GM PD4106 - Origin/Availability of Side Window Fluting and Lower Trim Pieces

bkelly1011 · December 26, 2012, 07:02:08 PM

GM Guys -

The CT Trolley Museum guys posted an interesting question to OneLapper and me. They are in the early stages of designing PD4106-1616's Connecticut Company livery paint job. In comparing -1616 to a historical photo of a CT Co PD4106 they're using to drive their design, they noticed that the bus in their photo had aluminum fluting around the passenger widows - and an additional trim piece below. Neither -1616 (a very early '63) nor Mark's bus (a later '63) has this. I know I have seen it on a 1965.

Questions:
1.) Was this a trim option, something that was added to the later coaches - or something that might have been on -1616 but was later removed?
2.) Does anyone know of any 4106s being scrapped (preferably here out East) that might have those parts on it? If the pieces are available, it would be a nice-to-have.

I've attached the CT Co 4106 photograph as well as one of -1616 (with Mark watching me try to electrocute myself) to try to illustrate what we're talking about. Any help would be appreciated.

Take care,
Brad

bkelly1011 · December 26, 2012, 07:15:53 PM

Correction - Mark's does have it!

Darkspeed · December 26, 2012, 07:31:50 PM

My 4106-1070 has the tabs where the window trim would be attached but no indication it was ever on the bus.

RJ · December 26, 2012, 10:06:32 PM

Brad -

The fluted panels between the side sash and the 4" trim piece belt molding were both options.

I have some of the 4" molding, but shipping it to CT from CA would be very hazardous to it's health.

Vast majority of folk would never notice if it's there or not. Busnuts aren't detail crazy like vintage car nuts. . .

IBP in Apopka FL could probably make up some for you.

FWIW & HTH. . .

Red Rider · December 27, 2012, 11:46:58 AM

My 4106 (1885) has the trim you speak of however as RJ pointed out they where an option for each buyer. Mine came from Las Vegas/Tonopah/ Reno Stage lines and was never a "hound". You may have to have them made, finding them on the "street" will shurly be a difficult task.

wildbob24 · December 27, 2012, 12:16:16 PM

Brad,

I have a couple of these fluted panels I'd be willing to sell. They are the ones that fit between the "D" window and the first slider. The driver's side one is in good shape. The passenger side one has some small dents from the inside that shouldn't be too hard to repair.

PM me if the museum might interested.

Bob

bkelly1011 · December 27, 2012, 01:43:01 PM

Guys -

Thanks for the inputs, really appreciate it, very helpful.

Bob, thanks for the offer and pictures, right now we'll keep looking for a full set - if there even is one. That said, Mark noted to me off-line that getting the trim off an existing bus would mean having to remove the interior walls to get at the fasteners holding the trim in place. Does not sound like fun.

Not a world-ender, for sure, I'm sure the project can go full-steam ahead with or without the trim, indeed very few would know enough about the old buses to notice it's missing on this one. If I had to make the call right now it sounds like they should just order more blue paint, but we'll try a little more.

Thanks again,
Brad

RJ · December 27, 2012, 04:27:45 PM

Brad -

Does the museum have any later pics of their fleet? Many fleets repainted the area between the side sash in black in later years. If you could find a pic of the fleet circa mid/late '70s > '90s you could duplicate that and still be "correct."

Unless, of course, they want it "as delivered new."

If you look at my avatar here, and then look at my avatar over on BNO, you'll see the same bus with different paint.

Personally, I really like the '04 and '06 with the black window treatment. . .

FWIW & HTH. . .

bkelly1011 · December 27, 2012, 06:55:47 PM

RJ - Good question, not sure if the blackout treatment is an option; I do have another picture but I think it's even earlier (#1901 - wearing whitewalls! - see attached). I've asked if they'd just like to paint -1616 as delivered new to Hudson Transit Corp. in Mahway, NJ - but then it wouldn't match the rest of their fleet, which is all Connecticut Co. More as it comes... Thanks again, Brad

Darkspeed · December 27, 2012, 07:09:19 PM

WHITEWALLS? Where can i buy whitewalls for my 4106??

hatchhome · March 11, 2014, 03:17:32 PM

Did you ever find a set, I may be able to get you all the pieces between the windows, just not the bottom piece because I need that for me

OneLapper · March 11, 2014, 06:52:09 PM

Quote from: hatchhome on March 11, 2014, 03:17:32 PM
Did you ever find a set, I may be able to get you all the pieces between the windows, just not the bottom piece because I need that for me

Nope, they never did find all the pieces. They ended up repainting the bus as it is. I was up at the museum late November lending a hand with an over charging issue. This spring they should rolling it out of the garage...........

hatchhome · March 11, 2014, 09:58:56 PM

Although I doubt the person will donate them, he is parting out a 4106 and his prices are good. Will inquire and report back.

OneLapper · March 13, 2014, 10:27:03 AM

Thanks! Let us know what he has left. I've been looking for a good tailgate and a solid rear window for a while.

hatchhome · March 14, 2014, 05:23:28 PM

The parts bus has all three, the back Window I think he wants 500 for all 3 plus the seals. I was going to get but decided my mold is good enough. I asked him about the other parts and still waiting to hear back. Cheers