So...what is this old bus?

[rossvtaylor]

Hi all,

I've not seen a roof profile like this, so I wanted to see if the group here could identify this 1960s (ish) bus with the bumped up roof and the little standee windows. The maker plate inside has been removed, so all that's left are the rivet holes and the outline of the plate. It's a Ford and, we guess, 1960s...but that's all we've got for now.

Guesses or thoughts? Thanks!

[magnakansas]

I am fairly certain this is a 1963 high roof Superior. look at the side and the rear wheel wells. google '1963 high roof superior'

william

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by magnakansas

I am fairly certain this is a 1963 high roof Superior. look at the side and the rear wheel wells. google '1963 high roof superior'

william

Right on! That's amazing, William. That search gave me all of one applicable result, a photo on Pinterest, but it's absolutely the same bus. It doesn't look like it's a very common beast...so how the heck did you know this? I'm impressed and thankful, sir.

Here's the photo I found, with your search terms:

[magnakansas]

Okay, partly cause I‘be seen that odd raised rear roof before. The last panel on the side the ribbed part, that is inline with the windows is a superior thing. The wheel arch in the rear is also very much superior. The ford body was after 1957. The ford part looked around 1963, so I guessed. 1963 superior high roof and pressed ‘enter’.

I have a 1954 ford/Wayne and I waste too much time looking at older busses. Pretty much, by 1963/1965. No one except crown and gillig have rounded roof lines.

William

[rossvtaylor]

Thanks, William. That tip about the ribbed section behind the windows is a good bit of info.

Well, her name is now Ashlie...since we bought her from Ash Fork. It seems fitting. Once I figure out what engine she has, I can narrow down the year from the current "1961-1966" range we know based on the grill design.

[rossvtaylor]

I finally had a chance, today, to winch her out of the sand and tow her home. It's interesting that she's a twin stick...one for shifting the transmission and one for the intermediate gear box (range selector). I look forward to digging more into this and identifying the actual makes and models of these parts...which I'll share when I do.

I also need to ID the engine, which will help me narrow down the year of this old gal.

Before pulling her out of her current resting spot, we had to detach her from the shed roof that was bolted to the side. Buses are meant to be free...

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by rossvtaylor

I finally had a chance, today, to winch her out of the sand and tow her home. It's interesting that she's a twin stick...one for shifting the transmission and one for the intermediate gear box (range selector). I look forward to digging more into this and identifying the actual makes and models of these parts...which I'll share when I do.

I also need to ID the engine, which will help me narrow down the year of this old gal.

Before pulling her out of her current resting spot, we had to detach her from the shed roof that was bolted to the side. Buses are meant to be free...

Attachment 58211

Wow Ross you are a beast! That's some commitment.
Got to love The classics.
Cheers

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by Oscar1

Wow Ross you are a beast! That's some commitment.
Got to love The classics.
Cheers

Beast mode activated! Haha!

Both my wife and I definitely have a soft spot for the vintage and the unusual...and this one ticks both of those boxes. I think it's my favorite bus. But I say that with every bus.

[Oscar1]

Agree with you there for sure, that high top looks awesome.
Good on you both for pulling that one home.
Cheers

[musigenesis]

This is fantastic, really looking forward to this conversion/restoration.

[Gorzie]

I like the lines with the old round corners too.

[Bert06840]

Yes. I’m normally much more the cubist type, but this one is gorgeous

[CincinnatiNKYBuses]

The high-headroom body with extra windows on the side, combined with the space for a rollsign on the front roofcap, are dead giveaways that this was originally in military service. Lots of these were repurposed for other government uses later on in their careers.

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by CincinnatiNKYBuses

The high-headroom body with extra windows on the side, combined with the space for a rollsign on the front roofcap, are dead giveaways that this was originally in military service. Lots of these were repurposed for other government uses later on in their careers.

Thank you for this - that fits with my gut thought, after investigating some. Our old late '30s military transport bus also has the standee windows above the regular windows.

I sure wish the old roll sign were still there, to help provide a bit more history...

Thanks, again!