1973 Eagle

[mmanning]

I am going to look at a 1973 Silver Eagle tomorrow.  I don't think the owners have a lot of information about it; although I haven't talked to them at length.  I was hoping some of you could give some words of wisdom concerning this bus based of the Facebook ad and the YouTube video.



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/292861118209397/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sGZaXxdGm1M

I don't know for certain if the Facebook and YouTube video are from the same owners, but I believe it is the same bus.

[eagle19952]

The skin looks recent.
The suspension looks above average...but there is no load on it.
A lot of the grunt work is done.
It has a 4 speed. Not many want one.
Appears to have power steering...everyone wants that.
the OTR AC seems to still be there..if it works, everyone likes that.
I would not pay the asking price.

[DoubleEagle]

It has been for sale for over a year. It is basically a shell with a less than stellar sheet metal work over the windows. The A/C looks cobbled up and may only work while the engine is running. It might not be a complete original system, judging by all the open upper Model 05 windows. The engine sounded fine, but it would run pretty good right up to its death. The test is how it does when starting up cold, and how it does on a long grade. It might have power steering because the steering wheel is not the original, and I did not hear the air hissing of the original air-assisted manual. There was notable corrosion of the wheel arch trim pieces on the driver's side which means the steel behind them are in bad shape. There were pin-hole corrosion areas on the siding; this bus has been in a bit of salt. The four speed Spicer manual has been discussed before, it is not nearly as desirable as a five speed (or up) manual, or an automatic, and it will make resale difficult (as these young guys are finding out). Depending on what you find out about what has been done to it mechanically, I think the value is three to five thousand, depending on the age and condition of the tires. Check for the DOT date codes, don't be overly impressed with tread depth. Unless they took this coach to a competent garage for regular maintenance, I would not be surprised to see a lack of grease on many of the grease points all over the coach. Look for dates on the filters, check the air cleaner, check for cracks in the hoses, etc. (I once looked at an Eagle in West Virginia where the owner had smeared black tire wax on the sidewalls to fill in the many cracks in the 10-15 year old tires). Smack the palm of your hand on all the inside and outside walls to see how much rust dances out. If you work at it sufficiently, you might be able to get a ring of rust bits all around the whole coach. Check the fuel filler area inside the doors; they like to rust out badly. At the least, you will have a learning experience. 

[luvrbus]

Open the electrical panel door under the drivers window it will tell you everything you need to know if it's rusted politely walk away check if you see rust streaks or loose rivets on the siding there not much left,with the missing center piece of siding under the windshields tells you it a old Trailways bus, power steering is doubtful with a 4 speed     

[mmanning]

Thank you all for your thoughts.  Definitely educational and appreciated.

I plan to take pictures and video tomorrow, perhaps you all can help me identify some of the other trouble areas.

[6805eagleguy]

My advise:
Check out this link
http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343

[mmanning]

My advise:
Check out this link
http://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4343

Thank you for the link! I hope they can figure something out over at eagles-international; we can't loose that content.

[mmanning]

Here is a quick video I did of my look at the bus. (Editing is not all that great...) https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q

I didn't get a picture of video of everything, but I learned a lot and will do better next time.

Does this bus have above normal corrosion?  From the few comments that I have read it seems this much corrosion is abnormal.

From the few pictures of the Torsilastics that I could get, does it look like there is life left?

One of the important things I learned today was that I would prefer a raised roof.  I'm 6'1" on a good day and it seemed like I didn't have much head room.

[eagle19952]

Here is a quick video I did of my look at the bus. (Editing is not all that great...) https://youtu.be/yaD4AEzmB6Q

 I'm 6'1" on a good day and it seemed like I didn't have much head room.

I am too, I have no regrets with the stock ceiling height. don't seem to notice it after a short while.

[Tom Y]

I would not buy another bus with a drop box.  So Eagle ran independent on the front in 73? When did they start that? So much for newer tires?

[luvrbus]

I would not buy another bus with a drop box.  So Eagle ran independent on the front in 73? When did they start that? So much for newer tires?

Eagles were independent front suspension from the beginning in 50's till the end in 1998 that is why the Eagle had the great ride,took Prevost and MCI 50 years to make a independent suspension that worked. 
   

[DoubleEagle]

From what I see in the video, the Torsilastics seem to have adjustment left, but the tires are marginal, and the siding perforations are substantial. The alternator is not original, and pretty small, and that A/C is a complete cobbling up that will do nothing for the driver. They might have been idling the engine all night to be able to sleep in the rear. I would start at scrap value and not move much above that, assuming you are prepared to do a lot of work.

[luvrbus]

It's been capped that was a 8000.00 ,it would require some work but doable it's not that bad they were always a mess around the restroom

[DoubleEagle]

It's been capped that was a 8000.00 ,it would require some work but doable it's not that bad they were always a mess around the restroom

Chances are it was capped a long time ago (they actually got $8,000 to do that? sounds like a California price), and the frame and siding would really require a lot of work. As time goes on and there are fewer Eagles to consider, people might have to overlook some details like rusted electrical doors. They would be easier to redo than major frame areas. Putting in anything beyond the Spicer 4 speed would require changing the frame, and if it does not have actual power steering, more work. This bus needs someone that is blindly in love with Eagles, a lot of welding and mechanical skills, and a lot of time. The amount of money that would be required to pay someone to do it would never be financially justifiable.

[luvrbus]

I capped my own with Eagle caps from Brownsville it was over 7k,your right that bus will take some work but no hill to climb for a Eagle person lol mine didn't look that good