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"Go The Motor Coach Way": FACC musings
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007
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Location: NEW JOISEY

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That the FACC was indeed a prestigious operation is more than evident by the vintage ads featured in "NEW YORK FIFTH AVENUE COACH COMPANY", by Oliver J. Ogden.

At least two companies, "PREST-O-LITE" batteries and "AMERICAN HAMMERED PISTON RINGS" used FACC "QUEEN MARY" coaches in their ads, which appeared in of "BUS TRANSPORTATION MAGAZINE", back in 1938.

Good publicity never hurts..... Very Happy
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"PRIDE ON PARADE"

(note coach is lettered "FIFTH AVENUE OMNIBUS", instead of "FIFTH AVENUE COACH COMPANY")

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2394
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice to see that this thread has surpassed my wildest dreams in terms of popularity! Shocked

Man, I keep up up with the responses! Rolling Eyes Very Happy

NYO
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Mr. Linsky
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
"PRIDE ON PARADE"

(note coach is lettered "FIFTH AVENUE OMNIBUS", instead of "FIFTH AVENUE COACH COMPANY")

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2394



NYO,

I'm certain that you are aware of the fact that when the city took over Fifth Avenue Coach in 1962 it did not buy the name which is still a viable entity although in businesses unrelated to transportation.

Thus, the 'Omnibus' name appears on 2124.

BTW; this is a great thread - keep up the good work!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr. "L"

Thank you for the kind words.....always much appreciated! Very Happy

Yes, the history of the FACC is indeed a most intriguing one, one that, IMHO, has been neglected for far too long.

FACC was, in its day, every bit as vital to New York transportation as were the subways, elevateds, and TARS streetcars.

Too, look at how many old movies (and newsreels) feature shots of FACC buses......1943's "THE CLOCK", starring Judy Garland and Robert Walker is one of those classic films, also featuring a good "open-topper" scene, where Robert Walker chases the old double-decker for quite a few blocks, because Judy was aboard!

There were also a few scenes of "QUEEN MARY" coaches in 1949's "ON THE TOWN", with Frank Sinatra (and "RIDE THE SURFACE WAY" Macks, to boot!) Very Happy

IMHO, FACC was once as much a part of New York as was the old Penn Station, Gimbels, and the Automat!

The history of this fabled company is far too important to ignore!

NYO


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Mon May 02, 2011 5:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Hart Bus



Age: 73
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr. Linsky wrote:
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
"PRIDE ON PARADE"

(note coach is lettered "FIFTH AVENUE OMNIBUS", instead of "FIFTH AVENUE COACH COMPANY")

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2394



NYO,

I'm certain that you are aware of the fact that when the city took over Fifth Avenue Coach in 1962 it did not buy the name which is still a viable entity although in businesses unrelated to transportation.

Thus, the 'Omnibus' name appears on 2124.

BTW; this is a great thread - keep up the good work!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'


To my dear friend Mr. L.

Is FACC really still in business? I read that they took the condemnation proceeds and became an investment company still using the FACC name.

Sometime later they changed the name to South Bay Investment Company ( or something similar). The next mention was a citation against them by the SEC. From there the trail runs cold.

Your friend

Hart Bus
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hart Bus:

If FACC were really still with us, then we should be able to see a steady parade of green and cream coaches, rumbling up and down 5th Avenue! Very Happy

Ahhh, if we only could..... Rolling Eyes

NYO
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Recalling a long-ago time when riding on a 5th Avenue bus was truly an experience to savor and relish......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3400
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Circa 1960's view of ex-FACC #2124, then owned by the "WASHINGTON SQUARE INN", and still making a most impressive appearance......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2408
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"THE FEW.....THE PROUD......THE SURVIVORS"

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3369
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EXTENSIVE pictorial history (QUITE a bit of historical text here, as well), on the history of the FACC.

I was VERY surprised to see such an extensive collection of vintage photos, drawings, postcards, and ads dedicated to the FACC!

Enjoy! Very Happy

http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/f/fifth_avenue/fifth_avenue.htm
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue May 03, 2011 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All:

I have been reading through the extensive text of the "Coachbuilt" FACC page I posted in the previous response......it obviously required a great deal of research to pull it all together.

As I also stated, the vintage photos, postcards, etc, will truly satisfy the hunger of any true FACC fan......

NYO
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N4 Jamaica




Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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Location: Long Island

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mom, born 1908, grew up in Washington Heights. And some time, she, my grandmother, and others would ride Fifth Avenue coach as a treat, despite the ten-cent fare. I wonder about the buses in the CoachBuilt link that are numbered in the 200's. The driver is seated outdoors. There is a crank. And there is a huge circular device in front with an inverted Y. The tires appear to be solid. I wonder which years this model gave Fifth Avenue service. In particular, I am looking at the frontal photo of 201 with a black-on-white route sign SEVENTH & FIFTH AV'S, presumably the current M2 using Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, 110 St, and 5th Ave. Many thanks for your interesting posts.
Joe
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joe.....

Good to have you on board!

Those buses you referred to (which, for years, I thought were MERCEDES units), were (according to the FACC book I've mentioned earlier) French-built DE DION "Boutons" (w/ Brill bodies).

The emblem seen on the bus front was actually used by "DE DION" long before MERCEDES-BENZ.

Hope this helps; as I said, until I purchased the book, I, too, was convinced that these buses were built by MERCEDES!

The caption below the of photo of single-deck coach #210 (in Mr. Ogden's book), tells us that the bus was built in 1912 as a single-decker, and rebuilt as a double-deck unit in 1914.

DAIMLER engines were used in the "DE DION" buses.

Also, glad you've been enjoying the posts!

NYO


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu May 05, 2011 6:14 pm; edited 3 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just came across this excellent site on "DE DION" vehicles.....be sure to check out the photos!

NYO

http://www.svvs.org/philippines1.shtml
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