1971 Dodge/Thomas "Mighty Mite" bus.

"Dumbo" is a 1971 Dodge/Thomas "Mighty Mite" D300 bus. It started life as the activity bus for South Johnston High School in Four Oaks, NC and ended up at T.R.O.S.A. in Durham, NC who put it on the eBay internet auction. It was purchased for the astronomical sum of $300 and was driven without any problems to its new home in Lexington, KY in October of 2001. Since then, it has received a complete restoration including a set of airliner seats, sound system, cruise control, GPS navigation system, and air conditioning. Other improvements include new Thomas Bus interior baggage racks, rear shock absorbers, a Bostrom air-ride driver's seat, and a Nathan P3 locomotive air horn. The 360 cid V8 engine was rebuilt by Estes Automotive Racing Engines in Nicholasville, KY and the exterior restoration was performed by Tim Arnold and a group of fellow Thomas Bus employees near Lexington, NC in February and March of 2002. Dumbo got its name from Bill's wife Jane who said it was a name with dual meaning - the bus is a white elephant and it could also refer to the guys in the bus who occasionally use it for chasing trains. It is one of only 600 Thomas "Mighty Mite" buses produced in the early 70's and is believed to be the only one still in service.