Vintage Studebaker Bus Offers First-Class Experience at Car Shows

A remarkable piece of automotive history is capturing attention at car shows thanks to the creativity of Peter Haseltine. The 90-year-old Studebaker bus, originally built in 1935, has been transformed into a mobile showcase of luxury, featuring first-class seating from a Pan-Am 747. This unique vehicle not only serves as a car carrier but also provides a nostalgic first-class experience for passengers.

Peter first acquired the vintage bus after spotting it on eBay in 2005. The timing was serendipitous, as it matched the year of his own 1935 Studebaker convertible street rod, which is currently under construction. His initial intention was to modify the bus for transporting his prized vehicle, but the project quickly evolved into a comprehensive restoration that highlights the bus’s storied past.

The interior of the bus now boasts seating that once entertained passengers aboard the iconic airline. Peter sourced the seats from a private vendor near Sea-Tac Airport, installing them to replace the original cramped passenger seating. The bus’s interior includes spacious leather and cloth tilt-back seats, complete with footrests and removable sheepskin covers for easy cleaning. Each seat features a tilt-out tray reminiscent of the in-flight dining experience from decades past, along with ashtrays that harken back to a time when smoking was permitted on flights.

During the conversion, Peter stumbled upon an intriguing treasure tucked within one of the seats: a Pan-Am first-class menu from the 1980s, among other items. This discovery adds a unique touch of authenticity to the bus, sparking conversations about air travel’s golden age.

Peter’s journey to acquire the bus was as colorful as the vehicle itself. While traveling to Los Angeles, he encountered the seller—a towering man with an imposing appearance—but soon found him to be friendly and engaging. The seller had previously owned a fleet of vintage vehicles that included the bus, which had been featured in various films, including a 2005 Disneyland Resort commercial celebrating the theme park’s 50th anniversary.

Once Peter secured the bus, he faced the challenge of upgrading its components to ensure safe and reliable travel on modern highways. The original six-cylinder engine and suspension were not suitable for current road conditions or for carrying a vehicle. To address this, he procured a 1980 Chevrolet dually equipped with a powerful 454 cubic inch engine. Remarkably, the frame of the bus aligned perfectly with the dually’s components, allowing for a seamless integration that maintained the bus’s original aesthetic while enhancing its performance.

The result is a bus that turns heads wherever it goes. At events like the annual GoodGuys street rod show in Puyallup, Washington, the Studebaker garners significant attention, with onlookers sharing nostalgic anecdotes. One memorable remark came from an attendee who quipped, “I’m pretty sure I rode that bus to prison once,” highlighting the bus’s long history and connection to the past.

Peter recalls a particularly challenging adventure when a bearing broke in the rear axle while returning from an event. A friend’s 1956 Chevy came to the rescue, towing the 25-foot bus to the MV Coho ferry terminal, where the crew assisted them in boarding. Such experiences only add to the bus’s character and Peter’s fond memories of ownership.

The vintage Studebaker bus continues to bring joy to those who see it. During the mid-July Northwest Deuce Days in Victoria, where over 1,300 hot rods were displayed, Peter and his friends cruised the streets in the eye-catching bus. Its first-class seating and rich history made it a standout among the sea of custom cars.

Originally built on a Studebaker truck chassis by the Wayne Corporation of Richmond, Indiana, the bus served as a transit vehicle in the City of Phoenix before entering the world of entertainment. Its unique construction allowed for sections to be added or removed, providing flexibility for repairs or modifications.

Looking ahead, Peter plans to enhance the bus’s interior to further elevate the first-class experience for passengers, though he has ruled out anything reminiscent of in-flight service, like flight attendants or ashtrays. Instead, he aims to include a copy of that Pan-Am menu in the seat pockets, a nostalgic nod to the luxury once offered to airline passengers.

As Peter continues to showcase this remarkable vehicle, the vintage Studebaker bus stands as a testament to automotive ingenuity, nostalgia, and the enduring appeal of classic cars.