BusTalk

Alek · Age: 60 Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 2

Hi,

I'm researching the bus that Lee Harvey Oswald rode on the fateful afternoon of November 22, 1963.

Testimony described it as follows:
"Bus No. 433 was delivered [to the Dallas Transit Company] on September 2, 1952, by the White Motor Company."
"He described this bus as a White passenger bus equipped with Cummins diesel engine. "

photographs of the coach are available here:
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Photos_-_WCD_Photos_-_Bus_and_Taxi_Photos_-_p1

I wondering if anyone can identify the model more specifically.
It appears to me to be a GM "old-look" model, but I understand GM didn't offer air conditioning until 1958.

Thanks,

Alek

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

What a great find!
Sorry, I can't help you with the specific model of that White. I don't know much about A/C either, except that there were some 'after-market' type units that may have been added to original non A/C buses by their operators in that era.

I'll never forget where I was on that day.....my sixteenth birthday.

Thanks for posting....

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject:

Looks like this is a job for 'Super L'!

The bus (Dallas Transit # 433 pictured) is a White Motor Company Model 1150-DW (DW meaning Diesel Equipped/102 inches wide) dating to 1952 and was equipped with a Cummins Diesel engine tied to a White built 'Hydro-Torque' automatic transmission.

The 1100 series White came through with a standard fresh air intake over the destination sign much like GM's ThermoMatic but, in the case of Dallas, you'll note that on #433, and however many others of its ilk, the intake was blocked when the company installed their own 'after market' air conditioners - White never produced an air conditioner.

Only 210 1150 DW's were built by White between 1951 and 1953 and I would suspect that a goodly number went to Dallas although their are no production records or company rosters available to substantiate that.

Photo courtesy of the Warren Commission.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Alek - Mr 'L' - traildriver - All -

Concur this an example of WHITE 1150-DW. Fairly rare type, with few operators. Greater part of all
production went to CAPITAL TRANSIT of Washington, DC.

Your writer has long thought these were excellent coaches. Just came to market at the wrong time,
with little buyer interest. IIRC, Washington did not attempt after market A/C on its fleet. Otherwise,
your writer rode these many times in DC!

........................Vern........................

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

it just blows me mind what we can find on the "Net"

andrethebusman · Age: 70 Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 21 Location: Chicago IL

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:56 pm Post subject:

Just a note on the five Fifth Avenue Coach 1150-D-7's for New York;

Per state law at the time, these buses were the only ones mentioned in the group above that came through in a 96 inch width.

BTW; they didn't last too long with FACCO and wound up in Memphis by 1960.

If I'm correct, I believe 'Frankie' posted this photo originally - if not, I apologize to the member who did for not remembering.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'