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A shortbus is the skoolie for people who still want to park at the grocery store. This 1994 Ward (American Transportation Co.) shortbus in Los Osos, California is 23 feet long, runs on the 7.3 IDI diesel with a 5-speed manual, and shows about 66,000 original miles, according to the sellers. It has a professional-looking conversion with granite counters, a Jotul wood stove, a marine fridge and freezer, and what the sellers call a $15,000 solar installation. They say they have more than $60,000 into it and are asking $36,500 because they are moving out of the country.
A Warm Wood-and-Granite Interior
The interior goes for a classic cabin feel rather than white paint and shiplap. Wood cabinets line both walls, the counters are black granite, and a carved wood valance frames the rear doors. The flooring is a wood-look plank. Lighter colors would make the bus feel bigger, but the craftsmanship is the point here.
A Galley With Curved Shelving and Real Drawers
The galley has a flush-mount stove set into the granite, rounded end shelves with diamond-plate liners, and full-depth wooden drawers. In a bus this size, drawers beat open shelving because things stay put on the road.
Marine Fridge and Freezer
The sellers list a Vitrifrigo marine refrigerator and freezer, built in as stainless drawers near the door. Marine 12-volt units are designed for small battery banks and run efficiently on solar, which is why many van and bus builders prefer them over household fridges.
A Jotul Wood Stove for Cold Nights
A cast-iron Jotul airtight stove sits on a diamond-plate hearth with heat shielding behind it. A wood stove gives dry heat without propane or battery use, and it is a big comfort upgrade if you plan to spend winters somewhere cool. Ask the sellers how the flue is sealed through the roof and whether a carbon monoxide detector is installed.
Dinette and Pull-Out Bed
The teal bench dinette has a fold-down table with a gold compass inlay. At night, a slatted wooden frame pulls out from the bench and the cushions lay flat to make the bed. It is a simple, proven way to get a dining spot and a bed out of the same few feet.
Solar, Lithium, and Off-Grid Water
The electrical panel uses Victron charge controllers, and the photos show three LiFeBlue lithium batteries. The sellers also list freshwater and gray water tanks, a portable toilet, an outdoor shower, and a water heater that can run on engine coolant, 12 volts, propane, or 110-volt shore power. They describe the build as relatively new and needing minor completion, so ask for a list of what is left to finish.
The Bus Underneath
The 7.3 IDI is a slow but durable diesel, and a manual transmission is unusual in a school bus. The sellers report 10 to 15 miles per gallon, power brakes, six new Toyo tires, and a clean Oregon RV title. A full-length powder-coated roof rack with an exterior ladder adds storage, and the rear hitch carrier in the photos is holding a motorcycle. One photo appears to show the bus in its original yellow school bus paint, before the teal.
What It Costs
- Asking price: $36,500, with all offers and partial trades considered (listing checked October 24, 2026).
- Finishing: the sellers say the build needs minor completion. Budget a few thousand dollars and some weekends.
- Ongoing: RV insurance and registration in your state, plus diesel and maintenance on a 30-year-old chassis.
Before You Buy
- Have a diesel mechanic inspect the 7.3 IDI, transmission, brakes, and frame for rust.
- Check the electrical system under load, and confirm battery age and capacity.
- Confirm the title is an RV title, as the listing says, and that it transfers cleanly to your state.
- Marketplace listings can sell quickly. Message the sellers through the listing, see the bus in person, and never send money ahead of a viewing.
Design Details
- Bus: 1994 Ward / American Transportation Co., 23 ft
- Drivetrain: 7.3 IDI diesel, 5-speed manual, about 66,000 original miles (per sellers)
- Heat: Jotul airtight wood stove
- Kitchen: granite counters, flush-mount stove, Vitrifrigo marine fridge and freezer
- Power: solar with Victron controllers and lithium batteries
- Water: fresh and gray tanks, multi-source water heater, outdoor shower, portable toilet
- Location: Los Osos, California
Highlights
- Easy-to-park 23-foot shortbus with a professional-looking conversion
- 7.3 IDI diesel and a rare 5-speed manual
- Jotul wood stove, marine fridge and freezer, granite counters
- Big solar and lithium battery setup
- Asking $36,500, offers and partial trades considered
Learn More
See all 20 photos and contact the sellers on Facebook Marketplace. Browse more skoolies and tiny homes for sale.
Would you trade a full-size skoolie’s space for a shortbus you can park almost anywhere?
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More Like This: Tiny Houses For Sale | Skoolies | School Bus Conversions | Vehicles
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
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