OT - 1925 White Model 15-45 Yellowstone Park Bus

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - 1925 White Model 15-45 Yellowstone Park Bus
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Constantine on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 08:06 am:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/white/model_15_45/1673946.html

Amazing!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 10:48 am:

This is a very early version of a series of White busses that were made for use in the National Parks. I'm not sure about this model but the later one's only numbered a few hundred. The trunk on the back was known as a blanket chest. Used for carrying blankets for the passengers use in cold weather. Even the later ones apparently didn't have a heater but did have a soft top that could be opened like a very large sun roof. The few that still exist are rare and are held for display by the Parks service at the parks they were used at.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Spaziano, Bellflower, CA. on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 11:31 am:

I think Richard Eagle has one of those that he restored from what had been turned into a wrecker.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 12:36 pm:

Here's what they were using four years ago:



They reportedly have modern Ford running gear.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 01:19 am:

A bunch of the Yellowstone busses burned in a fire many, many years ago.

Notice that the doors are only of the passenger side. The doors on the driver side are all dummy doors.

: ^ )


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 02:24 am:

There are a lot (relatively speaking) of those buses around in private hands. Tracy Kroon of Krown restorations in Wilsall, Montana specializes in updating them with big power, either Chevy 454 or a variety of diesels. Many of the fancier dude ranches around here have one or two of them that they still use. I drove one in the Ennis parade a few years ago for Bob Woodburn of Bozeman. That one went to some Microsoft billionaire in Washington to use on his private island.

In Glacier Park they still use the Red Buses to run tours. They are mid 30's White buses. Some have been updated with modern power trains and some have not. The ones in Rick's photos appear to be the new ones they are making on modern Ford truck chassis but may be an original with the new running gear under it. The hoods are a little wider than the originals were. Other than that it's hard to tell at a glance.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 02:28 am:

There are not so many of the earlier style Yellowstone buses, there are quite a few of the later ones. I know where there is a 1937 model all original in near mint condition setting in a ramshackle barn in northern Montana. Not for sale. Period.

On our way back from the Centennial in 2008 we picked up a chassis that had been converted to a truck in the 40's and hauled it back to a collector in Billings. It still have the park logos on the doors.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 02:36 am:

http://www.bozeman-magpie.com/spotlight-full-article.php?article_id=154

Wanna read about 'em?? Click the link. It's a story about Tracy and the buses.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 02:49 am:

Nother one: http://www.geyserbob.org/Buses-White.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Constantine on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 03:36 am:

There's also a later one for sale at $350K which seller says is "one of the finest ground-up restorations ever accomplished".

see:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/white/model_706/1656627.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 10:40 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/419248.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 10:45 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/458384.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 10:54 am:

I wonder why they were still using carbide headlamps as late as 1925?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 11:04 am:

Commercial vehicles continued to use carbide lamps long after cars went to electric. I have factory photos of White trucks into 1929 with carbide lights on them.

Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 11:24 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/421304.html?1391835654


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 12:02 pm:

The 1925 bus is one of 214 Model 15-45's the Park owned and operated. The previous model was a TEB of which they had 135 units starting in 1916. The 15-45's were followed by 7 614's in 1931 and 99 706's in 1936 thru 1939 like the one Ralph has pictured. These numbers are from YPC info passed to restorers over the years. Other parks like Glaicer and Rocky Mountain used the "Park Type" Bus also.

I know the seller who has been restoring these buses off and on for the past 50 years. I was offered 22 chassis's a few years ago so there are still a number of partial buses around. Most were auctioned off by the Park as they were replaced and many were re-purposed into "Buck Rakes" or other things. Mine had been made into a wrecker as Mike mentioned.

I spent 18 years restoring mine and couldn't begin to think what it would cost now days to reproduce the parts I had to make. I wish the seller luck but don't know what the true value of his bus is or what someone would pay for one. I enjoy the heck out of mine but they certainly aren't for every one. I'm sure glad I have my T's to drive in between bus trips.

Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Van on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 02:18 pm:

Yellowstone is still running 7 of their original 98 Model 706 (1936-1939). Glacier still has 33 in running condition. They were modernized in the early 2000's with ford engine and running gear. They are still referred to as 'Jammers" even though they don't have the un-synchronized manual transmission anymore.

That Yellowstone bus would sure be fun to have.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 03:36 pm:

This TT bus was on tour in Boone NC, was shipped over from England. Hauled 12-14 folks around and across the highway to the other host hotels.

Big is an understatement :-)




Doors on just one side too.


Such a wide bus that the driver sits in the middle to control the beast!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 03:49 pm:

Interesting bus Dan, and with brass era front sheet metal at that. Someone sure spent some cash on it!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brass car guy on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 12:42 am:

A few years back I helped Corky Coker buy a 1937 White bus from Yellowstone Park. It had found its way to The Portland area and the seller was lets say a bit of a flake, So Corky called me and I arrainged the transfer of money, bus and paperwork.

The bus was delivered to my home. We have a circular drive and the bus was parked there when my wife came home. She went ballistic asking what the hell have you bought now?????? I assured her it was just a temporary lay over.

Corky uses it on his farm and ferrying people from warehouse to warehouse where their cars are stored. This one was all original and unrestored a real nice preservation car.

just sayin'

brasscarguy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 11:43 am:

Brass Car Guy - Any pictures?

Thanks, Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 12:06 pm:

LOL!! Dan from the front that TT bus looks like a normal T that got stung by a bee and is having an allergic reaction. It's a beautiful car but I can't help but laugh every time I look at it.

Also, I didn't know there were RHD TT's, those have to be fairly scarce?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 01:41 pm:

I agree, Seth, that porky T bus looks so odd from the front that at first glance I thought somebody had photoshopped the picture! :-O


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Magee on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 09:22 pm:

Kind of reminds me of this:
guppy
I agree with Seth, beautiful but laugh inducing!


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