| Author |
Message |
Matt (205.56.145.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 12:52 pm: | |
Still hunting for the diamond in the rough...and gaining knowledge. There is an MCI-6 for sale up in WA state - looks real nice (in fact it is on ebay right now) and apprears to be in great shape. I remember reading that there wre only a handfull made (I remember something around a hundred) and that parts are a problem...through web searches, I come up short on parts with the exception that there is a fellow in Tennessee that has a bunch of MCI6s...apparently the biggest collection of them.
Question is - how much pain and suffering would come from a MCI6? The price is low...and I assume for good reason.
Thanks again,
Matt |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (209.75.20.72)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 2:57 pm: | |
Bolt pattern on the wheels is unique for one. |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (208.186.37.85)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 2:59 pm: | |
Matt,
There were about 100 made, some say 106 others say 101. I have heard more estimates on the 101. MCI stopped production when the Senator who was backing the Country-wide 102" width Bill died. This left the MCI-6 only California and Canada to run in. I think there might have been another State, but I can't be sure.
Anyway, basically 50 went to Canada complete with the 12V71 motor and the others were repowered with 8V71 motors and ran in California.
I have been watching the Ebay coach. The owner does state that despite its age it is a $100,000 coach, and his reserve is much lower. He doesn't say it's cheap though, it could still have a reserve of $70,000+.
Peter. |
Matt (205.56.145.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 3:56 pm: | |
Peter,
Good point. I asked the question this morning about the reserve - so I may find out...since this coach is 104 wide, are there restrictions in the states?
WRT the wheel bolt pattern, are there other items that are unique? And in particular to the bolt pattern, is there a work around?
I am still leaning towards 35ft for my use, but as the search continues, it is always good to gain a little knowledge.
Thanks again,
Matt |
Matt (205.56.145.38)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 3:58 pm: | |
Rather - is 104 illegal in all states...that is what you get when you don't proof your post!
Matt |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (208.186.37.85)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 4:16 pm: | |
Matt,
I was always told these are 102" wide and confirm to the Federal Highways laws. This means that use on some/most small non Federal controlled highways is restricted to whatever that State limits their use to. It is up to the onwer/driver of the 102" wide vehicle to make sure they are legally on those roads.
Now many States have allowed these wider vehicles, but it is not clear whether they have actually changed the laws. The last time I looked into this for Arizona, I found that they were legal only to leave the Freeways and get gas, lodging, visit Hospitals, to get to your own home, etc. But general sight-seeing and touring on smaller rural roads and highways was not allowed in States with 102" restrictions.
Saying this, it is not a common practice to see RVs pulled over for a width infringment.
If you really want to know, go to that State's Statutes online and look it up, don't ask a Cop or the MVD, unless they will give you a print-out of the section pertaining to your enquiry. Their opinion doesn't hold up in Court, only what is written in the rules.
Judging by the quantity of wider RVs around you would think all is well, but it may not be. I think the trend back to 96" wide RVs with slide-outs may be because of this.
Peter. |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (208.186.37.85)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 4:19 pm: | |
Matt,
There is an MCI-6 owner who frequents these boards who overcome the bolt pattern. He had Alcoas(?) made to fit.
So nothing is impossible.
Peter. |
Derek (24.66.241.23)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:07 pm: | |
Not to be nitpicky, but 8'6" is 102"... And they are (afaik) legal in all the continental USA and Canada... |
matt (205.56.145.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:15 pm: | |
Thanks Derek - can not think of a good excuse on how I ended up with 104... |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (209.75.20.72)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:40 pm: | |
I have a 2003 truckers road atlas that lists the maximum allowable widths for each state. When I get home tonight, I will take it and type in the states that are stated not to allow 102". I have not bought a wide body coach specifically because I know that you are limited to the Interstate highway system except for allowed egresses in certain states.
I agree that mostly these width limits are not enforced, but it is good to know if you are traveling undisturbed only by virtue of law enforcement choosing not to enforce. If you are pulled over for another infraction, who knows if the over width may be added to your woes.
Jojo |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:45 pm: | |
Got an item number for this MC-6 that's on eBay?
I can't seem to find it. . .
RJ |
Doug (68.83.22.146)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:48 pm: | |
where is this on ebay? not looking to buy just look at it |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.153.203.103)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 6:58 pm: | |
Because of the FMCA convention recently in Buffalo, NY, the state, just prior to the convention, passed legislation allowing 45 ft and 102 wide coaches. They also went further than other states, allowing coaches to be 108" wide when awnings are included. This is a first for the country as far as I know. All other states, 102 is the max except for safety equipment. The only way awnings qualify as safety equipment is to prevent skin cancer. Not really a valid arguement in front of 'da Judge'.
Jim |
matt (205.56.145.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 7:21 pm: | |
Type in MCI 6 on the ebay search and it will come up. Only one there... |
matt (205.56.145.38)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 7:23 pm: | |
Item number is 2425688383 |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (208.186.37.85)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 8:17 pm: | |
Hey, leave it alone..... I want it..... LOL.
Jus' kiddin'
(but if it goes cheap, I might just make a bid or two.......)
Peter. |
chobe (65.133.73.119)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 8:49 pm: | |
Hi all the MCI 6 are all S.S. and if you have problems drilling hole then this is not the coach for you. It also has two step up in one about half way the other toward the back. These are the heaviest coaches made. and very hard to convert. Fred North Florida Bus Conversion |
matt (205.56.145.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 9:01 pm: | |
Peter,
Reserve is above my limit...course, as mentioned before, "cheap" is defined in many ways...so you may still be in the running!
Matt |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (208.186.37.85)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 9:14 pm: | |
Matt,
What did he say the reserve is? On the auction, he did not specify.
Peter. |
J.L.Vickers (209.34.17.111)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 12:35 am: | |
There is a MC-6 In Oklahoma City,OK that just might be for sale.
It,s located at a bus repair yard at 904 South Agnew.
I don't have a number but if someone is interested I will try to locate a phone number.
jlv |
Doug (68.82.242.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 1:28 am: | |
John, what kind of shape is it in? |
J.L.Vickers (209.34.17.111)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 8:59 am: | |
The MC-6 in OKC,Ok is in need of a lot of work to make it road worthy.
The last time I saw it back in March 03 it,s sitting with most of the tires were deflated and in sad shape.
It was a conversion for someone And it has a water cooled Koler diesel generator set in one of the baggage bins.Size and condition unknown
It would be a real money pit. |
Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 5:11 am: | |
The MCI 6 on ebay has had a massive amount of rework done to it. |
Rodger Manecke (Rodger) (64.70.24.54)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 12:05 pm: | |
Once when even less knowledgeable about buses than I now am, I seriously considered a MC6. Even made a deposit, subject to inspection. Had it not been misrepresented, I'd have completed the transaction.
Glad I didn't buy it. I ended up with a 35' Prevost Champion, which proved very suitable for our style of use.
The '6 is a huge, heavy bus. It needs at least a 8V92 to move it. I shudder to think what kind of fuel mileage it gets. The 3 level roof is stepped up toward the rear. The seating area floors are considerably higher than the aisle floors and are also stepped up toward the rear. This makes for very high ceilinged bays but to level the floors, they must be dropped which results in bays with a more normal height. This is similar to what you'ld see in a Scenicruiser. Due to it's weight, the 6's wheels and lugs (1") are much stouter than those on say, MC8's. With the floor leveled and the entire roof brought to the height of the rear section, there would be lots of headroom. Unless the 102" width is essential, in my opinion, a MC 7, 8, or 9 would make a better shell for conversion and cost a lot less to convert and drive.
Rodger in WA |