I came across this picture and couldn’t quite make out what type of bus this was – but the back window design seemed rather unique. After a little research, I was able to pin it down. Glad I did because I had no idea this manufacturer produced this model – it’s a Prevost Citadin, a 1950’s urban transit bus from the company most famous for its premier line of intercity coaches.
1950 Prevost Intercity Coach
2017 Prevost X3-45
As we saw in an earlier post, Quebec-based Prevost has a rich transportation history. Beginning post-war, they have been very successful in producing a series of well-designed, well-built long-haul buses, right up to today.
What I didn’t know was that from 1949 until the late 1950’s, they also manufactured a city transit bus, the Citadin, which I’m sure our Franophone readers know is French for “Townsperson” or “City-Dweller”.
The Citadin came in 30 and 35 foot lengths, and was 96 inches wide. There wasn’t much information I could find on engines and transmissions, but imagine it came with powertrain options typical to North America in that era; Hercules, Waukesha, Fageol, International Harvester, Cummins, etc. I’ll hazard a guess and say engine location was longitudinal, based on the rear engine opening. In the picture above, you can just make out the air inlet scoop in the top/back, similar to that found on the Flxible Clipper.
A Suburban model was available also.
In the early 60’s, Prevost replaced the Citadin with this “New Look” type model, but by that point, GM had a production line going at its plant in London Ontario and was capturing most of the Canadian market. Prevost decided to focus solely on its more profitable intercity coach models.
Fortunately, Prevost and a large group of volunteers, many of whom were previous Prevost employees, began an intensive restoration of a 1952 Citadin. Almost four years encompassing 3725 hours were spent taking what was an old, tired workhorse and turning it into a beautifully restored and fully functional coach. The bus is now in the care of the Sainte Claire Township Historical Society, who periodically take it out for rides and excursions. Our sincere thanks and gratitude to these selfless volunteers for preserving this unique and rare model and giving it the recognition it fully deserves. Hopefully someone does the same for the one in the top photo.
And another lucky one has been saved and modified as an RV/motorhome.
I grew up in Northern Quebec, and don’t recall seeing many Prevost urban buses back in the day. We bought a car from Murray Hill Limousine in Montreal in 1972, and they had a nice selection of Prevost coaches for their livery services, and a few specialized custom Prevost’s for city touring assignments, Nice write-up on a bit of a rarity.
Nice find Jim. You and Paul are compiling an impressive catalog of rare buses. It’s easy to see the heavy influence of GM buses through the industry in the 40s and 50s. That ‘New Look’ design is quite ungainly. Like Dean said, these were rare, even in Canada. The only transit bus I recall emerging from Quebec, selling in significant numbers in North America, is the NovaBus.
Novabus is the successor to GM’s Canadian Diesel Division. Novabus built the last ‘New Look’ Classics in the mid-90’s.
Good looking coach.
You have really upped my understanding of the great variety of buses that once roamed the roads. A hat tip is in order for your ability to ID an old bus like this.
Needless to say, this is a new one for me too. GM’s New Look sure did spawn a raft of imitations; right down to all sorts of details.
Thanks for another unique chapter in the Bus Stop Classics.
The pic of the New Look type model Prevost is one of a sub fleet of 5 that BC Hydro Transit in Vancouver purchased to use on the steep hill route up to Simon Fraser University. When I went through driver training for the Maintenance Dept. in 1975 we spent a day driving them..could have been this very bus! They had a 8V-71 Detroit Diesel and a 4-speed non-synchro manual trans with a reverse H pattern so 1st was where 4th normally was. Talk about a PITA to drive! I don’t think they had power steering either. Only time I had a chance to drive one as I was never working out of the garage they were in.
Thanks for the add’l info – I couldn’t find much out there on this model other than it had a manual transmission. Jim.
Speaking of BC Hydro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_r6vk8dRV0&t=214s
Lots of Twin Coaches.
Speaking of BC Hydro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_r6vk8dRV0&t=214s
Lots of Twins.
Another bus manufacturer I´ve never heard off. Since visiting cc my knowledge of buses is growing. I´m surprised that there were so many other bus makers despite the dominance of GM.
Thanks for the feature Jim.
Growing up our west I never knew about these transit buses, which is due to the fact they were never purchased by Edmonton Transit System.
GarryM – But Diamond Bus Lines in Jasper Place, west of Edmonton had three Citadins until 1964 – and the red & white Red Deer Transit Bus was actually bought from them! Here for good measure is a camperized Citadin from mid to late fifties snapped in Levis, Quebec:
Here’s that photo:
Bonjour The blue refurb 1952 Citadin Prevost ex Drolet bus line 48 was mine since 1991, in 2003 I show it to Prevost Car and the Heritage society of Ste-Claire as a refurb project for the history of the township. After 3725 hours of work by ¨benovlents¨ and with 84 sponsors, it is the property of the Sainte-Claire township Historical society.
The engine is the original International Harvester Red 450 with a Fuller 5 speeds transmission.
Between 1950 ans 1954, there was only 124 built ans it is the only one who is still roadworthy.
TTC have nothing to do with this bus
The firs bus up the op the page is a 1953 Citadin retrofit with a Leyland engine at 90 degree at the rear by the Sherbrooke bus remunafucturing.
More details about ¨my¨ bus are at my web site www. busfanplace.com in the main page Prevost Citadin
Mr. Brophy,
As a bus-nut, I enjoy your truly excellent articles on historical buses.
However (there is always a however after a compliment), your article on the Prevost Citadin does not even mention Jacques Matte who was the driving force behind the restoration (blue and white livery) that you call out. Mr Matte ran a website, Busfan Place, that featured his extensive collection of photographs and models. The website has a section on the Prevost Citadin restoration.