We reviewed the Flxible Clipper back in Feb 2016, but it’s such an iconic design, I thought it would be worth another look. Specifically, let’s dive into the variations and changes Flx made during the Clipper’s nearly 30 year production run.
Clipper Gen 1. While Flxible had been building front-engined buses using the Clipper name for several years, in 1938 they introduced their first rear-engined model with an all steel semi-monocoque body. It was 27 feet long and could seat 29 passengers. In 1939, Flx added another row and overall length grew to 30 feet. Power was supplied by a 320 cubic inch Buick straight-eight engine – a powertrain that would remain a popular choice. Note the lack of the familiar engine cooling duct on the back of the roof and the straight rectangular windows.
In 1941, more of the recognizable Clipper shape began to appear – forwarded-canted windows replaced the old straight designs, and the cowling duct was added to the rear of the roof to improve engine cooling. Two broad steel bands were also added to the front. Flx continued to produce these during the war for government use and then returned to commercial sales in 1945.
In late 1946, Flx updated the Clipper to the version most people recognize today – dual headlights with a wrap around front windshield, and the “Flxible” badge added underneath. Three lengths were offered; a 27 foot model seating 29, 30 footer holding 33, and a larger 35 foot version seating 37. It proved a popular seller in the vibrant post-war market, and over 2,000 were produced over a four year production run.
Clipper Gen 2 – Visicoach. From 1950 – 56, Flx produced an update to the Clipper called the Visicoach. Larger side windows, similar to ones used on GM’s 4104, Highway Traveler coach were incorporated, along with a one foot stretch in the engine bay, to allow for more powertrain options. Flx had been offering Fageol gas and propane engines as options and in 1953, bought the company outright. Engines were mostly the Buick straight eight and these Fageol models, with the occasional Hercules or Waukesha gas straight six, or Cummins diesel. The Buick straight-eight, which by 1954 had been supplanted by the “Nailhead” V8 in the division’s cars, was still manufactured and continued as an option. Many attribute this to the fact that GM Vice President Charles Kettering sat on the Flxible Board, and encouraged GM support to the company.
,
Clipper Gen 3 – Early Starliner. In 1957, the Starliner model replaced the Visicoach. Two major updates were incorporated; one you could see, one you couldn’t. To perhaps give the bus a more modern, bi-level appearance, Flx put a ten inch rise in the roof in the center of the coach. While it did increase headroom and visibility, it did not affect the seating arrangement which was still on one level. Underneath, Flx finally updated the old leaf spring suspension with a version of BF Goodrich’s “Torsilastic” torsion bars, then in use on its VL 100 VistaLiner model.
Clipper Gen 4 – Later Starliner. The roof “eyebrow” was not popular with operators, and Flx went back to a flat roof in 1960. From then until 1967, only 200 or so Clippers left the factory. The 60’s were all about modern change – a “New Look” – and to 60’s bus passengers, Clippers looked anything but modern.
Our readers in Australia and New Zealand may recognize these Clippers; between 1950 and 1960, Ansair Pty Ltd of Melbourne produced 131 under license. They typically were powered by a 7.4 litre Leyland diesel, though Cummins or Deutz diesels were available also.
I still think they’re just a timeless beautiful design.
I’m not familiar with this Clipper though – perhaps it’s a one-off…
More Info:
– The original one almost looks German with that faux-grille made up of chrome strips.
– They had four headlights 10 years before anyone else. I suppose technically the inboard ones are driving lights (and clearly have yellow lenses on some of the pictured examples).
– Kettering wanted GM to support Flxible for a very good reason, GM was so dominant in buses that they needed to be seen as having a competitor and until 1970 or thereabouts were afraid of getting trustbusted. (the reorg that created GMAD and further screwed the Vega happened around then, it had the desired effect in an undesired way since GM market share has been falling ever since, but I digress).
Charles Kettering was also on Flxible’s BOD and was from Loudonville, OH.. He was very interested in the economic development of small and medium sized cities.
In addition, Flixible’s hearse and ambulance business used Buick chassis exclusively, until the operation was sold in 1964. (There was a hiatus from 1954-58, due to a very large CTA transit bus order.
That Lone Star bus in the opening picture looks like it would be a fantastic backyard bar if it incorporated a swing-up side panel. And a large enough backyard, I suppose. Just beautiful as it continues to patinate.
Love the trailer too, someone did a good job clipping a Clipper and then stitching it back together.
Thanks for this timeline review, great to see the variants and changes over time in this format.
Jim – I remember these (Starliners, I guess) at the lower level of O’Hare from the ’60s through maybe the ’80s. They were green and operated by “Continental Air Transport”. The lower level was baggage claim and I was there to ride the “Peoria Rockford” line to Rockford. There I’d see the unusual Continental Flxibles. They provided links to downtown Chicago and Midway.
I know Flxible now more for their Buick professional cars.
Jim, thanks for this re-profile of the Clipper. Unquestionably a seminal design, that proved buses could be beautiful. Tough call whether I prefer the nose or tail of the four headlight version. I especially like the rear three quarter view. The rear styling of the Chrysler Crossfire always reminded me of the Clipper.
There’s no question the original Ontario Bus Industries Orion I from the mid 70s, paid tribute to the Clipper in its soft edged nose design, headlight layout, split windshield, and retro style badge.
Saw this one a few years back.
Can’t get enough of Clippers! And there’s an immaculately restored one in town, that used to be a charter bus years ago. I saw it in traffic one day, but could not get a shot. One of these days.
As a kid, I loved the Clippers since they were so different from what I normally saw from our front window on Lombard St (US Highway 101) in San Francisco. Greyhounds were the main bus sightings; this included the Marin commuter service, established with the discontinuance of Northwestern Pacific commuter train service (NWP was wholly owned by Southern Pacific, which also held a large interest in Western Greyhound Lines). These commuter buses were new-construction GM Old Look, and later Mack coaches, mixed with demoted long-distance models, my favorite among them the “Silversides.” GM PD-4104 “Highway Traveler” coaches were used on the Greyhound long distance routes out of San Francisco to the north.
My sightings of Flxible Clippers from the front window were mostly in the fleet operated by the nearby US Sixth Army. Some tour operators also used Clippers; and while out and about, Clippers could be seen on Airporter routes serving San Francisco International.
Jim, your excellent articles are a delightful part of my early Sunday morning ritual, and the Flxible has always been a favorite. I first remember seeing them at O’Hare in the 60s, as we would drop Dad off for a week of business travel.
Thanks for the great write-ups, and the fantastic photos as well.
This Antipodean does indeed recognize the Ansair-Flxible buses from when I was a littlie. I saw them sitting in the rather grotty bus terminal at the now renamed Spencer Street Station in Melbourne, looking all exotic and adventure bound as interstate venturers. Most excitingly, these behemoths looked rather like a ’30’s plane to this suggestible mind, and for sure, they had the logo “Änsett-ANA”” on them. I probably thought they could fly. I’ll explain.
Ansair was a company formed by a man named Sir Reginald Ansett. He began ferrying passengers in a Studebaker in country Victoria in the late ’20’s, and later began an eponymous airline flying wealthy graziers from their properties to Melbourne. Ansett was ultimately synonymous with flying here.
He didn’t abandon road transport, and thus Ansair, which was formed during WW2 to build plane parts, built buses post-war. Industry protection was very heavy here, so the only economic way for Ansett to have a flash Flxible was to build their own, under licence. About 130 of them were produced, and amazingly enough, at least 20 are still in action with private owners.
Here’s a slightly wayward postscript. Ansett was a highly successful airline, but was dead within less than 20 years of Sir Reg’s 1981 passing. The world thinks of Australia as a home to very poisonous animals – and indeed, for example, EVERY snake of the multi-millions in the country can potentially kill – but Ansett was killed by the most poisonous Australian of them all, Rupert Murdoch. He took it over as a co-owner, and it’s one of his rare business fails. Ofcourse, his moral failings are another topic entirely, but that’s for another time, and place.
Great stuff as ever, Jim.
Thanks for all the add’l info Justy – really interesting. Jim.
I remember as a young kid in Tasmania in the ’60s hearing these things coming along the main road, they had a very distinctive sound.
Transmissions info,anyone? nice read!
Can you shed some info on this early clipper I am possibly buying? Wondering if it was a factory RV. Door entry is midship and not located where most are. Interior rv package looks professionally done. Has an industrial ford powerplant that extends beyond the rear lid. The engine lid is a two part configuration that again, looks factory built.
It’s not a factory-built rv. Flxible and the other bus companies simply didn’t do that; they were bus builders and the rv business was very small back then. It was probably a later professional or very well-done home built conversion.The fact that it was re-powered with a Ford and has a non-stock engine cover rather confirms a later conversion.
Thank you Paul.
Another pic featuring engine cover.
I have a 1955 Flxible Visicoach that I’m considering parting with. I’m trying to locate some clubs or such that would have folks that might be interested.
HI Cathy Have you sold your visicoach yet I might be interested what price are you seeking and could you send me some pictures please , were is the bus located thankyou