double Decker Bus that the Carpenter Bus Manufactuers have built.
• Built on an International Harvester 1803 Chassis.
• The GVW is 22477 lbs. and the empty weight is 20860 lbs.
• This bus had a seating capacity of 76 people with 32 inside on the bottom level and 44 people on the upper open deck.
• The bus is powered by a 345 V-8 Gasoline Engine.
• The transmission is a Manual 5 speed.
• The tires are standard Split Rim (widowmakers) 9.00 x 21 with inner tubes and liners.

To date the things that I have done to this bus are as follow:

• Replace the Fuel Filter (Richard Mobil Auto Service - Cuba, Mo.)
• Replace the Fuel Pump (McLain's Automotive - Cuba, Mo.)
• Replace the Starter (T&S Fleet Services - Austin, Tx.)
• Removed all Interior and Exterior seating (Dan & Lori Hendricks - Owners in Austin, Tx.)
• Replace all Tires, Inner tubes, and liners. (Walker Tire Company - Austin, Tx.)
• Repair Brake lights and underdash wiring (A-1 Auto Electrics - Austin, Tx.)
• Reinstall a new Fuse Box Assembly (A-1 Auot Electrics - Austin, Tx.)
• Inspection (Martin's Imspections - Mancahca, Tx.)
• Registration and New Plates

I do know that there are a few major things that need to be done prior to painting and the most important at the point is the Wood Subflooring needs repair as there are a few very soft spots. I personally will be attempting this to see what needs replacing and what is okay.

After the subflooring has been replace I will remount the Sheet metal floor skin and take the bus to have the entire upper deck RHINO BLASTED with a minimum of 10mil Bedliner material. This will not only completely seal the upper deack and keep any moisture from seeping through but it will also make the floor slip resistant.

After Rhino blasting I will be taking the bus to have estimates for the bodywork and paint. There are a few places on this old bus that have rusted problems that will need immediate attention and will need to be cut out and replaced. We are planning on painting the bus FIRE ENGINE RED and trimming it in Gold.

More to come....