The Fur Bus Story

Not long ago, in a suburb not far from you, two high school friends had a dream, a small dream, yes, but a dream to own a car unlike other.   The year was 1997, Jobe Mathew Gruber the First and the Thundering Young Tom Humphreys decided it was time to make that dream a reality.  One day the boys stumbled across a 1982 Cadillac Brougham Limousine.  While most would simply see this as a means of transportation for families to and from funerals, Jobe and Tom saw opportunity.  An obvious decision, they pulled together $1000 cash and drove off in their new purchase. 

The limousine, originally brown with white top, needed a little work both internally and externally.  After careful examination and planning, it was painted a manly shade of raspberry and filled with Christmas lights, ornaments, fur and other useless, yet attractive accessories.  After all the decorating, it was clear that with an exterior so amazing, no under-the-hood repair was necessary.  It was a minor detail that sometimes it ran and sometimes it didn't and that it never passed emissions testing (after five futile attempts ).  It was simple fact that the machine had a heart of a lion. 

It showed so much promise that as New Year's 1998 approached it was a clear the men had to push the raspberry machine to its limits and drive to Vegas to celebrate the New Year.  The four roommates/eligible bachelors, including The Fox of Buckhead, The Thundering Young Tom Humphreys, Boss Corban and Jobe Matthew Gruber the First packed the raspberry limo with every polyester costume and ridiculous wig within a five mile radius and ventured west to Vegas, via Mexico of course.  To everyone's surprise, the fine piece of machinery and all four gents made it there and back, safe and sound (ish).  Times were changing and the men saw a need to fit into the Buckhead lifestyle by owning not only a raspberry limo but a convertible, raspberry limo, therefore without much thought they rented a saw and cut the top off.  Unfortunately, no one could predict that this was near the end for the limo as it died soon after in front of Phipps Plaza before being towed to its final resting place...(moment of silence)...

 Just two short years later, in December of '99, it was that time again to ring in New Year's with the best of them in fabulous Las Vegas.  Sadly, the lingering threat of Y2K caused airfare rates to rise considerably so what else were the men to do but drive to Virginia and purchase the most immaculate vehicle created, none other than a 1985 used, short school bus.  These men among men drove this beast back to Atlanta where they immediately gutted the vehicle of all things unimportant and added the essential: used furniture, Christmas lights, a broken TV, and a generator.  As they started their trek west, Boss Corban, Thundering Young Tom Humphreys and The Fox of Buckhead realized the most important aspect of their ride was missing.  Therefore, flying down the highway at 45 miles-per-hour, these brave souls glued obscene amounts of fur to every inch of the interior possible...while they each suffered second degree burns due to hot-glue gun mishaps...it was worth it.   Upon arrival to Vegas, as customary, the crew told fans and onlookers they were a famous band and began their celebration.  While it was a solo voyage back for Boss Corban, poor fool, it was realized by all...the FUR BUS was born! 

Today there are seven buses in Atlanta and negotiations for other locations around the country.  The business began as a fun by accident and now captures the hearts and minds of the billions served, the same billions seen on the McDonalds 'Billions Served' signs.  The personality of the founders is evident in every inch of ridiculous fabric and outrageous color that makes up each Fur Bus and is passed along to everyone who rides or even catches site of the Fur Bus!  There is no other experience in the world like the Fur Bus!