What is this thing? Weird Old Airstream Motorhome?

[RC33]

Ran across this old bus/motorhome today and am very perplexed. I cannot find out any information on it whatsoever by searching the web. The chrome emblem on the front says "Mobilab, New London, NH". It's 24 feet long and reportedly has a 413 Chrysler engine.

Any ideas?

[Melody Ranch]

Quick Andy! It needs new axles!

Did you look inside? I Bet its interesting.

[RC33]

Couldn't look inside, owner has it full of stuff, using it as storage. It's a really neat bus, taillight markings indicate an era around 1964. Looks to still be in really good shape, and supposedly will still run. Owner agreed to sell it to me for 2,500 bucks. Didn't get to speak with him very long but will definitely be getting back in touch to get any more info he might have.

[flyfshr]

That is KEWL!! Looks to be skinned in aluminum and has no windows, which means they could be put where you want them if you set it up as a camper. Maybe it was a mobile medical unit? Can't make out the writing on the side. More pictures pleeze.

Brad
FF

[RC33]

I believe it was originally some sort of mobile testing unit, such as for hearing, eyesight, etc.. I didn't get anymore pics but will be going back soon to look at it more closely. I'm just wondering if it's worth the 2500, especially since I've got to have it towed/hauled back to my place which is about an hour away. I'd say the tires are fairly well shot on the back, so I'd have to replace them before I could even have it towed. I have to admit, I've never seen another one like this anywhere in my life. If this thing was restored and polished, can you imagine the reaction from people on the interstate when this silver missile came streaking by?

[msieber109]

Originally Posted by RC33

I've never seen another one like this anywhere in my life. If this thing was restored and polished, can you imagine the reaction from people on the interstate when this silver missile came streaking by?

That would be quite a sight!!!!
Keep us posted as to the outcome and good luck!!!

[87MH]

Welcome to the Forums!!

The Motorhome below was also built on a Dodge chassis.

[centennialman]

It's pretty cool looking. What do the words painted on the side say?

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by RC33

I believe it was originally some sort of mobile testing unit, such as for hearing, eyesight, etc.. I didn't get anymore pics but will be going back soon to look at it more closely. I'm just wondering if it's worth the 2500, especially since I've got to have it towed/hauled back to my place which is about an hour away. I'd say the tires are fairly well shot on the back, so I'd have to replace them before I could even have it towed. I have to admit, I've never seen another one like this anywhere in my life. If this thing was restored and polished, can you imagine the reaction from people on the interstate when this silver missile came streaking by?

Is it worth $2500, in a real raw sense probably not. Don't think you could get $2500 for scrap value.
Is it worth $2500? You have to answer that one. Can you see yourself pulling up to your favorite camp grounds in a super cool motor home?
Then I guess it is.

[JackMac]

Looks like a Barth to me.

[Uberphotos]

It's gonna cost a LOT to get it road worthy...I think you should buy it

[Mike Leary]

Do we know if AS built that? I've seen a pic of that type of coach somewhere else. What a project! Got a shop big enough? Do it.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Do we know if AS built that? I've seen a pic of that type of coach somewhere else. What a project! Got a shop big enough? Do it.

Doubt it. But in 1964 there were plenty of small fabrication shops that would have been more than capable of producing something like that. I suspect it was one of a few Mobile Labs set up for whatever. We used to get the ones built on modified bus chassis around the various industrial sites I worked at...still do.

Aaron

[drag'nwagon]

Looks like a Barth to me also. In my opinion it is definately worth the 2500 bux, heck the 413 is worth that much if it runs. It would cost a lot a dough to get it cherry, but it would be worth it.

[tallytwo1994]

The top panel looks more like an Avion to me.
carol

[Jreimer260]

This one's labeled a 1970 34' custom. Three pics one this site.

pictures-of-old-motorhomes.com

[RC33]

Wow, thanks for the link to those photos! It ties in with what the owner has been able to tell me on the phone about this one. Spoke with him last night and he says it's actually a 1971 model! A one-off unit built by "Bellamy Coach Works" in Gate City, VA, specially for the schools to do mobile testing on children(hearing, sight, etc.). It's actually 27 feet long, and does have a Chrysler 413 power plant that reportedly will still run. He was told when he bought it that the initial cost of this rig in 1971 was a whopping 28,000 dollars! I can imagine it would be since it's all custom coach work. It's been a long time since it's been on the road and would take quite a bit of work to get her road worthy again - for that reason I may pass on this one for now, but I'm still considering it strongly. BUT, and you're not going to believe this, I found ANOTHER Bellamy-built bus in a completely different area yesterday!! This one is a 1972 model, 30 feet long with a Ford 360 power plant. This one was built to do strictly hearing testing and it has a very odd soundproof room inside built like a bank vault! Stopped and talked to the owner and he agreed to sell this bus to me for 2,300! This one is still tagged and can be driven anywhere with ease. The Ford engine runs great and it even has an automatic transmission! Also has new brakes all way around. The ceilings inside this one are 8 feet all the way through - talk about a comfortable motorcoach conversion, this would make one. The soundproof room is wild, you open the big heavy door and step inside and say one word, and there's absolutely NO echo, it's like the walls are soaking up your voice and every sound - weird. That big heavy room would have to go though during the conversion. Another weird feature that neither I nor the current owner can figure out is a factory TRAP DOOR under the rear of the bus. The sound proof room is located in about the middle of the bus and there's no door to go on through to the back(there's no outside door on the back of the bus either, it's solid). So, the only way to access this space in the very back of the bus is a trap door under the floor - very odd! I've decided to purchase this one and will keep everyone updated on my progress - it should be a lot of fun!

[Minnie's Mate]

Good luck with the conversion. I look forward to watching the progress.

[GlenCoombe]

RC33, what a find! I see a GearVendor in your future. The rear end ratio was likely pretty much a city gearing and will turn the engine at too high an rpm to keep up with highway driving nowadays.

You might want to keep the sound proof room for times when you snore.

You can cut a back door to the hidden room. Add widows and such.

Sounds like quite the unit. We will need to see interior shots of the before and after gutting.

Good luck!

[RC33]

Will definitely keep everyone posted of the progress. I should have interior shots when I get it home in the next couple of weeks. Keeping the soundproof room might be an idea! Talk about sleeping good - no noises, pitch black and safe! But, if something were to happen outside while sleeping in there, I wouldn't hear it and that might be a bad thing, so it will probably have to go.

I've been playing around with paint shop, and thought about portholes for the side(I probably won't do this, but it's fun to consider!):




...sortof like one of these,



...had an affair with one of these,



...who's cousin looked like one of these,



...who had a Grandfather that looked like this: