BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Dangerfields" ("Tee-Yay"/MaBSTOA/CTA)..............

The "Tee-Yay" received their first "Dangerfields" in 1964 (#'s 5001-5165)

The second order arrived from 1965 through 1966 (these buses were numbered #5601-5790)

In 1970, MaBSTOA received its first "Dangerfields" (#'s 4600-4727)

The CTA's first "Dangerfields" (150 buses in total) entered service in conjunction with an order of 150 GM Fishbowls, for a side-by-side comparison.

This took place in 1961; the (Flxible) buses were numbered #8500-#8649.........

"NYO"

["CICERO-ARCHER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just came across this photo of one of the original CTA "Dangerfields".......

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/17381148551140253/

Note that while the bus is still in its original 1961-era paint, it is now sporting the new CTA insignia of the 1970's.

Also, look VERY closely at the (empty) ad frame adjacent to the front door; note how the frame itself is contoured to curve around the wheelwell.........

"NY"

["cta"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another CTA "Dangerfield".........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/531213718534329656/

Note, here, that the ad frame (again empty) adjacent to the front door is of "standard" configuration...........

["57 LARAMIE-NORTH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now HERE is a VERY interesting (and unique!) CTA "Dangerfield wannabe"...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26329029@N06/35702471642/

Preserved ex-CTA #8499 was an "experimental" of sorts; a postwar TWIN fitted with a "Dangerfield" front end (imagine a fleet of these in "Noo Yawk"?)

Thankfully, this unique bus has been preserved.......

["81 LAWRENCE-BROADWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now, here's an interesting "side-by-side" comparison between CTA's unique "Dangerfield Wannabee" #8499 and a run-of-the-mill "Dangerfield"..........

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbernero/6816964897/

["3241"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Came across this short(!!) video* of CTA's "Dangerfield Wannabe" #8499.......

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/video/12424619/cta-heritage-bus-8499

Note that this unique bus was retired in 1970.

It is not at all difficult in picturing this bus in FACCL (or SURFACE) paint...........

["DOWNTOWN"]

*When the video ends, be sure to check out the link(s) on historic CTA buses!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting that the CTA once operated "one off"#8499 (aka the "Dangefield Wannabe", which was a "standard" postwar TWIN body with a Flex New Look front grafted on.

Recall, MACK, in the late 1950's, offered transit buses with what they termed "New Look" fronts; these buses, again, were basically the old-style MACK body with a more up-to-date front.

A number of companies once rostered these unique buses (YONKERS TRANSIT was among them)

Given the fact that SURFACE, for many years, operated a substantial fleet of MACKS, it would have been interesting indeed had ST survived long enough to show an interest in the "New Look" MACKS...........

"NYO"

["SURE IT'S A MACK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a nostalgic photo from 1964 of one of the "New Look" MACKS that operated for YONKERS TRANSIT.

Some of these buses later migrated to New Jersey, to put in several more years of service with the now-defunct "BLUE & WHITE"; at that time, they were the only MACKS (of any type) still operating in North Jersey.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155951

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BROADWAY-SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a modern-era photo of CTA's unique historic TWIN, #8499, operating on a special run; how familiar that distinctive front end was to so many of us older fellows, who still fondly recall the lowly "Dangerfield".......

https://www.flickr.com/paulfortini/36794948664

["DIVISION"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another modern-day view of CTA's unique "Dangerfield Wannabe" #8499; it is not all that difficult to imagine such distinctive, handsome buses working for FACL (and/or SURFACE).......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chi-townbuses/35869934105

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.....it is also interesting to think that, at the time when GM was just about ending Fishbowl production in the US, Flxible was manufacturing large numbers of transit (and suburban) buses.

In 1976/1977, nearly 900 NJDOT "Dangerfields" were purchased for TNJ and, also, for the numerous independent companies then operating in the State.

In fact, at the time, this was also New Jersey's largest bus order.

Had the "Tee-Yay"/MaBSTOA been as enamored with the "Dangerfield" as the CTA clearly was, the "Noo Yawk" fleets would have been pretty well dominated by Flxible buses.........

"NYO"

["NJDOT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Front end comparisons between a "Tee-Yay" Fishbowl and a "Dangerfield".

It is quite easy to see why the GM product was later popularly dubbed the "Fishbowl".

While, trade-wise, the GM buses did, indeed, introduce a new look in the bus industry, "New Look" (IMHO) seems more "in sync" with the "Dangerfields".....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154430

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154898

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["37 To Shore Road"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Too, recall, the old "independent"companies in the City; "mixed fleets" were certainly not uncommon, with some outfits operating both Fishbowls and "Dangerfields"("AVENUE B's" Flexies were second-hand, from Albany, I
believe)

In my area, though the NJDOT "Dangerfields" were commonplace prior to 1980, the "22 HILLSIDE"(then operated an "indy" company) was using only Fishbowls, but, then, the these disappeared and were replaced by "Dangerfields" (mid-1980's)

I remember these buses had an illuminated, yellow metal sign on the roof (somewhat similar to those used on PSNJ's ESSEX Division streetcars) that, originally, read "45 CENTS".

Mom and I were both frequent riders of this now-truncated line, way back in the day..

Regarding the "Dangerfields", I'm wondering if at least some companies purchased them because they were cheaper than the GM Fishbowls I'm only guessing, here, but I know that the cost factor was something quite important to the smaller "indy" companies").......

"NYO"

["22 HILLSIDE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"DOUBLEHEADER" (Hillside & 168th, 1978)...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156573

(courtesy" nycsubway.org)

["MSBA"]