Post image for 1950 Chevrolet Bus – Desert Find

1950 Chevrolet Bus – Desert Find

February 5, 2013

I had the chance to make a second road trip through Argentina with my girlfriend late past year, just before Christmas. I have, again, tons of pics and I will share them with you soon enough. This bus was a real cool find. We were on the road, cruising through the patagonian desert – again – when suddenly, the landscape changes to become more green and friendly with farms and a little town in the middle of it. After crossing through the town, my girlfriend spots some “junky bus”. One good thing on a road trip is if that person coming along with you can spot cool stuff!

The pic above is what you could see from the road – deeply zoomed with my camera. At first I thought it was just some other bus – and it was in a private property. But then, from the distance, I noticed the front end and I thought: “I have to get closed to that!”. I was out of my mind! I was sure it had to be from the 50s! This is quite rare anywhere!

We stopped at the entrance of the property and I saw a lady hanging some laundry outside the house. I managed to catch her attention and asked her if I could walk in to check out that bus. She was kind of in a bad mood and told me to wait until she asks the owner – I guess she was just an employee on that farm. Anyhow, after a loooong time an old man walks out the house slowly, but friendly looking. We talked at the gate a bit and I asked him if that bus was what I thought it was. He said it is a 50 Chevy Bus and offered me to walk in and check it out.

It seems the bus had been owned by some German family around there for a while, who wanted to turn it into a motorhome (cool idea!). However, they never did that and instead, sold him the bus – a long time ago that is. As he said, he can’t really work on the bus now, but he claimed that the original V8 was still ready to run. He explained that the bus went though some body customization – the side windows were removed and replaced with wood frame that made it posible to open the complete side of the bus by flipping down all the side windows.

The guy asked me if I would be interested to buy the bus. I thought “hey, never say never!” and said “Sure, why not”. He wanted 12.000 USD for it (that’s right, twelve thousand dollars!) and just told him that we were too far appart. The bus isn’t in bad shape, but I personally wouldn’t pay anything near to 10.000

So we had a little chat, although he was kind of disappointed about me not buying it for 12.000 USD, and finally we left. Our road left the green spot and dessert went on. I was so amazed about that bus. It was surely the coolest find I ever made!

allen February 6, 2013 at 7:30 pm

You should of looked under the hood chevy didn’t make a v8 until 1955.

Iggy February 6, 2013 at 7:44 pm

You are right. They’ve obviously made several modifications there…

Bill February 9, 2013 at 9:57 pm

It would appear to me from the faded markings on the rear corner of the roof, and else wheres, that it probably had seen many happy times back in the 1960’s era of the” love and peace ” and make ” love-not-war ” type people who most likely inhabited that ” hippy-bus” . Oh yes, if walls could talk huh? Gotta love the patina ” paint job” on that bus. Bet you Mako doesn’t even have those colors…ha ha. Great stuff Guys…keep it coming!

Bill February 9, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Oh yeah…kind of looks like maybe 1955 Ford tail lights on the rear…?

Robert burke July 27, 2013 at 5:30 pm

Nice stuff you guys. As always it’ s nice to receive your e-mails…… Thanks again.

Seb July 30, 2013 at 4:23 pm

Hi Robert, you’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoy our mails! There will be many more coming!

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