articulated flexible bus

PB · August 03, 2006, 08:52:37 AM

Heard there are only like 7 or 8 left in the country, and three are about to be crushed for scrap metal. Is there any interest or value in restoring them?

PB · August 03, 2006, 01:06:54 PM

this is a 1950s twin coach, with accordian-like flexible middle, 3 axle. worth restoring?

Buffalo SpaceShip · August 03, 2006, 02:12:19 PM

Two questions: "How much money you got?" and "What you gonna do with it when you're done?"

Most of us here convert and drive busses for RV or entertainer uses. There's a pretty good concensus that a 60' arty would be neigh impossible to integrate into a regular cross-country driving (and esp. camping) lifestyle partly because of its length, but it's also entirely possible that they might not be legal to drive across certain state lines (wierd gray areas in the laws about trailers, etc.).

If you want to restore one, and drive you and less than 15 passengers around locally in a purely non-commercial way... you're probably OK. Also, there's a few bus museums that might like to get ahold of a restored one, also.

The REAL show-stopper is likely to be finding parts for an old flexible Flxible (har har), though.

Good luck (and I do mean that in a friendly way),
Brian

mdainsd · August 03, 2006, 02:46:16 PM

Could someone supply a pic, or a link to a pick. If nothing else, it would be something to see.

tekebird · August 03, 2006, 03:27:23 PM

probably less than 7 still around and not in ingot form.

Resotration on something like that would be cost prohibative for most.

Most parts made of unobtanium, or have to fab yourself.

Rubber wo;d have to be made.

etc etc.

if you have the cash...do it.

tr · August 07, 2006, 01:48:54 AM

1950's twin coach articulated flexible middle buses are rare, maybe 5 left in the country. It is 46' and most faegol parts are compatible. If you have one, it should not be crushed for scrap metal? Do you have a place to store it until someone can look at it?

PB · August 07, 2006, 03:16:06 PM

We can store bus for a while, but we need to get something done with it one way or the other.

Picture. Yes, the bus is amazing, especially with the "flex" in the middle to allow for turning due to its length. There is probably some relevant history about this kind of bus. The smithsonian museum in Washington DC has an "America on the Move" exhibit that includes bus transportation.

I have the Maintenance Manual for the Flexible (not articulated flexible) from the Flexible Bus Company in Ohio, and a Parts book for the same.