Sold1963 BMC Custom Bus
UPDATE: GONE, GONE, GONE!
Own a unique piece of British Motoring History!
Note: As featured on our News page on May 12, 2007, “A Big Bus, a Small World.”
This is one of the custom BMC Competition Department buses designed and built in the early 1960s and used by BMC as mobile classrooms, to carry parts inventory, and to provide race/rally support.
This bus is one of (a believed) six to nine built; two left-hand drive (LHD) units were built and both were sent to Canada in the early ’60s. (The other LHD bus was exported back to the UK a number of years ago, so that makes this one truly unique in North America).
A custom aluminum body built by Marshall’s Aerospace (Cambridge, UK) sits on a Leyland full-size bus chassis. A 6-cylinder, 360-cubic-inch Perkins diesel engine drives a 5-speed stick transmission and a 2-speed rear end. Fuel economy estimated 13-14 mpg.
During the week, this bus served as a mobile classroom to train BMC dealer mechanics – and, on weekends traveled to races and rallies to provide publicity for BMC, as well as to supply parts and technical support to those racing or rallying BMC products.
The red, white and blue exterior also features large Union Jacks on the roof and sides.
Upon retirement from BMC service, the interior was later converted to a motor home, with orange carpet, orange plaid upholstery, dark paneling and other features aimed at providing comfort.
A truly unique vehicle, it draws a crowd at any British Car Show – and gets a lot of attention while just driving down the road. It is not for everybody, but it is VERY COOL.
It is currently registered (Texas Antique) as a 1963 Morris van. Clear Texas title.
Seller reports he drove it non-stop from Toronto, Canada to Galveston, Texas (in 100+ temps) and had no problems during the 1,600-mile trip. On that trip, fuel economy averaged 14 mpg, (although odometer was inop).
Contact us for more details…
Located in Friendswood, Texas (about 25 miles SW of central Houston).
[ID# BMCBUS ] Asking price: $22,500 (a fraction of what a typical motor home would run you – but much more cool and attention-getting!)
UPDATE: GONE, GONE, GONE!
Vehicle Details: