Tracking Down PD 4104's Still Around or on the road

[siberyd]

Last month I got this crazy notion in my head and I can't shake it so I am asking for your help here. When production stopped in 1960 there were a total of 5065 PD 4104's made. How many are still around? That is my quest. I have posted this same question on 2 other bus related sites (trying to cover as many people in the know as I can).

Along the way, I will be sharing this information with all interested parties. On my spreadsheets I have the buses broken down in 3 catagories: still a bus, conversion and scrapped.  One of my spreadsheets they are listed by VIN number. The other one is tracking by information reported to me without VIN numbers.

Thanks to information I received by last Saturday my counts are at:
Still a bus: 4
Conversions: 75
Scrapped: 31   
Saw a bus in a backyard......: 28

Thanks

[tomhamrick]

I received my copy of The Singing News yesterday and on the cover is a beautiful restored 4104. The Singing News is the magazine for Southern Gospel music. Check out www.singingnews.com for the cover photo.

Tom Hamrick

[bkelly1011]

Make sure you count the two currently listed on eBay!    

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Buses-/6728/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A7%257C39%253A1&rt=nc&_dmpt=Buses&_sc=1&_sop=7&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1513&_pgn=1

[Gerry4104]

I have got 2747..its a conversion..    Syracuse NY/ Houston TX

[Bill in KS]

Mine is convered.  I know of two that are yard art.  One in grove ok convered 4 sale.

[christopher]

Check out this one
General Motors PD-4104 - 1956

[siberyd]

You Tube bus is beautiful, but how many hours to bring it up to and maintain that shine. I once spent a day washing, waxing and polishing a 40 foot Crown for a bus Roadeo and didn't even get my lugnut covers that shinny. Wow, hmmm wonder what the VIN number of that one is.........

[pd4501-771]

This is not a crazy notion at all ! I keep track of PD4501 Scenicruisers much the same way. (have been for 15+ years) You need to speak to Fred Rayman of Oklahoma City, OK. He has been keeping track of most GM buses for 30-40 years. I have PD4104-3462 (restored Tamiami Trailways seated coach) Send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with Fred. Thanks for your efforts. Take care.

Tom McNally
Peoria, IL.
PD4501-771
PD4501-1001
PD4104-3462

[wildbob24]

Here's one that just popped up on Craigslist, located west of Atlanta. Claims to have the elusive 8 speed hydrashift transmission:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/rvs/2922061808.html

Bob

[Flatspot]

PD4104-1659
Converted...but all conversion removed and want to make it back to a seated bus.
It has never had the windows skinned over.
They are all good glass all tinted the same color and the rear glass is in new rubber
Never had a bathroom and as I recall it was a Carolina Coach new
Mechanically NEW
6-71T
Straight old gal
Open Bays no conversion stuff in them currently

Anyone have a lead on seats and overhead racks?

Now for the cool part, I just got back from delivering it to Santa Fe, NM studios for use in an A&E pilot. What a pleasure to drive, I forget...

Get to go to Las Vegas next week and drive for filming. They are bringing in 'hero buses' to haul passengers on and if mine was seated it could have been the seated bus
Curious to see what they are bringing in for the hero buses

Oh by the way my avatar is the bus with the engine getting ready to go back in...one of many times in and out

Good luck with the list

Larry

[usbusin]

I received my copy of The Singing News yesterday and on the cover is a beautiful restored 4104. The Singing News is the magazine for Southern Gospel music. Check out www.singingnews.com for the cover photo.

Tom Hamrick

Hey! That's my old bus!     PD4104-4355   

I sold her in 2001 to the Cherryholmes bluegrass group and they sold her maybe five years ago.  It looks like she has been sold again to the Woodsmen Quartet.  Glad to see she is still singing the Gospel.

[Kirby-XL40-FL]

I have #4138 - converted.

[siberyd]

I have gotten these numbers from 5 Bus BBS sites and numerous personal/group emails.

  List Update as of 04/14/2012 by VIN numbers:

Converted totals 95:
1953 - 13 same
1954 -  6  same
1955 -  3  same
1956 -  7 
1957 - 24  seems to be the popular year so far, I got one!
1958 - 13
1959 - 13 same
1960 - 16

Bus mentioned on the web (misc years) unknown status - 34
Scrapped buses - 32
Still a bus - 6

Total accounted for so far - 167

4898 - left to find, we are out of the 4900's
next update 2 weeks

Jon

[Melbo]

Unit number 3753 was converted in Oregon and is for sale in Albuquerque

HTH

Melbo

[siberyd]

Thanks Melbo I will update my list.