OK, so here are Patty's thoughts on the topic - in brief. She also at one
point had talked about how I (conciously or not) started calling it our bus
and things like that so that eventually she was a convert. So much so that
she bought a '78 last summer. Anyhow here are her comments.

*I am busy so this is not well thought out: Before we got back together, I
saw you driving that crazy thing and just rolled my eyes. But it was fun to
point out to my friends and say "Check that out. That's my high school
boyfriend." It was good for some laughs. Then we got together and the bus
was part of the package so I don't have the same experience as a wife that
sees a bus coming for the first time. Then, I learned to love the bus for
it's comfort, ability to carry massive amounts of junk and still have room
for us, and the visibility in a parking lot. Then, I can to find humor in
the aspect of it's always needing attention and that it was OK to drive to
an event sputtering and leaking fluids. Then, I learned the frustration of
it always needing attention and my vehicles having to be in top form and
always at the ready as a back-up. I can't say if it is an attractant or
repellant because it really depends on the woman. If I had envisioned myself
with someone in a BMW convertible with the wind blowing through my hair, it
is unlikely to ATTRACT me. If I'm looking for someone who is willing to
commit to something they love, problems and all, and who is willing to put
in some time, I can learn to appreciate the bus.
As for hoping the woman says, "Go ahead" it really depends on other projects
that are pending and the financial commitment involved. That is what women
expect the man to have planned for before the proposal of a "new" bus.  *

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'90 Carat (Grover)
'86 (We call this one Parts)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus