The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs newb needs advice

Hey all,

I need help with a question that is tearing me up inside. I have a '51 suburban tha used to be a school bus in MO. When I bought it, I had plans to street rod it and use it as the family vacation wagon. However, the more I think about it the more I am concerned about destroying a piece of history. Not that I think a streetrod destroys a vehicle (opinions vary, so please don't flame me), but this one has a bonified history. She's still wearing the Albany, MO school district warpaint! I guess my question is what should I do with her? Should I restore her as a school bus with a few modern updates (suspension, drivetrain, brakes, ect.), or make her the family vacation wagon? I fully respect the history of these vehicles and am torn as to what to do. Where is the most value? I don't want to paint a moustache on the Mona Lisa. I know there will be differing opinions from you guys, so please give me yours and help me determine what is the right thing to do by this truck. I have posted links to the photos below. any help is appreciated here.
Sincerely,
Rich
[img=http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3483/009ph5.th.jpg]
[img=http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4125/015oo9.th.jpg]
[img=http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5923/014df7.th.jpg]
[img=http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7117/013nn4.th.jpg]
[img=http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9639/012pl8.th.jpg]
[img=http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6254/010dv6.th.jpg]

yeah, no point being torn, that mona lisa already has a moustache, not to mention knock knees and pigeon toes
so like Joe sez, do it up in a way that'll be most useful to you

even if it was more original and you lived where it had worked, "value" wouldn't be an issue, cuz it'll only ever be worth the function it can preform [no school board can afford museum pieces!]

Bill

I have a 1946 Chevy Suburban School Bus. I am adding disc brakes,4 speed transmission, open drive line with 3.42 rearend all pushed by a later 235 engine with 12 volt system.

My experience is that once you stray from originalty your value appreciation tends to flat line.

I have kept mine original except for safety and practicality issues.

I am going to stay with a light yellow color but have not decided on wether to paint the "STOP" and "SCHOOL BUS" on the back yet as it originally had. I wonder if other drivers would be more careful around me if it said SCHOOL BUS.

I hope you were lucky enough to get all the seats, they are the hardest things to find.

Hope this helps.

Dave Murray
[email protected]

Thanks guys for the advice. I was discussing with a buddy about some sort of compromise. By that, I mean to streetrod it but paint it yellow & trim it out in school bus black ( as a tribute to her former use). It would be the type of school bus every kid would want to ride!