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]

[slinky]

BG...

When you say cheap... how cheap?? and where are you looking?

cheers,

slinky
587racing.com

[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?.

[Bob the Planner]

Warren,

OI ! That was my idea !

If I do not go down with the Dorset mob next year I will be up for this. I don't know what the ferry/tunnel cost would be for a bus - not cheap I would think - but its got to be worth looking into just for the fun of it. If camping at maison you may only need one camping ticket (no marked pitches) or were you thinking of Houx again ?

Bob

[the-gofer]

Quality idea - it does rely on us having enough people to make it viable, though. Also, I have to admit, half of the fun is actually the drive down. We'd also need a car or two to be able to do supermarket trips, as taking the bus to Carrefour could be - .... interesting!


But we are definitely not taking any Cliff Richard CDs......

[randlemarcus]

Couldnt you stick an old Fiat 500 on the back, on a winch, for the shopping trips...

[FunkyNige]

randlemarcus said:

Couldnt you stick an old Fiat 500 on the back, on a winch, for the shopping trips...

Or have ramps up the back and drive 3 minis in...

[minimax]

FunkyNige said:

randlemarcus said: Couldnt you stick an old Fiat 500 on the back, on a winch, for the shopping trips... Or have ramps up the back and drive 3 minis in...

right, sorted. I'll chip in for this, and we bring my mini along strapped to the back for the shopping trips/hooning at arnage

great idea BG

[slinky]

or maybe a smart?

slinky
587racing.com

[baztard]

Great idea woz!!

[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/

[andy4200]

It's too far ahead to know my work schedule but assuming I can swindle things to get the time off then I may be interested depending, obviously, on the sums.

I will probably have to bring the missus with me too as she was a bit dissappointed at being sidelined for Murph.

[zo-fo]

Do the usual ferries take double deckers?

[Balmoral Green]

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

[Simple]

This is quite simply the most brilliant idea ever!

Definately interested.

Didn't think it was possible to find a bigger car to waft around in than the Bentley, obviously I was wrong! Trust Warren.

Only problem I can see is that it is going to get very hot in that bus at the site if the weather is anything like this year.

[minimax]

Simple said:

Only problem I can see is that it is going to get very hot in that bus at the site if the weather is anything like this year.

so some sort of air-conditioning unit is called for?

[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.

[SEE YA]

Hello need to know more details.

SEE YA

[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

[Bob the Planner]

Storage of the bus whilst we kit it out and get to Le Mans - also storage when we return.