Couple spent 800 hours and £35,000 converting a yellow American school bus ... trends now
A couple spent more than 800 hours and £35,000 converting an American yellow school bus into a luxury home - just before delivering their baby boy on board.
Sam and Rachel Dix, of Bristol, had the 37 by eight foot vehicle shipped from New York to Southampton and then to a farm in Somerset.
The Hyde Park Central School bus, built in 2005, previously held up to 72 children and is now the birthplace of the couple's son Bodhi - with his birth certificate citing 'American School Bus' as the place of his arrival.
Ms Dix, 32, designed the layout of the bus while self-employed carpenter Mr Dix, 33, built it.
Sam Dix, pictured, and Rachel Dix, of Bristol, had the 37 by eight foot vehicle shipped from New York to Southampton and then to a farm in Somerset
Ms Dix, 32, designed the layout of the chic bus while self-employed carpenter Mr Dix, 33, built it
The couple were inspired to take to the road after listening to a podcast called the Motorhome podcast
'It may seem a bit crazy to buy an American bus, but we knew it had potential to be an incredible home on wheels for our expanding family,' he said.
The couple were inspired to take to the road after tuning into a podcast called the Motorhome podcast, which provides insights into buying your first motorhome and making money from it.
The bus was transformed over a six-month period, with the seats pulled out and wooden flooring, a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom fitted inside.
Mr Dix, who became friends with Matt Sims, head of the podcast and CEO of hire firm The Motorhome Holiday Company in Hewish, Somerset, said: 'Matt has great ideas for making a passive income from your vehicle and guiding first time buyers on the right vehicle for their needs.'
The bus, big enough to seat 72 children, was transformed over a six-month period
Ms Dix gave birth to their son Bodhi on the renovated bus - with his birth certificate citing 'American School Bus' as the place of his arrival
The 'expanding' family now plans to renovate a third vehicle to go travelling in and they have put the bus up for sale
Mr Dix carried out most of the work by himself but a professional installed electrics and his parents helped paint inside.
The exterior of the bus remains the iconic yellow – with solar panels on top which helped keep their electric bill down to a mere £20 over six months.
Mr Dix said: 'It looks like an ordinary bus from the outside, but inside it is a comfortable, fully functionable living space.
'We've turned heads when we've driven around in it and people have been surprised when they've come inside.'
The interior of the bus boasts wooden floors and a chic design with lots of natural materials and plants
Mr Dix carried out most of the work by himself but a professional installed electrics and his parents helped paint inside
Meanwhile, Mr Dix also put a light on top of the bus so the midwives could find them in the dark when Ms Dix
