Guest '58Ranchero Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I was wondering if anyone could tell me the make and model of this early motorbus, and the years they were built? I believe they were used to transport tourists in our area at one time. I'm a local history buff and any information you have about them would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gary Hearn Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Looks like the picture may have been taken in California. The radiator emblem should provide a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 My vision is not the best on that pic size...but the radiator looks a bit like a mid teens to early 20s 'small' GMC. I forget the model number of the ones that had that radiator. The larger model 31, 41, etc, had cast iron rad tanks with vertical ribs, but the small GMC looked like the pic. As I recall, the emblem may have been oval, but I am not sure. I can't even recall if GMC small trucks ever used aluminum hubcaps like that ! I only concentrated on the bigger trucks back in the 80s when I had one.Looks like Gas headlight? That would be teens.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Not GMC! Before GMC had a nickeled radiator shell, the letters "GMC" were on the front of the shell. I think it is a 1925 Graham Brothers 17 passenger bus Model 140. The radiator emblem was a circle with a large GB in the center.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Looks like the picture may have been taken in California. The radiator emblem should provide a clue.It says "FOLSOM SACRAMENTO" on the side. Looks like the Stage Stop in Sacramento. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Not GMC! Before GMC had a nickeled radiator shell, the letters "GMC" were on the front of the shell. I think it is a 1925 Graham Brothers 17 passenger bus Model 140. The radiator emblem was a circle with a large GB in the center.FrankNot so fast with the "not GMC ! " I've been trying to recall the model number of the teens small GMC with the painted sheetmetal radiator shell. I think a model 16. I have a good GMC book here someplace :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Not GMC! Before GMC had a nickeled radiator shell, the letters "GMC" were on the front of the shell. I think it is a 1925 Graham Brothers 17 passenger bus Model 140. The radiator emblem was a circle with a large GB in the center.FrankNot so fast with the "not GMC" I've been trying to recall the model number of the teens small GMC with the painted sheetmetal radiator shell. I think a model 16. I have a good GMC book here someplace :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Here is a better pic of a model 16 GMC. Oval radiator emblem also.I don't know for sure... what do you think? I wish the hood louvers showed on the Bus pic...that would help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gary Hearn Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 My thoughts:* The bus looks like it has more of a "molded" cowl.* The bus has 12 spoke wheels, the GMC 10.* I do not see a light bar on the GMC.* I do not see any louvers on the bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 The emblem on the GMC has "GMC" in script letters. If I can scan a picture of the Graham Bros bus in the truck spotters guide, I'll post it.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Check out the bus in the lower left corner and also, compare to the lines of the larger photo in the lower right.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest '58Ranchero Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thank you everyone for your replies! I did some more research on the photo--my friend found it in a book that said it was taken in 1917. Can this be right? If so, do any of these models go back that far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 There is a Columbia Ambulance at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. It is a 1917 and is built on a GMC chassies. No script letters in the radiator.Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome | America's Original Living Museum of Antique Airplanes! - Columbia Ambulance - 1917I took the transmission out of it seveal years ago and had to do some machining and fabricating to get the throw out bearing back together. Short of the cowl, it looks very similar. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DeSoto Frank Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I was going to suggest Nash ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57Ford Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I took a look at the 1917 Columbia ambulance, and I think you might have something there...the fenders sure do look the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts_DG8 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I did a quick google search on Folsom Stage that I deduced from your original picture and came up with Folsum Stage Lines, it has been in service since back into the 1800's. Dependant upon how interested you truely are to know the history of the bus you might consider writting to the Folsom History Museum and ask what info they have on the Folsom Stage Lines, it still provides local service. The museum site says that they have additional information on the Stage Lines. Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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