| Author | Message | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.220.84  Rating: N/A |
I know a few of you have a magic book that provides some information on the early history of some coaches. Can anyone help me out with this 1959 4104? The serial # looks to me like "4109". Currently residing in British Columbia.    | ||
| Bob MacIsaac (Wildbob24)
Registered Member Username: Wildbob24 Post Number: 36 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 68.211.50.194 Rating: N/A |
Try this link: http://www.geocities.com/buslist/Delivery.html look under General Motors Parlor Buses and you'll find it | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1590 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 98.192.173.82  Rating: N/A |
Hiway - You can always double check the VIN of the coach by looking inside the exterior compartment underneath the driver. It is stamped on the "frame rail." If I read it correctly, then PD4104-4109 was delivered new in July of 1959 as fleet number A-037 to Provincial Transport Company, based out of Montreal, Quebec. It was delivered via GMC's Canadian Division. Nice looking coach - are you negotiating w/ the owner to buy it? FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 47 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 208.98.220.84 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for that link Bob, and for your additional info RJ. I don't know much about the coach other than that it is being sold by a guy on behalf of his father who used to take it to Mexico in the winter. The son knows nothing about the bus but was able to send me a bunch of photos and his father's phone # to contact for more info. No negotiations at this point. I'm not really in a position to purchase yet but there may be a life changing event on the horizon that could change that. I've been lurking here for quite a while and just taking in as much info from you guys as I can. I will have a bus. It's just a matter of when. I've got a pretty good idea of the general things to ask about when I speak to the owner, but can you suggest anything that would be specific to a 4104? So far all of the coaches I've looked into up here have been MCI. BTW, he's asking $29k which maybe seems a bit high? That engine sure looks clean though, huh? | ||
| Mel La Plante (Mel_4104)
Registered Member Username: Mel_4104 Post Number: 136 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 99.199.160.47 Rating: N/A |
hi i am up the road 20 km from this bus so if you like call me at 1-250-248-2766 as there are 6 or more of that have 4104s in the area including the others of the group that came west and became conversions, and i can tell you where they are now. mel 4104 | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 971 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.22  Rating: N/A |
It looks very nice in the photos including the engine, however the engine can easily be cleaned and painted. Run it enough to check for major oil leaks at both ends of the engine. In addition to the normal overall condition such as brakes, tires and etc the following things are from my experience; Make sure it shifts easily, the air bags are in good condition, all the lights work and that it has a functioning rear (wet) air tank (Don't laugh, I know of two, including mine, that were bypassed!!). It is highly preferable to have either a hyd boost steering system or a full-time Sheppard type. You really don't want to wrestle manual steering in close quarters. In your climate you really need working radiator shutters, otherwise it will never run warm enough in cool weather. It seems that most don't work, not surprising considering the age, but they are needed for proper engine operation. Check for windshield leaks. The 4104 is a great old bus, the last all aluminum bus by GM and gets very good fuel mileage. It is slow but I'm in no hurry!! The rear mudflaps appear to be mounted too far to the rear, they should be just to the rear of the rear wheels for proper engine cooling. The trailer hitch mounted to the bumper is unusual, the bumper will not support much. The hitch should go underneath the engine and attach to the engine cradle and body. $29 is not too bad for a near perfect bus, this includes a very good house generator, preferably diesel or a gas water cooled one, which is the major house expense. | ||
| hiwaycallin (Hiwaycallin)
Registered Member Username: Hiwaycallin Post Number: 48 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 66.183.241.27 Rating: N/A |
Mel, thanks for taking the time to speak with me on the phone last evening and your offer to help me look further into this bus. The email address in your profile doesn't seem to be working so I'll post the link to the other photos here: http://tinyurl.com/nub4xy Thanks for your tips as well Gus. It sure helps getting tips from you 4104 guys. I spoke with the owner and so far things sound interesting. Apparently the air bags are good as it airs up in 2-5 minutes and holds air for several days. It did sound like 1 of the air beams has been bypassed but the other one has not ... does this make sense? What is there sounds like it is well-maintained and in very good condition. There are a few things though, like no generator and no inverter. (Message edited by hiwaycallin on July 25, 2009) | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1661 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.122.251  Rating: N/A |
Wow, colours on that are pretty close to mine. Good looking example of the marque, says I! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 897 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.195.234.106  Rating: N/A |
"There are a few things though, like no generator and no inverter." Many folks spend almost zero time boon docking , this PO probably never found a use to "invest" $5000 to $10,000 for a useless ,for his lifestyle, item. "MY WAY" , covers a lot of individual choices.. FF | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 977 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.114 Rating: N/A |
You're lucky to have Mel so close, there is no substitute for talking with another 4104 owner. If the air bags stay up at least a few days that is good. If one beam is plated off that is good too, just one less you have to worry about in the future. I have no plates installed yet but I carry them with me just in case!! It is probably better there is no gen, now you can choose one to suit your special needs. Too many of the old air cooled ones shake the bus and require ear plugs! I use my gen 90% for the roof AC and frige underway. I have a gas Honda water cooled EV6010 which is 6KW and runs two 13.5KBTU roof airs and the frige with no problems. It is quiet and vibration free and weighs only about 250 lbs. It fits well into the old AC compartment on the left forward side. I also have two 20 lb LP bottles forward of it. I have no inverter and see no need for one since we mostly travel and don't park more than a day or two at any one spot. Inverters are great wasters of energy but are probably necessary for long term parking. If you have any specific 4104 questions you are welcome to email me at egusDOTcATcenturytelDOTnet | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 282 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.232  Rating: N/A |
... never hurts to leave a standing offer based on what you can afford to spend, on hand & what your detailed per purchase inspection revealed. . . (while waiting for that lotto to strike, I often say). .. Base on my local market "best guess" the inheritor will be asking 29 k for a long, long time, regardless of fact , should the looks match the real condition & amenities. ...so Often those shooting for the moon on these estate liquidation (albeit often out of the grieving process) over spend there anticipated windfalls, and end up having to correct there mistakes by dumping surplus luxuries for a dime on the dollar , not often the other way around. At times they are just over asking , to tie up the estate , as a bad execture might or a sibbling overcome by rirvalry. Tis is all to common part of the human experience. ...Sure is a looker for a distance though, perhaps even capable of tow barring your mini bus around. >busshop thoroughly, and look far & wide, there out there just waiting to be found. |