here’s lookin at you!
Kevin called me one day and said he wanted me to build a coach as if it were mine and he wanted me to do it for him. How can I refuse such an offer! As he talked about the special things he was looking for it became more apparent than ever that we were on the same page— a travel machine, one that could comfortably hold several people in comfort, have video geer to keep them all happy, a short wheel base 23′ coach for handling, a maxed out motor to turn the tires anytime the urge came, GPS, in motion satellite system, a flashy dash, custom steering wheel, sharp wheels and an awesome paint job— stop it, I want that!!
So he found a very together 1973 coach, shipped it down and we got started. From the beginning to the end result
no detail was passed over, this machine now has a new lease on life and a new job description. Named “23 Skidoo”, Kevins coach takes away his need to rent a limo to carry friends to events, now driving cross town or across the country will be a blast. Bling, you betcha, his tire man found the perfect 17″ rims and low profile tires
oh yea, it looks good. The paint?
at night or in the day is awesome
But lets talk about Kevins “special features”
The driver has a 7″ screen for his GPS and DVD (when sitting of course), this is the Pioneer AVIC-N3
and the passenger seat has his own 7″ screen
DVD (portable) that will display GPS or play DVD’s or CD’s even with the other entire system off, satellite or watching GPS (brings a new dimension to the term “co-pilot”) Oh sure, the guys way in the back can be “real back seat drivers” watching the GPS from the rear
, they can watch satellite too or they have their own DVD if they like. Now the main salon “Stadium seating”
can listen to music and see nothing
, they can yell at Kevin while they watch the GPS
or just one guy can yell at him and point the set at any seat
. This Toshiba 20″ set is also tied to the KVH A-5 in motion satellite system, the dash GPS or it’s own built in DVD player. If Kevin gets tired of watching his screen
although with stuff like angular velocity and acceleration in G force always keeps my attention, he can close it down and oops, there is the new Vintage Air dash AC/heat control center
.. but of course the radio and pass. GPS and all the other screens are still working. Hey, what can I say– “I like to watch” too there Chaunchy Gardner! Of course if you get thirsty, pop the top on his chest frig and I am sure something will be in there to your likeing
hey and if he has a roadkill, the frig will go to freeze and Kevin could have dinner! It’s a compressor driven 12/ 110 with auto switching. Weather you sit in the front or the back, you will be comfortable and pampered.
The table and seats in the back have a great view outside or at the 13″ flat screen
While a game of cards goes on in the back the rest of the coach carries on..
or maybe it’s nap time and the table turns to a bed
. Like I said, whatever you want to do, it’s here.
, you can even sit in the corner with your lap top on your own table and have fun. More than a mere “motorhome” this is the way to travel. Oh and if you want to know where to put your bag, Kevin came up with an idea to copy those airport shuttle busses, toss your bags in the “baggage bar” behind the driver seat!
Kevin wanted the overhead cabinets to be styled after an aircraft interior–
, with a tilt up, the utilities are all pointing to the seats– 12 volt, 110, 110 inverter power and aircraft lighting all are at arms reach from the seats. One overhead holds the KVH A-5 satellite receiver and his systems monitor
all at eye level. And if you’re “Here for the party”, there will probably be a seat for ya
. To me, the first impression of the inside of the entry door is important so you know I had to spend some time on that
, then a helping hand right away says you will be taken good care of when you’re in
the 23 Skidoo.
A very unique machine, one that should give years of fun and joy to Kevins family and friends, it goes home to Milford on Saturday. Thanks Kevin for letting us build such a cool machine. I’m driving it home tonight and for a little while it’s mine! Kevin told me when we started this project he wanted me to build a coach the way I wanted one and do it for him– well, here you go Kevin, it’s mine tonight and soon it will be yours. Was there work involved in building this beauty? What do you think– hey, but I love it!
Features List:
Mechanical
- “Co-op Crate” motor
- Motor soon to have direct port fuel injection
- Serpentine belt system
- Headers w/ 3″ exhaust system
- Rebuilt transmission with Allison styled torque converter
- New design 4 air bag rear suspension
- dual compressor air ride system
- 3 living area battery switching system
- 6000 watt Honda water cooled generator
Interior
- Custom dash w/ calibrated gauges
- Chrome, burlwood & leather 18″ custom steering wheel
- Custom dash housing
- Vintage Air “Gen II” dash AC system
- Ramco electric mirror set
- Pioneer AVIC-N3 GPS unit 7 motorized 7″ LCD screen w/ BU camera (night vision)
- Computer cruise control w/ resume and up/down speed
- KVH A-5 in motion satellite dish/ receiver
- 3 flat screen AV system
- 2 way compressor driven chest frig.
- maserator sewer dump
- 2 Penguin 13.5K BTU roof AC units w/ heat strips
Exterior
- 2 color custom paint (base/clear)
- fiberglass bumper covers
- Metalized window tint
- shaved body mold strip with no molding
- LED side marker lights
- Flush “T” slider windows
- Removed spare tire
- 17″ custom rims with low profile tires
Truly a together machine Thanks to all who had a hand with this project.