BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 9:25 pm Post subject: 4106= "New & Improved" 4104?

All:

Both the GM 4104 and 4106 were extremely popular coaches, being used by countless properties throughout the US. Both types were sleek and powerful, and both types were produced for several years.

4104 (1953-1960)

4107 (1961-65)

In "THE BUS WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSES", it states that the 4106 was basically a restyled 4104 with larger windows.

IMHO, the 4104's windows appear to be the larger of the two; also, the 4107, for all practical purposes, is a 4104 with a more angular, straight-lined body.

By the early 60's, rounded coach bodies were becoming passe with the newer, more angular designs (such as the Fishbowl), so (again, this is my opinion only). it would appear that the main reason that the 4107 came about was so that GM could offer a more modern version of the 4104.

Coluld not have the 4104 coninuted in production for several more years?

Regardless, both types were, as earlier noted, both solid, reliable, and stylish coaches, giving many years of safe, dependable service to many operators.

The very last 4104 I remember was an ex-ORANGE & BLACK coach, back in the early 80's, and I can remember riding on an ex-INTER-CITY 4107 until about 1985, on the former O&B "RIVER ROAD EXPRESS" rush hour runs.

I sure do miss both types......

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject:

Truly stunning collection of outstanding 4104 models, representing many fabled carriers.....the PSNJ and O&B coaches are (not surpsingly!) my favorites..... Very Happy

These are MAGNIFICENT!! Very Happy

http://public.fotki.com/mackbuses/general_motors_pd-4/

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

From the same gifted craftsman comes these highly-detailed 4106 models, again, representing many once-familiar companies.

NICE!!!!!! Very Happy

http://public.fotki.com/mackbuses/general_motors_mode/

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject:

"V600", a beautifully restored PSNJ 4106, dating from 1964......

http://www.davemackey.com/psct/v600.html

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 10:13 pm Post subject:

Interesting bit of trivia on the 4106.....

The type was the first intercity bus to have the Detroit Diesel "8V-71" diesel engine as standard.

It had enough power to operate the air-conditioning system, thereby eliminating the need for a seperate engine for the a/c, common with previous byses.

"NYO"

JimmiB · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 11:47 pm Post subject:

I always thought when driving a 4106 that you could feel some loss of power with the A/C on. Also, with the 4104, you didn't have a driver trying to turn it on while in motion, sometimes ripping things apart. While I didn't mind driving either model, I preferred the 06.

roymanning2000 · Age: 77 Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 198

Just from a passenger standpoint, I always thought the 06's windows were bigger than the '04. I hadn't given it much thought before but, I think the '07's windows were more like the '04's in shape. By the way, the '04 windows were manufactured by an outside firm and were used by Beck and Fitzjohn on some of their cruisers in the 50's.

As you stated the major mechanical difference between the '04 and the '06 was the use of the 8V71 engine in the latter and elimination of the pony engine for the A/C. I would also imagine that some engineering was required to beef up the back end to support the added weight of the bigger engine.

I suppose that GM could have continued to produce the '04 instead of a new model designation. With the introduction of the fishbowl line of transits, GM might have thought the intercity line needed a restyling to keep pace.

Roy

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 8:54 am Post subject:

Roy.....

Appreciate your views on this!

You mentioned the 4106's windows; though they had the 4104's forward slant, they were more angular at the corners, if you look closely.....the 4104's windows were more rounded here.

That both types were quite popular with operators goes without saying; seemed that, at one time, they were on the rosters of just about every "highway" and charter company!

Sure was a long time ago.....

"NYO"

Q65A · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 1:51 pm Post subject:

As a kid growing up in Queens, my exposure to 4104's and 4106's came via Carey Transportation, whose buses provided service to LaGuardia and JFK Airports. They had conservative dark green striping, but both the 4104 and 4106 looked much more modern than the Flx Airporters that Carey also had in their fleet.

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:01 pm Post subject:

Bob,

You're words and I'm music!

Did you ever see a more gorgeous representation of what a bus should be?

How many times I tried to keep up with these dynamos in the stretch at Idlewild with me in a meager 4507!

Them was the days!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject:

Mr. "L".....

Was it really necessary to bring unabashed TEARS to a STRONG man's eyes?? Crying or Very sad

Now...THAT"s what I call a BUS!! Very Happy

And the historic 1962 TWA terminal in the photo as well.......aaaahh, take me back, PLEASE!!!! Very Happy

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:19 pm Post subject:

Check out this beautifully restored 1964 vintage 4106, originally delivered to "LTR STAGE LINES"......

http://www.pacbus.org/roster/pbm172.html

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject:

"W608", an ex-PSNJ 4106 (delivered in 1965), seen during the TNMJ years......a VERY handsome coach, without a doubt! Very Happy

http://www.davemackey.com/psct/w608.html

Q65A · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:35 pm Post subject:

Those Carey buses were fast indeed!!!

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Florida

The GMC PD4104, when it came out in 1953, was a radically new coach that really caught the public's attention. The combination of its beautiful flowing lines, silver siding, big 'picture' windows, air ride suspension, and optional lavatory aboard made it an instant hit.
In 1961, its successor, the PD4106, replaced it. The '06 did have a more angular look. Its windows followed the same pattern of placement as the '04, but the windows were a bit larger, from top to bottom. The more powerful 8v71 engine eliminated the need for the gasoline engine for the A/C. This is turn yielded more underfloor baggage space. There was a minor change in the 1964 and 1965 models. The drivers window and the entrance door window became one-piece (other than the 'signaling window'). Later on, many earlier models were retrofitted with these.
Another change in 1964 was the replacement of the 'Johnson Bar' handbrake lever with the DD-3 air operated parking brake. New interior panels came out then as well as new type seats.
Both of these were among the all-time favorites of many drivers. The '06 is my personal favorite.