Grace, The Enchanted Bus, sanctuary for the spirit and home for the soul has been completely renovated and is ready for sale in Santa Cruz, California.
The bus is a 1956 five window International Harvester bus made into a two story home with a back porch.
She has much to offer, being a proven practical, efficient, and simple lifestyle. Mortgage free.
Live with nature… if fire comes, etc, she is reliably ready to roll.
With a brand new paint job, she is looking amazing. Inside, the craftsmanship is exquisite. The bus has oiled clear fir tongue and groove from the 1940’s called Thriftite. There is redwood trim, and the floors are oak. There are functional antiques throughout including kitchenware for a fully equipped kitchen. Antique Wedgewood cookstove with oven. There is an oak fold-up table for four. Much storage throughout. The bus has a twelve drawer chest that is removable and stackable to form a tool chest/ bench for on sight job.Very efficient Wood or gas heating and cooking. The skylight affords excellent temperature and air flow control. The bus is well insulated. Climb up to a queen bed loft with a full opening window, or climb up into the forward living room loft. Can sleep four comfortably with one more in the window seat below.
For a refrigerator, an outside unit will be needed. The bus has an antique oak ice box that can be electrified.
Lighting is 12v solar or 110v wall outlet.
Toilet not included. An odorless outhouse composter works very well.
Stagecoach antique bath tub can be used inside, on back porch or ground. Fun
Bus holds 55 gallons of water and no holding tanks to empty.
The back porch has ten ft. ceilings which can be enclosed with lattice and real tarpaulin ( included) for more private dining and bathing. A table pulls out above the galvanized wood storage bin. The porch floor can also be utilized as a workbench when standing on the ground with its antique vice and water spigot for cooling a weld or rinsing hands and feet. Also, the stained glass dutch door with it’s wide shelf nicely connects kitchen to porch table and is great for ventilation with privacy.
Mechanics:
The bus is in perfect running order. An original BD 264 rebuilt gasoline tractor engine with only 4000 miles since rebuilt. wow!
Top speed 50 mph max @ 2800 RPM
Handles beautifully: not top heavy.
The bus operates within its load limit of 17,000 lbs.
Height: 12.6 ft
New or Rebuilt:
Voltage regulator, carburetor, starter, generator, deep cycle battery, clutch and throw-out bearing.
5 speed transmission with granny 1st gear.
Original emergency brake (weak like they all were back then)
U joints. New brake lines. turned drums and new brake linings. Vacuum boost.
All 5 brake cylinders, The differential. Re-arced springs. All new wheel bearings. Synthetic lubricants throughout.
All new LED tail lights.
All new fuel system including 30 gallon tank( empty and never used). Gets 5 mpg.
Spare Parts Included:
Both rear axels, drive lines, same engine dismantled, radiator, generator, starter, gaskets, steering box and column, entire front end and all springs. Bus includes detailed vintage manuals and all receipts.
Price:
This is a one of a kind treasure, an art piece and a home. I and other professionals have worked on restoring it for the last four years to be able to pass it along to the right persons. I feel the bus is worth $150,000 as functional one of a kind art. Two persons plus materials working on it four years came to $60,000. I have realized that it is of more value to me, to see Grace going to the right folks. The people that are in great need and young people that are typically short on cash. It is for that reason I am pricing her at cost of my last four years efforts and materials. The price is $60,000. If you want the bus, please email me.
Grace could use a roof over her head to protect from sun and rain. The roof and upper sides are galvanized sheet metal.With regular care and maintenance, she will love you back with her beautiful character. This bus is endless fun, magnetic, seductive, sexy, sexy, especially standing in the skylight.
In closing, my vision for the new owner is a marvelous tiny home that could be set up anywhere and can dependably start up and drive away if fire etc. It also does very well in an earthquake because its spring mounted. I feel it is a perfect moveable home for these times. If have questions or are interested, let’s talk. Please contact me, Leaf, using the form on the ‘Contact’ page.
Transporting:
Although the bus runs very well, I strongly suggest, unless you live locally in the Santa Cruz area, that you have it trailered to your destination. This will be at your expense. I have had good experiences with a local transporting company that is well suited for this job. I have made arrangements to this end.