I wanted to write it down here again because I had reviewed it today with Stefan (Autocenter Ahrensfelde). After all, it's also a kind of diary...

So, after the school bus idea was born (thank you, Alex Wiegand...), I started looking for one.
There are not many dealers. Actually, there is one in Berlin (Autocenter Ahrensfelde) and then another somewhere in western Germany. So on 1 February this year - one of the few freezing cold, slightly snowy days - I set off for Ahrensfelde with my friend Effi and my mate Manu.

Manu with a checker look and Effi expertly under the fire truck (another gender faux pas !!!!)!!! 😂

The fire truck was a real gem, but it was also an old-timer, more than 30 years old... somehow I didn't dare to go for it.

The Ford coach in the middle was actually my favourite after the visit. So chic! That would have been a real hit for my purposes.
But it was already an old-timer and in my layman's eyes it was pretty worn out...

In any case, there was nothing here for me. Stefan said that nothing was on the cards for the time being and my friends tried to talk me out of the whole American car thing.

That was good! Thank you!
Because that strengthened my resolve all the more: I WANT A SCHOOL BUS!!!!

I think it was the same night that I was googling in forums until dawn, reading reports from people who had got themselves a "schoolie" and were so happy about it. That same night I researched all the basic facts about the Schoolies and the next morning at 8 o'clock I rang the "USCars" garage in Pankow to get information about importing, regulations etc. I was very happy.

My mind was made up: "THEN I'LL LOOK FOR ONE MYSELF"!!!
(What others can do, I can do too)

Dad was fully involved in the research (thanks, Dad ❤️) and soon we had one on the line.
A phone call was made to Ben Flood in New Jersey... "please don't sell, I'm highly interested..."
quickly drive to Vladi in the workshop, ask him to organise the data sheet...

...after two weeks the answer: This model would not be registered with us ... so, yes, but with a 15,000 special licence ... oops

I don't want to get lost in the details... but after about four weeks of intensive research, I decided during a phone call with Stefan from Autocenter Ahrensfelde: "You so deserve your commission! I get it... can I please give you the order to find one for me now?"!!!!

That was probably in April. "But that can take time," was the answer.

Then on 2 June I thought I'd get in touch again and remind myself...

"You must have smelt a rat! Yesterday I bought the bus you wanted at auction"!!!! WOW!!! YES

Well, and the rest of the story starts with the first blog entry 💛🚌