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This bus is a 1960 Gillig formerly operated by an unknown school district in Washington State. The GilligCoaches.NET web team discovered this bus on a fuel stopover on I-5 while out gaining photographic documentation of several Gilligs. Parked at a Shell Station parking lot in South Tacoma, we quickly discovered that someone had apparently been living in it, or had converted it and then subsequently abandoned it. Upon walking closer, we found out that a homeless man had purchased the bus as a mobile home. We approached him about photographing the bus, which he graciously approved for GilligCoaches.NET. The bus was originally equipped with an International 501 cubic inch gasoline engine, but had been recently repowered to a Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine. On the outside, this exceptional looking Gillig is remarkably intact and in fact has very little rust at all. Inside, most of the seats still remain, however the remainder of the interior had been converted to a living space. This bus is equipped with a high-volume air intake scoop as well, and these photos were taken on June 10, 2006. Since these photographs were taken, this bus has been spotted several times in the Tacoma Tideflats area, and its condition is worsening. Left rear view Rear head-on view Left front view Engine compartment view; Engine compartment door open to reveal engine Engine photo (note it says "Ford V636 Diesel by Caterpillar on it) Lubrication Service Chart photo Right rear view Gillig oval view showing model number Left front view closeup Grants Pass School District, Grants Pass, Oregon. This bus is a 1966 Gillig 501D-series Gillig powered by an International gasoline engine. You'll notice that this bus has no stop paddle, and an 8-way warning lamp system retrofit. Photo by Stephen E. Adams Left front view |
