Warren-Bisbee Bus Line #8

#8 post-restoration

Post-Service History

Restoration Status

#8 is fully restored and mechanically sound.

Ownership Snapshot

Original Owner: Warren-Bisbee Bus Line #8
Acquired From:
Current Livery: Warren-Bisbee Bus Line #8

Technical Specs

Year Built: 1938
Manufacturer: Yellow Coach (GM)
Model: 1204
Serial: 234
Powertrain:
Body:
Length:
Width:
Seating: 24 passengers, transit seats, with two-and-one seating

Background

The late 1920s through the 1930s was a time of great transition in the development of transit buses. Originally all buses were built on a truck chassis in the conventional style with a hood out front. As purpose built buses began to appear, manufacturers experimented with the placement of the engine, trying both mid-bus and engine-forward with the body built over the engine. Both provided more inside room, but the engine next to the driver was too hot and noisy to endure all day long, especially during summer months. Thus, once an angle drive was perfected, the engines typically were moved to the rear where they have stayed in most transit buses ever since. In June 1936, Yellow Coach (owned by General Motors) introduced the Model 733, a 21-passenger, front-engine bus.

Warren Bisbee Railway #102 proceeds down Main Street

Service History

On June 1, 1928, the company name was changed to the Warren Bisbee Bus Line when two 40-passenger Twin Coaches (#1-2) and four 21-passenger Studebaker buses (#3-6) were substituted for the streetcars. Ten years later the Studebakers were replaced by two 24-passenger model 1204 Yellow Coaches (#7-8).

Drivers pose in front of a Yellow Coach in their forest green uniforms

They served through World War II. Their aluminum bodies made them light-weight, thus fuel efficient, while their standard Chevrolet 216 engines made them very reliable. They stood up well throughout the stress of dramatically increased ridership during the war.