What It's Like To Drive A Flxible Starliner - Driving A Vintage Bus
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Yes, this is a long video and some will say I talk too much! But, a bus like this deserves the proper attention to detail. If you're into to vintage vehicles, you may enjoy this video. If not, then surely you'll complain in the comments!
It's important to note that owing a vehicle of this type is more than about the ride...it's about the driving experience and the people met and the memories gathered along the way.
This video utilizes multiple camera angles to show you what it's like to drive a 1957 Flxible Starliner in a variety of road conditions. It also demonstrates the torsion bar suspension and shows how the quality of this 60 year old bus rivals new RV's.
An interior walk through of this bus can be viewed at: • 1957 Flxible Starliner...
Here's a link to the story of this bus being awarded the People's Choice Award at the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance: www.gadgetguru...
The headset microphone used in this video can be found here: amzn.to/2oqo4iL
The wireless microphone system can be found here: amzn.to/2GJd9XT
To be notified of new posts, Subscribe to my RUclips channel and like www.Facebook.com/TheGadgetGuru
The brochure of this bus can be found at: www.gadgetguru...
As a truck driver for over 30 years, man i would like to drive the Flexble. What a beautiful piece of machinery and work of art. I love historic vehicles. Thanks Andy
BEAUTIFUL!!! Absolutely love this video.
Beautiful vintage coach!
Almost anybody can own a motor home/coach, but being able to own and drive a Flxible, especially one as cherry as that, is a privilege. She's absolutely gorgeous!! I'd happily drive that and never even THINK about another motor home/coach.
Like the old bus. Used to see those going to the Grand Canyon when I was a kid. When I was a bus driver we had those noisy turn signals too. I found the wire and cut it.
Proudly made right here in Loudonville Ohio!!
I wish i had a friend or a bother or relative like this wonderful man ,God bless him and GOD give him many more years to enjoy that bus
Hi Andy, loved the video and I love the bus. Great job. I been a professional truck driver for over 30 years. New trucks of today are amazingly easy to operate now a days. Some trucks and buses back then also used air-assist. But to get to my point. The proper way of turning steering wheel left or right is: Turning left you can start by putting both hands at the top of the wheel, pull down with your left hand to the bottom of the while at the same time positioning your right hand down to the bottom, grip firmly and push up to the top while again positioning your left hand at the top at the same time. Your right hand is controlling the right side of the wheel and your left hand is operating the left side of the wheel. You should never turn a wheel hand over hand or under hand the wheel. One other tip, when turning the wheel while stationary, try tapping the throttle causing the vehicle to rock back and forth making the steering wheel much easier to turn. These are some of the basics truck driving schools teached back in the manual steering days. Hope I have been some help to you.
Thanks Enco!
Gorgeous Vehicle.
Well done with the cell-phone education!
This wonderful young man has made my day!
Sparkling enthusiasm!
Never been here before but the handsome Flxible is something I had to watch. What a joy...not only the bus but the commentary. Kudos! Stay Safe.
Thanks Roger!
Your Flxible is the most elegant vintage bus I've ever seen. From the body shape, to the colour scheme, to the interior, it's absolutely perfect. Regards from Wales UK.
Congrats for that bus, it is an awesome motorhome now in its new life. Thanks for preserving its legacy for young people. Saludos from Chile.
Why do i like this video about a bus I don't know but I like this bus
It is a video about a bus. You like the bus but don't know why you like the video?? Ok.
Love your bus and your video, and your level of tolerance, for that buzzer is simply incomprehensible Cheers.
My dad drove these from the beginning of WW2 to 1980.I worked the maintenance dept for a few yrs.I really knew how to build them
absolutely beautiful, thank you for taking care of this piece of living history
Amazing motor home. I would love to have one just like that. Love vintage design. And looks to be a smooth ride. Nothing to envy to modern era. Lovely!
I love this bus. Those yellow lights in the front make it look so much nicer and modern.
Thanks for taking us along.. super job Andy
If I'm not mistaking this is the same flxible Starliner I seen at Phoenix conversions in Knoxville Tennessee. If it is indeed the same exact one, it is a beautiful work of art that can only be appreciated When You See It Up close. Truly magnificent machine with beautiful craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing!
Your blinker should be in a Mel Brooks movie!
Awesome! Appreciate all the attention you gave to smaller details that a "dealership" would have skipped right over!
These were always beautiful buses. Back in 1962-63 we had 2 basketball teams ride on them to different counties. They were always the choice ride. They were the Cadillac beautiful comfortable and lots of room. Great Bus
Excellent Quality of Video, very much enjoyable. Congratulations on driving this beautiful piece of History.
Such a beautiful coach! Thanks for taking us on a ride, I was smiling all through your video! Great job on the video and smooth ride! :)
Gorgeous bus...Love to tour the country in one of those!
That's a great looking bus and it looks like the right guy got it. The lack of power steering is not an issue on the highway and in suburban locations but cities are tough. We plan on adding an integral PS box to our 47 Clipper.
love the audio setup, the Flxible Starliner is amazing.
beautiful piece of history that reminds me of old florida and wow how disney has changed since i was a kid in the 70,s love your bus and all its uniqeness
I was born in 56 and hubby in 57, we love all things vintage. This would be my dream bus for retirement in 3 years ❤️❤️❤️. Thank you so much for this great video!
Thanks April!
The turn signal noise is obviously because you're low on blinker fluid!
Is that the Same Viscosity as the Fluid used in the "Headlights" too?
That was too funny, that blinker noise would drive me nut's, it's worst than the ones in the Volvo Trucks.
80th like ;)
1957. I was in 6th grade and you, whatever grade you were in, still had hair. I grew up an hour from Loudonville and I certainly remember those busses. Still think they are beautiful.
Beautiful coach. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful bus,great stories,I like that signal blinker you don’t look like a nut driving down the road with your signal on for miles.
it looks like it rides real smooth
Its so beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous!
My father converted a 1948 Flxible in the 60s. He was also a principal in FMCA and was #7. I see and have seen hundreds of motor homes over the years. None are as pretty as the Flxible. Most of the shortcomings have been upgraded out on this featured bus. The old ones were 4 speed double clutch with a Buick 322 ci car engine as stock. They were very busy and underpowered as stock. This one is gorgeous.
I enjoyed the video a bus company in New Haven CT used the flix buses I rode on them I miss them use to ride them to playland rye ny beautiful bus thank you for sharring
Just the BEST
Thanks for the ride!!!
Great video Andy, thanks for sharing.
Super video ! Such a interesting vehicle Andy.
Thanks for sharing.
PS you should have someone install a chime instead of a buzzer for the turn signals,,, the same chime used when you leave the key in the ignition.
It a love hate relationship with the blinker.... LOL!
Always a pleasure
If I ever win the lottery I'll call you I'm in love with this bus nice video
Wow! What a great video. Thanks for posting. I cut my teeth on coaches like this one in Chicago. I drove for Continental Air Transport which had a large Flxible fleet. The model I drove was an early 60's Visi-Coach with a 471 Detroit and a 5 speed manual. Continental had a handful of Starliners, but unfortunately they were only pictures on the wall by the time I arrived. You mention the "Jack Armstrong" steering which is a Ross Cam & Lever set-up. Positively the best! Thanks for the memories and Happy Trails. I look forward to viewing your videos.
On non-power steering vehicles I've driven, not having someone tell me 'armstrong', I pictured climbing a rope as I pulled down on the side of the steering wheel on the side toward which I wanted to turn. It helped.
That is the coolest!
It's funny you mentioned arm strong. I farmed for over 30 years and most of the trucks and tractors I had were of what you would call the vintage era. Whenever anyone asked what type of steering a truck or tractor had I would always tell them it had "Arm Strong power steering."
What a beautifull bus/RV. I think if you put power steering on you could reduce the number of turns to the wheel it takes to turn it and maybe even put a smaller wheel on it. Also you might try putting a resistor on that buzzer. It might quieten it down a bit.
Do you have full control of the gear box to get into lower gears for mountain driving. Diesels will heat up bad pulling up long grades if you can't keep it in lower gear. I learned that the hard way with a Peugeot turbodiesel car with a 3 speed automatic.
Great content. Great job as usual!
Those people who say that you talk to much have astute powers of observation.
That thing is beautiful
Very interesting and well produced.
Andy, what a great machine! When you decide to make the mods, 1. Power steering and 2. Get rid of that annoying buzzer. Just my 10 cents.
Excellent video as always...keep up the vidéos.
There's 1 of these red, white, and chrome that's sitting in a driveway in Florence, Kentucky. It's been there at least 25 years I know of. I've never seen it move one time. 🙁
Where at in Florence? I live in eastgate.
I love vintage 😊
Andy I think you mentioned real quickly how having slides add to coach noise? I always questioned the integrity of the Shell when you add slides. What is your further opinion. Thx!
My opinion is that Class A RV's have the tendency to squeak and creak. Bus chassis conversions, such as those found on Prevost motorhomes, are built differently and it's not common for them to squeak as they are built as part of the chassis. I'll let RV and Prevost owners chime-in to add their opinions.
i thought the buzzer was an intermittent air leak at first
your ride sir is first rate! there is no more true 'styling with taste' examples of motorcoaches....or cars for the most part....in existence today. thanks for the view of this that otherwise i would not have had.
=dok=
You Sir Are a HOOT!!
That's a cool ride. Maybe one day we might be rolling in style!
Awsome
Manufactured in Loudinville Ohio.
Many people that worked in the plant are still in town.
This was for many years the workhorse of Acadian Lines in Nova Scotia Canada. This bus (Flxible) traveled through the point on the map half way between the Equator & The North Pole. The community is Stewiacke NS. After the pandemic you are all invited to come visit us and see our lovely cities & towns. For now stay safe.
Nice video, I'm a operator with greyhound I have close to 30 years of service and 30 years accident free. I have driven the following buses. All models of MCI 8,9, 96A, 102, 102D, 102DL3, G4500, D 4505, AND THE 12.
ALL EAGLE BUSES. VANHOOL AND THE PREVOST.
My opion is the best Eagle 15 102inches wide torsion bar suspension great riding and driving bus. I have logged 2.8 million miles and still love driving buses
That's quite an accomplishment. Happy Trails and Safe Travels, Thomas.
Audio quality is great
Good video ! Ive always loved old bus conversions and yours is one of the nicer ones out there BTW the audio sounds great to me the only thing i could think of constructively on that note is that it is pretty sensitive to picking up any other noises and sounds around you like the engine and road noise not that it is a problem on this video as your narration and story telling is just fine over all the other background noises
An unbelievable example of American Automotive Art. It's the cheapest form of advertising you could own. You'd be crazy to ever sell it. It can't cost you that much to keep it....storage maybe?
Beautiful looking bus
Great videos! Wondering when we are getting the tour video of your Marathon?
Andy what a wounderfull video and you have such a wounderfull voice., could listen to you all day.
very nice gentlemen and thx for sharing
🇨🇦 Hi 👋 Andy Very nice video of your Class of 1957 Fixable..In 1957 Fokes traveling Dressed up for the trip..Riding on a Highway coach was in a relaxed style 😎 The Artdeco Bus 🚌 (Parlor cars)was fun enjoyment ride..The Armstrong Steering & man' Transmission 😬 keeping the Driver working the busdriver not just Steering wheel holder..I miss the work out of the older buses 😮💨 Set a up turn before Plan the turn (L&R) keeping you bus moving The weight of the bus will push you though the turn 🔄 I have a 1972 Chevrolet C class RV at the the gas pump People ask the year ?? How old is the unit I had Fokes tell me thing about my RV 😮 I didn't Know..GodBless You on the road ahead 🙏🚎((((
beautiful vehicle
In my head I have it that the original motor was a 2 cycle smog monster. You said you have tons of power. Did you have it changed to a 4 cycle eco- friendly motor?
You wouldn't pass your driver test in Minnesota with a sloppy right turn like that first one. Great mic setup. Sounds like the original Buick engine. Great presentation.
Keep the buzzer, we like it. You should be call " the gadget guru buzz. Ah! Ah!
Did i see that right- We got these Flxible buses in Australia? Beautiful bus
Yep, made under licence by Ansair (a division of Ansett Airways) exclusively for Ansett Roadways, the ones we had were a hybrid of the earlier Clipper and Visicoach models rather than the Starliner.
So when you are driving this silver metal clip to the left in front of you is that what they used to hold maps on?
If you're referencing what looks like a silver map holder mounted next to the windshield, well, that's an air deflector to blow warm or ventilated air towards the windshield to reduce fogging.
@@TheGadgetGuru O I see looked like a convenient map holder for me. But then thinking about it not a good idea to have something to read while driving (:
What a beautiful bus :)
Look at that beauty!...
If you ever drive this coach through South Carolina I would love to meet up and see it in person.
Great video
I am in France & a friend of mine has the exact same flxble , and when not traveling..he rents it as a bed and breakfast in the south of France...
You mentioned that there is an exact same Flxible in France. I haven't heard of a raised roof Starliner being in France. Any chance of pics of the French Flxible and serial No.
Larry Blomberg you are right...indeed it is not a raised roof. Pic can be seen in "hebergements insolites Var"
www.varmatin.com/vie-locale/decouvrez-ces-8-hebergements-insolites-dans-le-var-57734
Very nice coach.. Greetings for Loudonville, Ohio.. Where the bus was built 😉
Great video! Love the bus wish i could buy it from you, working on it :P
I'd much rather drive the Flxible than any class A built, especially the modern ones. It's funny that you mention your prolonged fuel stops. I get the same reaction from truck drivers when I roll into the fuel islands in my Freightliner Classic XL even though she's only 13 years old. The old timers, like me, want to reminisce about real trucks and the young drivers are usually awestruck by all of the lights and shine. The youngsters also can't believe that my Classic has over 1.5 million miles and still looks brand new. I just tell them that it's all up to how the truck is cared for. I ordered her brand new and my wife, children, now grand children and I, have been her caretakers ever since. She's also taken care of us. She's family! I also know that she's looking forward to taking the grands for ice cream again once the weather breaks here in Ohio...she loves doing that because they always give her a taste. She also loves tasting my coffee every morning when we're on the road lol!
Audio is absolutely clear
That blinker buzzer would have been gone in a heartbeat! Yikes! I love this bus! I also really appreciate how you say you're the "custodian" of the bus. But, the big question is - did you sell it?
Where do you but seats like that ? It looks very comfy !
Thanks for the video amazing
I Have a suggestion for your " Buzzer Signal". No not unplug it....rather find the electrical diaphram of the buzzer and put a couple winds ( Or more....more winds less aggressive) until it was what you were looking for. Permanent fix ! ( The aggressiveness is determined by how " Loose "the two pieces are). If it is in a sealed box where you can not access it....you need to use a jewelers screwdriver to split the case( it will snap back together). It should be pretty accessible just beneath the lower dash
great bus i love it
19:09 When you say the word FLEXIBLE I think of an articulated bus/motor coach?
Do you need a CDL to drive one of these?
You do not need a cdl because your not operating it as a commercial vehicle. You could drive a semi with a regular driver's licence if you wanted. That is at least here in Ohio.
- I did not hear anything about the gear shifting nor did I see a shift lever, I assume it is automatic, Is it electronic controlled by push button switch, also did not get a good view of the instrument cluster.
PS: Good mike sound.
The buzzer can easily be swapped out for a clicker model. I've also noticed no seatbelt! Or, you've opted not to wear one. A 35mph accident can cause life threatening internal injuries thanks to that giant bus steering wheel.
Also, speaking of that giant steering wheel, I learned (while getting my U.S. CDL, ca. early 1980s) from old-timers in the trucking biz that the leverage of a low-speed-kickback of such a pre-power-steering-era wheel (say, when encountering a rut, pothole, etc.-- especially while starting & stopping) can so instantly & powerfully reverse its direction that its spokes can easily dislocate or even break one's thumbs -- IF one doesn't prudently keep them flat along the top of the steering wheel! (The old guys never gripped the wheel under-hand -- a very weak hold.) Trust me, this is NOT a minor over-fussy detail when maneuvering heavy manual-steering vehicles, as I found out through personal experience backing into difficult holes over rough terrain. The wheel can unexpectedly spin full-circle in a split-second, and WOW! does it hurt if it catches you -- like being struck with a baton.
@@nuthineatholl6434This is true! I had one steer tire blowout in my life on a 1979 Freightliner cabover at a low speed and the trailer was empty. If my arm happened to be in between the spokes of the steering wheel, it would've broken my arm in two. However, if you have good tires upfront, the odds of that happening to this vehicle are very unlikely. Did I mention that after that experience, I would never drive a truck with Kelly Springfield tires on them again? 😅
Just out of curiosity, what does something like this cost? Ballpark? 200K?
Who else thought that the bus would be flexible 😂