What kind of bus is this, Has a windshield like a Fishbowl but all flat glass!

[busfan]

What kind of bus is this? 

https://olympic.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1974-transit-bus-for/6518489786.html

I need to make a windshield like this for my fishbowl, maybe using a large 3d abs printer for corner and angle forms.

 If you make one before me, be sure to post it on Thingverse

[wildbob24]

Looks like a Flxible New Look

Bob

[Runcutter]

That is the remains of a Flxible (note the spelling), Fishbowl.  The Flxible Company, out of Loudonville and Delaware, Ohio was a competitor of GM and others through the years.  As a result of an anti-trust case, GM had to make the rear-engine and angle drive available to other manufacturers.  Flxible took advantage, as you can clearly see in the engine compartment.  I believe AM General did, too, entering the transit market after UMTA funds became available for capital procurements.

Company I drove for had two Suburban model stick shifts.  Kind of OK buses, but never really cared for them.  I never got to work with any of the older Flxibles, (e.g., Clippers), but they were a beautiful coach -- and I think had a little more style than GM's torpedobacks.  To my eye, though, the Flxible fishbowl missed out on the "style" component.  

Flxible went through many iterations/owners in later years, Rohr, Grumman among them.  They made two or three prototypes of the Transbus, in the 70's (along with GM and AM General.)  ADB's were the Fishbowl's replacement.  GM's was the RTS, Flxible's was the 870, which was renamed the Metro after the engines kept falling out (or, vice-versa, but I think the 870 was the first iteration).  The rear end was mounted on a horizontal A-frame, which went on to become the engine cradle.  Many breaks, crippling the first three transit systems to buy a big order -- the consortium included DC and Washington, I think Philadelphia was the third.

I toured the Flxible plant when they were making the 870's or Metros -- interesting construction.  Floor, roof, and two sidewalls were glued together and heat cured.  Legend has it that the heat was left on overnight in the heat booth, and one bus melted.

Arthur    

[chessie4905]

If anyone here has an interest in purchasing this bus, make a thorough inspection for rust issues. I dismantled one about 7 years ago and discovered while dismantling that the side of the engine firewall facing forward and encompassing framing was crumbling rust. Wouldn't have been long for engine supports to give way if it was continued in operation. 6v-71 and Allison V730. Got many useable parts from it, and a spare transmission.Fun fact, front axle was hollow and full of kerosine for for rust prevention I imagine

[busfan]

Well at least they got the window right.. Flat glass!

[Brassman]

Isn't that a run away from kinda bus. It's a V-drive, no? A flexible V-drive? How's that going to work?

[CrabbyMilton]

Yeah that's FLXIBLE transit alright.
They built those until the late 1970's since Milwaukee County Transit bought100 of them what is to believed to be the last one's built in 1978. Yours Truly went out of my way to ride on them since they were the first new transit buses that I was old enough to remember. They had an 8V-71 V730 so the powertrain was good. They had structural problems and were no very well liked around here. I go a kick out of them since they were the first 8V-71 engine buses around here compared to the 6V-71 in the GM NEW LOOKS that were of plenty.

[chessie4905]

The one I dismantled was a 30 footer.

[Iceni John]

Fun fact, front axle was hollow and full of kerosine for for rust prevention I imagine

Was the kerosene to indicate any cracks in the axle (like helicopter rotor blades)?   

John

[chessie4905]

Could be. Don't know. Discovered when cutting with torch. No safety issue, fortunately. Checked axle tube closely then and discovered a fill plug.