- Joined
- Feb 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
City:
Chicago
Price: $ Listed
Price: $ Listed
I know it's a Chevy. Sorry 
but I still love this thing. Story behind it was I was tired of towing our popup camper behind my '72 and the search for a short bus started over 10 years ago. I really wanted to find a '53-'56 Ford, but no luck finding anything solid, then along came this '56 Chevy with one of coolest body styles behind those 50s Fords. I made a deal with the party in Montana and hauled it back to Chicago. Time flew by, we enjoyed it some (not enough), and now the time has come to find a new party for it or take it to the next level (the prior would simply be easier right now).
I was going to put on BaT but they said only with "no reserve" so on Ebay it went. See the description below and the Ebay link for more details. Price is negotiable and I'd consider a smaller trade for my small city lot (Broncos / motorcycles welcome). It is a project and needs some love right now. Thanks for the interest.
Ebay Link
I have had my 1957 Chevrolet 4500 / Superior bus for over 10 years ago now. It is the most unique, special vehicle I have ever owned and always brings smiles. I simply donāt have the time to dedicate to it right now. It needs a new owner that can give it all the love it deserves.
The bus came to me out of Montana. It had been converted to a camper in the 60s to the best of my knowledge. It had several faded Canada National Park stickers from the late sixties into the seventies and it looked like it was well loved and travelled. It was set up with some smaller bunks for children and larger ones for the adults. It had a gas water heater, a large pressurized steel water tank, gas range/oven, LP gas heater, mini cooler, and an upright closet. The rear bumper was modified to fit a small moped or dirt bike along with the propane tank.
1957 was the first year that this bus came with a V8 as opposed to straight six. The original 283 was replaced at some point with a newer 350 which still runs great. It had an electric distributor, so it is probably late 70s or 80s 350. The original Muncie SM420 4 speed manual transmission remains. Shifts without issue.
The motor received a new Holley carb and Pertronix electronic distributor and 12V Flamethrower coil. I fixed the original radiator which had a small leak. For safety sake, I replaced all six tires on the truck shortly after I bought it, even though the ones from 60s were still all holding air.
The 4500 Chevys came with either 19" or 22" wheels. This one has the original 22ā 10 lug and are NOT split rim. The spare wheel and tire were left untouched. The spare is a 19" 10 lug split rim with an old tire.
I replaced some of the tie rod ends, but never got to the king pins, which would probably help steering play (I do have new ones).
On the inside, I took down the ceiling panels, removed the old batt insulation, and did spray insulation on the roof and sides and replaced the ceiling panels.
The interior was rearranged to have a fullsize bed and a bench that could also sleep a third adult. The rusty water tank was replaced with a new 33 gallon plastic water tank, 12 volt pump, new sink, and faucet that can double as an outdoor shower. Water is not heated. The range/oven was replaced with simply a gas cooktop (working order). The cooler was replaced with a used 110/gas fridge. It is used and works as good as a cooler last I tried it. The cooling is minimal on the older unit.
The gas heater from the original build still remains and still works.
The rooftop vent was replaced with a fan/vent (working - reversible and multiple speed).
The only art that was on the inside of the bus when I got it was a small sunshine above the kidās bunks. This still remains and my family and friends did all the new interior art.
The floor tiles are gettting bad and cracking. I have new replacements that are uninstalled.
It has two cracked windows.
Again, it hasnāt had much use in recents years with everything on my plate. In the beginning, I hit a few local shows and small trips.
I would do the northside of Chicago to Milwaukee and back which was always an adventure. It is an old, big vehicle. Iāve not done any cross country trips in it and anyone looking to do that should have a good bit of old car trips under their belt, or be ready to upgrade the vehicle into the 21st century. It still has 4 wheel drum brakes with single master cylinder. I am used to driving old cars, so I am comfortable with it on shorter trips and moderate speed.
The rear axle is a two speed unit with 8.72-6.40 gears. I tested the low range and vacuum unit when I got the truck originally (just to see if it still worked and it did). I've never needed that low gear since and it has always been in the high range since.
Truck is very solid for its age. I never intended on a full exterior paint as I like the patina.
Ebay ad has more pictures, but let me know if you'd like to see anything specific.
but I still love this thing. Story behind it was I was tired of towing our popup camper behind my '72 and the search for a short bus started over 10 years ago. I really wanted to find a '53-'56 Ford, but no luck finding anything solid, then along came this '56 Chevy with one of coolest body styles behind those 50s Fords. I made a deal with the party in Montana and hauled it back to Chicago. Time flew by, we enjoyed it some (not enough), and now the time has come to find a new party for it or take it to the next level (the prior would simply be easier right now).I was going to put on BaT but they said only with "no reserve" so on Ebay it went. See the description below and the Ebay link for more details. Price is negotiable and I'd consider a smaller trade for my small city lot (Broncos / motorcycles welcome). It is a project and needs some love right now. Thanks for the interest.
Ebay Link
I have had my 1957 Chevrolet 4500 / Superior bus for over 10 years ago now. It is the most unique, special vehicle I have ever owned and always brings smiles. I simply donāt have the time to dedicate to it right now. It needs a new owner that can give it all the love it deserves.
The bus came to me out of Montana. It had been converted to a camper in the 60s to the best of my knowledge. It had several faded Canada National Park stickers from the late sixties into the seventies and it looked like it was well loved and travelled. It was set up with some smaller bunks for children and larger ones for the adults. It had a gas water heater, a large pressurized steel water tank, gas range/oven, LP gas heater, mini cooler, and an upright closet. The rear bumper was modified to fit a small moped or dirt bike along with the propane tank.
1957 was the first year that this bus came with a V8 as opposed to straight six. The original 283 was replaced at some point with a newer 350 which still runs great. It had an electric distributor, so it is probably late 70s or 80s 350. The original Muncie SM420 4 speed manual transmission remains. Shifts without issue.
The motor received a new Holley carb and Pertronix electronic distributor and 12V Flamethrower coil. I fixed the original radiator which had a small leak. For safety sake, I replaced all six tires on the truck shortly after I bought it, even though the ones from 60s were still all holding air.
The 4500 Chevys came with either 19" or 22" wheels. This one has the original 22ā 10 lug and are NOT split rim. The spare wheel and tire were left untouched. The spare is a 19" 10 lug split rim with an old tire.
I replaced some of the tie rod ends, but never got to the king pins, which would probably help steering play (I do have new ones).
On the inside, I took down the ceiling panels, removed the old batt insulation, and did spray insulation on the roof and sides and replaced the ceiling panels.
The interior was rearranged to have a fullsize bed and a bench that could also sleep a third adult. The rusty water tank was replaced with a new 33 gallon plastic water tank, 12 volt pump, new sink, and faucet that can double as an outdoor shower. Water is not heated. The range/oven was replaced with simply a gas cooktop (working order). The cooler was replaced with a used 110/gas fridge. It is used and works as good as a cooler last I tried it. The cooling is minimal on the older unit.
The gas heater from the original build still remains and still works.
The rooftop vent was replaced with a fan/vent (working - reversible and multiple speed).
The only art that was on the inside of the bus when I got it was a small sunshine above the kidās bunks. This still remains and my family and friends did all the new interior art.
The floor tiles are gettting bad and cracking. I have new replacements that are uninstalled.
It has two cracked windows.
Again, it hasnāt had much use in recents years with everything on my plate. In the beginning, I hit a few local shows and small trips.
I would do the northside of Chicago to Milwaukee and back which was always an adventure. It is an old, big vehicle. Iāve not done any cross country trips in it and anyone looking to do that should have a good bit of old car trips under their belt, or be ready to upgrade the vehicle into the 21st century. It still has 4 wheel drum brakes with single master cylinder. I am used to driving old cars, so I am comfortable with it on shorter trips and moderate speed.
The rear axle is a two speed unit with 8.72-6.40 gears. I tested the low range and vacuum unit when I got the truck originally (just to see if it still worked and it did). I've never needed that low gear since and it has always been in the high range since.
Truck is very solid for its age. I never intended on a full exterior paint as I like the patina.
Ebay ad has more pictures, but let me know if you'd like to see anything specific.
