When Trenton Stange unveiled his meticulously restored 1957 Flxible bus at the Cadillac Freedom Festival this summer, the vintage vehicle quickly became the center of attention. What truly surprised him was the eagerness of attendees — hundreds lined up to experience the bus firsthand.
“It was very unique, and we had between 250 and 300 people go inside and look at the bus,” said Stange, who owns Compass Coach in Cedar Springs, Michigan, and is an active member of the United Motorcoach Association (UMA). “It was a hit.”
Stange proudly stood alongside his father, Jim Stange—a longtime UMA member and former owner of the American Tour Club in Gladwin, Michigan—holding the first-place trophy. The restored Flxible bus, crafted by expert restorer Mike Middaugh of Coach Quarters in Columbus, Ohio, was showcased on hometown turf in Cadillac, where the Stange family runs several local businesses, including an ice cream shop and laundromat.
For years, the Stanges have participated in the Cadillac Freedom Festival’s car show, traditionally entering classic cars such as Stange’s 1973 Mustang ragtop and his father’s 1927 Ford Model T. This year, however, Trenton introduced something spectacularly different. The distinguished Flxible bus, sporting sleek vintage curves and a fully renovated interior, triumphed, winning Best of Show among 189 entrants. Judges unanimously agreed on the top selection.
“The judges said it wasn’t even close,” Stange recalled. “They voted hands-down for the Flxible.”
Years of Dedication Brought Restoration to Life
The win was a meaningful milestone for Stange, who made sure to share the moment with Middaugh by snapping a photo of the trophy inside the bus. “That’s the first thing I did after I won — I set the trophy down inside the bus and sent Mike a picture,” he said. “I wanted him to know his work was appreciated.”
Middaugh dedicated several years to painstakingly restoring the bus, a project that started when Stange first saw the vehicle in 2014 during a visit with their mutual bus industry 20 Group. At that point, the bus was little more than a shell.
(Source: Bus and Motorcoach News) Trenton Stange’s new vintage Flixible bus and his mini-coach.
“I first saw the bus in 2014 when our group visited Mike’s place,” Stange reflected. “It was just a shell back then, but I thought it was beautiful.”
When Middaugh later decided to sell, Stange acted without hesitation, even before consulting his wife, Kimberly. Fortunately, she quickly warmed to the idea.
“When she saw it, she said, ‘Oh, that is cool,’” he laughed.
The bus was featured not only at the car show but also in the Freedom Festival’s Fourth of July parade, accompanied by a minibus go-kart and about 100 pounds of candy tossed to enthusiastic spectators. Visitors connected with the bus instantly, many curious about the history and details behind the restored classic.
Sharing photos and updates with an online Flxible owners’ community, Stange was welcomed warmly. “These owners are very tight,” he said. “I received a lot of congratulations. Everyone knew Mike and this bus.”
Iconic Design, Future Plans
The Flxible name holds a special place among collectors due to its distinctive styling and engineering legacy from Loudonville, Ohio. Stange ensured the vehicle’s exterior and drivetrain were restored to original specifications, while the interior was upgraded with an elegant “Day Coach” look.
Looking ahead, Stange intends to keep the bus operational and available for weddings, special occasions, and even film projects.
“It’s just such a unique vehicle — you could picture it with the Holland (Michigan) lighthouse in the background or pulling up to a wedding venue,” he mused. “But I’ll be the one driving it.”
(Source: Bus and Motorcoach News) Trenton Stange’s 1957 Flxible bus was a hit at the Cadillac Freedom Festival’s car show.
Having grown up immersed in the bus industry thanks to his father’s tour company, Stange carried on the family tradition with his business, Compass Coach. Kimberly, new to the industry, has become an enthusiastic supporter.
Middaugh himself is pleased knowing the bus found a caring home and isn’t being altered beyond recognition.
“He poured so much into restoring it, and I promised him I’d honor that,” Stange said. “I’m just grateful he trusted me with it. I didn’t do the restoration, but I’ll make sure it’s appreciated and seen.”
As the Flxible becomes a cherished part of Stange’s fleet—and potentially the highlight of future parades—the story of this beautifully restored bus will continue to be shared.
“It was a beautiful day for a car show,” Stange concluded. “And such a fun weekend showing off a piece of bus history — and honoring a friend who made it possible.”
(Image Source: Bus and Motorcoach News)
Source: Bus and Motorcoach News
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