1931 Passenger Bus
 

Our Coastal Carolina A's Club has volunteered to help restore a 1931 Model AA Passenger Bus (330-B). Once this bus is restored it will go into service at the Gilmore Model A Ford Museum as a shuttle bus. This is a group effort among our club members, and the total restoration of the bus will be provided by other clubs and volunteers across the Model A community. Our club will be responsible for restoring the chassis to a "running chassis" condition.
We have a blogspot for our club and will be chronicling our progress.
Check it out at: http://coastalcarolinaas.blogspot.com

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Interesting project. Where is the body being restored?

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Where was it found??
Is the body being restored or a new one constructed? Pics of the body either "as is" or in progress would be most interesting.


Thanks

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

This bus was donated by Ken Ehrenhofer to MAFFI. It was purchased by Ken at the Hartung auction a few years back.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

The bus was bought at the Lee Roy Hartung auction in the Chicago Suburbs a few years ago. Do a search of "Hartung" in this forum and you'll find a lot of pictures. Ken Ehrenhofer regularly posts pictures of it on the MARC Facebook page as well.

-Tim

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

There was an article about this bus in the Model A times a couple of issues back. Very interesting,


TerryO

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

What a great club project. I think I see my doppleganger in some of those pictures. :eek:

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

I love this project. Thanks for posting a blog link to follow your restoration progress. Do you have a list of parts that you might need in the restoration. I recently acquired some Model A parts and would be glad to donate some if there's a need.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

What brand is the bus body? If its a "Thomas", the Thomas Built Buses home office and manufacturing plant is in High Point, NC. They might be willing to offer assistance.

Well, I see its a Union City Body......so much for that idea!

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Hi Jim, Right off the bat we see a need for two parts that we believe will be hard to find. The first part is specific to the AA157 chassis (157 inch wheelbase) and it is the short shaft tube (the end has been pinched off). It mates into a stamped sheet metal shell that bolts to the 3rd cross member for the u-joint which we also need (split opened). I am attaching images. If anyone knows where to get these please drop us an email.
Thanks!

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

15 years ago I needed some AA parts for the intermediate drive shaft on a 131" 1930 AA, and finally found them at Little Dearborn in Minneapolis.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

We have had two more workdays on the 1931 Passenger Bus chassis. See our progress at
www.coastalcarolinaas.blogspot.com

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Grier
If you have not found a LWB coupling shaft housing and support, I have one that I am willing to donate to the project. I also have the LWB coupling shaft, in very nice condition, and 2 brake rod extensions if you are interested in them.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

A title for one of these sold on epay last night. Have never seen one before........

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Keep us posted on parts needed. I have a later trans that is supposed to be in good shape, the gears will interchange with AA gears. I will also donate a reground engine camshaft if needed.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Grier, PM me thanks, Pat

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

Hello everybody, I have posted another update on our blog for last weekend’s work. Check it out at: www.coastalcarolinaas.blogspot.com

Pat I did send you a pm earlier today. Also on the other forum too. Same for Bill too.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

We are coming along with the refurbishment of the bus chassis. Our latest workday was 10/24/2019. Please take a look at our progress at:
www.coastalcarolinaas.blogspot.com


We thank everyone for your support through either purchasing raffle tickets (still available) and outright donations of cash and parts.

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

The chassis is looking great. The coupling shaft housing rear support was most likely correct with the clipped bolt hole. I think this was done with the service replacement coupling shaft with the u-joint at the transmission end. It was done so you could leave the top bolt in the clam shell so the torque tube would remain in place at the cross member. I have four of those supports and three are clipped.


Bob

Re: 1931 Passenger Bus
 

That’s interesting Bob. We learn something everyday on this project. The beat up one that I used as the donor was actually the one that was on the bus originally. That’s why we thought it should be repaired. Guess we could have left it alone.