Many people have less than fond memories of riding in a school bus: the early mornings, the rambunctious kids, the angry bus-driver, etc. This was not the case for this couple. They simplified their lives, and found a great deal with a 1993 diesel school bus on a Thomas chassis that had very few miles.
Keeping it Real in the Front
The original bus seat was reinstalled, and the controls were left as they were. This couple believed in simplicity and chose not to change anything that wasn’t necessary.
Behind the captain’s chair, the inverter/converter is housed out of sight in a beautiful cabinet. There’s even room for a few other electronics there, to keep the space tidy.
Original Interior
Like any school bus, when they bought it, it had two rows of seats with windows along both sides. The seats were, of course, removed.
The windows, however, they left open. They didn’t install any lights, preferring to use candles and a string of Christmas lights at night. That makes the natural light from the open windows fairly desirable. Plus, it allows them a panoramic view of the scenery.
Improved Interior,
After the seats were removed, they added paneling to the ceiling and walls. They painted them white to give the illusion of a larger space.
The two wheel wells were a design issue. They resolved this by building a window seat over one. The other sits under the microwave, next to the refrigerator.
The New Bathroom
When they are parked at campgrounds, they usually use the larger showers provided there. They did equip the bathroom with a real RV bathtub/shower for use otherwise.
They bought a porcelain RV toilet and a sink to finish the space. This is the only room that has real dividing walls, and the only one to have a window covered.
The New Bedroom
The bedroom consists of two beds and storage areas. There is plenty of room for clothes on the hanging rods, and there is space for bins to organize other personal items on top.
The emergency exit was intentionally left open. This satisfies safety issues, and allows them to open the door in the evening to socialize.
In conclusion
Although the renovation isn’t over–they have a few things they would like to change–the original project was completed in about three months. With a set of new tires, they were ready to go. You can view a video tour of their school bus motorhome here.
The following inspiring video demonstrates their free-spirited lifestyle, as well as their love for adventure. Please share this post with any friends or family members who enjoy adventure, who like DIY projects or makeovers, or embrace a hippy lifestyle. They’ll be sure to enjoy it.
What do you think?