1947 Flxible Clipper restoration
 

As well as putting some images of my restoration project on here, I have a Flickr account for those who might be interested in seeing a few more pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9513755...7635089781485/

The bus is a 1947 Flxible Clipper and was due to be crushed the week I found it on a local classified ads site called Tin can tourist. The Clipper had sat in 29Palms, a small town in the high desert hills of California for over 30 years.

It was converted to a motorhome probably 40 years ago but due to the fact that none of the appliances appear to have been used (they still had the plastic packaging on them) the bus is more likely to have stood for the same amount of time.

As of today, the bus is running perfectly and every part of the brakes, engine, suspension, fuel system, wiring etc. has either been rebuilt or replaced. The bodywork has been sandblasted back to bare metal (inside and out) and primed, ready for a full respray.

The interior is being completely stripped and rebuilt. When completed, the Clipper will be a 4 berth RV with LPG and 12v house battery set up as well as 240v mains hook up.

By that time I'll be bankrupt, homeless and divorced:)

I've also got a video of the bus with it's bodywork stripped and the engine running properly for the first time. As you can see, there was almost no rust on this old girl at all (thanks to it being stood in nearly 0% humidity for so long).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtS0-NwWwS4

Just realised that this post might be in the wrong part of the forum. If someone can let me know how to get it moved (if it needs to) I'll be very grateful.

No problem, now moved.
cheers,
Andy

Cheers Andy:)

What engine?

It's a Detroit Diesel 6V-53 Series. Not the original though. These Flxibles originally had V8 petrol engines but almost all were converted to diesel in the late '50's, early '60's.

DD 6V-53 would be appropriate considering GM's association with Flxible, though I wonder if the original was a Buick straight eight?.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flxible...General_Motors

I meant straight eight, sorry.:rolleyes:

Where is the bus located now?

I believe she's still Staeside at the refurbishers, not sure.

Hi Digger,

the Flxible is at HB Industries shop in El Cajon, California. I'm due an update so I'll post the pictures on here when I get them.

Trona and El Cajon may well be in the same State - but they are 250 miles apart!
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...h&mra=prev&z=7

I'm just trying to locate one close enough in Southern California to come and be in a parade. I've seen photos of Clipper motorhome conversions that claim lineage to the Trona Stage Line, but I haven't been able to find a location or contact.

I have two Flxibles for sale at the moment on my facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5742...4246669324800/

Both are located at HB Industries in Southern California. Contact Gerry at HB Industries and he might be able to tell you if they are available for a parade or he might know of others - [email protected]

Thanks. I just spoke with Gerry. One of the Flxibles I was trying to track down that was an original Trona Stage bus, was owned by Bob Rowsell, the late owner of HB industries. He said he would talk to the family to see if they were interested. He said he would also check with other Flxible owners to see if they might be interested.

Just got some updated images of my restoration. The main carcase work has now been complete and the bed frame for the rear bedroom is in.:)

Nice upholstery.

This is going to be very special.

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.

I've got three shows booked to take the Flxible to once it gets over to the UK:

RAF Burtonwood 13th, 14th September - http://www.rafburtonwoodbase.org/

Classic car show Event City 21st, 22nd September - http://www.eventcity.co.uk/whats-on/...ssic-car-show/

Pre '50's AAC Rally of Giants 27th July Blenheim Palace - http://www.pre50aac.com/rog.html

Although the 27th July might be a little too close so might not make it.

I'll post on here as soon as I have the bus over here and definite dates for attendance.

Please do. Neither Burtonwood nor EventCity are TOO far away from me.

PLEASE take piccies!!:)

Starting to look as I hoped it would all those months ago when I started this project:)

Nice colours.

All gone quiet.

http://www.truckandbusforum.com/show...4&postcount=20

Unfortunately i'm now fighting to save this project and my investment. Can't get a response from the restoration shop and it looks like the only thing left is to go over to the USA and try to get some answers. As I've put all of our life savings into it and taken out two huge loans, I don't think I will be able to afford a plane ticket any time soon.

We sold our family car last week just to make sure we don't default on the loans.

Not the best situation to be in but $h*t happens all the time I suppose so we've just got to get on with it.

Haven't felt like talking about the project much recently so that's why I haven't been on. If anything happens though, I'll update the forum ASAP:)

Oh dear - commiserations . . .

Thanks for responding.

Oh hell, let's hope it all works out well.

The bus is at a new restoration shop now having lost tens of thousands of pounds in a scam from the previous shop. Progress is slow as the new restoration shop is putting right all of the poor or missing work that I've already paid for. There are many missing bits as well which I'm struggling to source. As you can see, the bus is in a mess but we'll get there eventually.

What a shame that your restoration has been hijacked by a scam.

When I looked on the Facebook page, yesterday, I read about some problems with a firm being paid for (restoration/conversion) work that wasn't done.

Sorry to hear of your problems Bingo66, I hope something can be sorted soon and that you are able to maybe recoup some of your missing cash.

Thanks Coastie, unfortunately the money is long gone and trying to get it back will cost money up front with no guarantee of success.

We'll get there though, just taking a lot longer than first thought.

Fingers are crossed!!

Do they have a TV programme like "Watchdog" there in America? If they do, then maybe that original company should be named and shamed.