Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hello!

Hello!

Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago, I wouldn't
have given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want (I blame the
cockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through the hassle of
importing from the US, I expected to search for my Bird for a long
time. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor, Ontario.
The owner sent me the following specs:

1979 Blue Bird FC-35 Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208
diesel, 4-speed Allison automatic transmission, King cruise control,
Telma electromagnetic drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.
EXTERIOR: brown over cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,
street-side window awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 docking
lights per side. INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, cream
quilted vinyl ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, all
furniture re-upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:
twin fabric sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinets
adjacent to sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups for
antenna and cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marble
sink/vanity top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,
linoleum floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,
stainless steel double sink with separate drinking water spigot, food
center, Dometic 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator with
wood-grain door panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top and
oven, microwave oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioned
dinette booth. BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,
and drawers (curb side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &
rear), under-bed storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacy
door, 2 full-length closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coach
has most Blue Bird options – 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110V
electric heater in bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirect
lighting and miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,
central vacuum (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier under
kitchen sink, HWH leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, air
horns, new batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheel
covers and an entire coach cover.

Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth driving 18 hours
(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the current owner
prior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a quick learner,
I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd hate to buy a
perfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be living in this bus
full-time for a year and then possibly selling it. Does this sound
like a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg in repairs
during that time?

He sent some pictures, but they don't really tell me that much, other
than to confirm that the '70's was seriously lacking in decorating
taste. :-D

He's asking 29,500$. NADA puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which is
closer to reality?

Anyone know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)
whom I could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection on
this Bird?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Rae

Rae,

If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would probably prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would suggest going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any other site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better feel for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you do make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners of the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the bedroom)and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy with electrical, plumbing,hvacand general mechanics, it could be just right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach that age other than condition.

Good luck.

BradBarton00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: raven.polaris@...
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 03:13:35 +0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35

Hello!

Hello!

Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago, I wouldn't
have given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want (I blame the
cockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through the hassle of
importing from the US, I expected to search for my Bird for a long
time. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor, Ontario.
The owner sent me the following specs:

1979 Blue Bird FC-35 Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208
diesel, 4-speed Allison automatic transmission, King cruise control,
Telma electromagnetic drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.
EXTERIOR: brown over cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,
street-side window awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 docking
lights per side. INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, cream
quilted vinyl ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, all
furniture re-upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:
twin fabric sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinets
adjacent to sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups for
antenna and cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marble
sink/vanity top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,
linoleum floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,
stainless steel double sink with separate drinking water spigot, food
center, Dometic 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator with
wood-grain door panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top and
oven, microwave oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioned
dinette booth. BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,
and drawers (curb side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &
rear), under-bed storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacy
door, 2 full-length closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coach
has most Blue Bird options – 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110V
electric heater in bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirect
lighting and miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,
central vacuum (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier under
kitchen sink, HWH leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, air
horns, new batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheel
covers and an entire coach cover.

Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth driving 18 hours
(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the current owner
prior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a quick learner,
I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd hate to buy a
perfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be living in this bus
full-time for a year and then possibly selling it. Does this sound
like a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg in repairs
during that time?

He sent some pictures, but they don't really tell me that much, other
than to confirm that the '70's was seriously lacking in decorating
taste. :-D

He's asking 29,500$. NADA puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which is
closer to reality?

Anyone know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)
whom I could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection on
this Bird?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Rae

---

Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i’m Initiative from Microsoft.

There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The advantage of
FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what
simpler systems access.
In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than an
87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those who
are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work.
The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at.
MH


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...>
wrote:
>
> Rae,
> If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would probably
prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would suggest
going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any other
site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better feel
for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you do
make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside
(and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the
ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners of
the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the
bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy with
electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be just
right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach
that age other than condition.
> Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
>
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@...: raven.polaris@...: Sun, 1 Jun 2008
03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35
>
>
>
>
> Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days ago,
I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want
(I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through
the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my Bird
for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in Windsor,
Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC-35
Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison
automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic
drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown over
cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window
awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side.
INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl
ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re-
upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin fabric
sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinetsadjacent to
sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna and
cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured marblesink/vanity
top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum
floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless steel
double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter, Dometic
2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door
panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven, microwave
oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth.
BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers (curb
side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under-bed
storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full-length
closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue Bird
options – 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater in
bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and
miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central vacuum
(new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink, HWH
leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new
batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers and
an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be worth
driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the
current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and a
quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd
hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be
living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling it.
Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a leg
in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't
really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was
seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA
puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality?Anyone
know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)whom I
could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis Bird?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from
Microsoft.
> http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Def...ce=EML_WL_
MakeCount
>

I believe there are plenty of pre-'87 owners here who do not consider
themselves "uninformed". .

Rae-the old coaches can be great. I had an 82 FC before my current
coach and really enjoyed it.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michaelhohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The advantage
of
> FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what
> simpler systems access.
> In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than
an
> 87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those who
> are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work.
> The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at.
> MH
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Rae,
> > If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would
probably
> prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would
suggest
> going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any
other
> site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better
feel
> for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you
do
> make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust outside
> (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the
> ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper corners
of
> the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the
> bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy
with
> electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be just
> right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a coach
> that age other than condition.
> > Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@
> >
> >
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@: raven.polaris@: Sun, 1 Jun 2008
> 03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days
ago,
> I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I want
> (I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go through
> the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my
Bird
> for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in
Windsor,
> Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC-35
> Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison
> automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic
> drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown over
> cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window
> awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side.
> INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl
> ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re-
> upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin fabric
> sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage cabinetsadjacent
to
> sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna
and
> cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured
marblesink/vanity
> top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum
> floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless steel
> double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter,
Dometic
> 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door
> panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven,
microwave
> oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth.
> BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers
(curb
> side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under-
bed
> storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full-length
> closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue
Bird
> options – 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater in
> bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and
> miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central
vacuum
> (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink, HWH
> leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new
> batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers
and
> an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be
worth
> driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask the
> current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy and
a
> quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd
> hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be
> living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling
it.
> Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a
leg
> in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't
> really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was
> seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$. NADA
> puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality?
Anyone
> know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)whom
I
> could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis
Bird?
> Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from
> Microsoft.
> > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Def...ce=EML_WL_
> MakeCount
> >
>

It seems to me that at age 25 and older it is all about what has and hasn't
already been replaced.
This example had much of the heavy lifting restoration work done but was
still on the market a long time
and evidently sold for less than they are asking for the one you are looking
at.

http://tinyurl.com/59y6kr

Steve
Wannabee

Hay,uniformed, I resemble that!!!! If you want to talk about FC's
give me a call 717 532 5545. Don't know a lot but I do have a pretty
good grip on prices (I think) and I can tell you a little about what
to look out for.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC








>
> I believe there are plenty of pre-'87 owners here who do not
consider
> themselves "uninformed". .
>
> Rae-the old coaches can be great. I had an 82 FC before my current
> coach and really enjoyed it.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "michaelhohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> >
> > There is an abundance of inventory on the market. The
advantage
> of
> > FCs over the PTs are cheaper up front investment and some what
> > simpler systems access.
> > In this economic environment I don't recommend anything less than
> an
> > 87 or newer Wanderlodge. The older stuff is reserved for those
who
> > are uninformed or able to do ALL thier own work.
> > The book price is about right for the 79 you are looking at.
> > MH
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Rae,
> > > If you plan to do any driving through mountains, you would
> probably
> > prefer the 3208 Turbo with 250hp for going up hills. I would
> suggest
> > going to Vintage Birds, Bird Connection, Trader online and any
> other
> > site that would have multiple interior pictures to get a better
> feel
> > for the layout and features of coach before such a drive. If you
> do
> > make the drive, I would suggest you look carefully for rust
outside
> > (and under the coach) water leaks inside around windows and the
> > ceiling (sniff for a moldy or musty smell around the upper
corners
> of
> > the ceiling, below the windows, near the booth dinette and in the
> > bedroom) and have an oil analysis done. If you're pretty handy
> with
> > electrical, plumbing, hvac and general mechanics, it could be
just
> > right for you. As for price, there's no real guidance for a
coach
> > that age other than condition.
> > > Good luck. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@
> > >
> > >
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@: raven.polaris@: Sun, 1 Jun 2008
> > 03:13:35 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1979 FC-35
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello!Hello!Am I glad I was referred to you.... Until two days
> ago,
> > I wouldn'thave given a Bird a second look and now that's all I
want
> > (I blame thecockpit). Being in Canada and not wanting to go
through
> > the hassle ofimporting from the US, I expected to search for my
> Bird
> > for a longtime. Then, I found a 1979 Wanderlodge located in
> Windsor,
> > Ontario.The owner sent me the following specs:1979 Blue Bird FC-
35
> > Wanderlodge motorhome with 210 hp Cat 3208diesel, 4-speed Allison
> > automatic transmission, King cruise control,Telma electromagnetic
> > drive-line retarder, 12.5 kw diesel generator.EXTERIOR: brown
over
> > cream base, 20 ft. Zip Dee curb-side awning,street-side window
> > awnings for living room and bedroom, 2 dockinglights per side.
> > INTERIOR: dark wood-grain laminate cabinetry, creamquilted vinyl
> > ceiling and walls, light oak laminate flooring, allfurniture re-
> > upholstered, new curtains and mini-blinds. LIVING ROOM:twin
fabric
> > sleeper sofas, overhead storage cabinets, storage
cabinetsadjacent
> to
> > sofas, half high closet/pantry/TV stand with hook-ups forantenna
> and
> > cable TV. BATHROOM: private side bath with cultured
> marblesink/vanity
> > top, Thetford Aqua-Magic toilet, fibreglas shower stall,linoleum
> > floor. KITCHEN: laminate countertop and stove cover,stainless
steel
> > double sink with separate drinking water spigot, foodcenter,
> Dometic
> > 2-door 110V/propane automatic refrigerator withwood-grain door
> > panels, 110V ice maker, 4 burner propane cook-top andoven,
> microwave
> > oven, half-height slide-out can pantry, cushioneddinette booth.
> > BEDROOM: rear side bed (street-side), vanity, stool,and drawers
> (curb
> > side), carpeting, overhead storage cabinets (sides &rear), under-
> bed
> > storage drawer, TV connection, accordion privacydoor, 2 full-
length
> > closets, 1 half-length closet. GENERAL: this coachhas most Blue
> Bird
> > options – 3 roof A/C's, 3 propane furnaces, 110Velectric heater
in
> > bathroom, power vents in bath and kitchen, indirectlighting and
> > miniature spots throughout, 3 station intercom system,central
> vacuum
> > (new motor), double-cartridge water purifier underkitchen sink,
HWH
> > leveling jacks, roof storage pod, spot light, airhorns, new
> > batteries, new front tires, spare tire, plus 3 vinyl wheelcovers
> and
> > an entire coach cover.Does this sound like a Bird that would be
> worth
> > driving 18 hours(round trip) to see? What questions could I ask
the
> > current ownerprior to committing to a viewing? While I'm handy
and
> a
> > quick learner,I have no experience whatsoever with mechanics. I'd
> > hate to buy aperfectly good Bird and then ruin it. Also, I'd be
> > living in this busfull-time for a year and then possibly selling
> it.
> > Does this soundlike a Bird that is likely to cost me an arm and a
> leg
> > in repairsduring that time?He sent some pictures, but they don't
> > really tell me that much, otherthan to confirm that the '70's was
> > seriously lacking in decoratingtaste. :-D He's asking 29,500$.
NADA
> > puts the high-end value at 10,000$. Which iscloser to reality?
> Anyone
> > know someone in the Windsor area (including Detroit, Michigan)
whom
> I
> > could reasonably trust to perform a mechanical inspection onthis
> Bird?
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated!Cheers,Rae
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
_________________________________________________________________
> > > Make every e-mail and IM count. Join the i'm Initiative from
> > Microsoft.
> > > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Default.aspx?
source=EML_WL_
> > MakeCount
> > >
> >
>

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my query. All your
input has helped me decide that this bus wasn't right for me (or,
rather, that I'm not right for this bus). It looks like I won't be
going with Wanderlodge this time around, but I plan for it to be my
full-timing vehicle when I retire.

Cheers,

Rae