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This Custom 1987 Prevost Mirage Runs on Biodiesel. You’ll Love the Bamboo Floors Too.

This post was updated on March 19th, 2024

We got the tip-off on this 1987 Mirage thanks to DoItYourselfRV reader, Zachary Carson.

Zachary is the founder and director of the Sustainable Living Roadshow, and he’s selling the organization’s primary tour bus on craigslist.

You won’t find many Prevost buses with the custom features seen here.

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Nicknamed ‘Julia’, the bus was originally designed and built by activist, author, and poet Julia Butterfly Hill and her grassroots organization Circle of Life.

Related: Mix of Old and New in This 1957 Flxible Starliner. If You like Art Deco You’ll Love This

Julia modified the bus to run on biodiesel to reduce the impact to the environment from her frequent cross-country travel. The biodiesel is sourced through recycled vegetable oil that has been reprocessed to turn it into fuel.

Lyle Kent, son of Gardner Kent who founded the popular adventure travel company Green Tortoise, kept the bus operating in tip-top shape.

Watch a brief video segment about the bus starting at 3:27.

httpv://youtu.be/3wKM4V-_epc?t=3m27s

 

The Sustainable Living Roadshow banner has been removed and the area has been repainted with a deep maroon. It looks wonderful and unbranded.1984 Prevost motorhome

Within the last four months, the bus has received a brand new transmission and new brake system. All major systems are under warranty. Driver's side of a 1984 Prevost DIY motorhome

The bus sleeps 6-10 people: Six bunks in the main corridor, two in the rear lounge/bedroom, and two in the fold-down kitchenette. Sleeping bunks in the converted tour bus

Close-up shot of a bunk in the main corridor.Take a peek inside the bunks in this Prevost

Bamboo cabinetry with redwood trim for personal storage.A view toward the front in the Prevost Mirage tour bus

Bamboo floors and natural latex rubber mattresses and cushions add unique character to the eco-friendly conversion.Bunks with the curtains open in the Mirage

Hemp curtains line the windows. Dining area with a couple of coach seats

The interior roof is hemp as well.Big kitchen with a lot of countertop space

The bathroom has a tiled shower (out of picture).Bathroom

8v92 DETROIT Turbo Diesel converted for biodiesel.Engine is in good order

Rear lounge and bedroom with entertainment system: flat screen HDTV and DVD with stereo and surround sound.Awesome entertainment area in this homemade Prevost Mirage

Besides the beautiful interior, this bus is outfitted with functional technology including:

  • 1 kW solar panel system
  • 7.5 kW Onan biodiesel generator
  • all new gauges and gauge wiring
  • huge stainless steel roof rack
  • professional tow package that can easily tow a 8,000 GVW double axle trailer
  • two roof-mounted A/C units
  • baseboard heating

It seems you could simply reconfigure some of the sleeping bunks into office space or additional storage areas, and turn this tour bus into a one-of-a-kind personal RV. What other changes would you make?

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