[SirAlec]

Please do check the mechanicals too, as these buses are hardly maintained. and service history will be nil.

[streetlife]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Please do check the mechanicals too, as these buses are hardly maintained. and service history will be nil.

Hi SirAlec,

We had checked many buses before buying this one. The engine had been overhauled an year back at Telco (with bill) and it was lying idle for last 6 months.
For rest of the chassis, we had taken our mechanic with us who gave us an OK. We have changed all the oils and greases as of now.

Will update about the running soon.

[honeybee]

This is an interesting thread, after going through numerous jeep and other vehicles restoration threads. Best of luck in your project and do keep posting the pics.

[streetlife]

Continued.


The seat frames were bolted with the floor and the racks fitted. Total seats 47 + 1 + 1



The body was thoroughly cleaned. It took 4 days to complete the flattening of the surface.





First coat of primer on both sides. This stage magnifies areas which have not being done/flattened properly and stands out. Not much work on this though. Couple of areas were filled with bondo and flattened again.







Now the 1st coat of the White paint. Without other color detailing the bus was looking nothing more than a shoe box.







Will be back soon with pictures of completed paintwork.

[lsp]

Interesting thread. Will keep checking for updates.
I have often wondered how the buses were built cos Ive seen people driving home brand new chassis with nothing on top or sides. Just the driver with an engine wheels and the chassis on the highways. They take it to the bus body builder who then shapes the whole thing. Though not the same but it does give a fair bit of an idea.

Good luck with your new venture.

[streetlife]

Thanks for your wishes Isp.


Well the body work was done and we had taken the vehicle.
We had planned the vehicle should get a through washing and cleaning. Since we had to take the bus through a no entry area for HCVs(only bus wash facility near my place) we had to take the delivery from Body shop at 6:00 AM in the morning.






Some shorts from the service stations





Engine and Gear Box




No Diesel.. Only CNG.




Air Tanks




After the cleaning the bus was sent for fitness test and later the stickers were done.






I'll update the final pictures before the running soon.

[C300]

Lovely makeover streetlife! If possible, do share the cost incurred for restoration.
BTW, Saraswathi is an apt name for a school bus

[Ashley2]

What is this in the rear portion?
Also I have seen a ig rubber(Cut from a bus tube) been nailed in the rear bumber and used to touch the ground while moving. I have never seen anything of that kind anywhere.

[Zed]

Have observed these 'bumpers' on many buses in the North and the Eastern Part of India. Almost every bus in Calcutta \ Jamshepur used to have one of these if memory serves me right.

The rubber strip is probably an improvised device to prevent a spray of water drenching the vehicles driving behind the bus during the monsoons ... ?? Or i have a very fertile imagination...

[SwiftSD]

That was a good makeover. Don't remember seeing a similar thread in the forum.

Wish you all the very best for the new startup. Do share a break-up of the make over cost.

[streetlife]

Originally Posted by C300

Lovely makeover streetlife! If possible, do share the cost incurred for restoration.
BTW, Saraswathi is an apt name for a school bus

Thanks C300. Saraswathi is the name of our travel company

Originally Posted by Ashley2

What is this in the rear portion?
Also I have seen a ig rubber(Cut from a bus tube) been nailed in the rear bumber and used to touch the ground while moving. I have never seen anything of that kind anywhere.

Attachment 825369

Ashley, This is a show bumper which is actually made on a heavy guarder with sheet metal. Here is a picture for your ref. while being made.

Originally Posted by SwiftSD

That was a good makeover. Don't remember seeing a similar thread in the forum.

Wish you all the very best for the new startup. Do share a break-up of the make over cost.

Thanks Buddy. We spent 4.10 lakhs on bus, 1.40 lakhs on body and an approx 20k on documents. So the total cost is roughly around Rs. 5.70, same as a premium hatch back.

Will be back with some final pictures soon.

[IQBAL VEERJI]

Originally Posted by streetlife

Thanks C300. Saraswathi is the name of our travel company




Ashley, This is a show bumper which is actually made on a heavy guarder with sheet metal. Here is a picture for your ref. while being made.

Attachment 826011



Thanks Buddy. We spent 4.10 lakhs on bus, 1.40 lakhs on body and an approx 20k on documents. So the total cost is roughly around Rs. 5.70, same as a premium hatch back.

Will be back with some final pictures soon.

Hi dear,congatulations for your restorations and that too so economically,
Can you use this vehicle for out of delhi trips to near by towns of UP and Haryana. This is very profitable.

[acsandeep]

That"s an interesting thread,felt good to see the bus back in good shape,BTW a bit OT but is that your company's address printed on the bus,if yes then i guess its near my house,i almost past daily through janakpuri D block.

[bblost]

Lovely thread. Wishing you the very best.

Btw, What is the milage of this bus. Since its on CNG, what is the running cost per km?

[venki.bala]

wow....never seen how a bus body building done before. Congratulations on your new venture and I wish all the very best. Thanks for sharing.