From the outside, Greg Flint’s bus doesn’t look like much. The 1965 Chevy model is a faded brown, its paint chipped away in places; overall, in fact, the vehicle’s appearance is one that suggests neglect. Inside, however, Flint has worked hard to turn the dilapidated wreck he calls “Buster” into a breathtaking home.
Flint’s connection to Buster goes back more than 15 years, and the retiree gained possession of the bus through a series of serendipitous events. The first of these came after Flint’s four daughters had flown the nest; and once he was alone, having raised the girls, he made a momentous decision.
You see, Flint decided that his property wasn’t what he wanted anymore, and so he put it up for sale. Instead of living in what Flint has described to website SmallerLiving as his “big log dream home” on a 10-acre plot, he was after an altogether different dwelling. At around that time, however, two friends of the father asked him for a favor.
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Flint already had something of a reputation for being good with his hands, given that he is a former stonemason and builder. Around Sandpoint, Idaho, he is also known for having the nickname “Papa Smurf” – although it’s almost certainly not because he possesses magical powers.
And Flint’s friends wanted their buddy to use some of his skills to fix up the old bus before it went to Mexico. However, although Flint agreed to help the pair, something happened that could very well have put an end to his vision for the vehicle: his pals’ relationship hit the rocks.
Flint explained to SmallerLiving, “Those friends broke up. In the meantime, I had fallen in love with Buster and had a vision for its transformation. I asked to buy it, and they gave it to me.” The retiree added, “I’ve lived in Buster for almost 15 years now, and I love it.”
Fortunately for Flint, though, he didn’t have to start from scratch when he began the conversion. Somebody had already added a top section to the vehicle, which had been crafted using parts from two VW vans. Windows had also been included in the upper area of the bus, and this in turn would give Flint more potential to renovate below.
Flint told SmallerLiving, “The upper windows made it possible to cover many lower windows, allowing for more buildable wall space.” He added to the website, “The front section has a VW ‘pop top’ giving access to the rear deck on top – which provides wonderfully cooling airflow in the summer.”