Just for fun, but it is a diesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

junqueyardjim · #1 03-29-2006, 05:47 PM

New Orleans is putting its flooded school bus fleet on the block through Ebay. First one is listed now, wasn't much of a bus before the flood and much less now. Plus the cost of transport to anyplace. Without doing a lot of work, I don't think anybody is going to drive it anywhere. Now the bid shows that it has been bid to what it was worth before the damage, yet the reserve has not been met. Sounds like more of Schoolbus Negin's thinking and planning_

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Orleans-Public-School-Bus_W0QQitemZ4626699885QQcategoryZ6728QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

TX76513 · #2 03-29-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

New Orleans is putting its flooded school bus fleet on the block through Ebay. First one is listed now, wasn't much of a bus before the flood and much less now. Plus the cost of transport to anyplace. Without doing a lot of work, I don't think anybody is going to drive it anywhere. Now the bid shows that it has been bid to what it was worth before the damage, yet the reserve has not been met. Sounds like more of Schoolbus Negin's thinking and planning_

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Orleans-Public-School-Bus_W0QQitemZ4626699885QQcategoryZ6728QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That's someones get rich quick scheme - the salvageable buses are in Hattiesburg, MS

Diesel Giant · #3 03-29-2006, 05:55 PM

I love the "this is the bus you are bidding on" pic.

Who the heck is going to pay $5500 for that sled, with "147,000 one owner miles"

Hey! Commerical use by a school system is not the same as a "one owner"

junqueyardjim · #4 03-29-2006, 06:05 PM

Here is the news article that alerted me to this fantastic sale.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/28/D8GKV6MG0.html

Mismost · #5 03-29-2006, 06:29 PM

I don't understand all the bidding...who in their right mind would want one?? On the other hand, I think it's great way for some dumbass city to get "new" buses...like say New Orleans! Perfect set of buses for NO, the buses don't work which matches their school system!

That was tacky of me, sorry. It's just that I can't wait to spend my tax dollars for new buses, in a should be dead city, just so they can be left behind to be ruined again in the next hurricane! My bad.

R Leo · #6 03-29-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mismost

I don't understand all the bidding...

Peach Pie!

kip Foss · #7 03-29-2006, 08:45 PM

You will be surprised where these buses will end up. Watch I-10 between NOLA and San Antonio. There will be a steady stream of them headed for Mexico. When my wife and I hitched back from Australia in 1978 we rode old US school buses all over South America. Places like Bolivia, Peru, Equador, etc. are alive with them. You can't imagine how many people and animals you can get into a school bus.

junqueyardjim · #8 03-30-2006, 12:06 PM

That will not happen so long as the price and reserve are out of this world. It is true that most of the used school bus fleet winds up in Mexico, Central and South America and I have sold enough of them to know that most of the buyers are very sharp people. They know what and how to buy these old vehicles and they will not be taking these junkers home unless they get them for nothing. And I don't know, and only experts in this field could even make a guess as to the drivability of these submerged junkers. Vents on the engine, transmission and differentials certainly have let in enough water and silt to ruin any machine. The seats and dash will certainly give evidence as to the depth of water they sat in. But I have seen these old busses in Panama, Mexico and Ecuador. In Panama in 1987 they were still using many Fords and Chibbies from the late 40's. In 97 I was in Ecuador and I didn't see as many busses, but there are some. But shipping gets much more expensive to get them south of the Panama canal.

junqueyardjim · #9 03-31-2006, 03:34 PM

Well, it is hard to tell since the auction still has 7 days and 4 hours left. Lots of time for any of you folks who want a well watered diesel. It has been marinated for 10 days in water and other liquids in NOLA. It should have a real good "cajun" flavor. Now I also checked the Ebay record of the current high bidder. The bid is at $5700.00 currently. The buyer's Ebay name suggest female. Buying record is good. Has made 10 purchases since July 03. Two of those purchases were for a box of NOLA police caps, seems they were kind of a soveniour of Mardi Gras. These boxes of caps sold for about $75.00 each. The other 3 purchase I could check were one for an Antivirus deal for a computer for I think about $7.50 and two buys were for pocket knives at about $8.00 each. Now, do you think I should Email Schoolbus Nagin and tell him it looks like he has one sold, probably he could see if he could find some mechanic to see if that fine young Lady could pick up her bus and drive it home. Again, Do you think they have a buyer?

#10 04-01-2006, 01:22 AM

I love the sellers answers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBay seller

Q: Seeing this bus was under only 6 feet of water, If the water got any higher would it float like a house boat? Or could I make it into a submarine?Would you throw in a 45 of the Beatles song; We all live in a yellow Submarine.?
A: Yours is a far ranging question. Based on viewing the picture in the listing I believe its unlikely the bus would float if the water got any higher. I also think you would have to take into account the door on the side of the bus that runs from floor to ceiling that would let water into the passenger section. Given the marvels of our modern world I would not be surprised if you could convert it into a submarine. I am certain the the bus already has enough ballast to make your submarine submerge. As to the 45, to my knowledge as people have sifted through the wreakage of our destroyed schools no copies of the Beatles hit have been found. If we do find a copy, we will probably put it up on e-bay in a separate auction. If you win this bus and convert it to a yellow submarine, I for one would like to see it!

Q: I'm not sure you should be listing this on eBay Motors. Doesn't the word MOTOR imply that something moves under its own power? I think you should list it in the garden decor category.
A: You have an excellent point. We have a few more of these. Maybe we should list them as potential yard planters. Be forewarned however, these buses still contain oil, fuel etc. that may be detrimental to any plants you might place in or around them.

Q: Does the fire extinguisher work? It may be needed for the fire this is gonna stir up!
A: Don't know if the fire extinguisher works. Buy the bus and you will be entitled to test it.

Q: How many seats are on each bus?
A: This bus is rated at 66 seats.

Q: With 260 buses available, I wonder how you happened to choose this particular bus to auction first. Is there something special about this one that sets it apart from the rest?
A: It was at the end of the row, easy to photograph and not encumbered by any financing arrangements used to acquire some of the newer buses in the bus yard.

Q: What is brackish water ?
A: brackish \BRAK-ish\, adjective: 1. Somewhat salty. 2. Distasteful; unpalatable.

Q: This is a crazy idea, but I think its reasonable. I am staying in Kenner. Can I legally place the bus on my property? Id like to help you guys out, good luck!! DT
A: You should check your local laws regarding placing the bus on your property. However if you can then we will be happy to sell it to you.

Q: If this bus was completedly submerged, I understand that there must have been fish inside of it. Have these fish been cleaned out of the bus or are they still in there? Any lobsters?
A: As you can see in the photos, the bus has no fish or lobsters visible. Whether some fish or lobsters may have lodged themselves in other areas of the bus, we do not know. In any event, the bus has stood in the warm Louisiana sun for many months. Any fish or lobsters that may have lodged themselves in the bus have been baked and infested by the mold and are probably not what you want to serve at the Friday night fish fry.

Q: Why did you list bus #93-97 first? Are you into numerology down there? Seems as though the tow truck driver would have an easier time with one on the other end of the row
A: We thought that the selection was purely random. Perhaps some third party magically forced our selection?

Q: What does the bus smell like? Can you detail it for me? Thanks -GW
A: Surprisingly, the bus smells like a standard school bus only stronger. Maybe in the relm of an overused athletic bus on steriods.

Q: Is it MP3 compatible?
A: This bus was built long before MP3 became a popular option. Sorry.

Q: can the seat cushions be used as a flotation device?
A: Based on the photos posted with this listing some of the seats floated for a little while. But this is a bus not an airplane and the seats were not designed as floatation devices.

Q: Are you sure you are in New Orleans? I thought that us in New Orleans, when life hands us lemons, we make daiquiris! (not lemonade)
A: Our schools and, by extension, buses are drug, firearm and alcohol free zones. So we are stuck with lemonade.

Q: Whoever is responsible for answering these questions is a pillar of discipline---what a hoot!!!
A: Thank you. I agree with you.

Q: Will any of the proceeds go to paying for Mayor Nagins Chocolate City?
A proceeds will remain with the Orleans Parish Schools

Q: What is the salvage value of the bus?
A: We have not obtained estimates of the salvage value for our flooded buses as yet.

Q: I sure hope this is a joke, because it gave me a good laugh!
A: This is not a joke. The bus exists. If you win the bid you will get the bus.

Q: Why is this a piece of history? If anything it's a piece of garbage. It's fine to raise money for the school district but no need to lie.
A: We are doing this in the spirit of: When life hands you lemons make lemonade. This is just for fun with the posssibility of bringing in a little extra cash for the schools in New Orleans.

Q: Why not seal up all the seams with silicone and offer the bus as a big unique aquarium?
A: An excellent idea. Why don't you submit a bid?

Q: What are those things across the center aisle? Are those the seat cushions?
A: Yes, they are.

Q: How many busses do you have? We might might be interested in purchasing every single one of them. Call Darren (713) 725-0330
A: We have 259 Orleans Public School buses. We will contact within a week. Thanks for your interest.

Q: Does the bus come with the first aid kit and fire extinguisher shown in the picture?
A: Yes, it does. As IS

Q: Is there any chance that this bus may have been ridden on by any of the famous musical 'graduates' of the NOPS system, such as Juvenile, C-Murder, 504 Boyz, Louis Armstrong, or Delfayo Marsalis? That would certainly increase the value if so. Could it possibly have ever given rides to such other famous NOPS 'alumni' such as B-Stupid or Man Man? Is it possible there may be any leftover drugs or guns or other incriminating evidence left on the bus? Please let us know, it may increase your bids.
A: Due to the vintage of the bus it is unlikely that Louis Armstrong and Delfayo Marsalis rode on it. The others may have but we have no recorded evidence of it. As to drugs, this bus was flooded and the mold has probably eaten all of the drugs by now. As to firearms, this bus was flooded and any likely metal objects are rusted by now. But given what it is, with all its limitations this bus is a tremendous value.

Q: Gas or diesel?
A: Diesel

Q: Can you please let me know how this item compares to the resonably hand drawn facsimile of the bus? Thank you,
A: The auctioning of the Orleans Public School Bus has nothing to do with the reasonably hand drawn facsimile of the bus.

Q: will the purchase be tax deductible?
A: Please contact your tax advisor.

Q: Does the money you receive from this auction go to a ''charitable cause''? Or does it go in some individual's pocket? If it's for the Hurricane Katrina fund, it might be a good idea to mention that in the text of your auction
A: All of the funds from this auction goes to the Orleans Public School District.

Q: how deep was the water ??? was the motor under water ???... has anybody tryed to start the bus ???
A: The water was about six (6) feet high. Yes, the motor was under water. No, no one has tried to start the bus.

Q: HI is this bid for all of them or just one ? thanks don
A: Just this one, bus.

Q: is this a gas or diesel bus?
A: Diesel

Q: is this a gas or diesel bus?
A: Diesel

Q: Diesel or Gas?
A: Diesel

Q: I am somewhat curious as to why these school busses, somewhere around 1,000 of them, were left to be destroyed by Hurricane Katrina rather than used to evacuate the residents of New Orleans to higher ground BEFORE the hurricane struck New Orleans? Sounds to me like total incompetence on the part of New Orleans officials. I was just curious, is all. Thank you in advance for your answer. Cc: Sean Hannity Rush Limbaugh
A: FYI - There were 260 buses flooded from Hurricane Katrina. We will not engage in the judgement of competence and/or incompetence of New Orleans officials.

bullwinkle · #11 04-01-2006, 04:03 PM

Being an International/Navistar powered bus, maybe sitting under 10 feet of water for a month would make it run better!!!

Paging P.T. Barnum!!!

#12 04-01-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullwinkle

Being an International/Navistar powered bus, maybe sitting under 10 feet of water for a month would make it run better!!!:

If it even ran in the first place!

junqueyardjim · #13 04-04-2006, 08:00 PM

This marinated, worn out old Nagin schoolbus still has three days to go on auction. It stinks, don't run and has been bid to $6600.00 and still the reserve has not been met. Besides, I thought this thread needed a bump!

imdavid28 · #14 04-04-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I love the sellers answers.

I love the yellow submarine and silicone one. Makes you wanna think of something stupid to ask. I am pretty good at doing that...

83-240D · #15 04-04-2006, 08:51 PM

buddy of mine sent me an e-mail named.....redneck storm celler.

yep a buried school bus. if some can post the pic pm me and i will forward.

oh, and one more thing, it may have one owner for the last 12+ years but how many drivers?