Resurrecting Dallas and Cat Farnworth's PD-4103

[Numbskulls]

Hi Tom, My bus number is PD4103-1085, we found the number as y'all showed me.. I would love know the history..

[pd4501-771]

S/N 1071-1091  03/52 Transcontinental Bus System [Continental Bus System] 316-332 (Dallas TX)


Found the following at: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/erb01

The Texas intercity busing industry suffered some economic reversal during the Great Depression but rebounded vigorously during World War II, when tire and gasoline rationing encouraged motorists to take the bus. Military installations around the state played a large part in the economic prosperity of the bus lines despite the inability of the owners to acquire sufficient parts, drivers, equipment, and mechanics to keep all of the routes functioning properly. After the end of the war, M. E. Moore founded the Continental Bus System, with corporate headquarters in Dallas, on December 12, 1945. In 1946 all of the franchises of pioneer operator R. C. Bowen were consolidated into Lone Star Coaches and then merged into the new Continental Bus system. On December 9, 1947, all of the Moore and Bowen interests formed the nucleus of the new Transcontinental Bus System (Continental Trailways), with national operations headquartered in Dallas. A symbolic historical transition occurred in the industry on January 1, 1949, when coaches of the Texas Electric Bus Line replaced the interurban rail cars of the Texas Electric Railway between Waco and Dallas.

The postwar optimism of the bus owners did not materialize, and both ridership and revenues entered a period of sustained decline after the war. Most of the small lines ceased operation altogether in the 1950s or sold out to the larger networks of Trailways and Greyhound, which merged in 1987. The Greyhound Corporation sold its bus operations in toto to a group of investors headed by Fred Currey of Dallas in 1986. The entire operation of the Kerrville Bus Company, including Painter Bus Lines, was sold to Fred Kaiser of Kerrville on July 15, 1988. As of 1989 the Texas intercity bus industry was heavily dominated by Greyhound. Other companies still in operation were Arrow Trailways of Texas, Central Texas Trailways, Kerrville Bus Company, Sun Set Stages, and Texas Bus Lines; Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma Coaches; and a few smaller operations.

[Numbskulls]

So.. PD4103-1085 is the V. I. N. correct?

[windtrader]

PD4103 is the mfg model number, 1085 is the serial number of the coach. When written this way it surely is confusing to all except this micro hobby group.

[Numbskulls]

I am working on a replacement title.. This is the only # I have.. How do I found a VIN? Sorry I'm so clueless!

[richard5933]

The number embossed into the aluminum panel above the steering shaft (under the driver) is the VIN. For example, our old 4106 had a VIN of: PD4106-2412

In your case, the VIN is: PD4103-1085 (unless someone can demonstrate otherwise.) And yes, the PD4103 part of that is also the model number, and the 1085 part is the production number. Together they make up the VIN.

These numbers can sometimes drive the clerks at DMV offices nuts, but they are what they are. Older vehicles had much shorter VIN numbers than the new ones.

[Numbskulls]

Thank you so much! That's what I had thought but needed someone to tell me.. I really appreciate it..

[windtrader]

The number embossed into the aluminum panel above the steering shaft (under the driver) is the VIN. For example, our old 4106 had a VIN of: PD4106-2412

In your case, the VIN is: PD4103-1085 (unless someone can demonstrate otherwise.) And yes, the PD4103 part of that is also the model number, and the 1085 part is the production number. Together they make up the VIN.

These numbers can sometimes drive the clerks at DMV offices nuts, but they are what they are. Older vehicles had much shorter VIN numbers than the new ones.

Isn't that the truth, my bus is titled 1976 TMC VIN 1286, period. It turned had a few faces like Even within the same company the VIN naming conventions changed over time.

[pd4501-771]

The key is to go to a small town DMV branch office, and find the oldest clerk you can!

[Geoff]

If you think registering an old bus is hard, try registering an old Harley Davidson in CA   Even if you have the "pink slip", the CHP wants you to give it to them for inspection.  Then they keep it for weeks and won't give it back if they "think' the stamped serial number is suspect.

The problem is that if a HD dealer ordered a new engine case, the factory sent it out with a blank serial number, and it was up to the dealer to use whatever was handy to stamp the number on the engine case.  No numbers on the frame existed in the old days.

So a lot of people lost their Harleys starting in the eighties because an A-hole CHP officer didn't like you

[Numbskulls]

That actually sounds like the nightmare I  have been warned about here as well.. Pretty much word for word.. We are also in the process of getting a CDL.. It's all good but definitely a learning experience!

[Iceni John]

The key is to go to a small town DMV branch office, and find the oldest clerk you can!

And go there at 4.45 PM on a Friday afternoon.   This worked well for me when I re-registered my bus after I had bought it . . .

John