Le Mans 2006

[Balmoral Green]

I have been looking at the prices of double decker buses. As long as its not a classic like a Routemaster, something big and decent from the eighties is incredibly cheap.

I was thinking of clearing the top deck and sorting out some decent sleeping accomodation, rather than tenting it. Bottom deck could have an instantaneous hot water heater and a shower cubicle/tray from Wickes, as well as a galley, all done pretty cheaply.

Naturellement a fitted bar and fridge, maybe satellite telly too?

I reckon a few hundred quid spent at MFI could sort out a half decent camper for about a dozen folks.

And imagine the comedy paint job we could do with a canvas like that?

Overall this could be very cheap on a per person
basis. Only one ferry cost for a big vehicle, not a dozen seperate vehicles, fuel for one vehicle instead of twelve, we wouldnt need a dozen campsite pitches, maybe four tops.

So who's interested?

[pic]http://www.busbiz-online.co.uk/busbiz/advert_images/ba301c302.jpg[/pic]

[Balmoral Green]

Well, £2000-£3000, split 12 ways, £150-£250 each. But we get that back when we sell it on.

There are cheaper buses, like sixties pushers at £600, but they may not be up to the journey though.

I may be talking through my bumhole, does anyone know about buses?.

[Balmoral Green]

I know that Le Mans is yonks away, but if this is an idea that we can run with, we may as well start sooner rather than later with the project.

Can folks have a serious think about it and say wether they can make the commitment? Due to the financial implications the last thing we want is loads of enthusiasm and then folks pulling out in the new year.

Put your name down, no rush, we'll see how we go with names until say September the 1st, then do some sums.

Le Mans or bus(t)...

Balmoral Green.

www.ensignbus.com/

[Balmoral Green]

Well they take lorries, so I dont see why not.

[Balmoral Green]

Mains hook up, should run the fridge and an AC unit, we can hire both. If the site breaker is a restricted ampage, we can change it for our own, common trick on French campsites, they charge you more for a bigger breaker.

[Balmoral Green]

SEE YA said:

Hello need to know more details.

Well, any advice from anyone who knows about buses would be most welcome. The basics are as follows:

1/ Purchase a double decker bus.
2/ Kit it out with a basic kitchen.
3/ Kit it out with basic toilet & ablutions.
4/ Sleeping accomodation.
5/ Bar, AC, Fridge, sound system, satellite system & big telly, rig up a big canvas awning.
6/ Comedy paint job.
7/ Insurance and named drivers issues, the legalities of driving such a vehicle may also be different in France.
8/ Ferry & fuel costs.
9/ Continental breakdown cover (for a bus FFS!)
10/ Contingency plan if it all goes pearshaped whilst racing a Norbert Dentressangle lorry downhill on a bend.
11/ Re sell the bus upon return and split the proceeds back amongst the participants (it may be an idea to get stick-on livery rather than mess with real paint, it would kill the resale).

Any further ideas or complications, throw them into the ring.

I reckon about £300-£500 each split amongst twelve nutters should do nicely, with probably around half of it coming back to us afterwards when its moved on. Unless we decide to keep it and each have a time share of the UK's biggest camper van

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Wednesday 6th July 22:55

[Balmoral Green]

I understand that various tour companies take lots of pensioners abroad on cheap trips, and they use buses. I also understand that those great big things used for moving goods around can use the ferries too, so I think we will be OK

[Balmoral Green]

SEE YA said:

Hello, is this trip going ahead or not plans have to be made etc.

When I originally posted, the idea was to get some interest drummed up, and some names posted as definately interested, I reckoned to let this run until the end of August. Then into September we need to switch from 'definately interested' to '100% positive I want in on this project'.

Was thinking of a dozen names and costs of around £350 each.

So, shall we start a list now? Only put your name down if you are definately up for it and can slap £350 notes down and be prepared for things to go tits up big time and we have to bail out and you may not get all your money back (imagine we make a mistake and buy a duffer!)

During October we will go and buy a bus, now that will be a laugh

Names so far:

1/ Balmoral Green
2/ SEE YA
3/ minimax
4/ the-gofer
5/ andy4200
6/ Mrs andy4200
7/ Simple
8/ johnny
9/ Mrs johnny
10/ mightydquinn
11/ Killer2005
12/ ProPlus

Need a few TVR car club members to secure tickets and camping as with the 2005 trip.

I will make enquiries about PSV driving lessons in my area, we wont actually need a PSV license, but a few familiarisation lessons from the local PSV trainers would be a good idea.

I have also filled in an enquiry form on the ensignbus website to get some purchase advice, if they are interested in flogging something to us! I shouldnt think we are the usual potential customer.

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Wednesday 17th August 21:55

[Balmoral Green]

tomtvr said:

Any updates? whats the plan?

I did a rough list of those who expressed an interest, I didnt get a single confirmation from anyone.

[Balmoral Green]

An open top one would be ing awesome, but they are expensive to buy I think.

Le Mans bloke: "So what have you guys come down in then?"

Us: "Oh, an aluminium bodied Bristol Spider"

[Balmoral Green]

the-gofer said:

BG, any comments on when you could secure a bus?

Oddball from Kellys Heroes said:

60' of bus I can pick up almost anywhere