1988 Gillig Phantom School Bus in STUNNING condition Fully Reconditioned

Description

HERE'S ONE OF THE FINEST VINTAGE 40 FOOT BUSES EVER DESIGNED, AND IN REMARKABLE CONDITION.  PERFECT RV SKOOLIE, TINY HOME, OR COLLECTOR VEHICLE
1988 Gillig Phantom School Bus
A video is worth a thousand words.  So, let's start with some videos.  Ebay doesn't allow clickable YoutTube URL's.  So, instead of just clicking one them,  just highlight one, click "copy" and then paste it on YouTube entry field (or on your browser).
https://youtu.be/UoPwgxHw6DQ
https://youtu.be/UoPwgxHw6DQ
https://youtu.be/OA2gVMVF0gM
https://youtu.be/xksxEaZF3qs
https://youtu.be/lf7yvF6ieF4
Nowadays, one brand of school bus versus another brand is all pretty much the same thing.  They all look alike, they're all built as cheaply as possible, and they all use the same computer controlled engines.  Many are CNG powered and a few are now electric.  The remaining diesels use Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF Urea) in addition to diesel fuel, and are equipped with complicated and unreliable exhaust particulate filtration devices. They're built to survive seven years of service and be "thrown away".
But, back in the day, particularly on the west coast, school buses were some of the most fabulous motor vehicles on the road.  School districts were judged by their rolling stock, and two brands, Gillig and Crown, ruled the roads, each and every school day. In the 1950's through the early 1990's, the best part of the students' day was the bus ride!  Built using big rig "over the road" truck powertrains and suspension, these buses were  huge, powerful, beautiful, safe and designed to last a million miles.   (I actually own a million mile Crown built in 1978, which I just took on a thousand mile trip without incident.)  Virtually the same powertrain you would find in a Peterbuilt or Kenworth truck could be found in a Crown or Gillig school bus!  From a block away, you could recognize a Gillig or Crown bus, and you could tell by the sound, what engine and transmission they had!  The competition between Gillig and Crown fans was as fierce as Chevy vs Ford  owners of the same period.  Southern CA was more "Crown country", since they were built in LA,  and Northern CA was more known for its Gilligs, which were built in Hayward.  It was a great time to be a kid in CA for many reasons, and the ride to and from school was certainly one of them!
In the mid 1980's, west coast school bus sales started to sag, partially due to less students riding them, tight school budgets, but primarily because the old buses they had still worked perfectly, were safe, beautiful and there was simply no case that could be made to relace them!  As a result, both Crown and Gillig copporations hit bad times.  Crown actually ended up going out of business in 1991, and Gillig wisely branched out into the more profitable transit bus market, and designed the new Phantom, which turned out to be the best selling high end bus in history.  Gillig also adapted the Phantom into a school bus model (like this one), which they sold throughout the 1980's and Crown "answered" with their updated SuperCoach II.  These were the most expensive school buses in history, and neither sold particularly well, but they are two of the finest models of commercial vehicles as ever hit the road. Massive, heavy, smooth, fast, and loud, these buses were a joy to drive and to ride.  They've never been as collectible as the original body style Crowns and Gilligs, but they're by far the finest platform ever, for Skoolie and RV conversions.  Long bodies, rear mounted engines, huge underfloor storage, squared off bodies with lots of headroom, smooth ride, powerful engines, little or no electronic emission controls and fabulous quality with lifetime durability, are some of the reasons these 80's "super buses" are searched out by wise RV builders
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25 years after these buses went out of production, most were still on the road, hauling students, AND spewing smoke and particulates into the air.  The California Air Resources  Board THOUGHT the buses would "go away" by natural attrition, but they were wrong.  So they simply legislated them off the road.  They paid districts like fifty grand for every Gillig and Crown they crushed and replaced with a modern bus.  MANY perfectly good Crowns and Gilligs were demolished, much to the heartbreak of those who owned, drove or rode them.  Then,  in 2017, they outlawed them for use over 1,000 miles per year, which forced the rest out of service. This alarmed me, and got me to thinking....
I'm a 50's kid, and I, like many others, cherished these classic machines.  Somehow, I got the idea that I should buy and save as many as I could afford, restore them to their former glory, start owner clubs and sponsor bus collector events around California.  Originally, I was a purist, trying to keep them in collectors' hands, but I quickly realized the Skoolie movement was real, and converted buses would actually live out the rest of their long and useful lives on the road, where they belonged, and not sitting in somebody's storage yard waiting for the next show. "My" buses are scattered all over the country, both as restored and many are now beautiful, driveable residences.
This Phantom drives like a Lincoln Town Car.  Heavy, smooth, powerful, comfortable, king of the highway.  School bus Phantoms (including this one) were mostly powered by the sweet wailing Detroit two stroke 6V92 diesel engines.  This bus is is equipped with the rare "mechanical" "6V", whereas many others had primitive computer controls.  They are all great, but the non-computer buses (like this one) are far more desirable. The same engine powered most Greyhound buses for decades.  If you are old enough, you remember when the Greyhound "wailing" sound was an instant identifier.  As a point of interest, about half the landing boats at Normandie in WW II were powered by similar engines.  Simple, powerful, durable, reliable and sweeeeet sounding, they were also a popular engine for show built Peterbuilt and Kenworth big rig trucks.  There is no sweeter sounding internal combustion engine. I suggest you visit the Facebook site for vintage Gillig buses, "Gillig Classic School Bus" to see more of these fabulous machines and to get to know the wonderful "family" of Gillig owners and fans, from all over the world!  The Gillig lover community consists of many of the finest, kindest and nicest people I have ever met in my life.
This Phantom was owned by a district near San Diego, until it was graciously offered to me to restore, some time back.   I believe they will be well pleased by the finished product.  It had been retired for half a decade with engine problems, and we trailered it home.  It was packed full of black widow spiders, had coolant in the oil, several major oil leaks, faded paint, dead batteries, contaminated fuel and hadn't been driven for years.  But, until it was parked, it was professionally maintained by a fine school district, and was eminently worth restoring! It now runs, drives and rides virtually as new,  It uses virtually no oil, has all known mechanical issues resolved, has been fully and completely serviced, has dozens of small but important upgrades such as air bag actuator valves, suspension bushings, electrical upgrades, a new LOUD air horn!!, batteries, re-sealed compressed air leaks, miscellaneous solenoid and air valves repaired, calibrated and repaired gauges, brakes serviced, front end aligned, steering freeplay adjusted, color sanded, polished and sealed paint, and of course, we had the black widow spiders evacuated by a nature lover, so we didn't have to fumigate them out.  These photos were taken before the windows were washed, so we apologize for the smeared glass!
We just drove this bus a thousand mile round trip to California Gold Country for a bus event, and she performed flawlessly.  Usually, our "shakedown trips" uncover some things that we missed, but this old girl was perfect.  She climbed the Grapevine in 100 degree weather fkawlessly.  She cruises at a governed 73 miles per hour, which is faster than most vintage buses run.  And she rode smooth as velvet.  There are a couple of videos here of that trip.  The person who drove it is a 40 year bus driving professional whom I call the "Crown King".  Interestingly, he had never feelt the urge to drive a Gillig and this was his first ride.  EVEN this dyed-in-the-wool Crown fan had to admit, this is one great machine!  You will discover, as he did, that you can cruise all day without any discomfort, and with very little steering and maneuvering effort.  We also took a Crown to the event, but even he was happy driving the Gillig back home!  If you know how fierce the Gillig-Crown loyalties are, you'd be impressed by this!  LOL
Giant Allison 4 speed with lock up torque converter and electric switch air shifter control, full airbag suspension, mechanical Detroit 6V92 diesel with no emission controls, outstanding paint and interior.  Only 300K miles, which is really low for a 33 year old commercial vehicle.  Zero rust in the undercarriage and body structure, but several rust bubbles on the side, particularly on the left body side between the side moldings.  They do not require attention, and are not structural, and you can see them in the pics.  Nonetheless, the price has been adjusted down by 00 to compensate.  Full modern 4 corner air bag suspension.  The bus suspension squats down for easy RV living without a big step up to get in and then goes back up for driving.  Huge emergency exit on the left side, for easy loading of conversion components, furniture, etc.  Air brakes.  Air throttle with high idle override switch for quick air pressure build up.  All glass is good.  No oil leaks dripping on the ground.  All lights work.  School insignia must be covered before delivery.  Clear CA title in hand. Current CA "E" plates do not go with the bus.  21 day Trip Permit will be provided, to get you home.  Bus is located in San Bernardino, CA.  Best airport is Ontario, CA.  We can pick you up in your new bus, right in front of the baggage terminal.  Much fun!  We will teach you everything you need to know driving and maintaining the bus, before you leave.  All fluids are fresh.  bring 50 or 60 friends for the ride home!  LOL
Call me for answers to any and all questions, or even just to talk about vintage school buses!!  Love to chat!  And PLEASE check out the YouTube videos above, or visit my YouTube channel "al jennings crown and gillig collector".  You'll se dozens of buses we've restored through the years, running and driving.  It'll be fun!
Al Jennings
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