Climb Aboard An RV Time Machine

I was at the Quartzsite RV show and this bus conversion caught my eye as I was returning to my campground. I made an Arizona “U” turn in the middle of the road and made a bee-line towards it. It looked like something from another planet had landed in Quartzsite. Where did this unusual looking RV come from? The year was 1946 and workers in Loudnville, Ohio were busy turning out buses for public transportation. It was called the Flxible (and no, I didn’t misspell the name). This vintage American bus carried passengers all over the country during it’s time and since it was built for hauling passengers long distances while seated, it didn’t have very much head room. Folks who convert these buses usually lower the floor so they can comfortably walk around inside. The Flxible company became famous for making a motorcycle sidecar that leaned with the motorcycle. Converting an old bus into an elegant RV can be a challenging task for the simple reason that they no longer make replacement parts. As I entered Bob and Terri Rowsell’s bus conversion I felt like I was stepping back in time. They chose the decor of a vintage late 40’s to early 50’s diner. Note the authentic dining room table and bar stool complete with a table-side jukebox. The floor is a classic black and white checkered tile where their dog Jenni likes to spread out. Check out this plush bedroom with up-lighting and elegant woodwork. The bathroom is open and nicely appointed. Moving back towards the front you notice the metal ceiling and the view out the front windshield. “Honest Bob” enjoys driving this work of art and is completely at home in this ancient cockpit. The lines on this classic bus are fabulous. The wheel well covers by themselves bring your mind to the bygone era of art deco streamlined designs. The Flxible Owners International Club meets every two years in Loudnville, Ohio and forms a parade of these RV conversions and like a line of ducks in a shooting gallery they rolls through five Ohio towns where workers who built these machines lived. One of these RV owners told me that during one of these parades an elderly gentleman came out to his bus and with a tear in his eye, handed him a set of keys and said, “I built this bus and here is the extra set of keys I’ve had all these years as a reminder.” Quartzsite was the place where the club chose to hold their rally this year. Fortunately for me I was there at the same time. This is the back of Richard Quisenberry’s 1947 bus conversion. Many other notable old coaches were present as well. These old coaches are an amazing tribute to a bygone age and our insatiable love affair with motorized transportation. They have the power to connect the past with the present and it makes you feel good inside knowing a few of them survived the junkyards and are still in service. Climb aboard and leave the driving to me - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing