That is an Ex-Golden Gate Transit new look. AC Transit always had a rear door. Golden Gate deleted the GM front logo on their orders and had fleet numbers in place of the GM logo. Golden Gate never owned a 4 speed manual new look. All were VS2 automatics with toggle switch gear shift on left side of dash. Another give away is the front door exterior overhead steplight. Another special order option from GM.
Also the pole in the front is to a wind engery device. This bus has a fire place in the front. that's what the short pole on top is. It also has four solar panels on top.
I can't believe you saw this bus in Harlem. I completely know this bus and who converted this. they have a full blog on this bus. It looks like hell right now. but it was something at one time. I will contact the owner and let him know what became of his bus.
However, as a hobby and if one lives in a quiet area with an acre or two of land, it may be worth it. From the early to mid 20th century, USA manufacturers generally built buses, trucks, "some" cars, and especially locomotives to last decades. These classic beauties should be preserved as a part of our history.
I used to work on these classic beauties years back. Almost bought one, but to own one that will be run on the road can be expensive. Parts cost (especially hard to find units), insurance, and fuel. Imagine crusing long distance to another town and a thug breaks that bubble face windshield or huge back window with a brick. Just some of the factors that have to be considered. Restoration can be also costly. Paint refinishing is best done with tough single stage urethanes like IMRON.
Oh do I ever feel the pain. I just recently had to get rid of a 1988 MCI classic. I owned it only 4 months and it only ran twice. The wife was with me during the whole purchase process, but man the insurance IS! unbelievably high. The trouble just wasn't worth it. What if I was on charter with it? There is no dispatcher to call, and there is no bus coming to pick up the people.
That totally is an Ex-AC Transit Bus. a GM T8H-5307A from about 1973-74. And the GGT T8H-5307A Fishbowls never had 4 speeds in them. They would've been the Allison VS2-8 transmission and Detroit Diesel 8V71N engine.
Those we the upgraded Allison automatics of 1966-67, with an overdrive (three speeds, one being a super overdrive, the 2 in the designation referring to the "two gear changes}, the 8 the appropriate cylinder configuration that thsi would be sold with [a six cylinder would have VS26, for instance.]
Nice work. These old-school automatics were FAR better than the modern ones [actually, the older BUSES were far superioir, hee hee],.
It would interfere with marraige? Hell, you could start your own charter and take the family (the whole family) out with one of these. But I kind of understand where you are comin' from. I got to have one since I recently got my CDL, LOL. They had a few on ebay for like $500, but I had nowhere to park and I know insurance is busurk. :-(
It was hard enough to defend my 1975 Dodge Dart - nowhere to park that, let alone a city bus. But maybe some day... Mind you, I'm also interested in a Diamond Reo garbage truck, a Scoopmobile front loader, various large automobiles, and, if I won the lottery, a GE U34CH locomotive. So now put yourself in my wife's place.
If you google "The bus conversion adventure" the build of this bus comes up.
AlcoRS3m 1 year ago
That's what's called the BIoBus - at the time, it hadn't been repainted yet. It's essentially a mobile teaching science lab.
AEMoreira81 1 year ago
At least these old pieces of shit run better than the new pieces of shit they buy today
mythicalness 1 year ago
That is an Ex-Golden Gate Transit new look. AC Transit always had a rear door. Golden Gate deleted the GM front logo on their orders and had fleet numbers in place of the GM logo. Golden Gate never owned a 4 speed manual new look. All were VS2 automatics with toggle switch gear shift on left side of dash. Another give away is the front door exterior overhead steplight. Another special order option from GM.
JP849343 2 years ago
the gangster bus
CSIS25 2 years ago
Love these old rigs. Drove them for a small urban transit co. back in the late
70's during a prolonged break from university studies. Sure would be nice to wheel one around town now for old times sake.
rankinlad 2 years ago
hey this bus was made in 1982
jesterwhl 2 years ago
Is it? Where did you find that info to i was looking for info on this
jkeating12345 2 years ago
it is i didnt know u were looking for info too
jesterwhl 2 years ago
where did you find it?
jkeating12345 2 years ago
Also the pole in the front is to a wind engery device. This bus has a fire place in the front. that's what the short pole on top is. It also has four solar panels on top.
GenYahanna 3 years ago
I can't believe you saw this bus in Harlem. I completely know this bus and who converted this. they have a full blog on this bus. It looks like hell right now. but it was something at one time. I will contact the owner and let him know what became of his bus.
GenYahanna 3 years ago
go to metamorphobus for history on this bus
coolhandbran 3 years ago
I saw that bus parked under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway near Flushing Avenue in Spring 2008. Stared at it for a while but nobody was near it.
ukkfayooyay 3 years ago
However, as a hobby and if one lives in a quiet area with an acre or two of land, it may be worth it. From the early to mid 20th century, USA manufacturers generally built buses, trucks, "some" cars, and especially locomotives to last decades. These classic beauties should be preserved as a part of our history.
ACLTony 3 years ago
I used to work on these classic beauties years back. Almost bought one, but to own one that will be run on the road can be expensive. Parts cost (especially hard to find units), insurance, and fuel. Imagine crusing long distance to another town and a thug breaks that bubble face windshield or huge back window with a brick. Just some of the factors that have to be considered. Restoration can be also costly. Paint refinishing is best done with tough single stage urethanes like IMRON.
ACLTony 3 years ago
I think it would be cool to buy one and then fix it up and turn it into a motorhome.
briank06261973 3 years ago
Oh do I ever feel the pain. I just recently had to get rid of a 1988 MCI classic. I owned it only 4 months and it only ran twice. The wife was with me during the whole purchase process, but man the insurance IS! unbelievably high. The trouble just wasn't worth it. What if I was on charter with it? There is no dispatcher to call, and there is no bus coming to pick up the people.
styldsteel 3 years ago
How much is the insurance for a 1988 Classic?
bcd62092 3 years ago
That looks like a golden gate bus from San Francisco, They but there fleet numbers where the builders plate is suppose to be.
jiggatone7 3 years ago
If it WAS a Golden Gate bus, it would be a 4-speed.
No automatic.
SteveCarras 3 years ago
That totally is an Ex-AC Transit Bus. a GM T8H-5307A from about 1973-74. And the GGT T8H-5307A Fishbowls never had 4 speeds in them. They would've been the Allison VS2-8 transmission and Detroit Diesel 8V71N engine.
busrailfan 3 years ago
Those we the upgraded Allison automatics of 1966-67, with an overdrive (three speeds, one being a super overdrive, the 2 in the designation referring to the "two gear changes}, the 8 the appropriate cylinder configuration that thsi would be sold with [a six cylinder would have VS26, for instance.]
Nice work. These old-school automatics were FAR better than the modern ones [actually, the older BUSES were far superioir, hee hee],.
BTW
Stick shift=4 speeds
Automatic-2 or 3. [VS, and V730]
SteveCarras 2 years ago
I always wanted to own one of these buses.
MasterKhem 3 years ago 2
Me, too. I'd love to restore one. However, buying an old bus and restoring it isn't too compatible with...remaining married.
Soamsey 3 years ago
It would interfere with marraige? Hell, you could start your own charter and take the family (the whole family) out with one of these. But I kind of understand where you are comin' from. I got to have one since I recently got my CDL, LOL. They had a few on ebay for like $500, but I had nowhere to park and I know insurance is busurk. :-(
MasterKhem 3 years ago
It was hard enough to defend my 1975 Dodge Dart - nowhere to park that, let alone a city bus. But maybe some day... Mind you, I'm also interested in a Diamond Reo garbage truck, a Scoopmobile front loader, various large automobiles, and, if I won the lottery, a GE U34CH locomotive. So now put yourself in my wife's place.
Soamsey 3 years ago
i can't help but notice some of the windows appear to have been painted over once upon a time..........
nhlives 3 years ago