Hi guys, I am going to be booting up a project shortly. I will have $4000 to make an Ecto. But if I’m going to spend that kind of money, I don’t want it to be some poor half assed conception. So, I’m calling all of our Southeast Ghostbusters for some help!
Florida and Georgia GB, keep your eyes pealed for an ambulance or hearse. I’ve found an Olds locally, but the guy is pretty firm on $3800 and it needs a lot of work, in that its riddled with rust and does not run. Ideally, I’d like to pick one up and have it running for $4k, possibly even painted.
If you guys feel this is too ambitious of a project for $4k, please let me know. Some other conversions I have been thinking about would be a Vista Cruiser (from the same guy, but it runs…), or an Outback Legacy (found one for $1400).
Fiberglass and rack fabrication are no problem, can do them on my own at cost. Lights and sound system, I will worry about that once I have something to put them on.
I’ve been thinking about doing an Ecto for awhile too, but money has always been a factor. Having not done one yet I don’t know if I’m correct or not, but I doubt you could find a decent running ambulance for less than $4000, I could be wrong though. However, if you need any help working on whatever it is you get let me know, I’d love to get some Ecto experience under my belt
I’d wouldn’t say it’s impossible, but it is certainly very ambitious. When money isn’t on your side, time is. Be patient, and don’t force yourself into buying a car that isn’t exactly what you are looking for.
When everything’s said and done, I like the way Outbacks turn out. I just don’t want to have something that gets posted on the “lol” thread.
It is something, though, I would like to get started on fairly soon. In hindsight, I should have posted this in the regional forum, to put some feelers out and see if anyone has any decent prices.
As far as advice…its a long shot but check your local funeral homes, sometimes they’ll have an old coach gathering dust in a garage. Also check out http://www.myhearse.com/ this is Shields Southeast Sales…essentially a hearse dealership in Atlanta. They only post their newer stuff online but sometimes take in older coaches on trade that they keep on the lot and eventually sell for scrap. If you can happen up on one there you can buy it for almost nothing. I bought my first hearse from there in 2001, a 1974 Superior. 70,000 miles for $750.00 I kept it for 3 years, drove it to Cincinatti and back and never had a problem with it. Of course this is the exception to the rule but still…
Anyway Watch Craigslist and Ebay and sign up here http://www.nationalhearse.net/forums/ Once on there keep an eye on the coaches for sale section and the Dead-Ends section (D-E is the Atl. based part of the club, as far as I know none of the guys are selling right now but from time to time one of us has one to let go)
My opinion: It’s your car, do what you like. Ultimately, you’ll be the one converting and driving it, so the only validation you should need is your own. I’ve seen many conversions, but I don’t think I’ve seen a box truck. It helps if you do a sketch or mockup of it before you choose a route to go.
Also: Our Ecto cost around $3000 to make, including buying the car, sourcing the equipment, bodywork, paint…the whole nine yards. Just keep an eye out for good deals and scoure surplus stores and second-hand stores for things that you may be able to use on the rack. So your $4000 will get you a fine Ecto conversion, if you have any connections with paint or bodywork.
Paint and bodywork would be done in house, so that wasn’t into the equation. I wasn’t really looking for validation, just asking for opinions lol. I found one here for 900, running and in good condition. I think the guy with the hearse has had second thoughts when he saw I had cash in hand. Dunno what to think about that. 'Gonna check out the truck tomorrow.
With the truck, I had some thoughts, but the only problem I could see with it would be proportioning. It would either be really spread out, or leave me with tons of room to be creative.
So far, this is kind of a “what if” thread, and once I actually buy something, I’ll turn it into my build. Chances are, though, I’ll keep waiting until something comes around. Just want it to be awesome, ya know what I mean? My dad is getting into it, too. He’s gonna sew up an inflatable Stay Puft. Just thinking about how awesome it’d be to deploy it from the roof of the thing.
Ya, I went down to my local insurance agency and they had a stick up their butts about it. So I was just wondering if anyone has any way around it. I googled around and someone said something about collectible insurance, in that it was only used for parades and events.
So I was just wondering…
PS: I found a prospective car today, 87 Caddy. Its nice, and the guy wants $1800, but I think I can get it down to $1200 cos he wants rid of it so bad. Will keep ya’ll in the loop.
