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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Jim Brophy
Posts by Jim Brophy
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![Trolleybuses (initially called trackless trolleys) were once a fixture on American streets, either replacing or supplementing iron-rail trolleys. Prior to WW II, the three primary US trolleybus manufacturers were […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/unnamed-8-e1716334193215.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Marmon-Herrington (M-H) TC 44/48 – Post-War America’s Favorite Trolleybus")
Bus Stop Classics: Marmon-Herrington (M-H) TC 44/48 – Post-War America’s Favorite Trolleybus
Posted on May 25, 2024 | 20 CommentsTrolleybuses (initially called trackless trolleys) were once a fixture on American streets, either replacing or supplementing iron-rail trolleys. Prior to WW II, the three primary US trolleybus manufacturers were […] -
![(first posted 5/5/2018) I came across these two on a recent Sunday Tokyo sojourn – one a full-fledged Brit, the other an aspiring impostor. Let’s first take a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMGP2674-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic Outtake: 1960/70’s Vanden Plas Princess 1100/1300 – The Real Anglophile")
Curbside Classic Outtake: 1960/70’s Vanden Plas Princess 1100/1300 – The Real Anglophile
Posted on May 5, 2024 | 30 Comments(first posted 5/5/2018) I came across these two on a recent Sunday Tokyo sojourn – one a full-fledged Brit, the other an aspiring impostor. Let’s first take a […] -
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1994-2002 Nova Bus RTS 06 WFD (Wide Front Door) – The Door Closes on the RTS
Posted on April 20, 2024 | 16 CommentsWe’ve told the RTS story here, but I thought it would be interesting to highlight the last version of this controversial and conflicted design. -
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 – 1953 Ford/Wayne/Marmon-Herrington 8MB; Ford Folds On Its Transit Bus Business
Posted on April 13, 2024 | 11 CommentsIn our previous post on Checker Motors, we talked a little about the Ford Transit Bus. Let’s take a closer look at the final evolution of that model, the 8MB. -
![Unlike Europe and Asia, most buses in North America have used one large, rectangular sign located in front above the windshield, to show the bus’s route and/or destination. But that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/c58b4d84f3d640508a4145243b34e2cf-e1712059891389.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: Capitol Transit Buses and Their Three Panel Destination Sign")
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: Capitol Transit Buses and Their Three Panel Destination Sign
Posted on April 6, 2024 | 15 CommentsUnlike Europe and Asia, most buses in North America have used one large, rectangular sign located in front above the windshield, to show the bus’s route and/or destination. But that […] -
![(first posted 10/31/2018) I really enjoyed Paul’s article on the GM PD 4501 Scenicruiser last week – and it got me thinking. That, and as you may have […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/d4505-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Greyhound’s Current Bus Fleet – Hopefully Eye-Opening")
Bus Stop Classics: Greyhound’s Current Bus Fleet – Hopefully Eye-Opening
Posted on March 31, 2024 | 48 Comments(first posted 10/31/2018) I really enjoyed Paul’s article on the GM PD 4501 Scenicruiser last week – and it got me thinking. That, and as you may have […] -
![The smallest urban transit bus typically falls into the 25-29 passenger range – that’s true today and was also true during the pre and post-WWII period. Here’s a bus that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oo1948_ACF_Willys_1-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classic Obscurity: 1947 ACF-Brill C-10 – Short and Sweet")
Bus Stop Classic Obscurity: 1947 ACF-Brill C-10 – Short and Sweet
Posted on March 23, 2024 | 12 CommentsThe smallest urban transit bus typically falls into the 25-29 passenger range – that’s true today and was also true during the pre and post-WWII period. Here’s a bus that […] -
![We take it for granted today that any vehicle we get into – from the smallest, cheapest compact car to the largest truck or bus will come standard with a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/img_3480_2_625-e1710148194968.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 ACF-Brill C-36 — The First Production Air Conditioned Transit Bus")
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 ACF-Brill C-36 — The First Production Air Conditioned Transit Bus
Posted on March 16, 2024 | 12 CommentsWe take it for granted today that any vehicle we get into – from the smallest, cheapest compact car to the largest truck or bus will come standard with a […] -
![(first posted 2/17/2018) What a beauty – this is a 1941 White 700 Series Transit coach, modified as a Suburban model, and outfitted as a mobile […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/White-Highway-Post-Office-bus-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1941 White Postal Service Bus – Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Flat Tire…")
Bus Stop Classics: 1941 White Postal Service Bus – Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Flat Tire…
Posted on February 26, 2024 | 16 Comments(first posted 2/17/2018) What a beauty – this is a 1941 White 700 Series Transit coach, modified as a Suburban model, and outfitted as a mobile […] -
Curbside Commentary: The Cost of Owning a Vehicle in Japan
Posted on February 17, 2024 | 30 CommentsIn several previous posts, commenters expressed an interest in the costs of purchasing and owning a vehicle here in Japan. Here’s a short summary; from purchase price to annual expenses. -
![In the decade of the 1950’s, Brazil was a prime market for GM’s intercity coaches. The country’s own bus manufacturing was still in its infancy, and large numbers of GM’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FlechaAzulViacaoCometa-e1706754629319.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Ciferal Dinosaur/Cometa Arrow – Brazil’s “Buffalo”")
Bus Stop Classics: Ciferal Dinosaur/Cometa Arrow – Brazil’s “Buffalo”
Posted on February 3, 2024 | 6 CommentsIn the decade of the 1950’s, Brazil was a prime market for GM’s intercity coaches. The country’s own bus manufacturing was still in its infancy, and large numbers of GM’s […] -
![(first posted 1/19/2018) Here’s another bus you would have likely seen or ridden in if you were spending time in any large North American metropolitan area […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Omaha_1947_Twin_Coach_bus_1312_at_Seashore_Trolley_Museum-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1946 – 1959 Flxible Twin Coach Transit Bus – Chicago’s Favorite")
Bus Stop Classics: 1946 – 1959 Flxible Twin Coach Transit Bus – Chicago’s Favorite
Posted on January 19, 2024 | 43 Comments(first posted 1/19/2018) Here’s another bus you would have likely seen or ridden in if you were spending time in any large North American metropolitan area […] -
![Inclines, or more accurately incline plane railways, were once ubiquitous in the US. Developed to conquer the tyranny of elevation, many of these inclines were designed by European immigrants where […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/incline-mtadams7.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Trackside Classic: Cincinnati Mount Adams Incline – Upward Bound")
Trackside Classic: Cincinnati Mount Adams Incline – Upward Bound
Posted on January 13, 2024 | 18 CommentsInclines, or more accurately incline plane railways, were once ubiquitous in the US. Developed to conquer the tyranny of elevation, many of these inclines were designed by European immigrants where […] -
![(first posted 1/7/2018) For me, the turn of the year always brings forth a sense of nostalgia – another year past and a longing to look back at the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/hudson-super-wasp-03-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Outtake: Curbside Reminiscences From My Childhood")
CC Outtake: Curbside Reminiscences From My Childhood
Posted on January 7, 2024 | 49 Comments(first posted 1/7/2018) For me, the turn of the year always brings forth a sense of nostalgia – another year past and a longing to look back at the […] -
![Though I am loath to admit it, I’m ancient enough to remember airport travel before the now ubiquitous “cutaway” mini-bus. A time when factory vans, limousines, and full-sized buses […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1968oldsmobiletoronadojetway707airportlimousine_17bb3aeb050543f681db599aee614927-e1703414924356.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Outtake: American Quality Coach (AQC) Jetway 707 – One Large Lengthy Limo")
Curbside Outtake: American Quality Coach (AQC) Jetway 707 – One Large Lengthy Limo
Posted on January 6, 2024 | 20 CommentsThough I am loath to admit it, I’m ancient enough to remember airport travel before the now ubiquitous “cutaway” mini-bus. A time when factory vans, limousines, and full-sized buses […]
