1986 Blue Bird Wanderlodge PT38 offered in France after $110,000 renovation

A 1986 Blue Bird Wanderlodge PT38 is for sale in France. This example is one of only 63 built in this particular length and is offered through Collecting Cars from its location in La Clayette. Registered in France, the vehicle blends classic American motorhome design with a host of contemporary luxury features and mechanical upgrades.

Luxury Interior and Mechanical Specifications

The motorhome's layout is comprehensive. It includes front futon sofas, a booth-style dining area, a large kitchen, a rear double bed, and a bathroom with a shower cabin, toilet, and washbasin. Interior finishes feature brown and beige leatherette and beige crushed velvet upholstery with wood flooring. The cabin is equipped with an electrically adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, a Pioneer double-DIN multimedia system, a television, a Cobra CB radio, and a gas and smoke alarm system.

Power comes from a 12.1-liter Detroit Diesel 8V92 turbocharged two-stroke V8 engine producing 470 bhp. An Allison four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The chassis features full air-ride suspension and full air brakes, rolling on 22.5-inch chrome alloy wheels with Toyo M170Z tires. Additional equipment includes hydraulic leveling jacks, a 12kW Kohler generator, and a Pioneer entertainment system.

Recent Upgrades and Maintenance

Significant renovations have been completed. The seller states that "approximately $110,000 has been spent on renovations and upgrades in recent years." This investment covered a whole body repaint in a two-tone black and gold color scheme with gray, red, and black decals. Ten new chassis air cushions were fitted in 2022, and eight new tires were installed in August 2025. A replacement gearbox and rear axle were fitted in 2014.

The motorhome also benefits from modern off-grid systems, including 900 watts of solar panels and a 560Ah lithium battery system. The kitchen and plumbing systems have undergone recent renovations. The kitchen itself includes an oven, a three-burner gas hob, a microwave, a full-size fridge-freezer, a separate wine and beer refrigerator, a toaster, and a sink with cold and hot water.

Provenance and Legacy

Originally registered abroad in 1986, the vehicle comes with its original Blue Bird documentation box containing manuals, technical plans, service records, a logbook, and two keys. French registration papers and number plates are included. The odometer displays 6,430 miles (10,348 km), though engine hours suggest approximately 202,350 miles (325,650 km) of use.

Blue Bird produced the Wanderlodge through its Cardinal Manufacturing subsidiary in Fort Valley, Georgia, from 1963 to 2008. The model, renamed from the Transit Home in 1968, pioneered the luxury motorhome segment over its 45-year production run. Lengths varied from 31 to 45 feet. The Wanderlodge attracted a prestigious clientele that included Johnny Cash, King Hussein of Jordan, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Exterior features on this PT38 include fabric awnings, a full-length roof rack, a rear access ladder, and multiple storage compartments. A slide-out tray holds a grill for outdoor cooking. The 1986 Blue Bird Wanderlodge PT38 is available for viewing and potential purchase in La Clayette, France.