Eagles International Forum

This is my Eagle project. It is a 1970 Model 5 that was previously converted to an entertainer coach by The Caldwell Brothers. I bought the bus with most of the interior stripped out and for very little money. The bulkhead immediately behind the front axle had collapsed from rust damage. That caused the floor to bulge up and cracked two of the side windows. I read somewhere that no amount of rust was unfixable. Very true, it just takes much more time to properly repair and convert a rusty bus.







Three layers of subfloor removed. Let the rust repair begin!

Ever get that sinking feeling? After three months the tires had sunk several inches into my gravel parking pad. A week of work and 38 yards of concrete poured 8" thick:

History:

I am fairly certain at this point that the original bus was a 1970 SE 05 - VIN 8167 - Carolina Coach Co.

Some uncertain time between 1985 and 1995, Caldwell Brothers converted the bus to an entertainer model. It was widened from 96" to 102", lengthened to 45' by adding an additional bay, and raised at the window line to 13'6". The Caldwell Brothers are probably responsible for welding a new VIN plate to the engine compartment - #908121

In 1995 it was registered by Jerry Adams, a country music singer, as a 1970 Model 40 Eagle with a VIN 8167.

Some time around 2008 the bus changed owners, changed manufactured year from 1970 to 1979, changed VIN from 8167 to 8130110, but kept the exact same street address as the 1995 registration.

I bought the bus in November 2012... Titled as 1979 Eagle Model 301 Motor Home, VIN 8130110. At the time I registered the bus, I only had the previous title to pull information from. It should have been registered as a 1970 Model 5 VIN 8167 Motor Home--- Hindsight 20/20.

Spark, you may want to check out this rather lengthy post I started back in 2009.
I've been down the same trail. It's very frustrating, I know.
We think we have found the VIN# now (as you will read).

http://www.eaglesinternational.net/foru ... ?f=8&t=242" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Manny,

Thanks for linking that thread. On page 10 you found a matching VIN stamped on the back of the speedometer. I checked the back of my speedometer for a VIN. Unfortunately, the label is completely illegible.

I have based my assumptions on:

- finding a 1995 TN registration renewal with the VIN 8167

- finding insurance cards for a 1970 Eagle (VIN on card is 8130110)

- the Eagle Production Records show VIN 8167 matches a 1970 Eagle 5

- the wiring diagrams for a 1970 Model 5 matches the wiring in my bus

I would like to find more matching links to set everything in stone. Some of my links borderline 'grasping at straws'.

Edit: This concerns me-- Page 4, Clifford "for whatever reason there was 8 of those belonging to Carolina Bus Lines that were renumbered in 1975"

Each rivet was individually ground, checked, replaced if needed, and sealed with OSI gutter sealant. I let the sealant cure for 6 months before proceeding



The roof was washed and scrubbed with Marine Clean industrial greaser. Then Pro-Guard Liquid EPDM was applied 110-130 mil thick.

One of the previous owners creative use of rust holes







Sheet metal to replace the inner fender wall should be delivered next week. Fortunately, the wheel arches are in great condition. They were probably replaced when the Caldwell Brothers did the entertainer conversion.

--replaced curb side floor supports.

Walls braced and painted with POR 15

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Any progress on your eagle?