BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Fellows:

If I am not mistaken, the first of the "batwing" Fishbowls entered service about 1966/1967.

Certainly, they were most distinctive of any bus then in the NYCTA fleet!

I am curious as to when the last was retired (1990's?), and if there had ever been any talk of applying "bat wing" advertising to any of the newer Old Looks.

Sadly, I never got around to take any photos but, at least, I still have the memories....too bad none were preserved.

Thanks in advance.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Memories....

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1688

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1915

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1919

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1928

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[JimmiB]

Nice photos. I love the luncheonette in the last one. Classic Coke sign with art deco lettering.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a nostalgic scene I well recall from my younger days; here we see TNJ R321 (one of PSNJ's oldest Fishbowls) waiting to pull under the grimy shed of the old PS terminal at Journal Square (Jersey City), back in 1973.

Also, note GREYHOUND depot in the background (Sip Ave.)

Again, those huge "bat wings" indeed made for a VERY distinctive transit coach!

"NYO"

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1505

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another classic "Noo Yawk" street scene, snapped back in 1972.

Again, not only the Fishbowl, but the old-style store fronts also lend a distinctive nostalgic feel to the scene.....

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1697

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[B53RICH]

I never did get a chance to take photos as well, though I had planned to. Visiting grandparents in Miami back in 1970, the first day off the plane to my surprise was a Miami bus with batwings.

Here's a link I found of some sample photos of Miami buses with batwings:
http://www.miamidadetransit.com/800page.html

Also below, the only NYC Flxible (7753) with batwings, Collection of: Joe Testagrose:

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

B53RICH:

WOW!!!!

That is one HANDSOME looking bus!

(that OTB ad is a classic unto itself!)

Did not that Miami (or any other city) operated "batwing" buses aside from New York (except for the PS/TNJ Fishbowls that then were running in my area)

Also, was not aware that any Flex New Looks were fitted out with "batwings"....sure looked mighty cool!

Man, to go back to the 70's, if even for only a day.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few more examples of PS/TNJ "batwing" Fishbowls......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3466

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3467

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3471

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2350

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2377

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[MaBSTOA 15]

The Miami 800 series TDH-5302s had their bat wings added on the field.

The 400 series TDH-5304s had the bat wins applied at the factory. These buses had amber color lenses on the rear directional signals.

The 100 series T8H-5306A came with bat wings and water bumpers.

Likewise, the Flxibles in the 500 series and the 1-50 series also came with bat wings and water bumpers from the factory.

LA, New Orleans, Kansas City to mention a few also had fleets with bat wings. In fact NOPSI and Kansas City had AM Generals with bat wings!

[frankie]

I remember St. Louis Bistate has batwings on many of their Fishbowls, however the pointed end was at the bottom in the front and at the top in the rear - the complete opposite of those used in the NY area. Often low hanging branches were the kiss of death of a batwing if you got caught onto one.

Actually batwings were interchangeable with either side of the bus depending on where you wish to orientate the pointed end. If you were to swing around the end of the Bistate example a full 180 degrees horizontally and place it on the curb side, you would get the NY example with the point at the top.

Frankie

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15/Frankie:

MANY THANKS for your interesting contributions (I had NO idea that "batwing" buses operated in that many cities!)

Frankie: LOVE the photo you posted....I can almost hear Judy Collins wistfully singing to her guitar, "Where have All The Fishbowls Gone?"

"NYO"

[frankie]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Frankie:



'nuff said!!

The Baby Fishbowl and Grumman 870 photos in particular REALLY knocked me for a loop..........WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to share these, my friend!

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Several vintage New Orleans photos of interest on this excellent page....

http://www.streetcarmike.com/nopsi_gmc_newlook.html


(courtesy: streetcarmike.com)