"After" Shots (Part 1)

I had been working on a blog post when I realized that although I had posted the "Before" Photos, I failed to post the "After" Photos.

Please excuse the poor quality cell phone shots, but they will do.

Here is my little virtual tour of our bus. I will start with the things that I neglected to include the first time around. Then I will continue with a "front to back" tour of how the bus looks now.

This was the "questionable" mural on the back. I was NOT a fan. The seller kept telling us that "The Wizard" did it. I wanted to tell him just where the Wizard should go.

This is my view driving behind the bus. We got an Auto Trim place to design and put a "wrap" over the mural. It will be very durable, but we can take it off. I LOVE this. Same B we used for our monogram for our wedding stationery.

Many people are perplexed on how to get into the bus, as it has an airtight lock. Well, see this cool, unassuming button? Yep. Push it!

This is what you see when you open the door of the bus. On the left are two fire extinguishers, on the rights is a "stair light" so you can see when you step up. Notice the original stainless steel guiderails on either side. And a glimpse of the driver's seat.

The view when you get to the top of the stairs, looking back at the door. I just love the original features of this bus!

This is a bird's eye view of the driver's seat. It feels weird to sit here, so many different buttons that I just want to push.

Some of the buttons. I wanted to get a shot of the original "PA system" that would've been used when the bus was a passenger coach.

This shows the backup camera and some of the stereo system components, Also the cb!

Some other cool features- the door handle (yes, it actually swings!). And the original fan that works like defrost.

This is the passenger seat. I have my own little cupholder (just to the left). If I put the armrest up, Carson can sit with me too. A perfect view through the huge windshield.

View from the front, all the way to the very back.

Some pillow covers and a throw from Ikea. This couch is super comfy.

Across from the couch, I have two ottomans for toys and to use as side tables. You can pull it over to the couch or the chair. Flip over the top and its perfect for a footrest while you are on the couch, or an extra seat at the end of the dinette.

These are some technical things and gages. I know the top left is the generator. I have no idea about the other ones.

Well, that is all for now- we are HALF done all of the photos of the bus. Next post will have kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Thanks for reading!

The "Before" Shots

So, a few of our friends have had a chance to see the bus....mostly after some of my cosmetic/decor changes.

But, I thought it might be fun to do a Before and After. Consider this BEFORE- even if only a few things have changed, pretend to be amazed, ok?

Here are some of the original photos we received from the last owner before we went to look at the bus.

Leather couch that pulls out to a queen sized bed. So comfy. BEFORE

You can see the top of the passenger seat here, and the awning outside the window. This is the tv in the "living room". Notice the awesome oak cabinets and storage above!

One of the selling features of the bus- the huge kitchen! Lots of counter space. Propane elements, oven, range hood. Large fridge and freezer. Microwave. The cupboard under the sink is a propane furnace.

Bathroom. Good and basic. Remember this is a BEFORE photo.

Small (length and height) bathtub with shower.

 

Dinette with matching leather-like? material. Folds down to single bed.

Here is a view from the front to the back.

The hardest part to take a photo of. On the back left is the original bathroom, which still has the mirror (see flash!) and a tiled bench. The other owners had a portable a/c and heating unit. It really isn't necessary as the bus has 2 a/c/heat units overhead plus registers along the baseboards. Queen sized bed. In the background you can see dome of the original bus seats made into a sitting area.

Another hard one to capture. This is the head of the bed. The window opens here. Two glass topped tables and lots of storage. The bed is on a hinge so there is tons of storage below.

I didn't really get a picture of the "hall" that has wardrobes for storage. I also need to take some closeups of the drivers area as there are lots of cool things there.

I am working on "after" photos. Its pretty much all cosmetic-- a trip to Ikea fixed most things. Plus, we wanted to make it more personalized to us (in a big way!- more on that later).

Hope you enjoyed the quick tour. Will post more photos of my "after" soon. I will include some photos of the driver and passenger seats, I promise.

Our Bus

So, as mentioned, we bought a bus.

We looked at a few online. We went and saw ONE. We bought it!

Now, this is not to say that we are impulsive buyers. I like to think that we just know what we want, and we act on it.

Our bus was located in Beeton, Ontario. After about 1.5 hour drive, we were in awe of the beauty of the bus sitting in the owners driveway. It was somewhat majestic, so to speak.

What I loved: The shiny stainless steel, the classy (read: not tacky) paint, the sheer size. I really, really love the colours. Call me 80s crazy, but I love me some maroon and grey.

Unfortunately, the owner wanted to keep the lovely schooner pictured in the last photo. (Thank goodness).

The bus is a 1976 MCI. It was purchased in 1990 from Can-Ar coach by K.J Beamish. I had no idea who this was. However, he was a very prominent business man who has interest in Royel Paving and Germag Construction, as well as many other companies.

He commissioned the total reconstruction of the bus. It was always maintained and he insisted on all quality finishes. It really has good bones.

I'm working on interior photos!