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In mid-summer of 2008 the first overhaul was undertaken in anticipation of the Reconstruction Tour. All 11 original benches as well as the door assembly were removed, totaling over 700 pounds of steel frame and bolts. While we realize this must break the hearts of the US Air Force flyboys that rode in the Ark, just remember we rescued it and they scrapped it.
The pillaging of the original interior allowed Phase I construction to be implemented. This consisted of semi-permanent installations of a driver seat, passenger seat, La-Z-Boy swivel recliner, and queen-size futon in addition to numerous smaller changes such as an “angled box” for storage. Phase I took around two weeks to complete.
The front seats were installed on a custom-built raised floor to create a perfect “height” for driving a vehicle as large as the Ark. The recliner and futon were installed on a raised floor as well that had storage cabinets underfoot. These cabinets had Mahogany doors. The futon was disassembled and modified to be able to open up to a complete queen bed inside the dimension of the bus while still allowing access out the back door when the bed was not in use. It needed to be heavily reinforced for this to be successful.
Many original interior components of the bus still remained in place, such as the luggage racks and vertical support posts. This meant the Ark maintained a feeling of compartmentalization; it was clear the driver was in a different cabin from the passengers.
The majority of the materials used in Phase I were particle board and scrap lumber. Mike K. assisted handily in the construction, as did the elder Mr. Ziebarth with mechanical help and financing details. The elder Mr. Apostol contributed brand new Goodyear tires during Phase I, and “Uncle Mikey” gave the Ark the first official green light to hit the road.
