1965 Blue Bird Wanderlodge

Blue Bird began building a dedicated motorhome in 1963. In 1965 just five were built. We bought this Wanderlodge in September of 2021, and spent six months full-timing in it from Ohio, to Florida, to Arizona. We are full-time boat liveaboards, but thought maybe we'd spend the next couple of hurricane seasons in the bus traveling around the U.S. And Mexico. I did a lot of work on it, and planned to finish it up next season. Instead, we've changed course, and decided to just remain on the boat and cruise a bit further. Since we won't be back to the States for the next four or five years, and we don't have a free place to store the motorhome, we're going to sell it instead.

Immediately after buying this I replaced the tires. That's a $3,500 expense that won't come up again for many years. I replaced all of the plumbing with Pex. We resealed and replaced all of the side windows with new glass (windshield windows are clean and crack-free). We tore out the walls (from the back of the bus up to the door), laid in new insulation, and rebuilt. I installed 400 watts of flexible solar panels on the roof, wired them to a new 300ah Lithium battery, installed a 3000-watt inverter/charger, and ran all new 12-volt wiring throughout the bus for lights and fans. The inverter handles all of the AC power needs you could have. We completely rebuilt the kitchen with a beautiful deep sink, new fixtures, a butcher block countertop and backsplash, and induction stovetop. The only thing we didn't replace is the refrigerator which runs on AC power or gas. It's clean and works perfectly.

Bathroom walls are all new. Shower plumbing and fixtures new, and working good. Brand new toilet and seal.

The Ford 391 engine pulls the bus easily, and it will cruise comfortably at 70mph. I replaced the carburetor with a new Edelbrock, replaced all the plug wires, replaced the water pump and belts, ran all new fuel lines and filters, installed a new inline fuel pump, and put in a new starter motor.

Brakes work perfectly. Tire guys said they should have plenty of life left in them.

Previous owner started the generator for me (cold start) when I bought it, but I have never used it and it hasn't been started since.

So what's left? Projects I planned to finish next year were woodwork trim, walls from the door forward to the cab, and replace the exhaust. In other words, no pressing issues necessary to get going today.

Bus is ready to roll. Like I said, we lived and traveled full time in it for six months, traveling thousands of miles, and when we put it in storage we'd planned to return six months later for another season in the southwest. Plans have just changed.