When people want to do business at trade shows, there’s usually a limited range of options. You can scurry off to one of the dark corners of the convention center, I suppose. Or some companies just have a bunch of tables and chairs in their booth, but those are usually colonized by squatters and other passers-by looking for a quick break after hours on their feet. Then there are those who erect a sort of miniature office block, but that just seems so…tacky. Magpul, though, decided that they wanted to conduct their business in a more high-class environment, elegantly restoring a 1950’s era bus to do the job . . .
The boys in grey started with a 1952 Flxible Sightseer bus, then added all the bells and whistles that would possibly fit. All of the original badges and logos have been replaced with retro-stylized Magpul logos, including the embroidered leather trim on the driver’s chair. The interior of the bus has been completely restored, although as Drew says the bus wasn’t in that bad of shape to begin with when they started.
The passenger area of the bus is finished in a rich red leather with soft and comfortable cushions. There’s a typical bus-esque seating area right behind the driver, and then a bar area just behind that with a fully stocked and operational bar. e a pair of love seats, and then there’s the baggage compartment. The back of the bus holds some treasures.
In honor of the company’s impending move to Texas, Drew has stocked the bar with a selection of fine Texas-made brown alcoholic beverages in addition to the normal fare. The glassware is housed in a lighted and windowed cabinet next to the booze, and on the other side is a dual-tap kegerator.
Underneath the seats in the bar area is a humidor, fully stocked with fine Perdomo Reserve cigars. There’s a standalone cigar cutter for the table, and even Magpul branded cedar sticks to use to light your fine tobacco products.
Just behind the bar is a face-to-face set of couches, but just behind that is the armory.
On the inside, Magpul has stocked the cabinet with 1950’s era weaponry. The top row of the cabinet has a line of 1911 handguns, and below that are a slew of Thompson submachine guns — my favorite SMG of all time. There’s even a belt fed Browning M1919 strapped in.
To the sides are panels that open up on the outside, allowing easy access when you’re around the bus and not on it. But instead of more retro firearms, Magpul has their latest and greatest creations on display. It’s a great idea for if they want to go head out to the range to show something off to a prospective client — or just have a fun day on the range amongst themselves.
Robert was not impressed. In his opinion, it doesn’t match with Magpul’s “fashion forward” styling. But I think the bus fits perfectly given Magpul’s general approach to the world; namely “we’re awesome, and we make really cool looking stuff.”