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1959 Viking Short Bus Converted into Cabin on Wheels You Can Live In


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As far back as I can remember I’ve always been fascinated with bus conversions.

This mobile cabin on wheels (that used to be a school bus) is now ready for minimalist living and traveling.

How would you like to tour the country in this tiny house on wheels? Or maybe even live off grid in it?

Inside this 1959 Chevrolet Viking short bus you’ll find most of the comforts of home…

Chevy Viking Short Bus Conversion

Check out the rest of this viking short bus cabin below:

viking-short-bus-conversion-turned-to-cabin-on-wheels-by-winkarch-002

Here’s What It Looked Like Before the Conversion:

viking-short-bus-conversion-turned-to-cabin-on-wheels-by-winkarch-003

Alright, Come On In To See What It Looks Like Now…

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Interior of the Short Bus Cabin

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Plenty of Comfortable Seating that Converts to Beds

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Dining Table

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Built in Storage Drawers

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Sink with Running Water (Bathroom is in the Closet there)

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Exterior of the Bus

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Design Sketches / Bus Conversion Plans

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Floor Plan

The renovation was done by Winkelman Architecture group for a client who wanted to use the bus for road trips with the family and as a guest bedroom when it’s parked at home.

So it wasn’t really designed for full time living although some of us can probably pull it off quite comfortably.

This bus conversion was designed to comfortably and safely travel with 12 passengers.

And you can also sleep in it since you can convert seating into two single beds or join them together for one queen bed.

The Short BUS Retro (as it’s been named) even has plumbing (sink and toilet) and power (12v and 120v).

Visit the architect’s website here.

Explore more bus conversions here.

If you enjoyed this Short BUS Retro you’ll love our free daily tiny house newsletter with more!

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 29 comments… add one }
  • Carol
    February 12, 2014, 12:25 pm

    Love it, and love all the wood. Thanks for sharing this, Alex.

    • Alex Pino
      February 16, 2014, 10:46 am

      Glad you enjoyed it Carol!

  • Byron
    February 12, 2014, 2:29 pm

    I like it. It looks really inviting, open and comfortable. The windows really fit the style and layout of the interior. I would lose some of the seating, though, in favor of a small kitchen area, if it were mine.

    • Alex Pino
      February 18, 2014, 5:07 pm

      I like your kitchen idea (I think I’d do the same!)

  • jerryd
    February 12, 2014, 10:40 pm

    Nice layout really shows how good 2 couch beds can work in such a small area giving seating for 8 in a pinch. Not bad for this 70sq’? I could live in it.

    I’d change the dinette into a kitchen and the sink into a closet. Then use a folding table between the couches for dining.

    • Alex Pino
      February 18, 2014, 5:08 pm

      Thanks Jerry!

  • Georgina
    February 13, 2014, 3:47 pm

    Wow!!! What an amazing transformation

    • Alex Pino
      February 18, 2014, 5:07 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

  • Joyce West
    February 23, 2014, 11:57 pm

    Don’t have a website but I enjoyed this. A cousin of mine had done something very similar and my husband’s uncle has done a similar retro-fit. He and his wife often drive around the US and possibly Canada and Mexico in theirs.

    It can be a great way to live your life – especially if you have wanderlust.

    Thanks for sharing this/these.

  • Mickey
    May 24, 2014, 7:43 pm

    Put me on the wait list if the owners ever decide to sell!! BTW, what is the square footage? And in what shape are the mechanics of this old bus?
    Thanks!

  • Natasha
    September 27, 2014, 6:15 am

    Love it! We are in the process of converting a 1965 Bedford Bus into a motorhome. Can I pick your brains about the roof lining?! It looks just what we want. What is it made of and how did you install it? Any info to help us out would be super! Kind regards,

    • TinyHouse Enthusiast
      October 5, 2014, 8:24 pm

      “The renovation was done by Winkelman Architecture group for a client who wanted to use the bus for road trips with the family and as a guest bedroom when it’s parked at home.”

      I think you’d need to get in touch with the Winkelman Architects, who did this. Alex probably doesn’t have the info you’re looking for.

  • October 5, 2014, 6:43 pm

    Wow. Once our house is finished, this will be my next project. Amazing job.

  • Eldaka
    October 5, 2014, 6:54 pm

    This is awesome. I would love to travel the country in this.

  • Glema
    November 1, 2014, 5:01 pm

    The sink to toilet combo might be nice here? Just a thought, free up the now sink area for more of a kitchenette area.

  • Susan
    February 11, 2017, 2:15 pm

    Beautifully done!

  • ROSEE
    February 11, 2017, 5:29 pm

    IMPRESSIVE! Glad they had a toilet as well even if it was a bit cramped. Well done!

  • ZACHARY E MOHRMANN
    February 11, 2017, 7:18 pm

    I think this is the best bus conversation I have seen yet …! I love every thing about it, and I don’t really care for the small buses either, but this small bus is better then full size buses I have seen in the past.. Very comfy looking…!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 13, 2017, 8:38 am

      It’s lovely! And just so cute haha.

  • Gloria
    February 11, 2017, 9:31 pm

    Great conversion-with few modifications could live in it!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 13, 2017, 8:29 am

      It’s pretty great!

  • March 3, 2017, 8:52 am

    Love it. I’ve been into tiny houses for quite a while and now the bus conversions have been calling out to me. Plus this one seems less intimidating to drive, haha.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      March 6, 2017, 9:21 am

      Haha seriously!! 🙂

  • Nancy
    March 3, 2017, 11:54 pm

    WOW, this is perfect for my retirement wandering!!!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      March 6, 2017, 9:05 am

      Absolutely!

  • Tom Osterdock
    March 24, 2018, 11:58 am

    Nice, it does look nice all except the kitchen and bathroom make this a good idea. those two make it not livable for long excursions.

  • Janica
    June 15, 2018, 1:44 pm

    I am so glad I came across this post. I am accuiring a 63 very similar to this and I love your ideas. Thank you for sharing the process.

  • Fred
    October 2, 2019, 9:04 pm

    Bit late to the party here, but I have to say…Impressive!
    Love what those guys did with that old bus.
    …I’m Definitely looking into a motorhome now!
    Thanks for showing this to us, Alex. -b

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