Motorhome Conversion: 1949 Flxible Clipper Bus
At one time, The Flxible Company was one of the largest transit-bus manufacturers in the U.S. And one of their mainstay products was the Clipper intercity coach, which was built between 1937-50 (with a brief hiatus during World War II). This 1949 Clipper was a six-window vista roof transport before being converted into a motorhome nearly 40 years ago. While it runs, it will need a lot of work to be roadworthy again. Located in Kerrville, Texas, this once-proud highway cruiser is available here on craigslist for $16,500. Another cool tip from T.J.!
The Flxible Clipper was noted for its “smiley face” front-end styling with dual headlamps, curved panoramic windshields, and a flat dashboard. The Clippers were apparently differed in lengths up to 34 feet (the seller’s is said to be 30 feet long) and had between five and seven windows on each side that were themselves 36 inches wide. The post-war versions saw a production of 2,050 units from 1946-50 of which the seller’s bus is said to be one of them.
We’re told that this ’49 carryall was a six-window model before it was transformed into a motorhome in the 1980s. The seller has documentation that covers both the conversion and subsequent repairs before the bus was taken off the road in 1999. The conversion provided for all the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, bathroom, and multiple seating/sleeping configurations. Also, there is enough storage space to keep you on the road for an indefinite period of time.
The bus is powered by a 471 Detroit Diesel engine that runs and the bus is said to move, but that’s about it. It will require more repairs or a complete restoration if you really want to have fun with it. You could see the USA in it yourself or turn it into a cool Airbnb type of rental. Considering that most motorhomes will set you back at least six figures, perhaps this one could prove to be a decent investment.
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Comments
I get to be first to say it could be in the movie R.V. Ha, But that one looked a lot better than this one. Can you imagine the amount of loot that would be required to make this road worthy again? Perhaps you might want to make it into a roadside food bus. I think it’s probably worth more as scrap metal than anything.
God Bless America
The 1st picture looks like the fuel stop of the darned, it stopped to get fuel and passengers, and never moved again( cue Toilet Zone) These style buses predate me, as a kid, I never remember taking a bus anywhere, but at one time, a HUGE part of the American scene. The train was for long distance travel, airplanes for movie stars, but the bus stopped at every burg from side to side, top to bottom of this great country, and nothing typifies that time period better than these buses.
I love the conversion, however, the 1st thing to go, would be the Detroit “fuel converter” motor( converts diesel fuel into noise) and any number of more efficient motors would be better. I like the statement, “it runs and moves”,,,yep, it’s a Detroit alright. Very cool rig.
Great style,eye catching design. Love the motor home conversion, looks very well done. Takes me back to a much better time!
I have driven coach and these were really not much fun. To make it a better motor home would definitely take more cha-ching than it would be worth. There are plenty of these in better shape to convert but, it is intriguing!
Iconic styling, good layout, not too dated, but man, that’s a LOT of work and $$$.
This be another piece in the puzzle for my static bus cottage. The Flexible plus the recent gm scenic cruiser with a small terminal/platform to connect them…cottage!
Sorry but that price is not even in a negotiating range. Guessing about 5k to 6k too much. The combined price of purchase and a complete restoration would be north of 65k. In all honesty I don’t think it would be road safe for a family for under the price of a good modern used one.
Hi Ross, I agree, except the cost to buy this SHOULD be $5-$6 grand. It’s a project of epic proportions. Electrical, water system, soggy floors, will all have to be replaced, and prices of that stuff goes up hourly,, a sheet of plywood now costs $45 bucks,,no wait, $46,,$47,,,you get the idea.
As far as safety, these transported literally millions of passengers with an impeccable safety record, but must be updated with modern power, brakes, wheels, and THAT won’t come cheap either. So the bottom line, if this could be bought cheap, REALLY cheap, be a fun, yet intensive project, most of the hard part is done. Otherwise this thing will sit and deteriorate further.
I used to be really into conversions, so I’m going from what I learned long ago. I believe these originally came with a Buick straight 8 gas engine. The story I remember is that one of the first people to convert one of these was a mechanic who also had a sizable wrecking yard. I don’t remember how or why he ended up with one. This was in the middle 1950s. He swapped out the Buick engine for a Cadillac V8 and the automatic transmission. He also transplanted the power steering from the Cadillac. These mods greatly helped the drivability, so he then converted the inside into a camper. If anyone has the original story, possibly from Bus Conversions Magazine, I’d love to know all of it. I’m sure I got some of it wrong. Nicer conversions of these old Flxibles still show up from time to time, and are a much better value than this one.
If this one was priced at about $4k, someone could strip it, transplant the running gear from a rear engine school bus (these can be picked up for about $6k) then build up a nice conversion.
I have been to the Flxible annual meeting of owners near the factory in Loudenvill, Ohio. Lots of these have been converted over many years. One had a giant Westinghouse generator and was built long ago to demonstrate electric baseboard heating. Many different power trains. They had a parade, and since the route was short, they made several laps.
My neighbors would just “Love it” if I came home with this! The interior is much better than I thought it would be, but I think I’ll stick with my like new 1999 Carriage Cameo 5th wheel camper!
While the interior still looks nice and functional it’s the outside and the running gear that will eat up a sizeable chunk of change. The $16,500 price is a bit high for something that will need total rebuilding / replacement of all the road gear, the comment about getting a retired pusher school bus would give you everything, just would need to adapt that to the old frame
I just bought one for less and drove it 1300 miles home. Slept comfortably. The front corner on this one looks like pure bondo. A shame because this one is an hour away. Still a rare and awesome looking project. I would have paid them 10k if it was road ready. The towing method is too expensive.
Wonder if the sightseeing top windows are still with it? I doubt it. There weren’t all that many of these built with the sightseeing windows. Most likely wasn’t what they call a line hall bus with the optional windows. From what I remember reading, they would haul buggy, but stopping them could be a real challenge. Whether this coach or another newer one, you need really deep pockets. A new conversion by say Prevost or MCI, can easily cost a million or more, depending on how it is ordered. It would be interesting to know some of this coaches history.
I don’t think this can attract the younger crowd
And
I don’t think the old crowd has enough time left in life to tackle this !
An rv’er wants to go camping and will need years before this can get going
And this asking price is out of sight …
Yolo
I used to ride one of these (Pioneer Coaches) to school here in Australia in the ‘50s. I can still here the distinctive (loud) noise they made. Great memories.
This baby would look super cool in someone else’s driveway not in my neighborhood.