Help identifying this bus.
 

Hello all!

Obviously new to the forum. I've been looking for a vintage motorhome for my family and I. During my searches I decided to stop at a local business that I've drove by for years. They have an unusual bus parked there that always drew my interest. So I after I stopped, I discovered that the owner, who lives a couple states away, is interested in getting rid of it. The business manager knows nothing about it. I could not find a vin as the interior is now covered in paneling. It had been converted by the current owners grandfather in the 70s.

Can anyone ID this? Any help is much appreciated.

Difficult - not recent.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=tr...=1.25#imgdii=_

Oh blimey, that's interesting! I can see "Playhound" written on the side, so I imagine it has been made up to look like a spoof "Greyhound", as indeed it does. As to anything else I haven't a Scoobie.

Looks like it might be rear engined.

You are correct on the spoof! The original owner was a local sign maker with a sense of humor. There is a basset hound on the side, instead of a grey hound.

I believe it is mid-1940s Ford Transit bus - the rear-engined model 49-B, 50-B, 69-B or 79-B produced after 1939 (1944 to 1947):-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tr...r-engine_model

It seems likely that this example has had replacement side-panels fitted - or, maybe, it was built as a motorhome using the Ford Transit chassis.
Other modifications would seem to include twin headlamps.

Original bodies were supplied and fitted by Union City Body Company.

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain...BL_buses_1.jpg
34 a 1944 Ford and 47 a 1947 Ford.

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain...BL/TTC_519.jpg
1944 Ford Transit signed INDUSTRIAL LOOP.

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain...BL_buses_4.jpg
Old Fords parked with rear engine compartment easily accessible to rob for parts.

Above photographs from:- http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain...nger_buses.htm

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/a...rd-cox1943.jpg

More here:-
A group of derelict buses includes Hollinger (left) and Danforth Ford Transit along with a Roseland Reo following TTC takeover. Sherbourne Street garage.:- http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain.../old_buses.jpg

And:- http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/u/unio...Ford59bBus.jpg
From:- http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/u/unio...union_city.htm

New models of this type were originally fitted with the (in)famous Ford 'flathead' (sidevalve) 239cu in (3.9 litre) V8, though, being around 70 years old this has more than likely been replaced with a more up-to-date engine (and transmission?).

Picture of a Basset hound eh? Love it!:)

Thanks again! You were spot on. Still the original Brown-Lipe 3 speed manual. I may use an adapter and put a 352 in it, though some I've spoken to have concerns about the transmission strength from that period.

I also wondered about those side panels. I was thinking it was done when it was converted to a motorhome, but ribbed aluminum with formed wheel well lips would have been quite costly. The man who had the conversion done was a sign maker, so I suppose it was possible he had the equipment and personnel to make it happen.

Whilst it might be tempting to put in a modern engine, you have to be aware of the limitations of the transmission - rear axle as well as the gearbox.

You really only need 'adequate' power for your application.

In some ways you will probably be operating 'light' (load-wise) and not 'full-chat' performance-wise, but it would pay to be cautious and avoid full throttle at low ratios to restrict the torque seen through the transmission.

Has it still got the original sidevalve flathead engine?