TED CAMPBELL's 743 RESTORATION PROJECT

Several years ago, Ted Campbell, owner of Coach Maintenance, Inc., in Williams, CA, purchased this coach from PBM member Alex Locke, and undertook the restoration of this unique ex-Greyhound model 743 coach. (Only two 743's were built to these specifications, and this is one.) This project is still underway, but enough progress has been made, so that it can be shown in photos.

This coach had several owners, starting with Greyhound, as well as California Parlor Car Tours, Batco, and Eastshore Lines. Several photos exist of this bus under previous owners at the Motor Coach Age website, some in color.

The powerpack has been completely rebuilt, with many new components. The flooring has been replaced, most interior side panels have been redone with new material, the six heater boxes are being rebuilt and re-installed. The lounge area in the rear of the coach is complete. The driver's area is nearly finished, as well as entrance steps, and modesty panel. All wiring has been re-worked, and all electric lighting components have been replaced and/or rebuilt. All original lighting options have been restored. Much glass has been replaced, including both front windshields. Additional work, too numerous to detail here, has also been completed. To reach this point in the restoration, material and labor costs have exceeded $60,000.

Nearly complete Driver's Area. The cover plate over the switch panel is temporarily removed in this photo	Here you can see the engine compartment, with its new powerplant. The electrical Junction Box in the upper right, has been completely re-wired.	The exterior body has been throroughly worked over, and prepped for painting. Note the original marker light and air intake pieces, adjacent to the destination sign. All new front windshield glass is also evident in this photo.
Close inspection reveals quite a lot of work to the interior. The new flooring is installed, awaiting positioning and installation of the six heater boxes. The ceiling panels have been reworked. All lighting assemblies have been rebuilt. Note the overhead baggage area, and window frames have all been repaired and cleaned. That's the original material along the buffer panel of the overhead baggage area! All side panels on the passenger side (not visible) have been rebuilt with new material. The lounge area in the rear has new seating material. The blue nightlights, a trademark of this model coach, are also working.		Here is the coach with all rear lighting in operation. Very shortly, Ted expects to move this coach from its current bay to a bay where it can be painted. We look forward to photos of this coach when it's complete, and "On The Road again!"

Winter 2002 Update

Considerable progess has been made to the 743. While a lot of "behind the scenes" work has taken place, much progress is visible. For example, the driver's area is complete. Work not visible includes a lot of replacement wiring, heating components, flooring, seating, and more. Material is expected shortly to complete the lounge area. After that, the seats will be reinstalled.

Work is now going on to prepare the coach for painting. The roof had seven coats of paint! Ted is now working on this area.

The 743's Builders Plate	As we enter, we can see paintwork is complete, all accessories have been installed, and are completely operational.	View from Driver's Position
Closeup of restored dash. All switches and gauges work as originally intended.		Outdoors again! Many body panels have been replaced or repaired. Not too long from now, when the roof has been prepared and the lounge area completed, the coach will disappear into the Paint Booth. We look forward to the day when it makes its debut!

After restoration is complete, Ted is planning on bringing the coach out for occasional exhibition, and may even re-visit some of its old haunts. We'll continue to keep you up-to-date with photos here.

2004 Update

The 743 restoration project is nearly complete! Viewed from the outside, only the lettering is yet to be added; the complete body paintwork, and accessory add-ons are complete!

After months of body preparation work by Ted Campbell, owner of Coach Maintenance, Inc., and Dave Pagel, the two committed themselves to set aside everything else, and paint this coach full time, until it was completed. They started on a Monday. After five very long days, it was pronounced complete, the following Saturday morning.

Three major colors were applied, plus striping. Two gallons of light green, 4 gallons of dark green, and 3 gallons of white paint were used to create the unique California Parlor Car Tours style on this coach. Silver striping paint was used to add the finishing touches to this excellent work.

Ted's creation of the California Parlor Cars color scheme emphasizes the graceful body lines of the 743 coach body. It follows the curves incorporated into this design, and brings it all together using eye-pleasing, complimentary colors. Note how the painting, together with striping, brings out the depth designed into the body's wheel openings. The sloping front is nicely set off by the contrast between the white and the green colors used.

Closeups of special detail work are also included, below. Especially noteworthy is how the silver striping emphasizes the color borders, and how they compliment the body itself. For example, the effort put into this paintwork is evident in the wheels. Note how the striping was painstakingly applied inside the wheels themselves.

This brings you Up-To-Date as of January, 2004 on the 743 project. We expect to add another entry when the lettering is complete, and also include more detailed interior shots, which will show how well the seating and other materials have been integrated into the inside body parts.

Ted Campbell stands by the entrance of the newly restored Yellow 743	A picture perfect pose shows the result of the restoration effort	A closeup view of the wheel area
A closeup view of one of the wheels showing the level of detail that went into the painting	A side view of the 743 showing the graceful lines used in creating the California Parlor Car Tours livery	All the accessories have been added including details like the driver's spotlight
A rear view of the 743	A closeup shot of the completely restored rear drumhead	A closeup shot of the detail on the rear vent
The front profile of the 743	Left side profile	Closeup shot of the detail of the destination sign area of the 743

This page updated on May 17, 2007