The Famous 69-er

I had drooled over the pictures in the book many times and did not believe that I would ever be able to buy a nice bus like this one. Then I discovered on someone's Internet site that this very same bus was for sale. The ad had been put up on the website three months earlier so I fully expected it to be gone by now. An e-mail address was listed and so I sent a short message to inquire. I got a reply very quickly stating that the bus was still for sale and that the owner lived near Amsterdam (only 1 hour from where I live). Well the rest is history. I just had to get it. Within several days the deal was struck and I got the bus home.

Yes, I know! This is bus number four! I fell into the trap. So be aware and read this warning from someone who knows from. But look at this picture. What would you do if you happened to see a 'For Sale' sign on such a beauty?

The history of this bus is fully documented. It was bought in 1969 by the owner of a laundry. The bus was used to do deliveries and as a people mover for the family. Business declined and only after a short time the bus was not needed anymore. Rather than sell it the owner decided to put the bus in storage and convert in into a camper after he retired. Well, when he finally did (20 years later!) he could not find a suitable conversion kit (hate to have seen that happen to this bus!). So, in 1994 the original owner decided to sell it. The next owner is the person mentioned in the book. He owned the bus for about 3 years before he sold it on. Two years later I bought it. That makes me the fourth owner. I hope I will be in the position to keep and enjoy it for a long time. I have a storage facility where it will spent the wintertimes but during the warmer seasons it is definitely going to see some use.

Note: This bus will be seen on Dutch TV. Read all about it by clicking here!

In 1997 a scale model of this very bus was produced in a limited number (100 pieces). I now have been able to acquire one (nr 67 to be exact). Click here to see pictures of it.