| Author | Message | ||
| William Fenske (Will_4104)
Registered Member Username: Will_4104 Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 68.205.191.134 Rating: N/A |
Hello everyone! My name is Bill and I am the (Proud!) new owner of 1953 GMC PD4104-716. I am new to the world of bussing and plan on living in it full time. (nutty?) I have a lot of info on her history and would like more if possible. I know she was one of five, #s 712-716, sold and delivered to Great Lakes Greyhound Lines in Detroit, Mich. on or around Dec. 17th, 1953. Her bus # to be, 4078. The last paperwork connecting her to Greyhound I have is from Dec. of 65, though it may have been longer. At the time she had 905,000 miles+, wow! I am not sure but have paperwork to suggest she was owned by Wayne's Bus Lines, School bus and charter service in Harmony, Pa. in 1970. It looks like her # was 505 there. Jan. 8, 1976, She was sold to Donald H. Miller from Akron, Oh. and it looks like he had it until the next owner, Frank Cook of Livonia, Mich. in 12/1983? Frank was the man to do have the bus converted and did everything "top of the line" at the time. I even have a copy of a newspaper article from Dec. 6, 1984 in the Dearborn Times-Herald of the conversion. Some paperwork I have documents 1340 man hours and a cost of $44,519.61 for the work. Props out for Jerry J. Noonchester of Jerry J. Custom Kitchen in Allen Park, Mich., for the conversion. Not sure if he or the business is still around, wasn't able to find anything online about him. At the time she was valued at $250,000. Pretty cool huh? Wonder what that works out to in todays money$? Paperwork shows he still had it in Aug. 1988, after that a bit sketchy. The PO, Donna & Steve Vanderjaet had bought it from a man named Ray Howell in '04. My understanding is that Ray was/is well known in the bus community. Like I said before, I'm new to bussing and plan on fulltiming. I am mechanically inclined, mentally challenged and a bit out of phase with most and feel this site and its members will eventually accept me as a fellow nut, I can only hope. I am open to suggestions/warnings of my undertakings and welcome any visitors who could show me the in's and out,s of the workings of my coach. I live in the Orlando, Fla. area. Thank you all for having me, or should I thank Ian?, not sure of proper etiquette... | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 284 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.230.210  Rating: N/A |
Hi welcome I have an old 4104 as well. Mine is even older than yours as it is in the 400s (427? can't remember). Anyhow if you are mentally challenged you will fit right in here. As far as I can see, most of us bus nuts have 35' to 45' buses to compensate for the considerably shorter ones we should have ridden on as children. (Message edited by zubzub on May 22, 2011) | ||
| Kevin Baxter (Bus_boy)
Registered Member Username: Bus_boy Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 173.55.131.34 Rating: N/A |
Welcome Aboard Will, I too own an '04. Mine is one of the last 100 or so produced... 4104-4983. You will fall in love with her. These old GM's are just great buses! While I don't participate a great deal on this site (yet) I visit almost daily. It is certainly a nutty one! Some of the biggest "kooks" on here are also some of the most knowledgeable busnuts around, and they generously share that knowledge. I learn new stuff each time I visit. Enjoy! Kevin | ||
| John & Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 527 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.5.35  Rating: N/A |
Welcome aboard Bill. Always room around the bowl for another nut. Don't let those high miles scare you. These things are barely broke in when they cross the million mark the first time! John | ||
| L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
Registered Member Username: Jamo Post Number: 190 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 74.71.202.72  Rating: N/A |
Welcome from upstate NY, Will... Since this is looking like a bragfest, I am happy to tell you that my '53 4104 is number 204. She was also from Great Lakes Greyhound in Deeetroit...delivered in June of '53, which happens to be exactly one year before I was born. Enjoy the nuts, but be sure to put the lid on when you leave. They tend to scatter... | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 502 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 66.228.105.107  Rating: N/A |
Will Welcome. There is more knowledge then you will ever imagine on here. I don't have a 4104 but I do have a GM. Great buses. You will enjoy the 4104. I drove them when Gray Coach bought some many years ago. The one thing I remember is they could use better brakes. Bill | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 636 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 68.213.121.81  Rating: N/A |
Welcome aboard, Bill. "We're all here 'cause we're not all there". We have PD4104-4039, born April, '59. We've had her about 13 years. We figure she has about 2.25 mil miles. (Trailways & the Hound routinely ran them 100k per year and kept most at least 10 years, some longer.) | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 311 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 69.99.137.1  Rating: N/A |
Finally we have a 4104 on this site,LOL Welcome Chromie | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1396 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.178.71  Rating: N/A |
Chromie!! Mine is an 4104 in case ya didn't notice!!LOL Also have a 4905 too LOL. Gomer | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2085 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.91.146.66  Rating: N/A |
Welcome! If you thought you were mentally challenged already... happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 312 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 69.99.137.1 Rating: N/A |
Gomer; The first bus I tried to buy was a 4104 in Folsom, CA white and green had been redone etc. Needed some work was old but it said it ran good and had new tires. He wanted in 2006 17K for it. I want to go look at it and he never called me. I tried to e-mail and it came back. I read a story as I remember it was here somewhere where some guys bus caught fire because the top of the Muffler rotted out and it said that this was a problem with these units and that was enough for me. I start looking elsewhere then I found my MCI. No offense but I don't think it was meant to be with a 4104. Being into all of these buses for awhile now I see that they all have their issues but when you are just starting you kinda shy away from these things eh!,LOL I think we all done good with whatever we have... Chromie | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 729 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245  Rating: N/A |
 You got yourself into this all by your self... and Brother are you gonna pay that Bus and this place are goin to be your new "other woman" & this will become the place you go for Bus Porn.... the REAL trick is to keep all 3 in the air at the same time. It's the reason everyone here is cartoon crazy 'cept me I'm plain crazy. | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1444 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 24.239.6.10  Rating: |
Hi Bill, No need to thank me, I just run the joint! What you will give thanks for is a pile of excellent information, a bunch of 4104 owners and a whole lot of craziness. Hint: Hone your information parsing skills and you'll get the best bang for your buck here. Don't let the wandering threads get to you... ever. Remember, we're here live and in person and sometimes some people just can't help themselves! Welcome aboard! Enjoy :~) Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Kat Battersby (Ramblinruby)
Registered Member Username: Ramblinruby Post Number: 58 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 66.18.163.175  Rating: N/A |
Hi Bill, Welcome! I am a solo, full-timer so I guess I am nutty too...lol My beauty is a 4106 that ran long distance transit with Eastern Greyhound from Cleveland to points east. I LOVE being a busnut and really enjoy living aboard full time. My dogs and my birds do too. Good Luck! Kat | ||
| Steve "Spanky" Aune (Spanky77707)
Registered Member Username: Spanky77707 Post Number: 47 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 64.234.1.246  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Bill, Mine is an eagle '74 but I still welcome you... I promise you, "you will have fun and get smart here!" These guys are no kidders, all kidding aside. Spanky (Steve) | ||
| William Fenske (Will_4104)
Registered Member Username: Will_4104 Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2011 Posted From: 68.205.191.134 Rating: N/A |
I thought this site was exclusive to 4104 owners?....lol. Thank you all for the well wishes & warnings. I am looking forward to taking advantage of all the information and wisdom from the ones before me, and enjoying the humor injected. | ||
| George Martinez (Foohorse)
Registered Member Username: Foohorse Post Number: 554 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 69.171.161.252  Rating: N/A |
Hey William, welcome. you do know that GMC makes the BEST bus don't you and of all the 4905 is the tops. stir the pot... rile the feathers. and lastly release the hounds. heh heh ;) | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 72.35.193.222  Rating: N/A |
Hello Will I'm only a week in front of you in joining. I consider myself a acorn compared to these busnuts, someday I hope to drop my shell and join them. Sam | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 315 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 75.210.221.39 Rating: N/A |
You are only A CORN if you have bad Jokes.......... Chromie | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 732 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.128.245 Rating: N/A |
Chromie.. gimme a "heads-up" when he decides too "drop his shell" so I can turn away OK? There is a type of baggage I just don't want to have to carry to the grave. | ||
| Gary Stacy (Stacytruck)
Registered Member Username: Stacytruck Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 71.215.177.131  Rating: N/A |
Welcome Bill, I have a 67 MCI and love it. We have been full timing for over a year, and coming from an old road trucker, I love the extra room. g |
