Just bought 1989 WLWB "Short Bus"

[ICBM99]

Well I guess my search is over. Just picked up the "Short Bus" from Brent (aka Harrison on WOG). I don't really know the details of why the original sale fell through, and I don't really want to get into that. All I know is that we were planning on going to Arkansas to look at the WL that was on Ebay/Craigslist, here. And Powell Browns coach that is for sale down in Mathis, Texas (near Corpus Christi). We were going to take a long weekend go to Little Rock look at it, then rush down to Corpus Christi to look at Mr. Browns.

The day before we were to leave, the owner of the coach in Little Rock texted me and said the coach had sold. Bummer, but at least the would free up more time to go look at the one in Corpus. Also on this same trip we were going to go check out a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD that was for sale in Fort Worth, so we could still do both, but Fort Worth isn't really on the way to Corpus from where we live, but it could be done.

Friday morning we were just about to leave, and I was going to shut down the computer for the long weekend (been having thunderstorms), and wanted to take a quick look at the WOG. When I did there was a PM from Brent regarding the Short Bus, and that the sale had fallen through. My wife and I had talked about it before saying that that was one of the ones on the short list that we missed (because it had sold in July).

We adusted our plans again and made our way to Norman OK to stay the night (see additional commentary below regarding the Jeep in Ft Worth). The next morning we headed from Norman to Harrison AR, we brought the Vintage Birds buyers Checklist with us, and after a quick introduction, Brent left us to our inspection. After about an hour, we talked to Brent and asked if we could stay in it for the night, to help us get a better feel. He said sure, and Brent and I drove it down from his house to a RV park nearby, even though he had just brought it back up to his house after the original sale fell through. Got it all squared away, and stayed the night. The next morning it was raining pretty heavily, and we needed a little more time to decide. Brent said no problem. We took a drive to clear our heads and after several hours decided that it was the right coach for us. After getting the particulars worked out, we were on our way. I was driving the bus, and my wife was following in our truck. It was around 4:45 when we pulled out. We made it to Fort Smith AR just as it was getting dark. Stayed in a RV Park, and left the following "Morning" around 11:30. Made it to Norman OK around 4:30. Overall it was a good trip. I'm keeping the bus up there for a couple weeks, want to get it over to someone/shop that might check out the DD and Allison. I think United Engines in OKC might be able to do it. There are a couple issues that popped up during the trip, and I'll start new threads about them/do a search.

1)Right turn signal went out on second right turn. Hazards flash properly, but right turn hangs for a bit, then kind of blinks on the dash, but no action outside.

2)Had a brief scary moment, was driving along, and a buzzer came on and lost some engine power (of course on a narrow, winding, hilly, two lane road, with no where to turn off ), but could still drive. Check engine light was blinking on and off. Lasted for about 1 minute. Then stopped, everything went back to normal, and it didn't happen again.

Anyway this has gone on long enough. Here's a picture or two!!





============ Additional Commentary =========

Just an fyi, Autonation Ford in Fort Worth, recieves low marks from me. I called them when we were in Midland Tx, and told them we were interested in the Jeep, but were about 4.5 hours away, the salesman, said no problem he would put a "hold" on it until 6 PM, because there had been a lot of intrest in it, and wouldn't want it to be sold out from under us. He also casually asked if it was that particular vehicle we were interested in, or something else in that price range. Nope just the Jeep. Ok no problem we'll hold it until 6, cool. Well we get there at 5:10, look around the lot for the Jeep, don't see it. Go inside to the used car sales, and a salesman asks us if he could help us, I told him I was here to look at the Jeep that was put on hold. He tells us to hang out while he goes off and talks to some other salesmen. He comes back and says the Jeep was sold 2 hours ago. So much for the "HOLD" He also said they tried to contact me. I guess they didn't write down my Ph# properly. I'm a very easy going person, and as we stormed out of the dealer, my wife was smiling at me!! I said WHAT?!? She said its funny to see me truly mad.

[Rick]

Matt, Best of times with the Short Bus.

[markusfmeyer]

Welcome to the group!

[rwoody]

lucky man hope to come to alpine in about 60 days when i heal up some and its cooler@

[Boatman1197]

Congrats Matt and welcome to WOG.

[Dieselbird01]

Congratulations Matt & Jennifer, that's a good looking coach!

[max hendrix]

I stayed at the "Lost Alaskan" RV park last February. Wish I would have known you were looking, we would have had you over for a walk thru.
The RV park just west of the Gage Hotel is pretty good too. And Hallie Stillwells museum is worth going to. And they have RV spots there too.

Stop by here if you are back up in this part of the country.

Be careful if you try to cross the RR tracks in Marfa. I was west of downtown on a city street just exploring the town and We drug bottom and had nightmares about being stuck on the tracks with a train coming. But we made it.

We also spent the night at the "Marfa Lights" visitor center. Cool place. Lots of history and the star gazing is like nowhere else.

BTW. I have driven the River Road from Presidio to Lajitas in my bus and I highly advise you to avoid it. Great on a motorcycle but downright bad in my bus. I think we got down to 15 climbing the big hill. It's just so narrow and twisty it was SLOW.

Welcome to another Texan. Do you ride Dual Sports?? We go to Terlingua every February to ride in the desert and the National Park

Max.

[JayM]

Originally Posted by max hendrix

I stayed at the "Lost Alaskan" RV park last February. Wish I would have known you were looking, we would have had you over for a walk thru.
The RV park just west of the Gage Hotel is pretty good too. And Hallie Stillwells museum is worth going to. And they have RV spots there too.

Max,
My wife's nephew and family are living at Lost Alaskan and helping around the campground, working the front desk and doing chores. Been there a couple of years. They really like the area and have bought property in the area. One day we'll get out there to visit!

[ICBM99]

Thanks everybody!
Woody if you come this way hit us up, would be great to meet you!

When we were looking at stick and staple RV's we would cruise through the Lost Alaskan and talk to owners of models we were interested in.

I used to go down to Terlingua for work quite a bit, but now its usually only once a year or so. A few years ago I went down for some drag racing they were doing at the Lajitas Airport as part of the Shelby "Bullrun". I eaves dropped a conversation that someone was having with Carol Shelby, he was a cool guy.

Don't ride bikes any more (not that I really did), I had a suzuki dirt bike, and my Father in law has a old Triumph dirt track bike that I would mess around on. I was a quad/snowmachine guy.

I wish it was here with me, I'm so anxious to get started on the "projects", hopefully in a couple weeks.

Max, yeah would have taken you up on that offer. At that time we were looking at yearly 2000's SOB class a pushers with slides and such. But after checking some out decided in early summer to start looking at WL's again.

Once I get her home, I'll start a more comprehensive list of things that need to be done.

Thinking about Pine Mountain, but I don't think we can swing it this year.

Thanks again everybody.

[garynmike]

Congrats!