Do you have the wanderlust as much as I do? This one could help. This is a 1978 Blue Bird Wanderlodge 33-FC and it’s located in Santee, California. It’s listed on eBay for $18,000 or make an offer. They mention a Buy It Now price of $15,500. These FCs typically sell for up to around $45,000 or so, and that gives a bit of room to put some money into this unit, which apparently it needs as it’s listed as “not operational”. These FC units came in 31′, 33′, and 35′ lengths.

This is a 33-foot, forward-control bus; hence the “33-FC” in the title. Forward control meant that these buses had the engine in the front, which seems unusual to those of us who are used to seeing buses with rear engines. The FC Blue Bird Wanderlodge buses were made from 1963 through 1989. After 1976 the 300 hp 3208 Cat diesel because the engine of choice, replacing gas engines. In 1982 turbochargers were added and in 1987 intercoolers were added. The seller has this one listed as a “Turbo Cat”, so it must have been upgraded at some point since the turbo wasn’t available on these in 1978. There aren’t nearly enough photos of this great-looking “motorhome” (what I grew up calling these).

There are only two discernable (at least to me) interior photos, which seems odd to me. But, here’s what you’ll be staring at, or hopefully just glancing down at every once in a while as you power across the countryside. There are photos showing other 1978 FC Wanderlodges on the internet (big shocker), but it would have been nice to have the seller provide more images of this one. Speaking of this one, the seller mentions that this “is a salvage vehicle and is being sold for parts only. It is not operational or street legal. Therefore, upon purchase, it will need to be either towed or put on a trailer.” And, goes on to say that this unit “has been parked for the last year. Batteries were removed and used elsewhere.”, but that it was last driven “200 miles and parked. Ran fine.” I have no clue what the problem is with the drivetrain, but you might want to have some training or a semi-large wallet to get this one sorted out. But, for around $15,000 I’m guessing that it would be a good gamble for someone with diesel experience. Is this Blue Bird worth a gamble or would you rather have a perfectly-operating one for a much higher price?