1947 GMC Silversides Bus Model PD-3751 In the early years of the passenger bus, and until the late 1930’s, buses were built on heavy truck chassis that were powered by front mounted gasoline engines. It was common for them to have long hoods and luggage carriers affixed to the roof. 0:01 Introduction 0:27 History of Silverside Buses 4:18 Interview with Tony Fleet Manager at SW Transit Bus Lines 6:50 Down the side 7:39 AC Unit 15:00 Engine Bay 17:54 Underneath luggage compartment 18:34 Driver’s area 20:43 Passenger Area 24:46 Bob Dylan rode this bus? 29:23 Tony’s favorite thing about the bus Many of these early buses were powered by the time-tested Chevrolet Straight 6. While the Chevrolet straight 6 engines were reliable and numerous in their day they suffered from a lack of torque, and efficiency. With these design pitfalls in mind, Dwight Austin was hired by Yellow Coach in 1934 and immediately began work on new transit bus models with transverse engines and the “V” angle drive. Austin and his staff also worked with Greyhound to develop a new highway coach. This emerged in 1936 as the model 719 “Super Coach.” When compared with contemporary highway buses, the 719 was revolutionary. Passengers sat on a raised deck and luggage was stored in enclosed bays under the floor instead of being strapped to the roof. The rear-mounted transverse engine with V-drive permitted a flat front design with increased visibility and maneuverability. Austin’s design was key in allowing Yellow Coach to pioneer the monocoque bus chassis. Yellow Coach released the model 743 just one year later in 1937, and they installed their parent company’s newest engine offering, the venerable Detroit Diesel. The new Detroit engines offered massive improvements in efficiency and power when compared to the Gasoline straight 6’s that were previously used. The Yellow Coach model 743 also introduced air conditioning to commercial buses. So, what comes to mind when you think Silverside Buses? Ahhh, those gleaming round buses of the 1940’s, clad nose to tail in polished stainless steel. The first silverside buses were manufactured and sold for only two years, during which time sales totaled only 588 buses. By 1941 America’s manufacturers had turned their focus to the second World War, effectively halting production. Immediately following the conclusion of World War II, Greyhound was looking to develop a new bus design, however when their efforts failed, they ordered 2000 new silverside buses to replace the dilapidated fleets that powered America through wartime. Production records show, 1,643 of the new Greyhounds would be the 37-passenger model PD-3751, with the remaining 357 buses were built as the larger capacity, 41-passenger model PD=4151. The model PD-3751 buses were made exclusively for Greyhound, but GM also made variations of the theme for all the other operators who wanted them. So successful was the design and powertrain that at one point, GM had 80% of the bus market in the fifties. Today we’re with SouthWest Transit Bus Service and this is their beautifully restored 1947 GMC Silverside Bus Model PD-3751.
1947 GMC Silversides Bus Model PD-3751 In the early years of the passenger bus, and until the late 1930’s, buses were built on heavy truck chassis that were powered by front mounted gasoline engines. It was common for them to have long hoods and luggage carriers affixed to the roof. 0:01 Introduction 0:27 History of Silverside Buses 4:18 Interview with Tony Fleet Manager at SW Transit Bus Lines 6:50 Down the side 7:39 AC Unit 15:00 Engine Bay 17:54 Underneath luggage compartment 18:34 Driver’s area 20:43 Passenger Area 24:46 Bob Dylan rode this bus? 29:23 Tony’s favorite thing about the bus Many of these early buses were powered by the time-tested Chevrolet Straight 6. While the Chevrolet straight 6 engines were reliable and numerous in their day they suffered from a lack of torque, and efficiency. With these design pitfalls in mind, Dwight Austin was hired by Yellow Coach in 1934 and immediately began work on new transit bus models with transverse engines and the “V” angle drive. Austin and his staff also worked with Greyhound to develop a new highway coach. This emerged in 1936 as the model 719 “Super Coach.” When compared with contemporary highway buses, the 719 was revolutionary. Passengers sat on a raised deck and luggage was stored in enclosed bays under the floor instead of being strapped to the roof. The rear-mounted transverse engine with V-drive permitted a flat front design with increased visibility and maneuverability. Austin’s design was key in allowing Yellow Coach to pioneer the monocoque bus chassis. Yellow Coach released the model 743 just one year later in 1937, and they installed their parent company’s newest engine offering, the venerable Detroit Diesel. The new Detroit engines offered massive improvements in efficiency and power when compared to the Gasoline straight 6’s that were previously used. The Yellow Coach model 743 also introduced air conditioning to commercial buses. So, what comes to mind when you think Silverside Buses? Ahhh, those gleaming round buses of the 1940’s, clad nose to tail in polished stainless steel. The first silverside buses were manufactured and sold for only two years, during which time sales totaled only 588 buses. By 1941 America’s manufacturers had turned their focus to the second World War, effectively halting production. Immediately following the conclusion of World War II, Greyhound was looking to develop a new bus design, however when their efforts failed, they ordered 2000 new silverside buses to replace the dilapidated fleets that powered America through wartime. Production records show, 1,643 of the new Greyhounds would be the 37-passenger model PD-3751, with the remaining 357 buses were built as the larger capacity, 41-passenger model PD=4151. The model PD-3751 buses were made exclusively for Greyhound, but GM also made variations of the theme for all the other operators who wanted them. So successful was the design and powertrain that at one point, GM had 80% of the bus market in the fifties. Today we’re with SouthWest Transit Bus Service and this is their beautifully restored 1947 GMC Silverside Bus Model PD-3751.
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