richard5933 Report post Posted October 22, 2017 Long time reader - first time posting... We just brought home our 'new' 1974 GMC 4108a conversion, and when going through the drawers we found something interesting enough that I thought it worth posting here. A little piece of FMCA history. Hope it brings back good memories. Richard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted October 22, 2017 That is an oldie but goody. By the way welcome to the forum. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 22, 2017 Richard.. Welcome to the Forum! WOW....1974 GMC, a great classic and about the best riding coach ever! Wish you had posted a photo of it. I had to miss the 1976 FMCA Rally, but I made 77 & 78! Was still working back then, most of my jobs where International, so a hit/miss for FMCA! Had a 1973 Landau 26 foot, gasser. I wanted a FMC or GMC...not the DW! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted October 22, 2017 He she is! Drove it home to Wisconsin from NJ this past week. Only 40K original miles. Interior is like 1974 all over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rsbilledwards Report post Posted October 22, 2017 Wow nice What is in store for it? What kind of power plant? 40 thousand miles I say great in spite of what might need to be done. I hope you are handy and needed a new hobby like the rest of us here. Yes welcome. It will be fun following this ride. Pleeaase keep us posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Richard, Welcome to the Forum. You have a good looking coach. The pillow you found is a nice symbol of FMCA. If you ever thought of getting rid of it I am sure the Motor Home Hall of Fame would love to have it. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Richard, beautiful coach! Please post some interior photos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Welcome to the world of bus conversions. It is a beautiful coach, if you plan to convert or upgrade if it is already converted, the Bus Converters Bible is one of the most usable books that you will find. Here is one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/141722835242 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 This is actually our second coach. We had a 1964 GM 4106 until recently. It was converted in 1990 (we think) by Custom Coach. This new coach is a 1974 GM 4108a, and it was converted in 1974 by Custom Coach. With only 40k miles, the whole thing is like a time capsule. Condition is great, but since the conversion was done 43 years ago we'll end up replacing most of the electric/electronic components to bring it up to modern standards. I'll post a few interior photos soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted October 24, 2017 On 10/22/2017 at 8:47 PM, Hermanmullins said: ... If you ever thought of getting rid of it I am sure the Motor Home Hall of Fame would love to have it. Herman There's a Motor Home Hall of Fame? Is that the same as the museum in Elkhart of something else? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted October 24, 2017 Richard, Yes, it is the, RV/MH Hall of Fame 21565 Executive Parkway Elkhart, IN 46514 574-293-2344 800-378-8694 Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted October 7, 2018 Well, the FMCA handmade pillow is now safely at the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart. We dropped it off last month as we passed through on our way to the east coast. Hope they can find a place for it in one of their display vehicles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 7, 2018 A nice converted Flexible perhaps?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted October 7, 2018 Looks more like a GMC Scenic Cruiser to me, but I am not an expert on classic buses or conversions. The Flexible is like the one on the FMCA logo plate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted October 7, 2018 It's a GMC 4108, often referred to as a Buffalo bus due to the hump in the roof. There were a few similar coach models made by GM with the humped roof (4107, 4903, 4905). These models had a few seats on the lower deck up front, and all the rest were up a couple of steps. Restroom was in the rear. Almost all of these buses which were in commercial service were bought by Trailways, with the rest going to smaller charter companies. By the time these buses were produced by GM, Greyhound already was working with MCI for their fleet needs. The Scenic Cruiser was an earlier bus, made from 1954-56 and in use through the 70s. They were made exclusively for Greyhound. The Scenic Cruiser had 10 seats on the lower deck. The rest room was located at the rear of the lower deck. The floor height on the Scenic Cruiser's lower deck was lower than the Buffalo buses, and the upper deck on the Scenic Cruiser had much taller windshields than the Buffalo buses since it was a few more steps above its lower deck. Our GMC came from the last run of the parlor coaches made by GM, which ended production in 1980. They made a few transit models after that, but no more parlor coaches. Our particular bus never saw commercial service, being sold to the owner of a charter bus company with the intention of being made his family's private motor home immediately. It was ordered from GM without seats or factory rest room, and was sent directly to Custom Coach for conversion. Flxible did make models that competed with the GM buses. They had a model to compete directly against the Scenic Cruiser and another against the Buffalo buses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted October 7, 2018 Appreciate the details of the classics. Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 8, 2018 Ross, the owner and President of Custom Coach, that built Richards bus, was inducted into the RV/MH hall of fame and is still very alive & is doing Prevost Conversions! He was featured in FMCA magazine, I think this year or late 2017! Interesting man & hope I live to be his age and still have a active mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
