We call it the “Sokool Bus.” Whenever anyone sees it, they automatically say, “That’s so cool!”
It’s a 1946 Chevrolet 2.5-ton “art deco” cab and chassis equipped with a seven-window, Carpenter bus body. Originally purchased in 1946 as WWII surplus by a farmer in Minnesota, it was used to travel between Minnesota and Texas. After decades of sitting unused on the farm and falling into disrepair, the bus was resurrected by the grandson of the original owner.
In December 2016, the bus—with just over 15,000 original miles—was purchased and driven from Minnesota to California at an average speed of 33 mph.
Once home, the original 265-cubic-inch V-8 was replaced with a 454 big-block engine. The original 6.17 rear end remains, but the bus now averages a more practical 45 mph.
The interior has been minimally altered. The original seats were reupholstered, and a small table was added. A couch with a hide-a-bed is located at the rear. The bus accommodates 12 passengers plus the driver.
Beyond being a functional people mover, the Sokool Bus is a magnet for attention. Filling the gas tank becomes a social event, as passersby stop to ask about it, take photos, or share stories of riding similar buses in their youth.
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