1947 Flxible Clipper RV

Restoration of a classic American icon!

 
 
 
 
 
 
franco
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 18.10.2013  ·  #41
Beautiful looking Rig.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 18.10.2013  ·  #42
It would certainly put modern day ones to shame.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 22.10.2013  ·  #43
wow! :fgrin:
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 10.11.2013  ·  #44
The Flxible is in the body shop now :up:

The restoration shop is re-doing any previous repair that they feel are not up to their standards!

They have found some Bondo repairs and are cutting these out and replacing with proper metal.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 10.11.2013  ·  #45
Some more photo's :D
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 10.11.2013  ·  #46
Thats coming along nicely Kerry!

Whats the inside like? Are the original seats still in it?
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 10.11.2013  ·  #47
It's an RV conversion inside Kevin but will need a lot of work :'(
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 10.11.2013  ·  #48
Oh yes, I remember that now...

At the rate your guys in the states are going, you'll be riding along in that clipper before long!!!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 13.11.2013  ·  #49
The restoration shop is currently correcting any areas where corners have been cut when the bus was originally converted to an RV. One of those areas is the windows where appliances, cupboards and the shower have simply been put against them and the window has had reflective film placed on it so you cannot see in.

The correct thing to do is take out the window and blank off the hole with sheet metal and that's what they are doing at the moment.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 13.11.2013  ·  #50
This image shows the problem with covering the window with wallboard instead of skinning over the window hole with proper metal. It must have been freezing in that shower/ toilet room :'(
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 13.11.2013  ·  #51
We have decided on the colour and design for the interior seating.

It fits with the retro feel that we want :up:
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 14.11.2013  ·  #52
That'll be perfect.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 20.11.2013  ·  #53
The windows that needed to be skinned over have now been done :up:
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 20.11.2013  ·  #54
The cabinet maker (an Irishman) went to the restoration shop yesterday to look at the Flxible and refused to work with any of the existing interior so it's all coming out 🇧🇭

Probably for the best :'(
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 20.11.2013  ·  #55
Well if he's Irish you know it will be the best when finished :)
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 21.11.2013  ·  #56
Quote by Ally

Well if he's Irish you know it will be the best when finished :)


aaah sure it'll be grand :happy: :happy:
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 23.11.2013  ·  #57
Flxible is about 90% stripped inside. These guys are not hanging about!! :-) They have found some rust issues around a couple of windows so this will be replaced with new metal.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 25.11.2013  ·  #58
Had a tough decision to make today on the Flxible. We want a rear island double bed in the bus and have seen a Flxible Clipper on the net with one fitted and the late owner of the restoration shop also had one in his bus(no problem there then). HOWEVER, in order to get a 6' bed down the centre of the bus, the walls of the bathroom have to be removed and a "in bedroom" toilet/ basin configuration has to be made.

I don't care how long I've been married, I stopped being watched on the toilet by the time I reached 4 years of age!!!

So, if we still want a full size double bed then the only way to do it and keep a proper bathroom is for the bed to go across the bus instead of down the middle. I've given the go ahead and they have sent through pictures of an older restoration that has this configuration. It does mean though that we get a lot more overhead locker space

THE IMAGE BELOW IS FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES (NOT MY BUS)
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 25.11.2013  ·  #59
Having the crapper in the corner of the bedroom is kinda weird alright... :-/

Whoever draws the short straw gets to sleep on the inside of the bed then eh Kerry!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 25.11.2013  ·  #60
Quote by bing66

I'll start a thread here on the restoration of a 1947 Flxible Clipper Bus and update as new information and images come through:

A little history about my Flxible Clipper:

Bought new by the Utah Parks Company (part of the Union Pacific Railroad) in 1947, the Flxible Clipper spent all of its working life taking tourists around the various National Parks. For a commercial bus, it's had a very pampered working life.

Taken out of service in 1965, it was converted to a motorhome and eventually found its way to the previous owners in 1972. Since 1972 it has been in the same family ownership and stored in the 29 Palms region of California. As a result the vehicle has almost no rust but has needed major mechanical work due to the fact that it has not moved for over 25 years!!

I saw a local advert for the bus some months ago and was amazed to see the bus re-advertised some time later without a serious offer being made. I contacted the family and learned that the grandfather who owned the bus had passed away and this was the reason for the sale. The only serious offer they had was from a junk yard who were buying the vehicle for the scrap metal. I didn't want to see that happen so agreed to buy the bus.

Since shipping the bus to the restoration shop, the engine (Detroit Diesel) has been fully rebuilt, new cooling system and radiator, new brakes, re-built clutch and front axle, new King Pins, new fuel lines and re-ferbished fuel tanks, new wheels (old ones were split rims) and new tyres.

Once the bus gets some test miles under it's belt, the interior will be stripped out and a complete new interior fitted. Final stage will be the exterior and I plan on keeping the original paint design.

I've started a flickr account to show some of the photographs and tried to put the images in order. The first images come from the original advert, then an image of the bus being loaded for shipping to the restoration shop and then images from the restoration shop showing some progress.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9…089781485/

Is the body aluminium ? if it is it would be cool polished ..
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 25.11.2013  ·  #61
Quote by bmurphy9

Quote by bing66

I'll start a thread here on the restoration of a 1947 Flxible Clipper Bus and update as new information and images come through:

A little history about my Flxible Clipper:

Bought new by the Utah Parks Company (part of the Union Pacific Railroad) in 1947, the Flxible Clipper spent all of its working life taking tourists around the various National Parks. For a commercial bus, it's had a very pampered working life.

Taken out of service in 1965, it was converted to a motorhome and eventually found its way to the previous owners in 1972. Since 1972 it has been in the same family ownership and stored in the 29 Palms region of California. As a result the vehicle has almost no rust but has needed major mechanical work due to the fact that it has not moved for over 25 years!!

I saw a local advert for the bus some months ago and was amazed to see the bus re-advertised some time later without a serious offer being made. I contacted the family and learned that the grandfather who owned the bus had passed away and this was the reason for the sale. The only serious offer they had was from a junk yard who were buying the vehicle for the scrap metal. I didn't want to see that happen so agreed to buy the bus.

Since shipping the bus to the restoration shop, the engine (Detroit Diesel) has been fully rebuilt, new cooling system and radiator, new brakes, re-built clutch and front axle, new King Pins, new fuel lines and re-ferbished fuel tanks, new wheels (old ones were split rims) and new tyres.

Once the bus gets some test miles under it's belt, the interior will be stripped out and a complete new interior fitted. Final stage will be the exterior and I plan on keeping the original paint design.

I've started a flickr account to show some of the photographs and tried to put the images in order. The first images come from the original advert, then an image of the bus being loaded for shipping to the restoration shop and then images from the restoration shop showing some progress.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9…089781485/

Is the body aluminium ? if it is it would be cool polished ..


The body is steel and needs as many coats of paint as I can afford. :D
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 26.11.2013  ·  #62
It's like the Forth Bridge then? When you finish you start all over again.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 26.11.2013  ·  #63
Quote by bing66

The body is steel and needs as many coats of paint as I can afford. :D


Yeah, especially if she's coming back to the UK, plenty of paint would be a benefit!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 26.11.2013  ·  #64
In 1947 there wasn't a great deal of quality metal around due to the war so you're not far wrong in mentioning the forth road bridge, there's probably some part of a melted down bridge in my Flxible somewhere :D

That's why you have to be so careful with these post war vehicles and why there's not a great deal left.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 04.12.2013  ·  #65
The old interior is gone and the new one is being planned and fitted over the next few weeks. They have created a rather large hole in the floor of the Flxible to set the shower base in. This means a lot of work but will give a few extra inches in headroom for the shower which will make a huge difference.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 04.12.2013  ·  #66
Wow, that looks huge with all the cabinets removed.

This is getting really exciting Kerry, you're getting closer and closer to the finishing line every day!!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 04.12.2013  ·  #67
My goodness that's big enough for a football pitch!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 04.12.2013  ·  #68
Quote by jacktherev

My goodness that's big enough for a football pitch!


Or how about a bowling alley for Craic meets :D :D :D
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 05.12.2013  ·  #69
Yeah that would be even better for guys of my age Waterman. What a good idea a mobile Bowling Alley! Could be a. Ice money spinner while you enjoy the benefits of Motorhoming.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 06.12.2013  ·  #70
All of the rust issues inside have now been sorted. Work on the interior layout can now go ahead.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 07.12.2013  ·  #71
Size of my house! :up: Cool can not wait to see it finished - genuflecting in respect to your talent!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #72
OK, not been able to post on here for ages. Probably the settings on my computer.

Loads been happening with the Flxible restoration:

Roof A/C unit and heater unit in the kitchen were incorrectly fixed in so frames have been made and welded into place to tie in the units with the bus structure.

All of the exterior metal such as name plate, bumpers, wiper arms etc. have gone away for re-chroming.

The insulation panels have been fixed into place on the ceiling, walls and floor.

One of the fuel tanks has been lowered to allow the bathroom floor to be lowered by 6 inches (costing about $500 per inch :'( )

The isle down the centre of the bus has been widened - turned out to be a huge job (bus frame rails needed altering)

The ceiling panels have been fixed into place.

Internal wall structures are going up.

The guys doing the internal re-fit are using the very latest materials and techniques.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #73
oh! coming along lovely - thanks for the update, keep them coming :)
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #74
Stunning bing66. I was missing your updates. Whilst in a previous post I evaluated both your and Blags restoration. Kevin is restoring a family heirloom but you are restoring an art-deco restoration.
Both are exceptional
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #75
Shivster
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #76
Great to see the photos - love the ceiling. :up:
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #77
The ceilings look great and at last it's nice to see walls! It's really starting to take shape now Kerry. Thanks for the update. Your refurb thread s is my favourite thread on MHCraic!!

As the others said, keep em coming!!
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 25.01.2014  ·  #78
That is going to be one class bus when she is done. Fair play to you for doing it right.
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 22.02.2014  ·  #79
Interior is coming along nicely. The carcases are being built now and the bed frame is in. They did get some room around the main bed to make it easier to get out and not wake the other one up. The bed top is on a hinge to allow storage beneath. There is also a full height wardrobe in the bedroom.

The first fix wiring is in and all the services are plumbed in apart from the fresh water tank which arrives next week
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Re: 1947 Flxible Clipper RV

 ·  Posted: 22.02.2014  ·  #80
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