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A couple of weeks ago, I made a deal on a 40' long 1983 GMC RTS. (I also own a 1981 Champion TRANSVAN which I have, on occasion, parellel parked in downtown Denver (cool rig, but too small) and a classic 1967 Airstream Overlander, 27', which is nice, but way too light, and is a hassle to need a tow vehicle.
The RTS I now have is so much fun, and my efforts to convert it into an RV can only be described as an effort of pure joy. I cannot get enough of it. (This is my very first conversion).
As luck would have it, the bus yard where I am working on it is a half mile from the biggest flea market in Colorado, so, for the past two weekends I have been on a mission to find various items for the conversion. I was lucky enough to procure the RTS from a seasoned bus mechanic who leases buses, so it the mechanical condition of the bus is excellent.
I would like to create bridges of communication between other RTS owners and myself. What a cool bus.
As far as the conversion goes...For design ideas, I have researched big buck RVs and have been rather dissapointed. I feel like I am like looking at something of a cross between a doublewide trailer house, and Las Vegas. (I guess the look is ok, if you are into everything ivory, aqua and beige, trimmed with an acre or two of mirrors in various shapes and sizes, plastered everywhere you can fine a place for them, and lots of rows of little twinky looking lights. It really gets good when they can put a few dozen or so of the twinky lights in front of a mirror and then install a plexi translucent mirror in front and reflect those little suckers off into infinity! If only Elvis could have lived to see it! Pure Kitch. (My apologies and pity to those of you who may have just spent a half a billion clams or so on a new Winnebego.)
The look I want for my conversion, is something quite different. I have been looking at the interiors of private jets. Elegant understatement. Clean design. Comfort and taste even in a small space. Other inspiration has come from looking at multi-gazillion dollar yachts, and even private railcars that have been converted. Check them out when you need inspiration for your conversion efforts.
Back to my RTS. I am sad to say that my windows look like crap. That bullet-proof (it really is!) polycarbonate plastic has not aged like a fine wine. It is full of little cracks, (called "crazing" I am told) and the outside finish is not even close to being shiny. (Can any of you give me some advise on how to make it shiny until I can locate and install real glass windows?)
Also, some of my windows are the fixed type, with one big piece of framed plastic, and some are the type that are split in half and will slide open (in theory at least). Some will slide open with considerable effort, and some cannot be moved. Any ideas on how to get them all to slide open easily? I am addicted to fresh air.
Do any of you have any experience in taking the entire window assembly out? I need to switch a few around, for a better window arrangement. Any input on this would greatly appreciated.
I sincerely hope the rest of you have found or will find the same brand of fun I am having in dealing with this sweet bus. I love it, my dog loves it, and life is good.
By the way, I need a girlfriend. (My last sweetheart was kinda hot, but sometimes got up in the morning and would drink a pint of vodka, and then she would throw heavy things at my head. (Things like full quart jars of Miracle Whip Salad Dressing.) I need a new girlfriend. I am hoping to find a nice millionaire nymphomaniac. (I may have to lower my standards a little bit, and settle.) ha! By the way, my RTS has lots of room, but I am not into fat girls! Also, I ski a lot. I want a woman who likes to play in the snow. This RTS would look really good parked at the base of a chairlift. |
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